My Casio Exilim EX Z850 is coming to the end of its natural life (some sort of crystal growing on the screen and buttons keep getting stuck) so I am thinking of getting a new one ie camera new to me – I could go for a second hand one if that was the way to go.
I would like advice please on the key bits of the spec that I should look for when making my final decision. I know the answer lies in what I want to use it for, so here goes:
· Macro photographs eg pictures of shield bugs that I can blow up on the screen to get a close up of the number of segments in the tarsi (bit of each leg) - this is a key feature in identifying the type of shield bug – in essence I would be using the camera as a kind of microscope as well as a means of recording
· Close-up eg leaves, crystals in rocks
· Arty farty photographs eg playing about with exposure times and aperture settings to see if I can create anything that by chance happens to look good/interesting
Things I don’t (think I) want it to do are take high speed photos eg of racing cars. On the arty farty side I could get interested in manipulating pictures on a PC
Of less importance are landscapes and portraits – I assume that any camera I get will cope with these.
I don’t understand focal lengths, Jpeg, RAW etc but I assume that some types of spec are better than others for the type of things that I want to do.
I liked the compact size of the Casio- approx. 85mm x 55mm x 22mm - and I generally had it with me, and so don’t want to end up getting something that is so big that I never actually take it out and use it. So something that would fit in a pocket, or at least not take up too much room in a shoulder bag would be good
Any suggestions/advice please on:
· what to look for in the spec
· any cameras to include in a shortlist – this is of lesser importance because there seems to be no shortage of ‘best buy’ advice eg Which? So once I am clear on the spec I think I will be able to choose from one of the review sites and by actually handling the cameras
As regards budget, I would prefer to leave that on one side for the time being, see what is best for the job and then work from there. - I could amalgamate future birthday presents for example, or sell something to get the money.
(I have tried searching the internet, including this site, but just end up confused on what the spec should be/include.)
I would like advice please on the key bits of the spec that I should look for when making my final decision. I know the answer lies in what I want to use it for, so here goes:
· Macro photographs eg pictures of shield bugs that I can blow up on the screen to get a close up of the number of segments in the tarsi (bit of each leg) - this is a key feature in identifying the type of shield bug – in essence I would be using the camera as a kind of microscope as well as a means of recording
· Close-up eg leaves, crystals in rocks
· Arty farty photographs eg playing about with exposure times and aperture settings to see if I can create anything that by chance happens to look good/interesting
Things I don’t (think I) want it to do are take high speed photos eg of racing cars. On the arty farty side I could get interested in manipulating pictures on a PC
Of less importance are landscapes and portraits – I assume that any camera I get will cope with these.
I don’t understand focal lengths, Jpeg, RAW etc but I assume that some types of spec are better than others for the type of things that I want to do.
I liked the compact size of the Casio- approx. 85mm x 55mm x 22mm - and I generally had it with me, and so don’t want to end up getting something that is so big that I never actually take it out and use it. So something that would fit in a pocket, or at least not take up too much room in a shoulder bag would be good
Any suggestions/advice please on:
· what to look for in the spec
· any cameras to include in a shortlist – this is of lesser importance because there seems to be no shortage of ‘best buy’ advice eg Which? So once I am clear on the spec I think I will be able to choose from one of the review sites and by actually handling the cameras
As regards budget, I would prefer to leave that on one side for the time being, see what is best for the job and then work from there. - I could amalgamate future birthday presents for example, or sell something to get the money.
(I have tried searching the internet, including this site, but just end up confused on what the spec should be/include.)
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