I have had this model for many years now but in the last few days it has not been working. I can switch it on but the video does not work and then it will not switch off again. The only way to do that is to open the back which disconnects the batteries. Even then the lens does not fully retract everytime.
I am not a photographer, in fact I never take photos with it, only videos from which I take snaps and that is more than good enough for me. But this has come as a bit of a blow and I thought maybe time to buy another one. But the cheapest exact model to this on Amazon is ā¬ 269. I am sure I never paid anywhere near that, even allowing for inflation, all those years ago, so can it be repaired or, and I will check this in a minute, is it something as silly as flat batteries.
This obviously to @ChrisMann or anyone else with expert info on this.
Just had a look at my records and I am surprised to learn that I bought it only in January 2017 for ā¬259. Amazing what tricks the memory will play.
Just realised that the ā¬269 one on Amazon is 2nd hand, a new one is up in the thousands, I am beginning to realise what a good deal I had 7 and a half years ago. I hope I can get it right somehow
@David_Spardo Digital cameras (or digital anything) are almost never economically repairable, so yes check the obvious stuff like the batteries but otherwise itās time for something new!
I concur 100% with @Ancient_Mariner that you should buy second-hand - even as a professional thatās what I have done for the last few years!
Lots of people buy cameras, find them too complicated (or just decide they now want the latest thing!) so sell them on, having had little use out of them.
Rather than buy on Le Bon Coin or eBay, where you donāt really know who you are dealing with or what youāre getting, I would buy from MPB, who are a very reputable online dealer in second-hand camera kit who I have bought from numerous times. They photograph each camera that they sell individually from several angles so you can see its condition very clearly, and what you see is literally what you get, and usually with a 12 month guarantee. You would find something cheaper on eBay but it might be a lemon!
As to what to buy, the camera you have is a 16 megapixel ābridgeā compact with a longish zoom - it depends if you want to replace like with like or get something more pocketable.
I would normally recommend a Fujifilm compact camera but they have become very trendy thanks to online influencers so even the older models have shot up in price!
if you see something that looks suitable drop another note in here and Iāll have a look at the specs for you.
Thanks Chris, Iāll check all that out, but first the batteries.
I seem to have lost the instructions that came with it, or rather they are somewhere that I havenāt checked yet so was wondering what all the symbols were on the wheel on the top. I thought I might have moved it but I think it was the only green item with what looks like a picture of a camera that I had it on. On one of the photos I saw on Amazon that was marked as Auto. Would that be the right setting for videos?
Like with like is what I want, more pocketable means smaller and slipperier to my old arthritic hands and I would soon find it in bits on the ground.
Seems to me that the B600 is the closest to what Iāve got and am comfortable with. This is ā¬304, a bit eye watering for the occasional uses I need it for but I have got some good videos and photos from the 500.
Another possibility is the Canon SX40 at ā¬149. Easier on the pocket but would I like it?
The Mode dial on most compact cameras gives a variety of ways to shoot with, ranging from full Auto (camera does everything) to Manual (you make all settings)
The manual will tell you about these!
I would imagine itās a slightly newer version of your current camera, given the model number (B500-B600).
There is a review of it here:
The Canon SX40 is a lot cheaper for a reason - itās a much older camera! It was released in 2011 whereas the Nikon B600 dates from 2019.
In the Canon range Iād step up to the SX50 from 2012 I think.
Both the Canon and Nikon have image stabilisation (essential with those long lenses) but I would reckon the Nikon will do that better as it is a newer camera.
Both these cameras use proprietary rechargeable Li-Ion batteries, so check that replacement batteries are available on Amazon before buying either of them - you wonāt be able to use AAs and if the batteries are discontinued the camera is useless.
Normally you can buy aftermarket batteries, you donāt have to buy the expensive camera manufacturer ones.
Due to the power demands of modern electronics you wonāt find cameras using AAs any more.
Thanks very much to you both, lots of stuff to ponder there. As pretty much all I use a camera for is dogs, and they donāt stand still for long, I canāt remember the last time I actually pushed the shutter button. Also with videos I find that sometimes on playback I discover diamond shots that I missed with the naked eye.
The batteries in it are Duracell rechargeables and I put them on charge after my last post. They are still chargeing, sometimes that takes quite a long time so no decisions will be taken 'till they are back in the camera.
Meanwhile, I will be having a look at the manual to see if it gives any clues.
Hope you can sort it out, but if not and you want the same again, hereās a link to a reconditioned one, with a 12 month guarantee and the option of paying in four instalments. Iāve bought Nikons and phones here, and their prices and service are very good
Definitely worth considering if it turns out this one is finished, but I had no idea that I had forked out so much last time, the price of new ones now has shocked me.
Batteries fully charged and no change with the camera, I can switch it on but that is all, even switching off again is a bit of a carry-on. So a new one it is.
Thanks for all the suggestions but I am, justifiably or not, a bit twitchy about giving my debit card details to anyone online, the only exception being Amazon who have had it for years and I donāt have to publish it each time.
So the nearest camera there to my B500 is a Kodak AZ425. This is new, not 2nd hand, though I take on board comments about that not being a problem, and is only 50 odd euros dearer than the one @DrMarkH linked to. An added advantage, a very big one for me, is that it is both sold and despatched by Amazon. No arguments about return costs (fingers burnt very badly in the past on that score) and only one point of contact for cancelation or exchange.
So here it is, bearing in mind my almost exclusive use of videos rather than photos, what do you think of it?
Thank you, a very fulsome appraisal but as I canāt talk to them as I can to all of you on here I canāt get them to set aside the facts that they are only interested in (photos) and only a passing reference to what I want it for ie videos. What they do say about the videos compares well with my late departed so I think it will be ok.
I saw there that Darty are selling the same model about ā¬70 cheaper but as there is no link to individual stores I canāt check if the nearest in Perigueux has it in stock. In any case, by the time I have done the 100 km round trip it hardly makes it a worthwhile saving. The clincher I saw at the last minute. The one at that price is 2nd hand, the new one they sell is the same price as Amazon. I am already a frequent customer there and they donāt charge for delivery which would be a week quicker than Darty anyway. Years ago I enquired about buying a TV from them but they said I was too far away to deliver it. I think Iāll stick with the Big A.
As long as nobody else comes along soon to say āDonāt Buy IT!!ā Iāll order it this evening.
Personally I wouldnāt buy it. But thatās not to say that it may not be adequate for what you need it for.
Itās all going to come down to how good the video quality and the optical image stabilisation is.
One important thing to bear in mind is that the āKodakā of today is definitely NOT the āKodakā of yesterday - the brand name is licensed to the Chinese to put on low-end cameras.
I think a used Nikon or Panasonic from MPB would undoubtedly be better quality, both in build and in performance, but I totally get that you donāt necessarily want to spend that much money. You need have no qualms about giving them your card details online, they are very reputable and as I mentioned above I have bought from them numerous times.
The āKodakā has a very small sensor which will mean poor performance in low light, and my guess is that its 1080p video wonāt be great either.
However if you buy from Amazon you can at least test the Kodak, and send it back if it turns out to be rubbish.
All that said - letās take a step back for a moment. Do I understand correctly that shooting video is pretty much all you want the camera for? Not stills?
If so, you may be better off with a camcorder rather than a hybrid stills camera.
Have a think about that and let me know - I have a Panasonic SD-800 camcorder which I no longer use which you would be welcome to have for free - itās just taking up space in a drawer and has long since been written off against tax.
The SD800 does actually take 12 megapixel stills as well though I havenāt ever used that feature.
I get the impression that despite all the advice about alternatives (stores a d equipment) @David_Spardoās primary concerns remain familiarity and security of purchase.
Yes, you are right, I only do videos and if I want stills, some of which have been posted here over the years I take snapshots from the videos. The B500 has been perfect for that. Not being a āproperā photographer I found the moving image, with occasional hidden pearls much, easier than trying to get dogs to stand or sit still and, in any case I often wanted to get them to interact with each other.
Your mention of a camcorder sent me scurrying into the rear veranda where I have the one I used for some years mounted to the dash of the car. I stopped using it for 2 reasons, Too much of a palaver to unclip and slip it out of its mountings at short notice, and the flip screen went dark a long time back. It still worked but I couldnāt see exactly what it was looking at. It is a Canon Legria HF R506
Youāve prompted me to try it out tomorrow if the battery is ok and will charge. It may not because I see it has been connected all this time and, in any case the screen does not illuminate anymore.
That is a very generous off you have made about the Panasonic and I would willingly pay you for it as it seems to be the bees knees and my previous cessation of the Canon (apart from the screen which didnāt matter too much as it was aimed and fixed permanently in the car, or at least the mounting was) was the need to keep disconnecting. I donāt need one fixed in the car now that I hardly go anywhere and also I have an excellent Viofo dashcam for recording everywhere I do go.
Would I be right in thinking that you are in England now, I was going to suggest a meet up at that bar on the āfrontierā near Javerlhac we were talking about but obviously no good if you are not in the Charente.
So, yes please if you are not returning imminently and are willing to wrap it suitably and post it. Of course I would pay the postage and, as you know the sort of money I would be saving, I would be happy to agree a price with you.
My finger was poised over the Kodak which I was going to hold off 'till bedtime so I will close that down now with thanks again to you for the kind offer. If you agree to post it let me know and I will PM you my address.
Yes I am in UK - I havenāt moved to France permanently yet! Otherwise it would have been nice to meet up āon the borderā!
Not a problem to post the camcorder - I will see if I still have the original box and manual etc. I may not be able to include a battery as I think sending used lithium batteries by post is not allowed - but a replacement battery can be had from Amazon for about Ā£25-Ā£30. My batteries would be very old in any case!
I donāt want any money from you for it as I mentioned itās already been put through my accounts as a business expense. If you want to pay postage thatās fine.
Let me check it out tomorrow and make sure itās all in good order and see if I can find its box etc and Iāll get back to you!
I think Iāll stick with the Big A. 
