Can anyone recommend an idiotproof digital camera.

Stephen55a1960 · 17th August 2012, 20:14

Hi,
Thanks for your help in advance. Can anyone recommend an idiotproof (simple to use) digital camera for photographing trains/planes etc. I'm looking at something that perhaps has autofocus? Would prefer, as a first time user, not too have to spend a lot of money. A ceiling of around £100 is my limit.

Nym · 17th August 2012, 20:40

Like I normally say, go play with some in Jessops, you can get yourself a half decent compact for £100...

All compacts will have things like autofocus, etc. Depends on what lighting conditions you will be taking photos in as to what brand I'd be recommending, but since you're starting out, the best advice is really to go play with some in Jessops and find one you get on with using.

Hmmm, looking at prices nowadays it would be a low end compact, but the advice remains the same, go play with some, if you get one from a better brand then the image quality will be pretty much the same across the board, and remember, Megapixels are not the be all and end all...(!) Don't go getting dazzled by big, irrelevant numbers..

Stephen55a1960 · 17th August 2012, 20:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nym

Like I normally say, go play with some in Jessops, you can get yourself a half decent compact for £100...

All compacts will have things like autofocus, etc. Depends on what lighting conditions you will be taking photos in as to what brand I'd be recommending, but since you're starting out, the best advice is really to go play with some in Jessops and find one you get on with using.

Hmmm, looking at prices nowadays it would be a low end compact, but the advice remains the same, go play with some, if you get one from a better brand then the image quality will be pretty much the same across the board, and remember, Megapixels are not the be all and end all...(!) Don't go getting dazzled by big, irrelevant numbers..

Thank you for that advice. I shall make it clear, when I go to Jessops etc, that I don't want to be dazzled by fancy technical jargon either. I'll happily let you know what I do get. Thanks again.

Nym · 17th August 2012, 20:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stephen55a1960

Thank you for that advice. I shall make it clear, when I go to Jessops etc, that I don't want to be dazzled by fancy technical jargon either. I'll happily let you know what I do get. Thanks again.

Just be honest with them for what you want, they don't tend to use the headline figures in there anyway...

Have found things kicking around the £80 mark, so like I said, just have a play...

Stephen55a1960 · 17th August 2012, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nym

Just be honest with them for what you want, they don't tend to use the headline figures in there anyway...

Have found things kicking around the £80 mark, so like I said, just have a play...

Around £80 - definitely worth a look

JohnB57 · 19th August 2012, 17:18

£100 is quite a challenging budget for your projected use, but in my opinion the really important thing to consider is shutter response/shutter lag, which can be a bit frustrating on compact cameras. Many enthusiasts use dslrs as the shutter is more or less instantaneous and especially for transport and sport, a viewfinder is more reliable in bright light than a screen. This chart is not up to date but will give you an idea of some of the models that perform best for shutter response.

Good luck.

Bevan Price · 19th August 2012, 21:03

In addition to the other posts, look for a camera that allows some manual control of shutter speed, in preference to totally automatic operation. Trying to photograph moving trains can be a problem if the camera decides it wants to operate at a slow shutter speed.

Nym · 19th August 2012, 22:16

But when you're looking at compacts, you're going to be shooting at insane sensitivity on a fast shutter speed, and then you're looking at getting bad grainy shots...

Having different priority modes on a cheap compact sounds like a "fat chance" thing...

17th August 2012, 20:14	#1
Stephen55a1960 Member Join Date: 1 Apr 2012 Location: Leeds Posts: 426	Can anyone recommend an idiotproof digital camera. Hi, Thanks for your help in advance. Can anyone recommend an idiotproof (simple to use) digital camera for photographing trains/planes etc. I'm looking at something that perhaps has autofocus? Would prefer, as a first time user, not too have to spend a lot of money. A ceiling of around £100 is my limit.

17th August 2012, 20:40	#2
Nym MIET AMIMechE MIEEE(Soon) Established Member Join Date: 2 Mar 2007 Location: In a tunnel, not in London... Posts: 6,365	Like I normally say, go play with some in Jessops, you can get yourself a half decent compact for £100... All compacts will have things like autofocus, etc. Depends on what lighting conditions you will be taking photos in as to what brand I'd be recommending, but since you're starting out, the best advice is really to go play with some in Jessops and find one you get on with using. Hmmm, looking at prices nowadays it would be a low end compact, but the advice remains the same, go play with some, if you get one from a better brand then the image quality will be pretty much the same across the board, and remember, Megapixels are not the be all and end all...(!) Don't go getting dazzled by big, irrelevant numbers.. __________________ The views expressed above do not necessarily reflect those of my current, future or former employers, the IET, IMechE or InstMC.

19th August 2012, 22:16	#8
Nym MIET AMIMechE MIEEE(Soon) Established Member Join Date: 2 Mar 2007 Location: In a tunnel, not in London... Posts: 6,365	But when you're looking at compacts, you're going to be shooting at insane sensitivity on a fast shutter speed, and then you're looking at getting bad grainy shots... Having different priority modes on a cheap compact sounds like a "fat chance" thing... __________________ The views expressed above do not necessarily reflect those of my current, future or former employers, the IET, IMechE or InstMC.

19th August 2012, 17:18	#6
JohnB57 Member Join Date: 26 Jun 2008 Location: Holmfirth, West Yorkshire Posts: 224	£100 is quite a challenging budget for your projected use, but in my opinion the really important thing to consider is shutter response/shutter lag, which can be a bit frustrating on compact cameras. Many enthusiasts use dslrs as the shutter is more or less instantaneous and especially for transport and sport, a viewfinder is more reliable in bright light than a screen. This chart is not up to date but will give you an idea of some of the models that perform best for shutter response. Good luck.

19th August 2012, 21:03	#7
Bevan Price Member Join Date: 22 Apr 2010 Posts: 595	In addition to the other posts, look for a camera that allows some manual control of shutter speed, in preference to totally automatic operation. Trying to photograph moving trains can be a problem if the camera decides it wants to operate at a slow shutter speed.