Camera

[358mag]

Looking to replace my little point + shot Olympus camera that packed it in after 5 year of faithful service .
Needing something that's somewhat water+shock proof , video capability and small packable size .

[Discoverer]

I have this camera (http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Optio-WG-2-Digital-Camera/dp/B0078KP0SM) for few years and very happy with its durability and picture's quality.

[coach]

[QUOTE=358mag;1575968]Needing something that's somewhat water+shock proof..QUOTE]

Especially shock proof if you ever plan on putting it in Ourea's pack..:razz:

How much zoom are you looking for, 358? What distances do you think you'll take pictures at? Not sure what's out there for "super zoom" point and shoot cams that have the shockproof water proof capabilities. Looking forward to learning from this thread..

[coach]

I have this camera (http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Optio-WG-2-Digital-Camera/dp/B0078KP0SM) for few years and very happy with its durability and picture's quality.

Can you post up a few images taken with that camera? Looks pretty bulletproof in the link you provided.

[jlirot]

I'm very happy with my Olympus Tough camera. I use it in the pool all the time. Great pix. If you get the 'last year's' model you can save a few bucks. That's what I did (a couple of years ago).

[IronNoggin]

Here's a couple options for your consideration:

This first a Very Good Buddy has used quite extensively. The under and above water shots are very good for a point and shoot pocket sized camera. And the video is downright AMAZING! He has literally beat the hell out of this thing across 3 continents, and it still keep taking excellent pictures & video. Will be near the top of the list when I replace my Pentax Optio...

Nikon AW120: http://en.nikon.ca/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/COOLPIX-AW120.html

This second received the Editors' Choice for rugged compact cameras from PC Magazine. Another Buddy has one of these, and although quite new I have seen and been somewhat Impressed with it's capabilities all round. This will also be on my list, in fact it will likely come down to one or the other of these two when I am seeking a new one.

Olympus Tough TG - 3: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2459692,00.asp

It will be a bit of a tough decision methinks.

Here are some comparative analysis of the two to further complicate the matter :lol:

http://cameradecision.com/compare/Olympus-Tough-TG-3-vs-Nikon-Coolpix-AW120

http://versus.com/en/nikon-coolpix-aw120-vs-olympus-stylus-tough-tg-3

Probably can't go much wrong with either...

Best of Luck with your decision! ;-)

Cheers,
Nog

[Discoverer]

Can you post up a few images taken with that camera? Looks pretty bulletproof in the link you provided.

Check my thread "Oscar hunting life in pictures (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?87823-Oscar-hunting-life-in-pictures/)" Almost all pictures taken with this camera.

[Tuffcity]

I picked up a new compact this year as well. I was initially torn between the Sony RX 100 III and the Nikon AW. Hummed and hawed and after talking to a camera rep who sold both ended up with the Sony RX. The final decision factor for me was the sensor size. You can have all the digital zoom and MB's in the world but if your pixels are the size of ping-pong balls or all teh available digital info isn't captured your pictures will be "ok" at best.

These were taken with the RX 100 III

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?110423-Quest-for-Stone-s-part-three&highlight=Tuffcity

http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?112599-Monashee-buck&highlight=Tuffcity

Still miss packing my big ass Nikon DSLR around but don't miss the weight!

RC

[Lionhill]

Very good information here: http://www.dpreview.com/articles/3436829389/dpreview-recommends-best-waterproof-cameras?utm_campaign=internal-link&utm_source=mainmenu&utm_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

I have two Olympus cameras, and they have not failed me. Not big print quality, but fine for small images and sharing online.

[coach]

Check my thread "Oscar hunting life in pictures (http://www.huntingbc.ca/forum/showthread.php?87823-Oscar-hunting-life-in-pictures/)" Almost all pictures taken with this camera.

Great thread and the pics are definitely "Oscar worthy". :lol: Only issue I see with that camera is the lack of zoom.

[Tuffcity]

Only issue I see with that camera is the lack of zoom

I don't think one should base their decision on the amount of "zoom" a compact camera has. Realistically, quality is less than stellar at the far range, especially if frame-able prints are the goal. "Good" zoom is accomplished with a big lens, not digital manipulation.

RC

[coach]

I don't think one should base their decision on the amount of "zoom" a compact camera has. Realistically, quality is less than stellar at the far range, especially if frame-able prints are the goal. "Good" zoom is accomplished with a big lens, not digital manipulation.

RC

agree but lots have 35 or more optical now

[Discoverer]

agree but lots have 35 or more optical now

Compact waterproof with 35x optical? I don't think such thing exists! Feel free to prove me wrong though :)

[358mag]

Lots of good info guys
Thanks just hope I was a good enuff for Santa to remember this year and not another lump of coal ..........

[coach]

Compact waterproof with 35x optical? I don't think such thing exists! Feel free to prove me wrong though :)

Sorry.. I wasn't clear.. You're right, I haven't seen one in waterproof / shock proof.. Was hoping someone else had.

[Good2bCanadian]

I'm on my second Fuji XP camera.

Lost my first one after owning for a few years. No complaints.

Bought a xp70 in June and it has failed. It stopped accepting a charge and is going in for warranty.

I have been happy up until this point.

[Stone Sheep Steve]

What are you goals with the camera, S?? You do a lot of window shopping for critters so it would be nice to bring home some pics of the passer-uppers.
Do you pack a video camera as well??
I used to pack a small digital and video cam but have now opted for one of the hybrids that has a good zoom and takes great HD video.
I had to go up in size but I saved weight and space by opting for one camera.

SSS

[604ksmith]

I was in the market for a camera a few months ago. I think the first question you need to ask yourself is "what's more important, picture quality or durability?"

I wasn't happy with a durable camera's picture quality, so I decided to buy a regular non-shock, no waterproof camera and simply conceded I'd have to baby it so it doesn't break after one trip. So far I find it's not that hard to do, and if the weather is really nasty and I need to take a picture I just use my iPhone since it's in a waterproof otter case.

[coach]

Good advice, 604ksmith.. I use a waterproof bag for my DSLR and keep it in wih extra clothes in my pack - when I decide to bring it on a hunt. My point and shoot rides in a water resistant pouch attached to my belt or the outside of my pack when I think I might need to access it quickly (something that happens pretty often).

I own a fuji XP and never use it due to the fact the picture quality isn't up to the standard I prefer.

[David]

agree but lots have 35 or more optical now

Cameras quote their zoom in terms of the difference between the largest and smallest magnification e.g. If it goes from 28mm to 280mm it is listed as a 10X zoom. To compare to something that hunters are familiar with, each 50mm is equal to about 1X magnification - so 200mm gives you more-or-less the same magnification as a 4X scope (magnification, not field of view).

It is generally better to magnify via the lense itself than via cropping the picture after you've taken it or using "digital zoom". If you think you're going to have to crop, more megapixels are better (cropping is basically the same thing as printing the picture bigger - this is where more megapixels shine - you won't notice the difference between a 10MP and 20MP camera on you computer screen - blow it up to poster size and you will).

The bigger issue is light. What we think of as low-light and what a camera thinks of as low-light are two totally different things. In order to take better pictures in low light you either need a larger sensor, a fast lense (fast = lower F number) or both. Someone already mentioned the Sony RX100 - it is pretty much the best quality pocketable compact camera you can buy today because it has a large sensor and a fast lense. Although it doesn't have a large zoom range, it does have plenty of megapixels. Unfortunately it's not a "ruggedized" camera.

I'd say your choices are:
Best quality - the sony
Most rugged - either of the two "tough" cameras mentioned
Compact travel zoom - I like panasonic

[Tuffcity]

Perfect explanation David!

Another thing to consider is that if you like to mess around with your images the ability to shoot in a RAW format is a good thing.

RC