I want to spend around $400-600 US or around $700-$1200 Ausralian. Can anyone recommend anything, and also some sites (pref Australian) where I can check out cams and prices? I don't have a credit card so can't really buy online, but want to get an idea of something decent and something better than my 1mp peice of shit i have now.
Sony Mavica CD500. 5 megapixels, the media is virtually free (uses mini-cd-rw's), and has great glass and features. Very easy to use, also fully manual.
I really like my G5 5mp, but it may be a bit beyond your price range, I got mine for $649 US, but you can get a G3 4mp for less than $500 US. The biggest thing I found when looking at cameras is you need to handle several in your price range and get an idea what it's like to shoot with them.
I just checked and saw the G5 for $591 US at Butterfly Photo
You should look at dpreview.com and do some research.
In your price range, take a look at the Fuji S5000. I found a price of $431(US). :) This camera is "only" 3mp but has 10x optical zoom. It's a very decent camera for $431. You could probably find a lower price although you'd need a ccard to order from the website I found. That would leave you money for a CF card, batteries, lens tube and UV filter, etc.
That price range will get you any compact digital, right up through 5mp.
Straight away, call around and see if anyone has the Canon G3 left. They are replacing them, so they have dropped to about $1100-1200
Some to consider:
Olympus C-750, 4 mp, 10x optical zoom! about $1100.
olympus mju-400, 4 mp, 3x zoom, about $800 (3mp version about $700)
Sony:
V-1 for about $1100. 5mp? The only compact sony to have manual mode..
DSC-P8... down to about $700. No manual. Basically auto.. but if you want a continuous movie mode, you might want a sony.
My camera is very nice. About $1100, but maybe a little pricey these days.
Also, because you're in Aus, the Olympus come with photoshop elements (if you don't have P/shop), and all olympus can double as a card reader (go to any computer without the photo software).
I recently purchased a Olympus c-4000z which falls right about in your price range. It's a great camera, and has everything you need without a bunch of unnecessary extra's. It's a 4MP camera, and it's done everything I've asked of it.
One suggestion, have a look at ebay, it's where I bought my C-4000z. You can get some great deals on great camera's.
My other suggest is to go to www.dpreview.com and do a comparison search on certain features, it's the best way to find the camera's inside your price range with the features you want.
@Kiwiness -
Well maybe one day when I'm good (and a little heavier in the wallet) I'll do the same. Well good luck selling it. You have enough really good stuff to show what it can do, that's for sure.
Just graduated to an Olympus C-740 Ultra Zoom and I'm real excited about the results I've been getting. Spent the weekend camping and canoeing on the Chippewa River in Michigan, and got some great wildlife shots. You'll need something to rest the camera on when you are all the way zoomed out at 10X. Any movement whatsoever will blur the pick.
Just graduated to an Olympus C-740 Ultra Zoom and I'm real excited about the results I've been getting. Spent the weekend camping and canoeing on the Chippewa River in Michigan, and got some great wildlife shots. You'll need something to rest the camera on when you are all the way zoomed out at 10X. Any movement whatsoever will blur the pick.
Inspzil, I'm almost in Toledo, but just inside the Michigan line. I was camping and canoeing with the scout troop from Monroe. We were very impressed with the Chippewa River and I don't think we'll be going back to the AuSable.
MarkS224, The Olympus C-740 UZ is automatic focus. As far as I know I can't adjust the focus, but I haven't finished reading the manual yet.
