Newbie help

[Agent]

Hi there

Im currently using a Kodak DX3700 from the famous "Kodak fiasco" that happened a while back
However, im looking at moving onto somthing a bit more advanced. Dont get me wrong, im a novice when it comes to photography, but this just isnt meeting my needs anymore.
Im studying games design, which includes a *lot* of imaging / texturing. Many of it is taken directly off real photo's and edited / tweaked via photoshop and other applications, so keep in mind this will be its main use . It will obviously be used for family photographs of partys and what-not, so having pictbridge would be a bonus so other family members could print out without needed to mess with my computer

The main 3 things im concerned about are image quality, size, and battery life (in that order, although the last 2 really are interchangable). My current Kodak is a joke when it comes to batterys, somtimes it lasts less than an hour when using the viewfinder. I am sure the model has some sort of charging problem (seems to be common from googling ?)
Another issue im having with it is the amount of time it takes to save the picture to disk, its just too slow (the same go's for switching it on untill its read to take a picture). Ive missed many things because the cam's taken so long. Im not fussed as to what memory card the camera takes, as ill buy one just for the purpose. Of course, the cheaper the better, but im not scared of spending the money for somthing decent.
Image quality is of the highest concern, as many of the photos will have textures made from elements within them.
Size is just personal preference, as the one i have now is just a little bit too big for my liking.

A friend has just brought this, which i had a chance to play with today. It looks nice, is quite dinky, and it doesnt take an age to save files. BUT, i wasnt overly impressed with the photo quality. My Kodak seems to give better image quality from my first impressions, but this may well be a setting we havnt adjusted, as its litteraly just come out of the box and havnt read the manual yet. I dont currently have my Kodak with me, but next week we'll be doing side by side shots with them both so we can check things out.

I then come across this which looks nice. Very simlar to another sony.

Im not really looking for any brand in particular, the sonys just seemed to have nice specs : but coming from a computer background, i know that specs can be twisted and altered to give the impression of a better looking product.

So what should i be looking for ? Any specific things i should keep an open for ?
Model / make recomendations ?

My budget is around £250 (not including a seperate memory card), so im not expecting anything amazing ! Perhaps £300 at a push.

Many thanks

[Rebel]

Sony are without doubt a fantastic electronics company, they make great stereos, they make great Tv's they make great lots of things, but they are not cameras in my opinion.

If you are looking for quality you NEED to look at the main traditional companies, such as Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax Fuji and the like, do not look at an electronics company.

In the computer world, they say rubbish in = rubbish out the same applies to photography, the lens is the MOST important part of a camera, if you cannot see the subject clearly you will never get a good picture!

Thats why I say go for a reputable PHOTOGRAPHIC company, if you want small my preference is the Pentax optio range, however there is also the Canon Ixus range available.

If you want inexpensive and a bit of everything including fairly high quality, the Fuji range is hard to beat.

Olympus are in my opinion, (and the opinion of many far cleverer people than me) probably the best non DSLR cameras available in many respects, but you will not find Sony in any list I put together.....sorry.

[Agent]

I was expecting such an answer about Sony, im honestly not supprised What you've said seems to perfectly add up with what ive been reading around google today. Ill stay away from them.

I used to own a Fuji (DX10), which i was very pleased with at the time (1024*768 goodness ), so id have no problem with going back to them. Im going to have a look around at retailers in a sec for Olympus's : any models i should look out for ?

Also, could you briefly explain the difference between SLR and non SLR ?

Many thanks

[silkstone]

Hi Agent. Let's deal with your last question first... In an SLR, what you see through the viewfinder is exactly what the lens is seeing. There is a mirror and pentaprism that directs the image from the lens to the viewfinder optically, with no electronics in between. When you press the shutter release, the mirror flips up and allows the light to reach the digital sensor which records the image. DSLRs have many advantages over 'compact' digicams, but only if you need all the features. The downside is that they are expensive (and the lenses are even more expensive), heavy, bulky and more difficult to use until you become really familiar with them. If you don't know you need one, stick to a compact!

I've not much to add to what Rebel has said about the makes to look at, except that I'll put in a plug for the Canon A75, A80, etc. My wife has one and it takes very good pics straight from the camera. We both prefer it to the very small digicams (like the Ixus) because it is ergonomically better and easier to hold. The best thing to do is go to a camera store and try a few - see which feels the most comfortable to you.

Hope that helps.

[Apex]

Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax, Fuji

Not in any order but am liking the Canons at the mo