The misses and I are going on safari later this year in celebration of our 40th birthdays and I'm after a new camera for the event as the digital compact I currently have will be lacking a little.

I'm looking at spending upto £250 (is this enough for a good one?) for one with a good optical zoom, so what do the budding photographers out there recommend??

Cheers

[Edited on 9/1/11 by cerbera]

The Panasonic Lumix TZ10 will be hard to beat at that price, assuming you want a compact type camera. Otherwise you could get a reasonable second hand DSLR which may produce better pictures (depending on the quality of the lens you can get with it), but will have less features (no video recording, GPS etc.).

£250 wont get you enough of an SLR to make it worth while... plus you then need to learn to use it properly..

That panasonic is a rather good camera, I have a different one of their cameras in the same range, its really rather good...



Alternativley have a look at the canon G9 or G10

Ditto on the TZ, but if you can magically find another £50-£100 then an SLR is in reach...


http://www.bestbuy.co.uk/product/1000135659/sony-a290-digital-slr-18-55mm-kit.aspx

http://www.bestbuy.co.uk/product/1000142497/Sony-Alpha-A290-DSLR-with-two-lens-kits.aspx

[Edited on 9/1/11 by stevebubs]

You will need a good zoom.

I am considering a Fuji HS10. It gets very good reviews, has a 30x zoom and can be had for less than £250

http://fujifilm.co.uk/consumer/digital/digital-cameras/d-slr-long-zoom/finepix-hs10

Oh and it has a HD 1020 Video option as well

[Edited on 9/1/11 by karlak]

More than £250 but an awesome camera:

Olympus PEN E-PL1

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/categories/Compact%20System%20Cameras/products/Olympus/PEN%20E-PL1%20Compact%20System%20Camera%20in%20Black%20with %2014-42mm%20Lens-77124/Show.html?cm_mmc=GoogleBase-_-CompactSystemCameras-_-all-_-all&ovc=

what about this, Nikon D5000 DSLR Camera with 18-55 VR Lens + Extras on eBay (end time 16-Jan-11 19:03:56 GMT)

i used my misses lumix bridge (not quite slr but nearly) recently whilst on holiday in morocco, sorry i don't know the model number and found it great, the auto function was nearly always capable, but i learn't to utilize the 18x zoom on this was difficult as it needed a very steady hand. was good as a binocular tho

best of luck.

Now is a good time to get the TZ10 - Panasonic are offering a £30 cash-back for the next month or so...

I got mine from Amazon - getting the cash-back was easy and quick.

I cant recommend specific models but if was in your position i would again start with the Canon offerings.

- Im presume you after something with a slightly large lens that a 3x zoom 'pack of cards' size, but stick pocketable?



Daniel

Thanks for the replies guys. I was already erring towards a Panasonic Lumix model but wanted to see what others thought. It's a cracking review for the TZ10 and it comes in under budget

i have got the older model of the tz10 and its a really good camera and i hear the tz10 is better still

took these with it

All are resized