Compact £120

[wavemachine]

I am looking for a compact for my parents for Xmas budget of around £120, needs a reasonable zoom, simple to use, reasonably responsive.

I have been looking around and the only one I can find which seems to tick most of these boxes is the Panasonic FS35 but I am a little put off as apparently it isn't easy to change scene modes.

Any other suggestions or ideas?

Thanks

[chris-p]

Hmm, I'd have recommended that one. I wouldn't worry too much about the scene modes. It's a bit of a misdirection anyway. Panasonic cameras usually have the most common scene modes easily accessible and then a load of secondary ones tucked away deep in a menu.

It's also worth considering the replacement for the FS35, the FS37 which is on sale at WEx at the moment for £130. Biggest difference is that it's touch screen so has almost no external buttons at all.

The other camera I'd consider is the Nikon S6200 which is about £135. Well spec'd, big zoom etc.

[wavemachine]

Cheers Chris, food for thought suspect I will go for the FS35, get them a memory card and a case as well they don't seem to like the concept of touch screens they prefer buttons for some reason.

[Amy Davies]

Hi Dave,

I've been testing a Panasonic FS35 the past couple of weeks... it's very easy to change the scene modes, you just press the MODE button, then use the arrows to select which one you want to use

My full review will be up online at TechRadar soon if you want me to send you the link when it's up!

Amy

[wavemachine]

Hi Amy,

Thanks for that much appreciated and yes I will appreciate the link once it becomes available.

[cosmicma]

this fits the price tag if it's the sort of camera your looking for

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...as-_-all-_-all

[wavemachine]

Originally Posted by cosmicma

this fits the price tag if it's the sort of camera your looking for

http://www.jessops.com/online.store/...as-_-all-_-all

It is funny you should point that model out, when I was in Tescos last week I saw the same camera on special offer which prompted me to think about getting my parents a new camera in the first place, it doesn't look bad at all but I think it will be a bit bulky for them.

Thanks for pointing it out though.

[cosmicma]

Originally Posted by wavemachine

It is funny you should point that model out, when I was in Tescos last week I saw the same camera on special offer which prompted me to think about getting my parents a new camera in the first place, it doesn't look bad at all but I think it will be a bit bulky for them.

Thanks for pointing it out though.

no problem

i bought my wife an older model of the same line and there pretty good for the price

gotta agree there not exactly a fit in your pocket compact

[wavemachine]

Right I made a decission and went for a Fuji Finepix F80EXR, I know it is now discontinued but it ticks all the boxes and I got it on the Amazon black friday deal for £79 it will be plenty good enough for my folks and I have managed to get them some memory cards, a case and a spare battery with some change to get them a couple of extra bits and bobs.