Digital Camera for those Birding shots

[paulwfromtheden]

Apologies for this, but I have been so impressed with the photos people post saying 'what bird?', that it really is time for me to invest. I will then be able to post that picture of a Blue Tit that I have been unable to id!!
Trouble is, I have not got a clue what to buy.
It sems to me that the most important features for birding use, apart from the obvious are size, zoom and speed at which the thing powers up and also the delay in pushing the button and the shutter clicking. I presume that Image Stabalisation is important too.
I have about £250 to spend, can anyone point me in the right direction with make/model?
Much appreciated.
Paul

[postcardcv]

Hi Paul

assuming you wnat to use a camera on it's ownand not didgiscoping, then take a look at the current range of 'bridge' cameras. The Canon S3 IS is very popular, if you have a lok in the photography section you'll find a fair bit about it and other such cameras.

If you do want to digiscope then the Fuji F30 (at ~£150) is a very good option.

[joannec]

Hi Paul

Have a look at these threads:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=68644

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=60896

I have a canon S2, the older version of the S3 and really there is not alot of difference between the two models. What I like about it is it's portability (compared to a dslr), the IS and of course the 12x zoom. It is not great in low light and pictures in winter are difficult, image quality is not as good as a dslr. For me it was important to get the balance between photography, birding and mobility right. Part of me wants to upgrade to a dslr but I know I would struggle to carry everything around.

There are some good buys on the S3 now, round about your budget.

Joanne

[paulwfromtheden]

Hi Paul

Have a look at these threads:

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=68644

http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=60896

I have a canon S2, the older version of the S3 and really there is not alot of difference between the two models. What I like about it is it's portability (compared to a dslr), the IS and of course the 12x zoom. It is not great in low light and pictures in winter are difficult, image quality is not as good as a dslr. For me it was important to get the balance between photography, birding and mobility right. Part of me wants to upgrade to a dslr but I know I would struggle to carry everything around.

There are some good buys on the S3 now, round about your budget.

Joanne

Thanks Joanne and postcardcv(?!)
You have taken some cracking photos, and a couple of other folk have recommended the S3, so I think I will have a punt for that. Does it take a long time to warm up?

[joannec]

Thanks Joanne and postcardcv(?!)
You have taken some cracking photos, and a couple of other folk have recommended the S3, so I think I will have a punt for that. Does it take a long time to warm up?

It doesn't need to warm up, you just turn it on and it's ready to shoot. It uses AA batteries and if you get rechargable nimh ones you get about 400 shots on one charge. :t:

Look on dpreview.com and read the reviews from people who have it.

Joanne