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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Budget camera model advice requested
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08/26/2003 06:35:04 AM · #1
Hi folks

My cousin, in India, has mentioned that he and his fiancee would love to receive a digital camera as a wedding gift. Neither are particularly into photography and I don't believe that either is particularly familiar with digital cameras or post processing either. What they want is something that will allow them to take pictures easily without much of a learning curve, to upload pictures to websites and to print acceptable quality pictures at regular sizes.

I have absolutely no ideas at all and am overwhelmed by the models on dpreview.com but would like to spend somewhere between £80 and £150 UK to include battery recharging devices, cables etc for downloading to a PC and whatever storage media the model takes (CF, Smartmedia etc).

Your advice would be very gratefully received!

:o)
Kavey

Message edited by author 2003-08-26 06:59:38.
08/26/2003 06:41:22 AM · #2
I would reccommend the Canon A-series like the A300 or A60/70. The latter is a P&S with manual mode too if they get interested in photography later.
08/26/2003 07:00:01 AM · #3
Thanks Z!
Anyone else concur or have alternative suggestions?
08/26/2003 07:05:12 AM · #4
Originally posted by Kavey:

Thanks Z!
Anyone else concur or have alternative suggestions?


A70 is a good starter cam. I helped a friend of mine choose it. If you want to look at the Powershot series, you'll be spending at least US$300 - but it's money well spent for a *nice* cousin.

Message edited by author 2003-08-26 07:05:59.
08/26/2003 07:13:00 AM · #5
He's a lovely cousin. But £150 is the maximum we're spending on a wedding gift! Flights to get to the wedding in the first place aren't exactly cheap! (From London)

:o)
08/26/2003 07:18:19 AM · #6
Looks like those Canons are significantly above budget.

Any other ideas?

Thanks
08/26/2003 09:39:23 AM · #7
Your best bet in the Canon range is the Powershot A300 which should cost you about 140 quid ex-VAT. Im guessing you can reclaim the VAT by putting it through the business...

The A300 is a 3.2Megapixel fixed-focus compact camera. It's not a camera enthusiast's camera but for point-and-shoot people it'd fit the bill nicely.

As you know I only know Canons so I can't help with other brands.

John
08/26/2003 09:51:29 AM · #8
Fuji had some not so expensive digitals which worked quite well if you weren't too concerned with controls - essentially point and shoot. I was quite happy with my Fuji FinePix 2400Z, still like it for snapshots. But I don't know what they have now, and how much they cost.

Ursula
08/26/2003 10:01:14 AM · #9
Great, thanks folks.
08/26/2003 10:02:00 AM · #10
Here is 149 $ Minolta

Store Link

Message edited by author 2003-08-26 10:03:12.
08/26/2003 10:06:24 AM · #11
I wish I was your cousin but would prefer you had a bigger buget ;)

For whatever it is worth - here it goes - 3.2megapixel Kodak cameras are available here in India for about Rs11000/- You get almost every model and make for about 10% markup in Mumbai. JJ Mehta is one of the most known shop and they offer the standard warranty etc in case something goes wrong with the camera
08/26/2003 11:03:49 AM · #12
I am starting to feel weird about this... is it just me or doesn't £150 sound like a pretty good budget for a wedding present? I thought it was pretty generous but now I'm feeling bad about it.

Anyway, Tarique, are you saying it would be cheaper for me to buy him the camera once I arrive in India or to buy it here in the UK? I was originally assuming these things might be cheaper in India as I often find computer hardware is much cheaper there...?

Thanks
08/26/2003 11:10:59 AM · #13
I don't speak from experience, but I'd imagine the British pound is quite strong against the Rupee. I'd be fairly surprised if cameras were more expensive in India.

Do we still get duty free these days??

£150 sounds generous to me too.
08/26/2003 11:37:10 AM · #14
Originally posted by Kavey:

Anyway, Tarique, are you saying it would be cheaper for me to buy him the camera once I arrive in India or to buy it here in the UK? I was originally assuming these things might be cheaper in India as I often find computer hardware is much cheaper there...?

I am sorry did not intend to make you feel bad, just depicting my greed - 150British Pounds is very generous. Cameras are not cheaper here but roughly the same price as USA. I would still suggest buying it in India because after sales service/warranty is not available/applicable for cameras not bought in India.

Computer Hardware being cheaper is an altogather different story which I rather not digress into :)
08/26/2003 11:42:15 AM · #15
You could try the Mustek DV-3000 it costs around £90 - £110 and features 2 megapixel quality and video mode with sound. It also won some digital camera award thingy.
08/26/2003 11:43:00 AM · #16
Tarique

That's a good point - re the warranty etc.

Perhaps I'm better off thinking of a few models and then buying it in India when I arrive. We only have one or two days there before the wedding but I should be able to find time. If worse comes to worse I could ask my aunty to buy one on my behalf and leave the dosh with her, though, if at all possible I want to buy it myself and give it to cousin and bride myself.

Thanks again folks!
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