Digital Camera ?

[Rowdy Yates]

IF you were considering buying a Canon Powershot Digital camera which model would you recommend for use on the A.T.? :confused:

[bigcranky]

Does it have to be a Canon Powershot? (Almost all my cameras are Canons, but there are other good choices.)

Check this review of compact waterproof digital cameras (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/), then check this detailed review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/page8.asp) of the Panasonic. Both it and the Canon version do very well in this test, but I like the Panny (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TS1-Digital-Stabilized-Silver/dp/B001QFZMBK/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_1) because of the wide angle lens.

[Gray Blazer]

Does it have to be a Canon Powershot? (Almost all my cameras are Canons, but there are other good choices.)

Check this review of compact waterproof digital cameras (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/), then check this detailed review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/page8.asp) of the Panasonic. Both it and the Canon version do very well in this test, but I like the Panny (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TS1-Digital-Stabilized-Silver/dp/B001QFZMBK/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_1) because of the wide angle lens.

Is that the camera you used for your FT pics? They came out really nice.

I'm disappointed in my canon.

[Rowdy Yates]

Does it have to be a Canon Powershot? (Almost all my cameras are Canons, but there are other good choices.)

Check this review of compact waterproof digital cameras (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/), then check this detailed review (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/page8.asp) of the Panasonic. Both it and the Canon version do very well in this test, but I like the Panny (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TS1-Digital-Stabilized-Silver/dp/B001QFZMBK/ref=dp_cp_ob_p_title_1) because of the wide angle lens.

NO it does not HAVE to be a Canon. I am also considering a Panasonic, so which of the Models in the Panny do you recommend? Thanks for any and all help. :)

[bigcranky]

so which of the Models in the Panny do you recommend?

Um, the one I linked to. Get a spare battery, and carry the charger.

Gray Blazer, no, I carried my Canon G7 on the FT hike. I'd prefer a waterproof compact for hiking and paddling, so that little Panasonic is high on my list right now.

[Raul Perez]

I picked up the canon powershot 780i. Light, compact, and with a 16GB card u get almost 2 hours of video on the 480 setting.

its 12.1 megapixels which is an upgrade over my old canon powershot which was 6 megapixles but my movies came out fine.

Only complaint is the movies are .MOV so now I need a converter for my movies

[Rowdy Yates]

IF you were considering buying a Canon Powershot Digital camera which model would you recommend for use on the A.T.? :confused:

Previously I enquired about the Canon Powershot cameras, now what is your opinions on the Pentax Optio E40 Digital? any good? pros and cons! :D

[FiveHead]

I have this Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 and so far I'm pleased. It's been with me for a few hikes and has survived being dropped and the battery stayed alive in about 20 degree weather. I haven't tried out the underwater part yet but the video is decent for a point and shoot. The main reason I bought it over the others was its wide angle lense. Perfect for landscapes!!! I had an old powershot that I rolled over on in my tent and broke the LCD and this camera was cheaper than fixing that.

I bought it over Christmas from B&H and they were fast and relatively cheap...

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/602299-REG/Panasonic_DMC_TS1S_Lumix_DMC_TS1_Digital_Camera.ht ml


Sorry about my novel...it was my first post on something I had some knowledge about...:)

[Rowdy Yates]

THANKS for the knowledgeable input FiveHead. It is greatly appreciated.

[wystiria]

I currently have the SD780 is - and I like it. I go out for 10 days are a time and carry two batteries and frequently never need the 2nd. I am still getting used to this model - and its various settings. BUT its super light weight, fits in my waist belt pouch and the battery life is good. so really the only reason I don't love it is becasue I can't help but compare it to my DSLR :) lol which is NOT fair :)

I did have the SD1100 (replaced by the sd1200) and I LOVED that camera.....till my DH spilled a nalgene on it at work. *sigh* it dried out and worked but then died after a waist height drop on Mt. Washington. I did send it back for repair and they said there was too much water damage.

[BigFoot2002]

If you are doing a long hike, I would recommend a Cannon with an optical viewfinder so you can turn off the LCD display and greatly extend your battery life.

And I would choose one that takes AA lithium batteries so you won't need a charger.

This has worked for me.

[SGT Rock]

That is why I got a Kodak C180. http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/C180_Digital_Camera/productID.146552400

[Tipi Walter]

Several months ago I got into research mode for a new camera and three stood out:
Canon G10
Canon S90 (This one's new and supposed to be very good--anybody have any feedback??)
Leica Lux4 or something. Same as the Panasonic something or other.

[robmurphy]

I have a Canon PowerShot SD780 IS - small, great pictures, viewfinder, and the rechargeable battery lasts long. Buy an extra battery and carry the charger. Neither weigh much.

We've had a lot of different digital point/shoot and SLR cameras, but the best is the G10. It's not light, but it feels and operates like a real camera if you know what I mean. Image quality is outstanding. The battery seems to last forever and I'm sure you could go many days and just charge when you get to town.

I like the G10 so much that I just bought a spare. It's been replaced by the G11, but you can still find many on Ebay for $400. You won't be disappointed with it.

I'm taking a G10, extra battery and the charger when I hike.

[Gray Blazer]

That is why I got a Kodak C180. http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/C180_Digital_Camera/productID.146552400

That's what I'm going back to. The last pic you got from me was taken with the Kodak. It took me a whole year and a half to realize it was better than my canon.

[Gray Blazer]

That's what I'm going back to. The last pic you got from me was taken with the Kodak. It took me a whole year and a half to realize it was better than my canon.
The first pic you bought (the barn) was taken with my 4.0 mp kodak easyshare which prolly belongs in a museum now (the camera, not the pic).

[ARambler]

I understand the frustration of those who want a view finder and AA batteries. However, these features have gone the way of dial-up, and they are not good advice for most people, even backpackers. With much better battery life and LCD screens you do not need a viewfinder and AA. A small number will need a spare Li-ion battery.

I also do not find a waterproof camera necessary. You are carrying around a lot of extra weigh just to be sure you camera holds up until it is way past obsolete. That said, I like the "weather proof" Olympus Stylus cameras. You get some weather proofing for very little extra weight. Olympus has a new camera with a wide angle lens that I'm considering:
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Olympus/oly_stylus5010.asp

I do like the wide angle lens and Canon has always had a wide angle option. (except the one listed).

I like the optical, anti-shake technologies, and wish Pentex would put it in one of their very light cameras.

This post is not ment to be negative, there are many good cameras available, and it is still better to buy this year instead of last.
Rambler

[Yukon]

We use the Panasonice Lumix TZ-4 and love it. It has a great lens on it :)

[bigcranky]

I also do not find a waterproof camera necessary. You are carrying around a lot of extra weigh just to be sure you camera holds up until it is way past obsolete.

The new crop of waterproof cameras aren't any heavier than equivalent point and shoots. They aren't diving cameras -- but they can be held underwater for a little while, or kept in an outside pack pocket in a rainstorm without worry.

For me, that means I get to take photos on a rainy day, rather than having my camera packed away inside my pack.

[Rowdy Yates]

That is why I got a Kodak C180. http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/C180_Digital_Camera/productID.146552400

:-? Hey Rock, Since you have this camera could you give me your own experience with it, ease of use, battery life, etc. Would appreciate the info because I am seriously considering one.

[Tennessee Viking]

I have the Canon Elph for my personal P&S camera. Pretty good for P&S. Continuous shots. High resolution. Compact.

But my office uses Nikon D3 series. A little bulky to carry but takes a very good pic.

[SGT Rock]

:-? Hey Rock, Since you have this camera could you give me your own experience with it, ease of use, battery life, etc. Would appreciate the info because I am seriously considering one.

It is real easy to use. But I think most digitals are these days. I hate the EasyShare software but I installed it anyway. But you really don't need it to download images in my experience.

It takes good pictures. I'm no photographer by any stretch, but it takes very detailed pictures. I probably have it set to high, but when I upload the images I have to go and shrink them down, and before I shrink them I am often impressed by the stuff that is out on the sides of my main subject that still so well focused and sharp that I could clip it out and make a picture of some of the stuff that was in the background.

I put AA Li batteries in mine. I haven't had to change them yet, so I don't know how many pictures you can take on one set. But I have taken a lot and most of them with flash.

It is a little heavier than some of my other digital cameras in the past - 5.51oz with Li batteries and a memory card. Which is another good point, no proprietary memory cards like some digitals.

[Tuts]

I did my entire AT documentary on a cannon powershot 10.0 megapixel camera. It came out pretty well and I am stoked with the pictures that I got... all 900 of them. It is light weight, durable and doesn't mind getting damp from time to time. All in all I give it an A+.
Tuts

[XCskiNYC]

I like the inexpensive digital cameras that run on AA's. BestBuy has one that often goes on sale for $70 ($50 on Black Friday week).

One of these would be fine for trail snapshots and usually they'll even do 640 x 480 video which is more than adequate for youtube.

If one of these cameras gets squashed, drowned, or stolen, you don't have too much $$$ into it.

But the biggest plus is the batteries that you can buy in every deli, package store, and MobilMart. You go with a camera with a dedicated rechargeable battery and you have to wait around somewhere for it to charge. If you know you'll be hitting towns frequently, this might be okay but for me personally I think I'd go with the AA's.

[SGT Rock]

Yep that is why I chose the C180. Not expensive and I could get batteries anywhere. I wished it weighed about an ounce less though LOL.

[Tuts]

I did my entire AT documentary on a cannon powershot 10.0 megapixel camera. It came out pretty well and I am stoked with the pictures that I got... all 900 of them. It is light weight, durable and doesn't mind getting damp from time to time. All in all I give it an A+.
Tuts
OH yeah, and it runs on AA batteries. I got those new lythium AAs and they lasted for 3 months of constant filming and pictures.
Tuts

[Doctari]

Regardless of what you choose brand wise, get something that will allow you to take pictures in a torrential downpour. My camera (Olympus stylus 550WP) is supposed to be good to 10' under water. As others have said, I have not tested that feature yet. But I did get it a bit dirty on a previous trip & simply washed the camera off under the faucet. Last trip 3 days, with one day of steady rain, I took a few pictures during a pretty good downpour & the camera did well.
Before getting this camera I missed quite a few good pictures because I simply could not get the camera wet at all, so it stayed in my pack in it's plastic bags, yes, Two zip locks to keep it dry. Now, my new camera is in a non water proof case on my hip belt.

I also second the "get a spare battery & carry the charger" idea. In fact, I plan on getting 2 or 3 spare batteries eventually.

[Rowdy Yates]

That is why I got a Kodak C180. http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/C180_Digital_Camera/productID.146552400

Took you advice Sgt Rock. Just picker you a brand new, still sealed in box, Kodak C180 for under $70.00. :D

[Rowdy Yates]

Took you advice Sgt Rock. Just picker you a brand new, still sealed in box, Kodak C180 for under $70.00. :D

:confused: WOW, what a mess I just made of this post! It should have read "Just picked up a brand new,..." :rolleyes: not "picker you"

[NorthCountryWoods]

Just got the Panasonic DMC-ZS3K for work and it's a great camera. Light, wide-angle, takes great pics and battery life is exceptional. I charged it 3 weeks ago for the first time and used it for about a dozen work assignments (typically 20-30 pics each at 2mp) and still have some battery life left.

I've gone thru several types, brands and models of pocket cameras over the last decade or so and this one is far above the rest.

Got it at Costco for $259.99. (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11516779&whse=BC&Ne=5000001+4000000&eCat=BC%7C79%7C83&N=4001459%204294967278&Mo=3&No=0&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ns=P_Price%7C1%7C%7CP_SignDesc1&lang=en-US&Sp=C&topnav=)

[loki_racer]

Canon PowerShot 650IS (http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-a650-is/4505-6501_7-32591553.html?tag=mncol;lst) gets my vote for a couple reasons. The LCD flips out from the camera body, allowing you to get perfect self portrait shots, or to hold the camera at a very low or high angle and still get good shots.

It does use 4 AA which makes it slightly larger than most cameras on the market. It also has image stabilization.

We've had ours for 3 or 4 years, it's the second Canon with the movable LCD, and we've loved both.

[Gray Blazer]

It's only $800.

[loki_racer]

Those prices are way off. That's more than we paid for it new three years ago.

Here (http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=canon+650is&cid=108833731570804356&sa=title#p) are some better prices. Also, there are other Canon cameras with the LCD that flips out. I just linked up the one that I have.

[Ladytrekker]

THANKS for the knowledgeable input FiveHead. It is greatly appreciated.

I have a few cameras bought the Olympus that is waterproof and small for kayaking great for that use but the pics are not great. So I bought the Kodak Z980 has a great zoom love it pics are great although very light is the size of a Canon Rebel but much lighter. I have a friend that is a landscape photographer and he told me that the Lumix is the way to go and I trust his opinion.