Please help with my first camera purchase

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Macethy

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Hi everyone

I need some advice on picking my first camera. I want to use it for closeups of statues, landscape pictures, and just taking pictures of random things. I'm not a professional and don't need a professional camera, but would prefer a bridge camera although I'm not too interested in video capabilities.

I've narrowed it down to three possible candidates, although my gf is adamant that I get a Canon camera:

http://www.makro.co.za/p/26223/nikon-l310-ultra-zoom-camera/
http://www.makro.co.za/p/33807/fuji-s3400-ultra-zoom-camera/
http://www.takealot.com/cameras/digital-cameras-6311/fuji-finepix-s2995-camera-black,12808852

Also, I would like the camera to atleast come with rechargeable batteries and a memory card, bag i can buy separately i don't mind.

Thanks in advance!
 
I think those cameras use AA batteries. You can get rechargeable AA batteries but I don't know if they'll be included.
 
Personally I'd recommend to check in all those cameras' cases for their Li-ion counterparts. I know Canon has a few bridge and compact cameras that come in both AA and dedicated battery pack flavours. Reason being that the li-ion packs will typically get you as much as 2x as many shots or live-view runtime out of the camera as AAs will, the recharge time is often shorter, it's a single pack to worry about, generally means there's less bulk to the camera body, retains its charge longer without necessarily needing to be removed from the camera and performs better in colder temperatures (assuming this last point would be at all relevant).

Note ofc that this all assumes you can find a place that stocks the battery you want at a reasonable price and that you even intend on using more than one battery pack (such as when traveling). Otherwise, I guess, you could get something like the new generation of Energizer 2,300mAh ni-mh batteries.

Just a suggestion.

Also, your girlfriend might be recommending the Canon for CHDK? Or does she simply favour the brand? I do know that Canon's latest superzooms have pretty amazing performance, but there's nothing saying Nikon or Fuji don't have comparable performance cameras.

*edit* Mycamera seem to stock a lot of third-party batteries from a company called Techstep(?), so they could be an option for li-ion batteries for w/e camera you get.
 
nanonyous said:
Personally I'd recommend to check in all those cameras' cases for their Li-ion counterparts. I know Canon has a few bridge and compact cameras that come in both AA and dedicated battery pack flavours. Reason being that the li-ion packs will typically get you as much as 2x as many shots or live-view runtime out of the camera as AAs will, the recharge time is often shorter, it's a single pack to worry about, generally means there's less bulk to the camera body, retains its charge longer without necessarily needing to be removed from the camera and performs better in colder temperatures (assuming this last point would be at all relevant).

Note ofc that this all assumes you can find a place that stocks the battery you want at a reasonable price and that you even intend on using more than one battery pack (such as when traveling). Otherwise, I guess, you could get something like the new generation of Energizer 2,300mAh ni-mh batteries.

Just a suggestion.

Also, your girlfriend might be recommending the Canon for CHDK? Or does she simply favour the brand? I do know that Canon's latest superzooms have pretty amazing performance, but there's nothing saying Nikon or Fuji don't have comparable performance cameras.

*edit* Mycamera seem to stock a lot of third-party batteries from a company called Techstep(?), so they could be an option for li-ion batteries for w/e camera you get.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, I will probably get rechargeable AA batteries with a charger seeing as HiFi corp sells it for around R150 so it's not that bad. My girlfriend doesn't exactly know why she likes Canon, she probably just assumes that they are the best. I'm leaning towards the Fuji camera although it doesn't seem to come with any accessories.
 
In the last year I have purchased 3 DSLR cameras. All Canon. #1 a 20D, #2 a 30D and last week a 400D. All were second hand purchases. The most expensive was the 20D at R2200, but it did come with 2 lenses, a bag and the normal goodies. The 400D was R1500 and that came with the standard kit lens. All were like new and still working perfectly.

The reason I mention this is that there are some serious bargains to be had with second hand DSLR cameras. Lots of people impulse buy them and then end up not using them. If you are patient you can get a R6000 camera for under R2000. The nice thing about DSLRs is the fact that you can change and upgrade lenses. Of the cameras you posted I would go for the Fujis. My first digital was a Fuji and it served me well. It did pack up eventually and can't be repaired economically. My 30D, not the one I bought second hand (New purchase), also stopped working. The only moving part is the shutter. That was repaired for R1200.

Go for the Fuji if you are set on new, but if you want to take a chance, look at a good second hand DSLR.
 
Lord Farquart said:
In the last year I have purchased 3 DSLR cameras. All Canon. #1 a 20D, #2 a 30D and last week a 400D. All were second hand purchases. The most expensive was the 20D at R2200, but it did come with 2 lenses, a bag and the normal goodies. The 400D was R1500 and that came with the standard kit lens. All were like new and still working perfectly.

The reason I mention this is that there are some serious bargains to be had with second hand DSLR cameras. Lots of people impulse buy them and then end up not using them. If you are patient you can get a R6000 camera for under R2000. The nice thing about DSLRs is the fact that you can change and upgrade lenses. Of the cameras you posted I would go for the Fujis. My first digital was a Fuji and it served me well. It did pack up eventually and can't be repaired economically. My 30D, not the one I bought second hand (New purchase), also stopped working. The only moving part is the shutter. That was repaired for R1200.

Go for the Fuji if you are set on new, but if you want to take a chance, look at a good second hand DSLR.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the advice, but I think a proper DSLR camera is way too overkill for me, a nice bridge camera will do for my needs.

I found this special so will be heading to Incredible Connection this weekend!

http://www.guzzle.co.za/specials/view/292869/
 
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