camera opinions

grendel

Explorer
Feb 24, 2006
561
2
Fredericksburg VA
Anything better out there in the $250-$300 price range?
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1395
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1361

I want something I can take outdoors with me alot and I tend to be a bit of a klutz when it comes to delicate gear. I really like the sw for the shock and waterproof features. The guy at the local Best Buy says the marines from Quantico love the things. On the other hand I really feel like I will miss out on the outdoor photograhy without the 7x zoom of the stylus. Any advice would be great.
 

freerider

Explorer
Jan 3, 2008
271
11
Here is a good site, (http://www.dpreview.com/forums/) to look over reviews and speak with persons who may have the camera.

Since there are so many quirks to all these cameras, like they do 2-3 things real good then the other end is poor. It is best to actually talk to a person using the camera.

I suggest a store where you can actually touch the camera. I find BestBuy has so many that are inoperable it is hard to compare.

Be well,
 

BlueMoonMuskrat

Explorer
Sep 12, 2008
138
0
i love my sony camera, primarily for the great lens. it's amazing for macro photography. the only drawback is my model doesn't feature manual settings...

R.JPG


that olympus camera looks pretty rugged, i'd imagine that'd be your best bet for the pines, especially since it's water proof.
 

NJBill

Explorer
Sep 10, 2008
120
2
Hamilton (Mercer County)
This one won't fit the rugged category but it's new from Canon, the PowerShot SX10 IS and one I'm talking myself into rather quickly. Not exactly a pocket fitting model but an ideal nature camera with a lens range of 28mm to an amazing 560 mm (35mm equivalent). That’s a 20X optical zoom. I know with my current Canon I am always wishing I had a wider lens or more telephoto capability. Looks to be had for about 360.00 but may come down as it was just recently released.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/c...&fcategoryid=144&modelid=17630#ModelDetailAct
 

Teegate

Administrator
Site Administrator
Sep 17, 2002
25,602
8,181
This one won't fit the rugged category but it's new from Canon, the PowerShot SX10 IS and one I'm talking myself into rather quickly. Not exactly a pocket fitting model but an ideal nature camera with a lens range of 28mm to an amazing 560 mm (35mm equivalent). That’s a 20X optical zoom. I know with my current Canon I am always wishing I had a wider lens or more telephoto capability. Looks to be had for about 360.00 but may come down as it was just recently released.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/c...&fcategoryid=144&modelid=17630#ModelDetailAct

I see that for sale online for $279. It has a 20 x zoom and 10MP. That may be my next camera.

Guy
 

46er

Piney
Mar 24, 2004
8,837
2,143
Coastal NJ
Some comments on the long focal length. I've owned a few cameras in my time and and found that for anything over about 200-300mm, you need a tripod, even with image stabilization the slightest movement at higher lengths will show up as blur. I have a Panasonic Lumix TZ3, as a pocket camera, it goes to 280mm, and am very happy with it. They have a newer model now. FWIW, a few friends have earlier versions of that Canon with a 400mm length and those models have been pretty useless without a tripod. I would try one out before you buy.

A site with very good camera reviews,

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs.asp
 

grendel

Explorer
Feb 24, 2006
561
2
Fredericksburg VA
went ahead and bought the 850 sw. Took it hiking two weeks ago up The priest mountain on the AT. It poured all day saturday as we slogged up what some reviews call the best climb on the AT. 4.8 miles all up hill. I took a lot of pics that I would not have taken had the camera been stashed in a waterproof bag.
I was assured that I made the right choice for me when opening the packaging as I impatiently tore at the tape securing the bubble wrap, it tore and I managed to launch the camera about three feet into the air then I deftly swatted it across the coffee table as I tried to catch it. Shockproof confirmed.
Very compact took great pics. I will try to post some later.
Another good confirm came from a thru-hiker who stayed at the shelter with us Saturday night, he had the same camera and it had served him well for the last 1200 miles of hiking.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/keithpower67/3000824993/
3001664880

3000839987

photostream

I am not having much luck with picture posting.
 
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