Digital Camera for ~�300?

[VenalWinfrey]

I want to buy a digital camera, and I've never owned one. I would ideally like to spend not much more than �300 and was thinking of maybe a Canon/Fuji model, as I've been told they're pretty good. Can anyone recomment a particular range? Basically I'm looking for taking decent shots, and also video shorts, that's really important. I'm about to go on holiday to Malaysia and it's for this reason that I'd like the camera. My friend told me either to wait and buy it at the airport, duty-free, or better still get it abroad as it should be quite a bit cheaper in KL. Is this right?

Any info greatly appreciated thanks guys!

[leandrews]

I've got a Casio camera from the Exilim range. I have the EX Z55 and it's been really good for me whilst i've been travelling. It's got a nice big screen, unlimited video time (limited only by memory card size) 5 megapixels, optical/digital zoom and about 20 different picture modes.

It's really easy to use and comes with a dock for recharging the camera and loading images. I've had mine for well over a year and got it from an online shop on ebay called DigitalRev, however I'm not sure whether they're still trading. They stock lots of Casio cameras, and others too.

[Emerton]

Based on my experience, I would advise you to take into account the following factors in order of priority:

1) Some cameras use special batteries. It is more convenient to buy a camera that uses AA batteries, then buy rechargeables and a separate charger. For a decent amount of power buy at least 2000 mA batteries.

2) SD cards (secure digital) are by far the most popular type of storage medium. (Fuji and Olympus use XD cards of which there are several types and they can have compatability problems with other equipment).

3) Disregard digital zoom (if you use digital zoom it substantially degrades the picture quality)and pixel count (different manufacturers count pixels in different ways!) and buy a popular make such as Canon or Panasonic which will have a far superior lens and be more sturdily built.

4) An optical zoom and view finder (as well as LCD screen), are extremely useful and you should be able to get one with both for well under �200.00.

[andyandlou]

Go to a large Asda's store, digital cameras really cheap and they also do camera/printer bundles.

[VenalWinfrey]

thanks everyone for the help!