HikeArizona.COM

Hi All,

I'm finally gonna get a digital camera, but not quite sure what kind yet. Can anyone recommend a good hiking/backpacking digital camera that can take the trail and is 3 megapixels? Also I will want to boost the memory up quite a bit.

Thanks in Advance!

Paul

Very true, although I'm just speaking about the connection with nature one gains by backpacking.

RedRoxx44 wrote:New entry coming out at the end of this month in the point and shoot race. If it lives up to hype another improvement for Sony.
Cybershot dsc-HX1
CMOS sensor, BIONZ processor, 9.1 MP, 20X zoom
Features I find interesting--
28mm on wide end, a little wider for PS camera
G Lens---same glass used for their DSLR's
Sweep Panoramic mode---You sweep the camera and it stitches the photos together for you
Low light super steady designed for those of us who don't use a tripod---takes a burst of 6 pics and layers them to achieve a photo without blur.
In camera filter choices ( H50 also has this) retail for around 500.00

I still like Canon DSLR and now temp use a Nikon, but I like the Sony DSC-H50 a lot as a walk around camera, and this one could be an improvement.

I read the review, that just came out yesterday at dpreview, on the new Sony. Not that I'm getting a camera anytime soon (due to backpacking equipment purchases); but based just on the reviews, I'm still liking the Panasonic FZ28 against both the Sony HX1 and the Canon PS SXI IS.

I did find the CMOS and CCD discussion rather interesting...

Angela you might also look at the Panasonic Zs3---compact, 25mm wideangle and 12X zoom, no manual features though---and good reviews for images.
I have seen good and bad on the Sony and will wait until more reviews come out.
Most cameras are a personal choice, your shooting style and needs, your budget, importance of the photo etc.
When they come out with a compact with a truely wide angle and good glass and manual control then I'll be there !!

Letty, I recall you were taking a Canon G10 on your recent 5/16 & 5/20 Utah trips.. http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=8046&start=0
http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=8072&start=0 . I am very interested in what your first impressions are both "pro & con". Thank you!

FWIW, We have three G9's in our family.. everyone kinda likes em.. I would not hesitate to buy a G10 if I needed to replace my G9. My daugher has gotten her pics on the Flickr "Explore" page about eight times now using her G9. Now if I could only take good pictures like she does!

BTW, You can see sample pics from any camera on Flickr..
here are the G10 and G9 pages
http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/powershot_g10/
http://www.flickr.com/cameras/canon/powershot_g9/

For daytime photography and optimal light the G10 takes excellent pictures. I wish the color saturation had more options. I set it on Vivid, or Vivid red, and still found at times it not as good as the Sony. I know this can be "fixed" in photoshop like applications but I like it to be as good as can be in the camera so I don't have to do much post processing. The photos are overall sharp and true.
I like the controls and the set up of the camera.
Weakness---and this is most point and shoots---not wide enough angle ( I am spoiled by the 10-20 lenses for my DSLR I have)
Not enough zoom for me, although adequate for about 80% of what I want. I used the G10 for most of the pics out of the water on the Chute of Muddy Creek, A Sony P&S for the in water pics in the Chute and some low light pics. I used the G10 for almost all the Dirty Devil float pics.

I did have some problems with the lens cover not retracting fully on the G10 a couple of times. Easily resolved by keeping it as free of dust as possible, not easy in this sandy region.
It's a very nice camera and has a good feel.
Still want-----in a compact----wide angle, zoom, good optics, and some manual controls. Haven't found IT yet.

Well, Looks like I am joining the ranks of the G10 since I ruined my G9 on my last weekend when I tripped and fell in a stream.
I am looking forward to the silghtly wider lens angle on the G10 compared to the G9..
I feel the pain for thiose who are researching what camera to buy. dpreview.com has a lot of info to sort through...
In my gut, I really liked my G9 so that is why I am sticking with the G10.
I see a LOT of photos here on HAZ are shot with the G10 to include the super shots of the inner basin recently by Joe Bartels.
I wish that Canon would just do a G10extreme (maybe call it the GX10) that would be weather hardened and have a faster more professional lens.. oh and some good low light capabilities (such as a USABLE iso 800).. Oh.. and an F stop that goes past F8.. .. it would be a nice touch if it were able to do HD video too (it should have that anyhow these days).. I would pay the price for such a camera.. Wish wish wish..

aa7jc wrote:Well, Looks like I am joining the ranks of the G10 since I ruined my G9 on my last weekend when I tripped and fell in a stream.
I am looking forward to the silghtly wider lens angle on the G10 compared to the G9..
I feel the pain for thiose who are researching what camera to buy. dpreview.com has a lot of info to sort through...
In my gut, I really liked my G9 so that is why I am sticking with the G10.
I see a LOT of photos here on HAZ are shot with the G10 to include the super shots of the inner basin recently by Joe Bartels.
I wish that Canon would just do a G10extreme (maybe call it the GX10) that would be weather hardened and have a faster more professional lens.. oh and some good low light capabilities (such as a USABLE iso 800).. Oh.. and an F stop that goes past F8.. .. it would be a nice touch if it were able to do HD video too (it should have that anyhow these days).. I would pay the price for such a camera.. Wish wish wish..

Most of what you have said here is why I will keep my G9 for a while; especially until they release another all-metal chassis in the G-series. The 10 is a little bulkier, too...

[quote="aa7jc"]I would not hesitate to buy a G10 if I needed to replace my G9.

Ya shouldn't of said that Ken . Sorry to hear about the camera.

Don't throw the G9 away, I'll give you $20 for the throw away and $10 for shipping!

THIS JUST IN: Maxwell kills all cameras~!
details at six

te-wa wrote:THIS JUST IN: Maxwell kills all cameras~!
details at six

but no film at ten

I have been looking into replacing my camera and have come across the Canon Powershot SX200IS. I don't know much about cameras and pictures but have been wanting to get more into it. I can't justify spending the money on a DSLR yet, but would like something that will take some quality photos with the option to get into manual controls. I have always really liked the Canon brand but reviews have shown Panasonic has the edge on the Super Zoom Point n shoot cameras. What are you thoughts on this camera. Other suggestions, would like to stay around the $300 price range. Thanks for the input.

I really liked the Canon Powershot SX200IS for it's size, price range and performance
http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=7855
http://hikearizona.com/photoset.php?ID=7908

I just got the sony cybershot. It is the best camera i have ever owned. Its small, lightweight, 12 mega pixels, 5x zoom. It has so many settings for pictures i havent worked through them all yet. There weatherproof and durible. This camera is great check one out. I got it for $280 at best buy and it came with case extra battery and memory card and charger. Great deal and camera. Hope it helps

Congratulations on your new purchase. Be careful, weatherproof does not mean waterproof.

Out for some air wrote:In response to allanalxndr:
I just got the sony cybershot. It is the best camera i have ever owned. Its small, lightweight, 12 mega pixels, 5x zoom. It has so many settings for pictures i havent worked through them all yet. There weatherproof and durible. This camera is great check one out. I got it for $280 at best buy and it came with case extra battery and memory card and charger. Great deal and camera. Hope it helps

Thanks for the heads up. I went ahead and purchased the Canon SX200IS and so far I've been pretty happy with it. I love the manual features of the camera and I had a good time leaving the shutter open for the Fireworks on the 4th! We will see how it does on my Trip to Horton this weekend.

Thanks.

Look what just came out: The new Panasonic FZ38 point and shoot. It looks pretty cool!!! and it's around $400 which isn't bad.
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0907/09072 ... p?from=rss

I'm just now reading the details but wanted to share it with some of you camera buffs to see if you had any opinion.

Looks pretty snazzy but I think the G10 in the "near" price range is better. The larger sensor on the Canon is the key, easier to pocket too Heck it turned Hanks trips into masterpieces, he gets several excellent shots often.

PZ38 1/2.33 ccd (somewhere in the neighborhood of 24 square mm)
G10 1/1.7 ccd (somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 square mm)

joe bartels wrote:Heck it turned Hanks trips into masterpieces, he gets several excellent shots often.

Hank turned his trips into masterpieces, the camera is just his tool ;)

Along with what Joe said, I know Canon is notorious for having high quality glass, which I think is something to consider. I don't know about their point 'n' shoot glass necessarily, but with SLR's Canon is the way to go.