Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Hi, I know there have been other threads asking for advice on digital cameras, but I can't find my answer in there.

We are looking to replace our old Trust 910Z, as it appears to be eating batteries now - even brand new AA's. It's the battery type and life that gets me. Am currently looking at the one :-
http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...s=samsung+l600

It has a Li-lon battery, so how does it charge? thru the USB or would there be a seperate charger? And how long would a charge last? I've tried Uncle Google but cannot find a review of this one, to see if it's any good.

Even if we don't go for this one, can I please have some help on digital camera batteries, and what I should be looking for with our Apprx £100 budget.

Thanks in advance :)

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

If it's anything like the L700 the battery charged inside the camera via a lead you plug into the mains or through a USB style lead to the PC.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I have an Olympus D-380, Quite old, and that takes 4 X AA re-chargeable batteries. The batteries. Or it can be charged by using a lead which has a standard mains plug at 1 end and a small USB plug at the other, or it will take disposable AA if no others are available

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

You may also be interested in the Fujifilm Finepix F20 which is (was) available in Tesco stores for £67. This has a much better sensor than the Samsung to give nicer colour tone and lower noise in low-light shots.

Some details here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...hread=25417102

To find out the battery life of a camera you'll have to do quite a bit of digging. Check out the information available on some of these site:
http://www.dpreview.com/
http://www.steves-digicams.com/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/
http://www.dcresource.com/
and, in particular:
http://www.steves-digicams.com/best_cameras.html

May I suggest you first ask yourself what sort of camera you want: compact, bridge, SLR or any shade in between. Then think about other considerations like: does it need to be weatherproof; will you be spending a long time (days) away from the mains; do you have any existing flash cards that you want to use; do you want full manual control; might you want to use an external flash; might you want to use a cable release? If you think you're going to want to take any photos indoors then have a good read of this article:
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/compactcamerahighiso/
You'll see that Fuji makes some excellent sensors. But beware, not all of their cameras use their own sensors!

You can get a Fuji S6500fd (known as S6000fd in USA) from around £140 (PC World). This has the same sensor as the F31fd mentioned in the article but with a manual zoon lens on the front. Why on earth the manufacturers thought we needed motorised zooms I shall never understand! I'd avoid the S5700 as this has a poor, non-Fuji, sensor.

And don't forget to factor in the cost of spare batteries, flash cards and, if appropriate, skylight filter and tripod.

IMHO, it's a good idea to get a camera that uses standard AA cells rather than some proprietary (expensive) battery. If you choose a camera with AAs then definately get some Sanyo Eneloop cells and a NiMh charger. These are the Mutt's Nuts.

Note that I've have a Fujifilm S9500 so I get to hear more info about their cameras so I'm biased!

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

If you don't mind having a largish camera I'd stretch my budget a little & go for one of these...(I have the old 5600) http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fuji-FinePix-S5700-Digital-Camera/dp/B000PH5IWI/ref=sr_1_1/202-8811475-1327804?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1194095994&sr=1-1

& one of these...(not that fast but is quite flexible)
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=101271

& a couple of sets of these...(I think they're about the highest capacity rechargable AAs I've found)
http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/prod...ucts_id=101842

Don't be put off rechargable AAs, this camera takes 4 of them & they last for AGES if propperly charged.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Most camera's with rechargable battery packs should allow you to pop the battery out and charge it in a charger that comes with it.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I remember my first Fuji finepix, it took 4 AA batteries (swapped with rechargables), I was lucky to get 30 shots before all 4 went flat. At least that's all changed now (I think), but with my D40x I can now get about 500 shots, then recharge the battery in about 45 minutes. I find the battery life was one of the main factors for me in choosing the camera I have now.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Thanks all for the replies - The battery life is also my main concern. I will look into all the suggestiions given, and go from there.

p.s. peanut, might bump into you @ Christchurch Park tonight !:)

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Yeah, it's changed quite a lot, I get at least 250-300 pictures with my finepix s6500.

Wooly One: if your considering a camera with a battery pack as opposed to one that takes normal AA batteries, remember that a spare battery pack will probably cost more than just buying a 4/8 AA's.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

To throw in yet another suggestion - how about the Canon A95. It's an end-of-line model now but is still a crackin' camera. Although the low-light performance of the Fujifilm cameras will be better.
Only £85 from eBuyer with a free delivery option too.
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/73074
Mint examples are going for more than this on eBay!

Some more info:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canona95/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/A95/A95A.HTM
http://www.steves-digicams.com/2004_reviews/a95.html
and a little out of date:
http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/26...al-camera.html

And it takes AA cells and CF cards too!!!

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I had an A80, the predecessor to the A95, also a fantastic camera. As the dp review site says, A95 an improved A80.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

With no charger mentioned (for the first one) it is USB charging - looking at the Samsung site, it appears that a Samsung charger for phones or media players can also be used, but no charger is supplied.

Personally, I would be reluctant to consider anything that does not run on NiMH AA, due to the far lower cost of of a considerable amount of reserve power in that format. Equally, I'd prefer generic SD card capability, to more exotic formats that cost more. Some camera makers seem to be looking enviously at the Inkjet printer makers attempted stranglehold on supplies.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

And the Canon running on AA batteries CF cards meets both your demands for generic products. Though I am happy they did not try to run my EOS 300D on AA batteries.

I know what you mean though it annoys the crap out of me that the only way to charge my iPod shuffle is by USB with 500W of computer PSU turned on.

Note - the ebuyer link trys to sell you the camera with an SD card. That be aware that card will not work in that camera.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

You can buy separate plug-top chargers with a USB output, eg this one:
http://cpc.farnell.com/jsp/search/pr...sp?SKU=CS13109

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Thanks 9 quid , $18 plus shipping, well that is about $25 which is about 2 weeks of my leccy bill and being as it only needs charging every 12 hours or every couple of weeks. I only wear it when I am running, my classic iPod and K800i are my usual on the go music players.
I'll manage, it just annoys me if it is flat and I am not using the computer as also the fan is sufficiently noisy so I have to turn up the volume on the TV.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I only provided that link 'cos it's one I'm familliar with. I usually order enough from them to avoid the delivery charges.

Similar chargers are available from a number of sources eg:

Maplin:
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?...=usb%20charger

eBay:
http://search.ebay.co.uk/usb-charger

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

sorry to hijack this thread....

but can anyone tell me if this is a good buy?
I want a camera that will take good pictures. sporty ones, night time ones, long exposure ones, for when I happen to see stars when I am in a remote part of scotland (whenever we have a clear night) maybe firework displays and such likes.
I love scenerey pics too so a camera for that....

I ask cause the price looked good. I dont expect it to be the best but will it be a suitable camera for what I want?

ik

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Yes ikthius. I reckon the S6500fd is a good camera. (I have the S9500 which is it's bigger brother.) The S6500 has an excellent sensor which will give your pictures great great colours and little noise when you boost the ISO ('film' speed). Both cameras have a good lens with a manual zoom ring - much better than any motorised one - and a 28mm wide end. If you are comfortable with its size, then I'd say that that is an excellent camera for your needs.

Also try PC World - believe it or not!
http://www.pcworld.co.uk/product.php?sku=871056

Check out some of my recent pics and some comments comparing the two cameras here:
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/re...hread=25313576

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Hi ikthius, I have the Fuji FinePix S5700 Digital Camera - http://tinyurl.com/2jnjqw (which cost me over £200 about six months ago).

Have a look at my Flickr page for examples of photo's taken with this camera.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/deltawh...7602847395776/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deltawh...7602031424721/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deltawh...7602847416548/

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I have the Fuji Finepix S5500 Zoom which is a pretty good camera, even recently when I was visiting the house on the rock in Wisconsin and the camera flashed up low battery, it went on to take a further 40 pics with flash.
I also have a Sony Hard Drive handycam with carl zeiss vario tessar lens.
The most important thing is OPTICAL zoom, digital zoom is worthless, the fuji I have has 10x optical and the sony has 40x optical.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I have been after a Digital SLR for a while, one with a decent bit of optical zoom.
I was looking at the nikon D40 but after seeing Delta's pics and looking at the specs and price the fuji S5700 is very high on my crimbo list :)

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Some background on the S5700 (also known as the S700):
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fu...x_s700-review/

And some on the S6500fd (also known as the S6000fd):
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/fu...6000fd-review/

Note that the S5700 lacks a manual zoom ring and Fuji's Super-CCD sensor for fantastic colours and low-light performance. I'd plump for the other - especially since they seem to be about the same price now. Sorry DW!

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I agree the low light performance isn't that good, there is a bit of digital noise apparent in most of my low light shots. I think the colour balance is fine, but that's my preference.

No need to be sorry, all opinions are valid. :D

---------- Post added at 20:18 ---------- Previous post was at 20:16 ----------

The other thing to consider is the size of the camera, my S5700 goes with me everywhere, my friends Nikon D80 is only taken out when he's going to take photo's.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

well I got the Fuji Finepix S6500fd

and here is a couple of pics I took with it, on auto mode, of my nephew, I think it is a good camera, still sussing it out though, need to try other types of subjects hehe

can you tell the only picture I never took? :)

ik

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

So why did you go for that one in the end?

I see my S5700 is down to £104 now (I paid £205 back in April), faster depreciation than a new car.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

i read a lot of reviews and thought it was decent enough

ik

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

www.dpreview.com < the main site i use for reviews. may come in handy to those looking to purchase one.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I bought a Panasonic FZ50 which uses a CGR-S006A rechargeable lithium ion battery, however I want to get a spare battery.

I've seen a variety of batteries offered as replacements for Panasonic's CGR-S006A at prices ranging from about £5 to £50.

I don't want to buy an expensive one when a cheaper one will do the job well without damaging my camera.

Is there anyone using an FZ50 who has bought a battery which they can recommend please?

Any information would be greatly appreciated. TIA.

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

I just bought a cheap one off ebay and it seems to be working alright.

How are you getting on with the camera?

Re: Digital cameras - I'm confused
 

Anyone after a dSLR.. a few weeks ago Canon announced the EOS450d which brings the spec of their entry level model more in line with the EOS40d. Inevitably the EOS400d is going to start coming down in price when the new model is released. Keep eyes peeled as there may be some bargains to be had.