Buying a new camera

[nickg]

Hi guys,

About four years ago I bought the Nikon Coolpix S10 camera. I was very happy with it until it broke last year. It says "Lens error" and is costly to repair, but part of me is toying with that idea.

A much larger part of me thinks that I should buy a new camera.

I am not a "photographer" but rather I like to take nice pictures when I go away and when at home. This is why I usually buy a high end digitial compact camera but not a DSLR and not a cheap point and shoot.

What I want from a camera:
* good MP
* high optical zoom
* able to take good photos
* able to manually adjust settings so things look their best
* good video
* on the Nikon Coolpix S10, I liked the fact that I could turn the shutter round to face me so I could see the screen while taking a picture or video of myself (I often travel solo)
* SD memory could be a slight advantage as I have loads of SD cards, but not a huge requirement.

So, guys in the know, what would you buy in my shoes? What should I buy?

Please help!

[Chris Cool]

Hi, I don't know of any small compact with high optical zoom and a twisting screen that compares to the Nikon S10.

I still have a mint Nikon Coolpix 4500 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp4500/) so I know what it's like to use them.

However, I went through quite a few cameras without the vari-angle and am now resigned to the fact that I'd rather have a small compact with high optical zoom.

In the end I went with the Panasonic TZ7 (http://www.trustedreviews.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TZ7_Digital-Camera_review) point and shoot (See zoom range (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?71760-TZ7-zoom-range-%287-images%29&daysprune=-1)), but if you want some manual control, there is the Panasonic TZ10 (http://www.trustedreviews.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TZ10_Digital-Camera_review) - TZ20 (http://www.trustedreviews.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TZ20_Digital-Camera_review)

Regards


Chris

[nickg]

Thanks for your reply.

I was very happy with my Nikon Coolpix S10 until it broke!

I've had a look at the two Panasonic camers you mentioned and they both look good. I'm going to keep an eye on those!

Thanks for your advice.

Nick





Hi, I don't know of any small compact with high optical zoom and a twisting screen that compares to the Nikon S10.

I still have a mint Nikon Coolpix 4500 (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp4500/) so I know what it's like to use them.

However, I went through quite a few cameras without the vari-angle and am now resigned to the fact that I'd rather have a small compact with high optical zoom.

In the end I went with the Panasonic TZ7 (http://www.trustedreviews.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TZ7_Digital-Camera_review) point and shoot (See zoom range (http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?71760-TZ7-zoom-range-%287-images%29&daysprune=-1)), but if you want some manual control, there is the Panasonic TZ10 (http://www.trustedreviews.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TZ10_Digital-Camera_review) - TZ20 (http://www.trustedreviews.com/Panasonic-Lumix-DMC-TZ20_Digital-Camera_review)

Regards


Chris