When is it OK to take something back to a store for a refund?

Its a good idea to go to a shop a nd see what FEELS better in your hand. but until you know what you need, youre not comparing apples with apples as there are some features you may want, and some you may not, hence price differences. if you can build up an understanding of how cameras work, that will then dictate what you look for in a camera YOU want - if you get the camera first, you may very quickly realise that you ve bought the wrong one, or that you outgrow it very quickly, or are very frustrated with it. the ixus, lumix, g10, theyre all "good" compact cameras, but they have different features, and you buy a camera on the features it has, to enable you to shoot the way you want. people often make the mistake that they think the more money they spend, the better the camera they ll get, and the better images - thats not the case at all. you can get great shots with any camera, no matter how cheap it is. the trick is to use appropriate equipment for what you want to get. eg you cant shoot a fashion campaign on a compact because the image size is too small, and there arent e nough pixels. equally, you wouldnt bother using a high end medium format digital camera to shoot blurry, arty images for your walls, because theres no point, you just dont need the pixels

You're totally right as usual (on camera subject, don't go getting a big head now ?).

I think I'll get myself a book, read through it and write down all the features I'd like from a camera. Then research which cameras offer the most "tick-in-boxes". Then go into a specialist shop and actually have a feel of each of my shortlists, to wittle it down even further.

I'm guessing you'll never get one that's going to tick every single box, so making sure I understand which features I want, in which priority (and maybe having to compromise on one or two) is the best way?

So next question..... best book to read? ?

Cant help with books i m afraid. i ve no idea

No problem, I appreciate all the help you've given so far. Thanks.

I'm curious though.... how do you know so much? Did you go on a course, or just read up on the net?

neither. i come from a family of photographers. but, the technical side of photography you can learn very easily, a nd very quickly. then its a lifetime of trying to master it.

I've got the Fujifilm Finepix Z10d (pretty sure it's not what you want) but I was just surprised what you said about the battery life nick. I pruposefully chose one with a rechargeable battery and it seems to last hours and hours-I've been really impressed with it.

Good luck in your search minx!

Thanks Pink Han-bag.

This is going to sound awful but I almost wish H hadn't bought me a new camera now [that sounds even worse than I thought it would ?. I really appreciate the gesture as he knew I'd wanted one for a while, but if I can't swope it, I wouldn't have the heart to buy another myself. So will just have to use this one until it wears out (lets hope it breaks sharpish ?).

I realise it's not quite a book ?, but happened to wander down the magazine ailse while food shopping last night, and bought myself a copy of "Which Digital Camera?". Made for very interesting reading.

And Nick, I'm sure you'll be glad to hear, virtually all the professionals agree that the G10 is the best compact you can buy at the moment ?.

I know they do, loads of us have them. i didnt just pluck it out of thin air you know ?

?

I realise my camera is very simple but I had a go at playing aronud with the ISO settings last night, and the difference was incredible. I wish I'd learnt more beforehand really. Can't believe I've spent 33 years taking photos, without ever taking it off the Auto Settings. ?

(although I'm positive I'm not the first...)

Thanks everyone for their advice, I can see this becoming very addictive now... ?

You're not the first and my dad was a professional photographer ? Sadly I didn't get the opportunity to learn from him

Its very addictive, I started HPAD just for something to do, but now my day evolves around the days photo ?

I havent worked out how to changed the iso setting on H's camera yet and keep forgetting to ask, does anyone know how to on a canon eos 30d?