Digital Camera query - TECHNIKA SH-A366

[osprey]

Tesco have the TECHNIKA SH-A366 on offer at �49.97 reduced from �149.97.

It has the following features:-

10.0 m Pixels
3x Optical Zoom
4x Digital Zoom
2.4 inch LCD Screen Size
PictBridge enabled (whatever that means)
SD type of memory
AA battery
Variable Movie
Automatic white balance
Automatic flash
Self timer
1 year warranty from Tesco with optional Electrical Cover at �35.97

Can anyone let me know if this camera is worth buying for this price with those features?

THANKS

[rojash]

Absolutely, but forget the optional cover - nearly the retail price of the camera for one year of cover? You'd be better off buying a spare camera

[osprey]

rojash - thanks for the reply.
I made an error regarding the Optional Cover - it should be 3 years optional cover for �35.97. The 1 year warranty is Tesco's normal purchase warranty.

[vehelpfulguy]

Well first I would not believe the "reduced from �149". I dont believe it has ever sold at that price.

Secondly, Technika are not a "known" brand for cameras and I am always reluctant to buy a camera from a company who do not specialize in them. If possible go for a Canon, Sony, Nikon, Kodak etc.

Thirdly, it only has 2 AA batteries in it and I think you will be forever changing batteries, or recharging them if you buy a charger. Go for one with 4 AA batteries if you can.

[vehelpfulguy]

There are some reviews here, and batteries do seem to be a problem.

http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews147050.html

[vehelpfulguy]

PictBridge is a method to allow you to print directly to a printer without having to put your pictures on a PC first.

More here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PictBridge

[vehelpfulguy]

Note that one of the reviews says

>Cheap lens - 10 MP detail is no better than an enlarged 3 MP.

The problem with cheap cameras, or cameras from no-name brands, is that they put very cheap lenses in their cameras.

So it does not matter if you have a 10Mp camera, if the lens is poor you will get poor pictures.

So you will actually get a better picture from a 5Mp camera, with a GOOD lens, than a 10mp camera with a bad lens.

Which is why I said go for Nikon, Canon, Sony etc as these people put good lenses in their cameras.

[vehelpfulguy]

Here is a Nikon from Argos at �59.99 which would be a far better bet.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumb er/5605606/Trail/C%24cip%3D1500011801.Photogra phy%3EC%24cip%3D1500011809.Digital%2Bcameras.h tm

This is just an example and I have not done a lot of reseach, but personally I would rather have that Nikon than the Technika.

[ianmunt]

Agree entirely with vehelpfulguy

[vehelpfulguy]

Here is a great Canon camera from Amazon, for the same price you will pay for that camera from Tescos.

This Canon, at the same price, is a FAR better deal.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Canon-PowerShot-A460-D igital-Camera/dp/B000MRXGOI

[osprey]

vehelpfulguy - thanks for all the replies you have posted. I have checked out the Canon you suggested from Amazon and that does look like a far better proposition - I think I will be getting one.

[Tiger449]

I have one which I paid 59.99 for on Special Offer. It has given good service but is currently out of order. I have not used it since the floods of 2007. Put in fresh batteries but the lens does not motorise to the open position and hence, or possibly also, no picture appearing on the screen. At the price you quotre I might well buy a replacement. However I find much more consistent performance from my Fuji Finepix A-400 which was £25 from Amazon. I always get 24 inch x 36 inch poster size prints with no degradation of detail. However these are no longer in production but others in the same series are