DIgital Camera Help

I need to get a digital camera. Any recommendations for a camera that is outdoors worthy (or as worthy as it can be) would be appreciated.

Pentax OPTIO 43WR.

Don't leave home without it!

I have a Nikon Coolpix 3200

Over 2700 pic's taken

It's not water proof, but I keep it in a plastic bag while fishing

And it's seen a lot of water (while in the bag) hasn't failed me yet.

And it's selling now for $160.00 (I paid $225.00)

Try these web-sites for Camera

http://dpreview.com

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=product.jsp&A=getpage&Q=RootPage.jsp

http://www.cameraworld.com/webapp/wcs/st...10001&langId=-1

http://www.adorama.com/catalog.tpl?op=main

Go with a Canon Powershot. They use aluminum casing instead of plastic. Great quality and highly durable.

Mike,

If you are looking for a camera to take in the DB I would take a close look at the waterproof housings/bags that are available and then choose the camera you like best after that. The water resistent cameras will be only marginal cameras in most cases as they are optimized first for water resistance and second for picture quality.

Having said that there is no way I can recommend a camera without knowing a price range first But to give you an idea of what I think is a GOOD camera, I just bought my wife a Canon G6 for Christmas. It's only fitting as she bought me a Canon Digital Rebel last year. I really like Canon cameras and have had great luck with them over the last 25 years or so. I expect that I will be buying a waterproof housing for the G6 in the near future so that I can take it fishing with me.

BTW: Had I been more sure of storage on the DB when I went with you I would have had my Rebel with me. I seldom go fishing without it. Even though it usually just sits in the drybag.

I believe the single most important feature on a dgicam for the waterborne outdoor enthusiast is DROWNABILITY. It's not a matter of if, but a matter of when.

My camera paid for itself the first time it went in the drink. Would have ruined my Alaska trip last June, but that feature alone saved me.

I agree Doc, That is why I use a dry bag. I also will be getting a waterproof housing for my wifes camera so I can use it. Or I might just get one like yours. I haven't decided yet. Depends on the cost of the housing!

I have a Canon Powershot A95. It's a five megapixel camera, and I like it a lot. It takes great pictures, both macro shots (extreme close ups) and portriats. It has a flip out screen like a camcorder, so you can take shots from akward angles and still see what you're shooting, AND it takes regular AA batteries, so if they run down, it's just a matter of swinging by a gas station or quickie mart to pick up more. You can buy a waterproof case for it that will even let you use it underwater. And best of all, the camera only costs $300! That's a steal for a camera of this great quality.

Here's a front shot that shows the size:



Here's a back view of the camera showing the flip out screen. It swivels 180 degrees out from the base, and a full 270 degrees around its axis.



Here's an image of the waterproof case.



And here's a link to the review that I got some of the pictures from. It will tell you a lot more about the camera's capabilities.

Steve\'s Digicams A95 review

Sony Cybershot DSCU60 is the camera I have. Waterproof to 5 feet, one handed operation, less than 200, but no zoom.

Sony Cybershot DSCU60
Great little camera! I have seen them as low as 149.00 on amazon and boaters world!

Whatta great buy!

Step up to the pump and buy yourself a good camera. The problem with the $150-$250 models id their computer brain processes to slow. You'll snap off a pic and wanna take another right away but guess what, its to slow and you miss your shot you wanted. This isn't that big of a deal fishin but if you happen to have kids and theyare doin something that is hilarious and you need a quick few pictures, the "cheap" camera is gonna make you wanna throw it against the wall cause you are simply not gonna get that 2nd, 3rd or fourth picture off in time. This holds true for family gatherings and any other events where things are rapidly happening.

Get yourself a Canon G6 and don't forget, at a minimum, a 512MB card but a gig card would be much better especially for all those long trips!

http://www.dpreview.com/

http://www.dcresource.com/

http://www.megapixel.net/

Check out the above sites to compare cameras and get reviews. I have a few friends that have taken this recommendation route and thank me every time we are together with our cameras, you won't be sorry you spent the money.

Most midrange digital cameras these days only have 1-2.5 seconds delay between shots if you prefocus, a bit longer if the camera has to do a lot of refocusing. The $400 (MSRP, you can buy it for less online) price tag on the A95 is considerd mid range, and the A95 takes about 1.5 seconds to take a second shot with no refocus. You can get cameras that have less, but then you're getting into the higher end range, with the Canon Rebel line and other $800 - $1,500+ cameras. If you just want to take a camera along on your fishing trips to get some snapshots of your buddies and their catches, you're not going to need a camera with less than 1 second delay.

Ask 10,000 people their opinion on what digital camera to get and you'll get 10,001 good answers. As a camera manufacturers rep I can tell you that for any specific need there are a myriad of good choices. To get one that you will be happy with, you'll probably want to be a bit more specific than just a good "outdoor" camera. You could search through all the stuff on Steve's Digicam site and all the other resources out there and get thoroughly confused, but the best thing this board can provide, which these other sites can't, are the basic features that a fisherman needs to consider as opposed to which specific model or brand to get. If you are concerned about "weather resistance" first and foremost than the good Dr. is pointing you in the right direction. The Pentax is a great all around camera for this purpose, as are some of the new Olympus cameras. They are small and compact and offer good image quality with 4 meg or better. The brand I rep offers a housing like the Canon, but this is a good solution for the diver, not the fisherman. As a fisherman, if I could only have ONE camera I would probably be looking at one of these nice little "WR" units. As a photographer however I might have other needs that these "weather resistant" cameras just don't quite satisfy. Personally I use many different digital cameras. For a serious day of shooting on the river I'm usually lugging my trusty Canon 10D with Tamron 28-300 and have my sweet little Casio EX-Z55 standing by in my breast pocket. But this is a guy who can't decide whether he's fishing or taking pictures half the time. As an all around fishing camera, I'd consider the following features in this order: 4 meg or better, small and compact, WR, quick fire, 3X zoom, comfortable control layout, good battery life, 2" screen, SD memory preferable, intuitive menu and a movie mode. Although price is always a concern, brand does not have to be. All things being equal, quality is not an issue between brands in today's highly competitive market.

Good luck.

PS. Please support your local dealer whenever possible.

I got a Canon Powershot Pro1 for christmas. I was tired of not being able to zoom in close on wildlife. Sweet camera. A little bulky to lug around banking it though.

i like my olympus weather proff camera.

I do my homework until I'm blind & I chose the Canon Powershot. My 2nd choice would be either Sony or Olympus.

I agree with Nymphn, Pentax Optio 43WR, great little camera with great features. well priced and fits in your pocket.

sony makes a sweeeet new camera..by far the best for around $400
5.1 mega pixle 3x zoom the new zeiss lens which is top of the line.
Its called a sony ciber shot I believe...I could go look but Im not at home right now.


good luck and happy pictures

I got an Olympus C740 Ultra Zoom recently. It has a 10X optical zoom so the lense is equivalent to a 38-380mm zoom lense.

I take a lot more wildlife photos compared to fish pictures, plus all of the sports photos of the kids. Now I can zoom in on my sons halfway across the soccer field and get great quality images.

This camera has about 8 standard shooting options, is fully programable, has a variable power flash, and you can save up to 3 program modes. It was like switching back to my old Canon A-1 after all of these years going digital.

I actually get to use my photography skills again now that I get to have some input on modes, depth of field and all that goes into composing a great photograph.

I haven't looked for a waterproof housing, but that might not be a bad idea.

Whatever you buy, the most important number is the megapixels. Don't get anything less than 3.2Megapixels. 5 would be the best for the price. Also if you buy one with Dx flash memory, a 512MB card is only $65. And that card will hold over 400 3.2MP pictures and 15 minutes of video.

I appreciate all of the responses. This helps me out a lot. My thanks to all of you. Mike

There are so many good digital cameras on the market today, the brand is a matter of choice. Base your purchase on what feels right in you hand. A waterproof case is a great add on for those underwater portraits of your catch.

I have a small pelican case that holds my Nikon 5000 and an extra battery and a coupe of compact flash cards. It is very handy to have on the seat of an open boat.

A small (#5) clear drybag is a very inexpensive insurance policy for storing camera gear, cell phone, etc..

As a working professional outdoor photographer, using dry bags

There are so many good digital cameras on the market today, the brand is a matter of choice. Base your purchase on what feels right in you hand. A waterproof case is a great add on for those underwater portraits of your catch.

I have a small pelican case that holds my Nikon 5000 and an extra battery and a coupe of compact flash cards. It is very handy to have on the seat of an open boat.

A small (#10) clear drybag is a very inexpensive insurance policy for storing camera gear, cell phone, etc.. Cascade Design makes excellent bags and has a water tight fanny pack that will hold a small digital or 35MM point & shoot camera. They carry a disclaimer on camera gear, but I have waded with it submerged and never had any leaking.

As a working professional outdoor photographer, using dry bags has saved me a lot of bucks over the years while doing river rafting, kayaking, canoing and fishing assignments. Whatever you're not using at the moment, keep it in the drybag.

Wow! How about that. I feel like I just rubbed a bottle and heard "your wish is my command".
Here it is hot off the press, a "Class 8 Waterproof" gem that was just introduced on DP Review. Unfortunately not available quite yet.

Pentax Optio WP

Just wish I would have been more specific and asked that genie to make it under the brand I rep. Oh well, be that as it may, this looks like a fisherman's dream come true, so I'll give credit where credit is due and tip my hat to you on this one Pentax!

Anonymously,
Mooch

Thanks Mooch. That one looks like it has everything recommended and more. I can wait until its availalbe in April.

Mooch

Thanks!

This feature will help out just about ever one one on this Board


"2) The Red-eye compensation function touches up red eyes in recorded images."

That Optio WP (WaterProof) sounds like a winner, Mooch. Amazing how the technology improves in just a year! If that new one performs anything like it's predecessor Optio 43WR, there's gonna be a lot of happy fisher-folks out there.

Make sure to share those memorable moments with the board, Mike... looking forward to seeing some of your underwater shots.

I was reading thru that list of features and looking to see if you can dunk the WP in saltwater. Surfing, ocean/bay salmon fishing, snorkelling... anybody know?

WOW, I've been waiting for a digital camera to come out like the Pentax-OptioWP.

Too bad, we just bought a new camera couple months ago. Oh well, I'll just have to wait for next Christmas and more likely will get the OptioWP and use it primarily for my fishing trips,etc. Can't wait!

Peter <><

I am just looking forward to finally being able to share some shots. I hope I can get it before I go to Hawaii in mid April. Will be visiting my foks and doing some ocean fishing and it would be great to bring back some nice pics.

Only one thing to add that I haven't seen and that's to get the fastest memory that your camera can use. I'm only speaking for CF memory...can't speak for the others.

I have an 8X 16Mb card that came with our Nikon Coolpix 4300, and a 4X 512Mb card (made by Lexar, same as the smaller card), and the 4X card is so slow to record that it makes taking pics of any motion a crap shoot. You have to hit the shutter release then just hope something good happens with it finally shoots.

Some of the new higher end cameras also support write acceleration (WA) but I don't know if you're wanting to go that far. I think the CF cards for those are spendy!