First digital camera for family

I am not a professional photographer, but would like something easy to use, with no red eye, that I won't need to upgrade for many years.

Friends of mine recommended the Pentax Optio 555 as being great value for money, with quality pictures and a great zoom.

Now I see there are newer models such as s S5i and S50. Could someone explain in non technical language the difference between the various models, for example camera1 is suitable easy to use/low quality, camera2 is very high quality but not necessary for regular use.

I'm willing to pay more, but not for features I won't be needing.
Also, how much memory should I buy - 128 or 256?

Thanks,

Caroline

Hi Caroline

It very much depends on what you will be using the camera for.

If, for example, you want something that will fit in a handbag, always be available for use, be simple to use and yet have the potential for making prints up to A3 if ever required, then the Pentax S5i is perfect. It offers better image quality than many, and is ultra compact.

If you are happy with something larger, and you want more control or something bigger to hold more easily then the Pentax 750Z could well fit the bill.

Pentax don't make an SLR-style "bridge" camera, but if you want one of these more enthusuiast-orientated cameras, that will now definitely need a camera bag of its own, then the Fuji Finepix S7000 offers high quality and terrific value for money.

Finally, the SLR: Digital SLRs give the highest quality and the means to use different lenses. The Pentax *istDS is superb, the price is right and I thoroughly recommend it!

Why not visit your local camera dealer and handle some of the options, so you can see which models suit you, but do beware of being confused by contradictory advice from all sides....

The size of card you will need depends on the number of pixels in your images (file size) but as a guide, a 6.1MP camera like the *istDS will fit around 77 images on a 256MB card. It is safer to have more than one card, so a couple of 256MB ones is better than one 512MB card.

This can get very complicated. Many manufacturers produce a good camera but if you've Pentax in mind that really makes it easier for you.

For family use I don't think the S50 or S5i have a high optical zoom. Only x3.

Optio 555 will give you 5Mp and the zoom is greater at x5. You'll often wish you could get just that bit nearer. Very often you have a great picture but you want to cut chunks off the edges. So I think your best bet is the 750Z. This gives you an extra 2Mp enabling you to crop pictures and still make a large print of high quality.

Youll find the tilt LCD a boon too for getting down to unusual angles.

So for me it's the 750. As far as memory goes, your demands will probably grow as you get more fun out of the camera. Start out with one 256 and see how it goes.

They will all make movies too and that is a lot of to see on your PC or Telly