New camera

[Tipsy hobbit]

Hullo I'm new here, my names Ellie from the UK
I'm interested in photography and think I'm getting a digital camera for my birthday, but I don't know what I should go for, as I'm only new to it
can anyone give any suggestions?
Thanks (=

[nosquare2003]

Welcome Ellie!

Perhaps you have to provide your budget. Otherwise, members here will advise you to buy the most expensive gears :evil:

[Tipsy hobbit]

Thank'ee!
Well lol, not too expensive.. umm... well i'm not sure how much they all cost, but not a lot of money preferably =P.. if you recommend one, you could say about what price it'd be and I'll say if that price range is alright?
Seeya!

[RichardtheSane]

You are looking at a minimum of £180 to get a camera you won't wnat to upgrade really quickly....
Is that too much?

[stopbath]

You need to define your needs in a camera. Do you want more AUTO than anything else, or is taking control of the camera in some situations important to you. Do you want a compact camera to take everywhere with you, or do you want a big SLR that you take only on photo trips?

Theres many cameras to fit your needs, but you don't want to make the wrong choice and not use the camera because it's too big, or doesn't do enough...

Next, try some cameras and see how comfortable and easy to use they are. Do they fit your hand well? Can you see through the finder well? Can you navigate the menus on the LCD well?

Along with budget this should narrow the selection down to a scant few... From there you just select the camera you feel more comfortable buying...

When selecting cameras, try to keep your selection to the known brands. Be careful of knock off cameras that are 'close to' a brand name (like Cannon or Canor instead of a real Canon) The quality between the larger brands are all more or less the same.

Whatever you choose, have fun with it.

[Tipsy hobbit]

Yeah £180 is alright, could maybe go a bit higher

I'd like a compact one, that I can take places with me, I'm not really sure of the best places to go and shop for cameras.. any good shops? lol

Tar for all the help so far!

[Bruce Watson]

Ellie,

Along with the other wise advice given, would suggest you check sites such as www.depreview.com and www.stevesdigicams.com for reviews, once you have defined your needs and narrowed down the selection a bit.

Buy brand name, even if you get a little less camera for the money. There is a flood of "knock off" generic brands out there. Some are okay, some are junk.

Cheers,

Bruce

[evilenglishman]

Ellie,

Along with the other wise advice given, would suggest you check sites such as www.depreview.com
Bruce

DO NOT click that link its full of spam and pop-ups.

try this: http://www.dpreview.com

easy mistake to make Bruce :P

[Bruce Watson]

Going by memory for that url. Yeah, there seems to be a real scam business in website with similar or common spelling/typo errors.

At least it doesn't link to porn sites!

[Canuck]

Yeah £180 is alright, could maybe go a bit higher

I'd like a compact one, that I can take places with me, I'm not really sure of the best places to go and shop for cameras.. any good shops? lol

Tar for all the help so far!

Umm...being in the UK, there is Jessops, Warehouse Express in Norwich (mail order only), possibly Young's Cameras (there is one in East Anglia in Kings Lynn). I recon a large Jessops might be ur best bet.

[Tipsy hobbit]

Okay cheers, gonna have a look round this weekend I think so I'll tell you if I decide on anything