Hiker Camera choices for this year

Wise Old Owl · Nov 27th 2014, 9:18am

As I search to find a new camera I found a new 2014 Olympus Rugged is available about 7 oz and $199
handles cold below 32°
Waterproof
Shockproof
Dustproof
Dropproof up to 7 feet.

[IMG:http://www.photographyblog.com/images/sized/images/uploads_ee2/news_images/olympus_tg_850-550x321.jpg]
imaging-resource.com/PRODS/oly…g-850/olympus-tg-850A.HTM

Wise Old Owl · Nov 27th 2014, 9:31am

Nikon AW120
Similar offering at$250 -$300 Rugged and waterproof and freeze proof for the winter hiker.

Waterproof to 18m, shockproof to 2m and freeze-proof to -10°C, it can also pinpoint explorations with built-in GPS, GLONASS, world maps and a compass – perfect for tracking travel routes. Built-in Wi-Fi lets you share all the action as it happens via your smart device, and you can shoot Full HD movies too. The ultra-wide 24mm f/2.8 lens with 5x optical zoom gives optimal brightness even in the darkest of scenes on land or underwater.
[IMG:http://www.photographyblog.com/images/sized/images/uploads_ee2/news_images/Aw120-550x345.jpg]

imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-aw120/nikon-aw120A.HTM

Violet B · Dec 1st 2014, 7:01pm

Thanks...looking for a new camera for Australia. I broke the cool pix on the 5 the day of AT...got the lens cover stuck in the mesh pocket of my pack. Need to consider better carrying system.

max.patch · Dec 2nd 2014, 11:18am

i don't know much about cameras but i sure like this polaroid.

[IMG:http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/355604/slide_355604_4525826_free.jpg]

Astro · Dec 2nd 2014, 1:41pm

max.patch wrote:

i don't know much about cameras but i sure like this polaroid.

[IMG:http://i.huffpost.com/gadgets/slideshows/355604/slide_355604_4525826_free.jpg]

At least that one in not obsolete (still has a useful purpose).

WanderingStovie · Dec 3rd 2014, 5:55am

You need to develop the film where the sun never goes.

Tangent · Dec 4th 2014, 6:37am

I've been hoping to find one that works well. This summer, mine was stepped on and it wouldn't turn on after.

12trysomething · Dec 5th 2014, 7:32am

I use a Canon ELPH 110 for all of my videos and pictures.

LDog · Dec 20th 2014, 2:32pm

As an old Navy photographer, I've been packing a fairly heavy Fuji X100 for the last couple of years, and If I was flush with cash, I'd buy the new Fuji XT1. But those are 15-16 oz cameras with big ASP-C sensors. The latter has interchangeable lenses and is environmentally sealed.

[IMG:http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_t1/img/index/pic_06.jpg]

dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-t1

But, if I wasn't quite so anal about image quality, I'd probably take an iPhone 6+ . For such a tiny sensor, it does both stills and video very well. The size of the 6+ provides a larger, very high quality screen that is great for viewing photos and for those of us old parts with dimming vision ...

WOO, pretty sure we shared a few threads on tos about what a multi-purpose tool the smart phone is. Some might even suggest it surpasses the bandana in usefulness!

[Snerk]

Wise Old Owl · Dec 22nd 2014, 9:39pm

Uh why does every thread here have to end up near termites or TP?

Socks · Dec 23rd 2014, 3:03am

Tangent wrote:

I've been hoping to find one that works well. This summer, mine was stepped on and it wouldn't turn on after.

Not to go off on a Tangent, but we had one once that got dropped and wouldn't turn off...till the battery ran out. Just kept charging it till one day it just quit us all together. We were happy.

Wise Old Owl · Dec 26th 2014, 11:14pm

LDog wrote:

As an old Navy photographer, I've been packing a fairly heavy Fuji X100 for the last couple of years, and If I was flush with cash, I'd buy the new Fuji XT1. But those are 15-16 oz cameras with big ASP-C sensors. The latter has interchangeable lenses and is environmentally sealed.

[IMG:http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/x/fujifilm_x_t1/img/index/pic_06.jpg]

dpreview.com/reviews/fujifilm-x-t1

WOO, pretty sure we shared a few threads on tos about what a multi-purpose tool the smart phone is. Some might even suggest it surpasses the bandana in usefulness!

[Snerk]

Well I agree, but when the rain hits or its too cold... I just dropped the Nikon for the first time on a steam train in the Lehigh... I will share I am picky. and that's a good thing,

LDog · Dec 28th 2014, 11:07pm

WOO, pretty sure we shared a few threads on tos about what a multi-purpose tool the smart phone is. Some might even suggest it surpasses the bandana in usefulness!

Well I agree, but when the rain hits or its too cold... I just dropped the Nikon for the first time on a steam train in the Lehigh... I will share I am picky. and that's a good thing

In a world that hates compromise, this is a tough one. You want waterproof? You give up a good dollop of image quality. You want image quality, you have to live with "water resistant" at best. DPReview recently did one of their roundups on waterproof and tough:

They liked the Olympus Tough TG-3. Tho it didn't have the best image quality in the group, they liked its "performance, ease-of-use, fantastic LCD, and never-ending battery life."

They picked Nikon's Coolpix AW120 for a budget-friendly choice.

They liked the Pentax WG-4 GPS for arguably having the best photo quality in the group, its ruggedness, and that it offers a nice GPS tracking system (a non-GPS version is $50 less). Unfortunately, its battery life is awful.

They also liked Panasonic's last year's model Lumix DMC-TS5 which is now selling at a more reasonable price.

Or you could get a camera with wonderful image quality, and maybe carry a small dry bag to protect it when it rains ...

Wise Old Owl · Dec 29th 2014, 7:16pm

Good to know - As for the cell phones, I have had many both I phone and Android both are limited in low light and cold. There is only two types of image I take on the trail - portraits and landscapes.... and an occasional picture of futility. So I prefer sometimes to run a better camera, I appreciate your suggestions, I am going to read the specs in detail.

Drybones · Dec 29th 2014, 8:01pm

WiseOldOwl wrote:

Good to know - As for the cell phones, I have had many both I phone and Android both are limited in low light and cold. There is only two types of image I take on the trail - portraits and landscapes.... and an occasional picture of futility. So I prefer sometimes to run a better camera, I appreciate your suggestions, I am going to read the specs in detail.

The image I take the most shots of is my thumb...make that finger.

LDog · Dec 29th 2014, 11:04pm

WiseOldOwl wrote:

Good to know - As for the cell phones, I have had many both I phone and Android both are limited in low light and cold. There is only two types of image I take on the trail - portraits and landscapes.... and an occasional picture of futility. So I prefer sometimes to run a better camera, I appreciate your suggestions, I am going to read the specs in detail.

I am 100% in your camp here. And I firmly believe bigger is better when it comes to sensor size and image quality. Especially in low light. Which is why I inconvenience the helloutta myself on the trail with the camera I choose to carry.

If you're willing to forgo waterproofness these get great reviews for smaller cameras, with good-sized sensors and very good image quality:

Fujifilm X30
Sony Cyber-shot RX10
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

dpreview.com/articles/74007350…_medium=text&ref=mainmenu

Happy hunting!

milkman · Dec 30th 2014, 2:42pm

I'm pure hell on a camera. Once I wear this Nikon AW100 out I'm going with a GoPro. I had to super glue the Nikon back together and have had it to 22ft under water making videos and its still holding up so as long as it does it gets the draw. I need something that can really be beat and neglected. After seeing what a couple of my friends have put the GoPro's through I'm sold.

max.patch · Jan 5th 2015, 11:22am

whatever camera y'all choose, don't forget the selfie stick!!

[IMG:http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkgffsMCUAArcF1.jpg:medium]

LDog · Jan 6th 2015, 7:13pm

max.patch wrote:

whatever camera y'all choose, don't forget the selfie stick!!

[IMG:http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkgffsMCUAArcF1.jpg:medium]

That is so old school. Here's what all the cool kids'll be wearing

OzJacko · Jan 7th 2015, 1:21am

I have an aversion to being photographed normally. I would never have seen the need for a selfie stick. Obviously whoever thought of it was a different kind of person.

max.patch · Jan 15th 2015, 1:52pm

[IMG:https://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/1619343_10155147396730078_9086394816302846055_n.jpg?oh=9d6101bcdd81794811b0a38419123b14&oe=552BFBCF]

rhjanes · Jan 15th 2015, 5:31pm

Selfie-stick? Too much weight. I got "Stick-Pic" for mine. Works great.

LIhikers · Jun 5th 2015, 10:49am

WiseOldOwl wrote:

As I search to find a new camera I found a new 2014 Olympus Rugged is available about 7 oz and $199
handles cold below 32°
Waterproof
Shockproof
Dustproof
Dropproof up to 7 feet.

[IMG:http://www.photographyblog.com/images/sized/images/uploads_ee2/news_images/olympus_tg_850-550x321.jpg]
imaging-resource.com/PRODS/oly…g-850/olympus-tg-850A.HTM

I have an Olympus Stylus Tough that's probably older than the one you posted here.
I don't like it!
I don't get very many pictures out of the battery but the bigger problem is lens flare.
If the camera is aimed in the general direction of the sun, or other large, bright, light it causes lens flare.
It's so sensitive that on a bright sunny day it's hard not to get the flare in any photo that's in the same 180 degree arc as the sun.
The camera doesn't even have t be pointed up, toward the sun, in in pics taken with a level view it happens.
Anybody have a suggestion for a camera that runs on AA batteries, takes OK photos, isn't too big, too heavy, to complicated to operate or too expensive? I'm not a good photographer to begin with an am only looking for photos that remind me of where I've been and what I've done.
Oh, and using my cell phone camera isn't an option, since I don't have a cell phone.

Socks · Jun 5th 2015, 12:55pm

OzJacko wrote:

I have an aversion to being photographed normally. I would never have seen the need for a selfie stick. Obviously whoever thought of it was a different kind of person.

I so don't get the selfie, maybe once in a while...but some folks takes selfies all day long, I'm shopping, I'm at the library now, getting ready for bed, what da!

Drybones · Jun 5th 2015, 2:39pm

LIhikers wrote:

WiseOldOwl wrote:

As I search to find a new camera I found a new 2014 Olympus Rugged is available about 7 oz and $199
handles cold below 32°
Waterproof
Shockproof
Dustproof
Dropproof up to 7 feet.

[IMG:http://www.photographyblog.com/images/sized/images/uploads_ee2/news_images/olympus_tg_850-550x321.jpg]
imaging-resource.com/PRODS/oly…g-850/olympus-tg-850A.HTM

I have an Olympus Stylus Tough that's probably older than the one you posted here.I don't like it!
I don't get very many pictures out of the battery but the bigger problem is lens flare.
If the camera is aimed in the general direction of the sun, or other large, bright, light it causes lens flare.
It's so sensitive that on a bright sunny day it's hard not to get the flare in any photo that's in the same 180 degree arc as the sun.
The camera doesn't even have t be pointed up, toward the sun, in in pics taken with a level view it happens.
Anybody have a suggestion for a camera that runs on AA batteries, takes OK photos, isn't too big, too heavy, to complicated to operate or too expensive? I'm not a good photographer to begin with an am only looking for photos that remind me of where I've been and what I've done.
Oh, and using my cell phone camera isn't an option, since I don't have a cell phone.

I was researching cameras a while back and asked my daughter what she thought, said a friend had an Olympus that took good pics, I asked wher he got it...found it at the bottom of the ocean while spear fishing...'bout as good a recommendation as there can be.

hikerboy · Jun 5th 2015, 3:01pm

i have an olympus tough i bought for this past trip, and i think my photos came out pretty good. it took a while to play with the settings to get the exposure right.
bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controlle…42897&Q=&is=REG&A=details

[IMG:http://static.bhphoto.com/images/multiple_images/images500x500/IMG_239929.jpg]

odd man out · Jun 5th 2015, 8:09pm

I just got back frome a trip to Europe and the selfie craze is so annoying. I started taking pictures of people taking stupid selfies. My favorite was a guy all by himself on what was perhaps the only boring and ugly street ib all of rome taking a selfie. I swear there are people who got home with not a single picture of Rome but a thousand pictures of thselves. Either that or they would walk around looking at their phone and not looking at the world's greatest historic monuments. And you couldn't walk 10 meters without some sidewalk vendor trying to sell you a selfie stick. My daughter thought I was being a bit judgental. I b told her that I was just being correct and the we're being stupid.

Wise Old Owl · Jun 5th 2015, 11:02pm

wow stuff slowed down... OK - I did not go with the above camera, I went one model down.

Here is a new thought... I like dropping my camera every 3-5 years. I don't have an argument when I need to replace it with the wife. The new one has wifi and I can stick it on a mono-pole and its 37 feet and jamn it where I cant climb a ladder to look - my cell phone is my viewfinder... wow.

The zoom was better I can operate it silently.

.. all for about $140

max.patch · Mar 30th 2017, 5:44pm

max.patch wrote:

whatever camera y'all choose, don't forget the selfie stick!!

[IMG:http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkgffsMCUAArcF1.jpg:medium]

when i posted this 2+ years ago i had never heard of a selfie stick; and i thot it was kinda funny.

i've since had an epiphany

when i hike i try to take a picture to send to my dad. i'm interested in showing the waterfall/shelter/whatever but i know that he really wants to see me. i've tried to take selfies but they always come out terrible. too much of me and not enough of the view or vice versa. so i tried one of these things. $13 at amazon. i'm now a professional photographer. well maybe not quite that good. but these things are fantastic.

SandyofPA · Mar 30th 2017, 6:56pm

max.patch wrote:

max.patch wrote:

whatever camera y'all choose, don't forget the selfie stick!!

[IMG:http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BkgffsMCUAArcF1.jpg:medium]

when i posted this 2+ years ago i had never heard of a selfie stick; and i thot it was kinda funny.
i've since had an epiphany

when i hike i try to take a picture to send to my dad. i'm interested in showing the waterfall/shelter/whatever but i know that he really wants to see me. i've tried to take selfies but they always come out terrible. too much of me and not enough of the view or vice versa. so i tried one of these things. $13 at amazon. i'm now a professional photographer. well maybe not quite that good. but these things are fantastic.

Trekking pole with a stick-pic, multi-purpose!

odd man out · Mar 30th 2017, 7:27pm

I balance the camera on a rock, set the timer, and then pose. Worked for the required pic of me dangling off of McAfee Knob. Otherwise I figure the views of the mountains are better looking than me. Never understood the compulsion with selfies.

Astro · Mar 30th 2017, 7:43pm

odd man out wrote:

I balance the camera on a rock, set the timer, and then pose. Worked for the required pic of me dangling off of McAfee Knob. Otherwise I figure the views of the mountains are better looking than me. Never understood the compulsion with selfies.

Capture the moment of "you" being there!

Hiker Camera choices for this year

Hiker Camera choices for this year

max.patch wrote:

Hiker Camera choices for this year

Tangent wrote:

LDog wrote:

WiseOldOwl wrote:

WiseOldOwl wrote:

max.patch wrote:

WiseOldOwl wrote:

OzJacko wrote:

LIhikers wrote:

WiseOldOwl wrote:

max.patch wrote:

max.patch wrote:

max.patch wrote:

odd man out wrote:

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