Argos Camera - Too Cheap?

Hey all,

looking for a digital camera on behalf of my sister. She's no expert and it'll probably be used on a daily basis (during daylight mostly) and for very general photo-taking (people, kids, etc.).


Now she obviously doesnt care about the camera, so long as it can do the basics expected by a camera, and I came across this on Argos' website:


http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/5592719/Trail/searchtext%3ECAMERA.htm



I don't remember ever seeing a digital camera so cheap before, so instead of snapping it up, I'm a little apprehensive of it. Do you guys reckon it'd be OK?

Although I'm no camera expert, one of the details in the description pane is

• Fixed focus.

According to a quick Google search, that'd be OK for taking photos of things in the distance (or at least a meter away), but useless for closer shots?


Just wondering if you guys would recommend going with it, or is it worth avoiding? If it's going to be completely useless, I'd rather avoid it obviously, but if it'll get the job done, then for less than €30 I don't think I could complain.


Just curious to see if anyone here would have a better idea of it, or if it'd be suitable for the above named uses?


(Also probably worth noting I don't care if it breaks or if the brand is useless, as Argos are a pushover where returns are concerned anyway)


Thanks again.

ozt9vdujny3srf

This camera will be rubbish before you take it out of the box. I doubt its much better then the majority of camera's on phones, and probably worse then some phone cameras. I'm sure someone here can recommend a good simple compact for someone on a budget.

DonkeyStyle \o/

I usually check the flickr camera finder and see how bad a photo the camera can take, I didn't see that model on the list, but you might check out their other cameras for a general feel of what they're putting out.

Anton Rhythmic Vehicle wrote: »

I doubt its much better then the majority of camera's on phones

I was thinking that too while looking at some of the vivitar stuff on flickr.

unseen

Avoid it.
No optical zoom and only 4megapixels? I bet my 2 year old cell phone can take better photos than this...

Fair enough then lads. Thought it was a little too cheap alright.

Ah sure, I'll continue to mooch around. It just caught my attention on their site, so I thought there'd be no harm in asking about it. Cheers for all the advice, guys.

Ricky91t

I've had my eye on this,It's pretty cheap on ebay and by all means is a pretty decent camera..

I need something that's small and this is cheap and seem to be quite a good camera,Just throwing it out there

silverside

anything basic from canon or fuji or any other well known brand should be fine

Tactical

Be cautious buying something like this from Argos, as their exchange policy if you want to change it for a different model is basically "NO".

Seem one poor chap who had spent a considerable sum of money on a camera from an Argos store and wanted to change it for a different model as he wasn't 100% happy with what he wanted from it. He was told no exchange or return and he was quite upset that his money was gone!
Buying from a local store would allow someone the option to possibly exchange for a different model if the store owner operates such a policy, I know several camera retailers who will do this providing any software etc remains unopened an naturally the item is in perfect condition.

Ghost Train

Here are some comments on it

http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B0021W7ZY4/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

http://reviews.argos.co.uk/1493-en_gb/5592719/reviews.htm

uprising

As said above, a basic model from Canon etc will be a lot better, I stated in another thread this camera Canon powershot A470 is a great cheap camera, 7 megapixel, here's a deal(CLICK) and here's an image from this camera at less than 1 megapixel (768 x 1024).


EDIT: The video on it is decent quality aswell.

CabanSail

I think that we could have some fun with that Vivitar Camera.

Sort like the Laps on Top Gear.

Best photo with our Reasonably Priced Camera.

KarmaGarda

I'd imagine it takes worse photos than some mobile phone cameras. The main problems I hear about cheap compacts is the resulting photos can either have horrible colour casts on them, or they are very blurred or "leaky". This isn't the case for all, I've heard of some really good cameras that are under €100. But I reckon there aren't many to be found.

Corkfeen

CabanSail wrote: »

I think that we could have some fun with that Vivitar Camera.

Sort like the Laps on Top Gear.

Best photo with our Reasonably Priced Camera.

That sounds like a genius yet challenging idea. What are the odds of us getting Michael Gambon on it?:D

KarmaGarda

CabanSail wrote: »

I think that we could have some fun with that Vivitar Camera.

Sort like the Laps on Top Gear.

Best photo with our Reasonably Priced Camera.

Actually yes, this is an excellent idea! How about we do this! If there's enough up for it I'd be willing to drop about 20/30 quid for a laugh!

CabanSail

Wonder how many cheap Vivitars Argos have?

The ReaPriCam Challenge?

AnCatDubh

Perhaps the next meet up should have a Vivitar theme - everyone buys that Vivitar and see who can get the best out of it. It would only cost you a little more than purchase & develop of a roll or two of 35mm film (assuming you aren't near to Kate's developing deal ) Then you could flog it on eBay for a tenner

CabanSail

Have just started a thread in the Photo Challenge Forum.

Reserved my Vivitar V4090.