Which 3MP/3x Optical Zoom Digi Camera?

[Steve Pickford]

Hi,
Looking to buy a Digital Camera & was hoping that someone out there could point me towards a reasonable camera for £130 to £150 (US$225 to $275)?

I'm after something rugged that comes with:

2.5 to 3 MegaPixels
Flash on/off, Red Eye Reduction, Slow Synch etc
Optical Zoom
XD or Compact Flash Storage Media
Takes rechargeable NiMH batteries
Manual focus option would be good
Variety of photo setting options
USB & TV compatible
Date & Time indicator

Not bothered about Movie mode. I'm not a frequent photographer, not bothered about huge number of features that I'll never understand, let alone use. I don't want extra features just for the sake of it. If it takes a reasonable photo, can be easily downloaded & is user friendly, then please tell me about it.

Just as important: please advise me of any features that you've found useful that I've not listed above & of any products to be avoided.

Thanks in advance

Steve

[MoroCycler]

Try www.dpreview.com, look for Fujifilm S5000
maybe it is what you are looking for.

Good Luck

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Life is the process of making known the unknown. MOROcycler

[Steve Pickford]

Thanks for the reply but I posted it last January & have since bought a Canon digicam.

Steve

[Grant Johnson]

Ok Steve - so which one and do you like it?

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

[Steve Pickford]

Bought the A60 Powershot in the end. Went round a few retailers & found one I liked. Went for the Canon because the bulging battery holder provides for something to grip on to. It also takes 4 x AA batteries, which are available anywhere.

Local retail price was £180.00, I found it on Amazon for £130.00, in addition I bought a 128mb CF card. I bought a LowePro camera bag locally as the standard Canon item was crap to say the least. I also bought a Uniross charger and 4xAA NiMH batteries (2100 mah) locally for £30.00 (Amazon were out of stock).

I've since had to buy a 256mb CF card as I've been on a few photo sprees, most is 256 in one afternoon & nearly 2,000 photos since late January, of which many can be seen here:

http://www.possu.smugmug.com/

I'm still learning & getting to grips with some of the features. First time I used it was for my first time skiing in early February which was cut short by an accident after two days, leaving me with 13 stitches in my right knee (photos in the link - lol)

I bought a small but solid camera so that I could take photos on the move whilst riding. Tried this last week crossing the Severn Bridge at "speed" in sidewinds on my 1150GS, photos very blurred though. More than happy with the camera, although I may replace it in a two years or so for something with a greater zoom capability. The A60 is only 2mp which is fine for me as I tend to share my photos via Smugmug.

It takes 100+ photos using the flash or nearly 300 without the flash to drain the NiMH batteries. Got an adaptor so that I can recharge in Europe, off to Brittany tomorrow evening for 4 days & Budepest in late August.

I will post a Ride Report with plenty of photos on the Adventure Rider site for both trips & will post a link here if anyone's interested.

Steve