I'm looking for a hard-headed camera.
May 22, 2008 9:01 AM Subscribe
I'm looking for a digital camera to take on my two-month bike ride.
I'm not hugely into photography, but I'd like to bring a camera along on my bike ride along the Great Lakes. I have a few requirements that seem to be mutually exclusive, from what I've seen at amazon.com and camera shops I've asked around at:
Thanks in advance!
I'm not hugely into photography, but I'd like to bring a camera along on my bike ride along the Great Lakes. I have a few requirements that seem to be mutually exclusive, from what I've seen at amazon.com and camera shops I've asked around at:
- Waterproof - it does not need to be submersible, but I want to be able to take pictures in the rain without killing the camera.
- Durable - it needs to be able to handle being shaken around in a saddlebag.
- SD card compatible - I have a few SD cards and will be bringing along an EeePC, so I am fairly inflexible on this.
- Optical zoom - 2x or 3x is fine. I would consider a camera without this if it met the other requirements.
- Linux-compatible - I will not buy a camera that requires some bizarre Windows-only software to get the photos off, or shoots in some weird-ass proprietary format.
- Swappable batteries, or a very long battery life - I will be in the backwoods for days at a time, away from electrical power.
- Hackable firmware would be nice, but this is definitely not necessary.
Thanks in advance!
Best answer: I've been able to do the research I need to choose a camera at Digital Camera HQ. It has descriptions, specifications, and unbiased product reviews.
posted by netbros at 9:13 AM on May 22, 2008
posted by netbros at 9:13 AM on May 22, 2008
I think you need to decide what's most important to you.
If memory serves, Pentax and Olympus are the only companies making ruggedized digital cameras, and I don't think either one uses SD.
If I were in your place, I might get a cheapish Canon (they take SD, as I recall, and they sell ones that run on AA batteries), then buy some kind of water-resistant housing for it.
dpreview has some good tools for comparing digital cameras.
posted by box at 9:14 AM on May 22, 2008
If memory serves, Pentax and Olympus are the only companies making ruggedized digital cameras, and I don't think either one uses SD.
If I were in your place, I might get a cheapish Canon (they take SD, as I recall, and they sell ones that run on AA batteries), then buy some kind of water-resistant housing for it.
dpreview has some good tools for comparing digital cameras.
posted by box at 9:14 AM on May 22, 2008
I asked a somewhat-similar question (albeit with different parameters) and was very happy with the results. I've no idea about the compatibility of the Olympus with Linux, though.
Nothing will trump going and fooling around with the models you're considering, though. I got a lot of great recommendations, but actually holding them made the difference.
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:21 AM on May 22, 2008
Nothing will trump going and fooling around with the models you're considering, though. I got a lot of great recommendations, but actually holding them made the difference.
posted by Ufez Jones at 9:21 AM on May 22, 2008
If you drop the ruggedized/waterproof constraint, a Canon Powershot is an ideal camera for you. You can get ruggedized cases for them, and the firmware has been hacked wide open.
posted by fake at 9:22 AM on May 22, 2008
posted by fake at 9:22 AM on May 22, 2008
2nding a cheap Canon Powershot with a ruggedized/waterproof case. I just got an SD1000 for @$160, and it's a great lil point-n-shoot camera You may want to search for a different model that takes AA batteries, tho.
Also, get an SD card reader - removes the need for camera-specific software.
posted by gnutron at 9:51 AM on May 22, 2008
Also, get an SD card reader - removes the need for camera-specific software.
posted by gnutron at 9:51 AM on May 22, 2008
3rding cannon powershot. s3IS or S5IS would be my personal choices.
Hackable (RAW + custom shutter speed FTW). Decent Optical zoom. Sd.
Everything except the waterproof.
Canon sells a shell for that here
posted by JonnyRotten at 10:21 AM on May 22, 2008
Hackable (RAW + custom shutter speed FTW). Decent Optical zoom. Sd.
Everything except the waterproof.
Canon sells a shell for that here
posted by JonnyRotten at 10:21 AM on May 22, 2008
Response by poster: Just ordered a Canon Powershot SD1100 from recommendations on Digital Camera HQ. Thanks for your advice, everyone!
posted by yomimono at 10:22 AM on May 22, 2008
posted by yomimono at 10:22 AM on May 22, 2008
Ack. Spoke too soon. The s3 and s5 do not have waterproof cases
posted by JonnyRotten at 10:27 AM on May 22, 2008
posted by JonnyRotten at 10:27 AM on May 22, 2008
Two currently hot pocket digicams:
Panasonic TZ5 (10x zoom + HD video).
Fuji F100fd (low light).
1. Most digicams are water-resistant (rain ok, snorkling, no, except for the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW). You can find plastic weather cases for many small cameras for really inclement weather.
2. Ditto durable (don't drop on concrete from 3+ feet).
3. SD (SDHC) is the common memory card format for small cameras (even Olympus and Fuji offer SD or XD/SD).
4. 3x zoom is the minimum you should consider, and common on the teensy cameras. Longer zoom is very useful.
5. Linux: use your card reader, you don't need their software.
6. Carry multiple batteries. AA based cameras are convenient put are generally low-end.
7. Hackable firmware (outside the Canon Powershot) is pretty rare.
The Forums on DP Review are one of the best places on the web for researching cameras. Also use customer feedback on Amazon and B&H.
posted by psyche7 at 10:40 AM on May 22, 2008
Panasonic TZ5 (10x zoom + HD video).
Fuji F100fd (low light).
1. Most digicams are water-resistant (rain ok, snorkling, no, except for the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW). You can find plastic weather cases for many small cameras for really inclement weather.
2. Ditto durable (don't drop on concrete from 3+ feet).
3. SD (SDHC) is the common memory card format for small cameras (even Olympus and Fuji offer SD or XD/SD).
4. 3x zoom is the minimum you should consider, and common on the teensy cameras. Longer zoom is very useful.
5. Linux: use your card reader, you don't need their software.
6. Carry multiple batteries. AA based cameras are convenient put are generally low-end.
7. Hackable firmware (outside the Canon Powershot) is pretty rare.
The Forums on DP Review are one of the best places on the web for researching cameras. Also use customer feedback on Amazon and B&H.
posted by psyche7 at 10:40 AM on May 22, 2008
Most cameras are compatible with linux, since most mount like hard drives.. you don't need to use their software even in windows. card readers work fine, too.
I got a Canon A630 for <$200 on Newegg.. It's great.. I think the CHDK firmware works on it, too..
posted by majikstreet at 12:06 PM on May 22, 2008
I got a Canon A630 for <$200 on Newegg.. It's great.. I think the CHDK firmware works on it, too..
posted by majikstreet at 12:06 PM on May 22, 2008
I have a SeaLife waterproof, ruggedized camera for offroad motorcycling. The image quality of mine (admittedly a low-end model) is so-so (see example here and at full digital zoom here) but it's tough as nails, no-shit waterproof, runs on AA batteries and writes to SD.
Maybe a higher-end model from them would suit you.
posted by workerant at 1:13 PM on May 22, 2008
Maybe a higher-end model from them would suit you.
posted by workerant at 1:13 PM on May 22, 2008
Best answer: The Pentax Optio W30 seems to fit the bill, it's waterproof to 3 metres, has 3x zoom and takes SD-cards.
My wife has one and loves it. We use it (among other uses) when canoeing and it's really nice not to have to worry about getting the camera wet.
Picture quality is ok.
Oh, batteries: Look for non-pentax replacement batteries, they cost about one third of the originals.
Have a nice ride!
posted by Thug at 1:16 PM on May 22, 2008
My wife has one and loves it. We use it (among other uses) when canoeing and it's really nice not to have to worry about getting the camera wet.
Picture quality is ok.
Oh, batteries: Look for non-pentax replacement batteries, they cost about one third of the originals.
Have a nice ride!
posted by Thug at 1:16 PM on May 22, 2008
Response by poster: The Powershot proved not to be sweat-resistant. At all. I now have one dead Powershot and am ordering an Olympus. Boo.
posted by yomimono at 4:40 PM on March 22, 2009
posted by yomimono at 4:40 PM on March 22, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
I've had good luck with their normal point and shoot cameras. Except for that one that fell in a lake. It was not a waterproof model...
They've pretty much cornered that market at the moment, although you can find waterproof enclosures for Canons and Nikons.
However, I'd almost recommend you just buy a couple cheap, decently rated cameras if you're really going to be rough and tumble with them. Flash memory is bulletproof, and you'll take a lot more pictures in many more scenarios with a camera you don't care about as opposed to a shiny, new, fancy one.
posted by Mr. Anthropomorphism at 9:10 AM on May 22, 2008