Value for money Camera

[tks]

I'd recommend a Fujifilm F30 (it might be in stores now. Call to enquire) if you are looking at basic consumer models. A good basic camera with reasonably good noise control (for a PnS) at ISO1600 and ISO3200.

I read the review at dpreview and the F30 does appear to be a good camera, especially at low light conditions. No wonder the guy at AP tried to sell me one when I was looking at the Panasonic FX01. But the xD card format is a big minus for me.

But I think the Fujifilm F30, like the Panasonic Lumix FX01 and Canon Ixus 800IS belongs to the "style over peformance" or "small form factor" type of camera, which is not what the threadstarter is looking for. They are also more in the region of $600 and above.

 

[felixcat8888]

At a lower price within the budget of the threadstarter?

Well, if it can still be found, the S2 IS is a pretty capable camera as well.

read in one of the threads that AP still haas the S2 for < $600.

 

[davsmiths]

A620. Im buying. Want to buy together?

 

[khlinz]

Yep, I am a guy, that's why i am looking for something with function more than style.

I went to simlim to enquire today and i was told by the shopkeeper that A700 is better than A620 (probably because he doesn't have A620 ).

Anyway, he said that the 1M pixel difference won't make that much a difference. The A700 also has a 'C' function less than the A620.

However, A700 is made in japan as oppose to A620 which is made in china. A700 is lighter and also uses 2x AA batt instead of 3.

But the bottomline is, the 2 cost the same. I am really quite confuse now.. haha help me out here.

thanks

I was in the same situation as you before, can't decide on a700 or a620. In the end, I chose a620 as TKS mentioned, it had a tilted screen and you can tilt the screen to take a self protrait photo. I also remembered read in some reviews (forgot which one) that 2 batteries run out faster as I had some bad experience in AA batteries running out very fast esp when you always playback. Another point is that with the extra 1M pixel you can crop with more detail and that could compensate the 4x Vs 6x optical zoom (read from some reveiws).

As for it's make, no matter where it's from, you can always buy extended warranty from Canon Singapore for another 2 years for 50 buck (not more than 14 days from purchase). So, at the end of third year, it's time to upgrade liao....

PS: not to discount a700 but juz my own opinion

 

[Lim72]

Pardon me if I am wrong but I find that Canon A series camera has got poor low light focusing (Focus assist light is a joke)

Have used A60, A70, A75, A90, A510, A400 and found them really terrible at finding focus. Having said that, I had once borrowed an old Olympus compact (C-300 I think) from a colleague and that old cheap Olympus cam focus much much faster and lock on focus most of the time even in low light. Similarly, my very old Fuji 4800 also focus much better than the older Canon A series (A60, A70), though still far behind the Olympus that I have tried.

Wonder which compact cams now has got competent focusing in the market now

 

[davsmiths]

read in one of the threads that AP still haas the S2 for < $600.

Really? When was it? Im interested in it as well. Please let me know. Thank you!

 

[felixcat8888]

Really? When was it? Im interested in it as well. Please let me know. Thank you!

not too sure. A week or so ago.

 

[bry'an]

S3 might be very good candidate if you willing to topup your budget

 

[davsmiths]

agree. but it's $150 above $600.
Would recommend the A620 or S2 IS (although the shop says its outdated, the CCD is the same size as the S3, same IS systems, same lens, different body, ISO 800, 1.8' s 2' lcd and ISO button and black paint)

 

[gan55]

If the A620 is similar to the A95, I would say its pretty value for money. Used the A95 before, its not bad and since A620 is its replacement, should be good enough too.