http://www.gadgetspeak.com/gadget/article.rhtm/750/731821/Aldi_16GB_Digital_Camera.html

Aldi 16GB Digital Camera 

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This Maginon Digital Camera goes on sale in Aldi stores on Sunday, as with almost all of these offers when it’s gone there are no more. This is an ideal Xmas present and rather than having to then purchase an SD card and case both are supplied in the box.

Firstly it looks expensive – it isn’t – second it takes good images – even at lower resolutions – and third as the SD card and case are supplied its ready to go – even a wrist strap is provided – lastly the price is an amazingly low one for such a good camera.

My suggestion is get down to your Aldi today as tomorrow they may all be gone.

It is 10.5x6.5x3.5cm the last figure is the width which can increase by another 4.5cm when fully zoomed in. It weights 237grams.

Size is not everything but here the 16MP images are rather good and even when using the 24x optical zoom images stay clear and sharp. However I would rarely if ever use full zoom as with such a lot of lens movement there will always be some noise on the image even when you stabilize the camera or better still use a tripod.

Starting at the back there is a 6x4.5cm TFT display and to the right of this a quick video button, captured image display then the ubiquitous five position joystick, composing image display and finally image deletion.

Either side can be the attachment point for the wrist strap.

The base has the battery bay door behind which you insert any SD card (remember a 4GB card is supplied), also on the base is a tripod screw and the entry point (also behind a hinged door) for A/V out and USB both leads supplied.

The front right has a slight bulge ideal for holding in the fingers leaving the thumb available to use the shutter release.

Lastly the top of the camera that has a manual pop up flash and button and this is directly behind the lens and never closer than 5cm to it. Next the on/off button and then slightly forward the shutter release with wide angle / telephoto control around it. Lastly a five position wheel whose settings are voice, intelligent scene, auto, scene mode (choice of 19) and finally art mode where effects can be added to images.

Normally I always suggest starting in Auto mode but here Intelligent Scene may be just as good a choice.

There is a 64 page Instruction Manual (not as so many offer a Quick Start Guide in ‘x’ languages) all in English and all the controls are explained in detail.

There are seven different photo sized from 4608x3456 down to 640x480. Each size can be saved in Fine or Normal quality. Videos can be captured in 1280x720 or 640x480. There is a choice of Automatic or seven specific white balance modes and ISO can be Automatic or a range between 64 and 1600. Focus by default will be Automatic but Macro, Super Macro and Manual are all available.

My test period was only a matter of days but I managed to try most features in that time and these included some low light shots and also using flash. I did find some sunlight and even when it’s low in the sky as it always is at this time of year the TFT is still quite viewable.

I took images at full resolution (16MP) and down to 5MP which is still plenty for an A4 image.

The Aldi Maginon Superzoom Digital Camera SZ 24 is available from Sunday 17th November at Aldi stores for £119.99.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/sunday-17th-november/product-detail/ps/p/super-zoom-camera-sz-24/ 

If you are looking for a tripod I see Aldi also have one for £12.99 and that would make the purchase complete.  

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What our readers said!

Rating:

Comment by Dresa, 28 Jul 2016 11:32

I am having the same issues, I think its horrid Windows 10 install, update, some rubbish Windows have installed, it just won't read it.
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Comment by kenny fraser, 3 Mar 2016 17:55

i have problems try to down load camera onto my pc
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Comment by Frank Starkey, 26 Nov 2015 20:34

Where can I buy a "drop front" case for a Maginon sz 350, Maginon don't seem to sell cases ?
Please help my grandson.
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Comment by Kerrin Madden, 1 Jul 2015 2:30

Does anyone know how to clear the screen display of time date etc etc setting information? This problem just came about I think I have done something to the settings. But a great camera. I've tried the manual but no help with this problem.
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Comment by Hash98, 24 Apr 2015 22:54

Has anybody found a source where you can buy a spare battery for the SZ 350?
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Comment by witchdoctor, 24 Apr 2015 18:21

To all those Maginon users, please show the model number you are using as Aldi have now sold three different cameras over the last three years and they are all slightly different.
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Comment by paul_smart, 21 Apr 2015 13:27

Rita you need an SD Card any computer store or shop like Staples or Wilko should sell them around 8GB will not cost much and should allow you to store hundreds of photos and videos.


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Comment by Rita, 21 Apr 2015 11:02

Purchased z1550 from aldi Oswestry.  Last week. I'm no technophobe.  I'm 82!!!!  Buy trying. Keep getting    Memory. Full. Do I have to purchase a memory. .
.?????as one was not in box. Please advise ASAP. What kind and where do I get one.    Regards
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Comment by Emme, 24 Mar 2015 10:26

The flash on my camera is stuck on forced off and I can't figure out how to resolve the problem, anyone experience this too and know how to fix it?
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Comment by Hash98, 18 Jan 2015 14:33

Thanks. My camera is the SZ 350 which I bought at Aldi last week. The battery is Li-ion NP120 but like yours it has the 2 notches at the terminal end. All my other NP120 batteries do not have the notches, and they don't fit the camera
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Comment by witchdoctor, 17 Jan 2015 13:07

Hi, My Maginon camera is a SZ 24 and uses a NP-45 battery. The battery has a small notch on both corners at the terminal end. I wonder if we are all talking about the same model camera? Mine was sold at Aldi's in November 2013 for £119.99,it has a 24x optical zoom and 16 Mega pixel sensor. I have not seen a camera on sale recently in our area.
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Comment by Hash98, 16 Jan 2015 23:51

Thanks for the info with regards to the battery. Problem I have found is that I have bought similar NP-120 batteries on the internet but they don't fit the maginon.The Maginon battery has a small notch on one of the corners, which my similar batteries don't have, and won't fit.
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Comment by witchdoctor, 16 Jan 2015 20:34

If anyone needs a charging cable with a USB connection my sons Nikon Coolpix S3200 cable works on my Maginon. Batteries are easy to find on the Internet around £9.00 each
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Comment by Hash98, 16 Jan 2015 16:09

Anyone any idea where I can get a spare battery for camera
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Comment by Val, 3 Jan 2015 14:32

I've just bought one of these, having previously used a Panasonic LUMIX FZ27 ...this camera is so similar to use but with a better zoom and a faster sensor at 20mp. I am very pleased with this camera, a super replacement to my Panasonic. It handles nicely, has a nice shutter sound to it and not a clonk sound! The menu is easy to use and it copes with low light levels well. There's plenty of menu options, S, A, P plus, panoramic, scenery (with choices from nighttime, babies, sport, party and so on) on top of this, it has an intelligent setting (where it senses what to do -impressive!!) camera comes with a lovely paper handbook which explains everything with labelled diagrams! Find me another camera that does this, I found they were all online now with the other cameras I looked at. Thanks Maginon and if you want one Aldi are selling these in their winter sale for £69.99 BARGAIN! I had to phone Aldi to find my nearest store that had one left in stock! *****
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Comment by FRED, 17 Nov 2014 9:59

I lost my charging cable for this Z1650 where can I get another
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Comment by Karen, 20 Oct 2014 10:21

The flash on my camera is stuck on 'Forced off' and I have been unable to release.  does anyone know how to do this.  when I scroll through the menu, the option to change the flash setting is bypassed.
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Comment by Wiliam Stephenson, 6 Aug 2014 16:08

3885

have not  got one yet...but that's no problem,  my ALDI IS OPEN TIL; 8Ppm.
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Comment by Hedley-R, 26 Jul 2014 17:45

I have lost the charger lead and USB lead for my Maginon Z1650 camera.  Does anyone know where replacements can be obtained, and if there are equivalent leads with the same type of connector at the camera end?
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Comment by paul_smart, 18 Dec 2013 15:48

If you can still find a store with one in it is reduced to £89.99 it was good valve before now its excellent value.

https://www.aldi.co.uk/en/specialbuys/hurry-while-stocks-last/hurry-while-stocks-last-product-detail-page/ps/p/super-zoom-camera-sz-24/
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Comment by witchdoctor, 29 Nov 2013 12:14

Hi, No idea about battery life, but have a feeling it maybe worth investing in a spare battery. I'm also wondering if it's possible to work without a memory card. It may well be that to keep costs down they have put minimum memory into the camera, just sufficient to keep the settings and also gone for a low capacity battery, might be worth checking if there are any compatible batteries of the same size with a greater capacity.If the optics and programming are good then it's a small price to pay.
On the Macro subject, I seem to be able to focus down to a few centimetres without changing settings manually and get the impression that you only need to change the focus setting if you want to overide the automatic selection. When I focus in the normal scene mode the information bar displays 10cm - infinity, then 2cm - infinity then back to 10cm - infinity. I think depth of focus is controlled by selecting the various scene modes, judging by the manual.
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Comment by airborneal, 29 Nov 2013 0:47

Hi Tony, thanks for that.  I had sorted the deleting problems.  To be honest it was more hit and miss how I retrieved it. I think I lost it when trying to sort the macro problem.  Of course neither were problems with the camera but I do feel  it is strange categories that you go into to change things, and not explained in the manual.  As you say go into "Art" and then "Rec" would have been the last sections I would have thought you needed to go into to change macro.  
As I have said I'm no expert but other cameras I've had seem easier.
Tony, how many photos would you expect to take on a battery charge.  I have it on 5 megapixels and quality fine.  Generally only 25% using flash.
Thanks
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Comment by witchdoctor, 28 Nov 2013 23:13

Hi Neal just seen your comment. The delete problem seems to be a fault unless you have changed the setting. Go to the menu, under "Setup" scroll down to "Disable" with the Dustbin icon on the third screen it should be "Off" If it is "On" it will prevent you deleting images.
As for Macro modes, Turn the selector to "Art" go to the menu and move to "Rec";move down to "Focus" it usually is set to "Auto Focus" us the arrow to change the setting  to "Macro";"Super Macro";or Manual Focus. On p31 of the manual it mention that some settings are not available in all settings, that was the clue that made me experiment. Good Luck, Tony.
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Comment by airborneal, 25 Nov 2013 7:54

Thanks for that Tony, much appreciated.  Does it actually describe that function in the manual.  I haven't got it in front of me at moment but didn't notice it before.  Macro isn't even in the index.
I have hit another problem now though.  I can't delete photos.  Don't know why, that function was working fine up until yesterday. I can go into review but using the bin button doesn't do anything.  Can anyone help a technophobe out !!
Thanks again Tony.
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Comment by Tony Guyver, 24 Nov 2013 15:22

Hi, tried to leave a comment before. The Macro settings show up as selectable when in the "Art" mode.Also shows "Macro" automatically shows when in "Intelligent Scene" and some "Scene Mode" settings, eg. "Flower"
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Comment by alan scurrell, 21 Nov 2013 11:39

Hi all, I bought this camera last weekend.  First impressions is that it is a decent camera.  Value for money is it's biggest point with all it's functions and   pretty comprehensive package.  A big bonus is of course the three year guarantee as well.
I haven't taken many photos yet but have been playing with it. One niggle is the access to the USB/AV connection, the cover doesn't seem to move away enough from the area to make plugging the cable it in easy enough.
I do have one question though, maybe I'm missing something but I can't seem to change the auto focus setting to using the macro settings.  I have never seen the little icon neither.  Get that sorted and I will be happy.  To date 8 out of 10.  More when I sort the macro thing out, which of course may be down to my technophobe abilities.
Rating:

Comment by alan scurrell, 21 Nov 2013 11:35

Hi all, I bought this camera last weekend.  First impressions is that it is a decent camera.  Value for money is it's biggest point with all it's functions and   pretty comprehensive package.  A big bonus is of course the three year guarantee as well.
I haven't taken many photos yet but have been playing with it. One niggle is the access to the USB/AV connection, the cover doesn't seem to move away enough from the area to make plugging the cable it in easy enough.
I do have one question though, maybe I'm missing something but I can't seem to change the auto focus setting to using the macro settings.  I have never seen the little icon neither.  Get that sorted and I will be happy.  To date 8 out of 10.  More when I sort the macro thing out, which of course may be down to my technophobe abilities.

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Features11
Performance11
Value11
Ease of use11
Design11
OverallAldi 16GB Digital Camera rated 92 out of 100
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