Can anyone help me chose a digital camera please?

[Yuti]

My budget is 400 and I'm completely clueless.

Just for taking good quality pics of kids and days out really.

Can you take decent pictures on your smartphone? If so, for £400 I'd either go for a premium used compact camera, like the Sony zv-1 or Panasonic DMC-LX100.
If you can push your budget a bit then perhaps a interchangeable lens camera from the micro four thirds range (Panasonic and Olympus) or an APS-C format camera like a Sony. Some of these can be picked up very cheaply with a lens or two and the image quality is great, if you know what you are doing (or willing to learn).

If you are struggling to take decent photos with your phone, then buying a dedicated camera probably won't fix the issue. I'd suggest a photography class. Most phones to can download apps to control the camera on them manually so you can learn key photography skills.

Yeah I can take a decent pic on my phone but it's not a fancy phone so the quality isn't fantastic.

If you have time do you have any links as that's all over my head!

I think you'd enjoy a bridge camera but one with a larger sensor, no interchangeable lenses required and an automatic mode so it will process the images for you similarly to a smartphone. Like pp said, Lumix (Panasonic) or Sony will give you great results.

https://store.panasonic.co.uk/lumix-fz82d-bridge-camera-dc-fz82de-k

Light and portable, easy to use and you can always do something like the free A Year With My Camera course (it's one lesson a week, not a 365 day project) to better understand it and get the most out of it.

Bridge cameras can be very good. I didn't suggest them as they tend to be on the bulky side. Unless you are really needing the zoom abilities of them, good quality compacts can our perform them and be fully "pocketable".
Mpb or Wex Photo and video websites are both reputable companies who sell used and new online. Both come with 6 months no quibble warranty and are very helpful if you want to ask questions beforehand.

https://www.ukcamerastore.co.uk/acatalog/Sony-A6000-16-50mm-Lens-Kit-55555555555997.html?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAire5BhCNARIsAM53K1hg7MO6N9rkPcaMrHINCJnG-IdcLzR3XLcMIV8n8dq9sPcVfnpomWIaApmNEALw_wcB

Any thoughts on this please?
I know it's way over budget but I can pay half off immediately and have monthly payments for rest

.

Anyone am nervous to order it without back up 🤣

I have a secondhand Sony A6000 and I like it, I paid about £200 for it.

I don't think you should go over your budget when buying a first camera - I would look for something used that's within budget. I say this because it's only by using the camera that you get an idea of what features you like, and if you get into photography you will probably want to upgrade when you become more familiar with what's on offer.

If it's going to be used mainly for days out consider portability. As pp said you might be better off with a compact camera that has a built in zoom lens. You don't get much zoom on a 16-50mm lens. I have a little Canon Powershot (also bought secondhand) and I use it more than the Sony simply because I can slip it into a small handbag.

There is a saying "The best camera is the one you have with you"!

Look at refurbished cameras so you get more for your money. Or secondhand. But with refurbished you know it'll work like new.

I have several expensive Nikon DSLR cameras and lenses, but haven't used them for years - even my last iPhone (a 7) was just as good for most things, and my current 12 Pro is more than adequate.

I'd look into getting a refurbished iPhone if I were you.

CEX give a two year warranty and always have a good range of cameras.

There's a mint condition Sony Alpha here for £335 -

https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=SSLRSONA51001650A&categoryName=CAMERAS-COMPACT-SYSTEM&superCatName=ELECTRONICS&title=&queryID=17D0696FE34455344B4AE9679986215B&position=26

If you google you should find online reviews that will explain the spec

Honestly? If you just want pics of the kids and days out, I'd say don't bother buying a separate heavy camera to lug around, you'll soon get sick of that. Use your budget to buy yourself a phone with a good camera. That budget will buy you one of the more recent models of Pixel phones (but probably not the most recent model but that's no issue). Pixel phones have amazing cameras and are great phones.

This looks a good buy for a compact and is well within your budget:

https://uk.webuy.com/product-detail?id=SDIGLMXTZ603A&categoryName=COMPACT-CAMERAS&superCatName=ELECTRONICS&title=&queryID=837272C83A57511503891BAB7A7D17C7&position=20

(Sorry, I can spend hours looking at secondhand cameras!)