My mum is also after a camera around the £100 figure. After reading up on all the cameras in that price range, I've decided upon the Canon A430. 4x optical zoom and 4mp for around £99. Also available in 4 colours
I'm also looking for a new camera to replace my Canon S1 IS. Whilst the likes of the ulta zoom cameras have some good features (S3 IS, S9500, FZ30 etc) they are far from great for aviation photography.
They all tend to hunt when it comes to focusing on a moving subject at the telephoto end of the zoom and as with all digicams they suffer with noise, some more so than others.
With rgds to the Panasonic FZ30, that produces quite noisy images.
The best cameras are of course DSLR's but they come at a price. However..... yesterday I stumbled upon the Pentax *ist DL2. It's a 6.3mp DSLR with an 18-55mm kit lens all for £349.99 at Jessops. It also uses the same image chip as the Nikon D50.
Pentax are releasing 2 new DSLR's over the next 2 months although these will be more expensive than the *ist DL2.
Whatever cameras you purchase, you will of course have to include the cost of rechargeable batteries and a larger memory card.
I've read some very good reviews on the *ist DL and DL2 so I'm off to Jessops tomorrow to check it out and if I like it I shall make a purchase. Once I'm paid at the end of the month I'll then buy a 55-200mm lens for £106. Larger lenses can come at a later date.
A bird in the hand will probably sh!t on your wrist.
