Steve'sDigicams

writetolucy · Dec 31, 2005, 6:13 AM

I am looking to purchase my first digital camera. I'm in the UK and looking to spend about £100 (plus extra on memory). I want a v small camera with around 4 mp, plus optical zoom. There seem to be very few small cameras in this price range but I've seen the BenQ E53 and E43 for around £100. What are your opinions on this? I've seen comments that the picture/focus isn't fantastic, but am unsure whether those are professional opinions or just compared to normal cameras ... I want good, clearphotos but am not going to be blowing up more than 7x5. I've got to the stage where the BenQ camera seems too good to be true, and I'm wondering why!

Many thanks for your help.

Lucy

tennisforums · Dec 31, 2005, 9:53 AM

Well, considering BenQ don't really specialise in cameras, I'd say that they are just other models branded as BenQ. I would avoid them personally.

Vivitar make some very cheap cameras 5mp, 3x optical for $100ish. Quality actually isn't half bad. Can't remember the exact model, but I'm sure a google search would be helpful.

shutterbuggy · Dec 31, 2005, 1:30 PM

Why not taking a Canon PowerShot A410 or A510? Heard good things of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-S5 too.

writetolucy · Dec 31, 2005, 2:00 PM

thank you both. Isn't the Canon quite large?

Jonny Megapixel · Dec 31, 2005, 3:32 PM

Amazon have the Kodak c360 for £99.99 with free super saver delivery:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009RLH7E/qid=1136060977/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-1018542-5987629

And ebuyer have oodles of Flash memory at very cheap prices:
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...subcat_uid=446

I bought the c360 - it arrived today - and it is stunning. For £100 you get a 5MP camera with great screen, fabulous photos, superb flash, incredible macro, and very easy to use. I am delighted with it.

Oh, and for £2 you can pick up a canvas bag from Tesco!

Jonny

Jonny Megapixel · Jan 1, 2006, 9:03 AM

BenQ do make good computer equipment. their DVD writers for example are unrivalled (they make them for Plextor, Sony, and Phillips to name but three).

But BenQ is not a digital imaging company. Likewise, Acer. I tried an Acer recently. The camera itself was nice and small, great screen, quick to respond, efficient. But the quality of the photos... very grainy, even in daylight. And the barrel distortion make it quite useless for wide angle photography. Poor focussing, and terrible auto white balance, and dreadful colour fidelity!

I'm not saying that the BenQ will be that bad, but stick with tired and tested phtographic brands.

Again, for small, reliable, and great quality, I'm recommending the Kodak c360 from Amazon.

Jonny

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Dec 31, 2005, 6:13 AM	#1
writetolucy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2	I am looking to purchase my first digital camera. I'm in the UK and looking to spend about £100 (plus extra on memory). I want a v small camera with around 4 mp, plus optical zoom. There seem to be very few small cameras in this price range but I've seen the BenQ E53 and E43 for around £100. What are your opinions on this? I've seen comments that the picture/focus isn't fantastic, but am unsure whether those are professional opinions or just compared to normal cameras ... I want good, clearphotos but am not going to be blowing up more than 7x5. I've got to the stage where the BenQ camera seems too good to be true, and I'm wondering why! Many thanks for your help. Lucy

Dec 31, 2005, 9:53 AM	#2
tennisforums Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 82	Well, considering BenQ don't really specialise in cameras, I'd say that they are just other models branded as BenQ. I would avoid them personally. Vivitar make some very cheap cameras 5mp, 3x optical for $100ish. Quality actually isn't half bad. Can't remember the exact model, but I'm sure a google search would be helpful.

Dec 31, 2005, 1:30 PM	#3
shutterbuggy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 188	Why not taking a Canon PowerShot A410 or A510? Heard good things of the Sanyo Xacti VPC-S5 too.

Dec 31, 2005, 2:00 PM	#4
writetolucy Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 2	thank you both. Isn't the Canon quite large?

Dec 31, 2005, 3:32 PM	#5
Jonny Megapixel Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 39	Amazon have the Kodak c360 for £99.99 with free super saver delivery: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0009RLH7E/qid=1136060977/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl/026-1018542-5987629 And ebuyer have oodles of Flash memory at very cheap prices: http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/produ...subcat_uid=446 I bought the c360 - it arrived today - and it is stunning. For £100 you get a 5MP camera with great screen, fabulous photos, superb flash, incredible macro, and very easy to use. I am delighted with it. Oh, and for £2 you can pick up a canvas bag from Tesco! Jonny

Jan 1, 2006, 9:03 AM	#6
Jonny Megapixel Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 39	BenQ do make good computer equipment. their DVD writers for example are unrivalled (they make them for Plextor, Sony, and Phillips to name but three). But BenQ is not a digital imaging company. Likewise, Acer. I tried an Acer recently. The camera itself was nice and small, great screen, quick to respond, efficient. But the quality of the photos... very grainy, even in daylight. And the barrel distortion make it quite useless for wide angle photography. Poor focussing, and terrible auto white balance, and dreadful colour fidelity! I'm not saying that the BenQ will be that bad, but stick with tired and tested phtographic brands. Again, for small, reliable, and great quality, I'm recommending the Kodak c360 from Amazon. Jonny