But first, my current selection.
This is my first ever digital camera and cost a fortune over 12 years ago. It's a mere 4 mega pixel but comes with a 10x optical zoom and it still takes very good pictures (well, to a very amateur photographer anyway). It cost me plenty back in the day...
This is yesterday's offender. I bought it when I started out adventure riding as I didn't want to wreck my little Olympus - either in a whoopsie, bad weather or bouncing around in a topbox. I think it's about a 12 mega pixel and cost less than half of what the Olympus did. Oh, and I've dropped the Olympus on concrete and it's survived...
Then of course there are my GoPro's which actually take nice pictures occasionally...
So, I'm sick of the crappy shots from the Fujifilm but still want something small to stick in the tank bag. And I'd still prefer water and shockproof.
What to get? Help please!
BTW: I can't quite bring myself to potentially kill the little Olympus doing this job.
Sorry mate I can't help you with your camera's as your camera's are actually better than mine. I've just been using my smart phone for my blog the last 12 months.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I use mine a bit too. But phones are not cameras...
DeleteI like my Sony A5000 and it's not too bulky. The more megapixels you can afford, and the ability to shoot in RAW mode are factors to look for. RAW and some decent post-processing software like Lightroom will render great results if you put in the time after the ride. I stick my Sony A5000 (there's better models out now btw) in the tank bag on my rig. However, it's NOT weatherproof. Oh, and don't forget, image stabilization is key. Digital zoom, as far as I've seen, is useless. Optical zoom is best. Anyways, just my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dom, great to hear from someone who knows how to take a picture ;)
DeleteThe Sony looks a bit big for I want - probably nearly as big as my Nikon. Yeah. I've heard all about using raw images and stuff and it sounds like a bit much work for this little black duck.
Totally agree about digital zoom - it's worthless. Not after a huge zoom for what I'm doing - I can take the Nikon when I really need that feature.
Thanks again for the input!
Andrew, like your requirement, something compact was my key requirement. It was actually Bobscoot who recommended the Sony DSC RX100 which I use. You've seen the quality of the African photos and the ones we took in Alaska are just as good. It has professional shooting modes as well as "point and squirt" and I bought a big aftermarket manual to get the best out of the pro features. Because Sony NZ wanted to rip me off, I bought mine through eBay about 4 years ago for around USz$500.
ReplyDeleteThanks Geoff, yeah your pictures were great. Had a quick look at the Sony and you're right about the prices. I can tell I'm going to need to do some more homework...
DeleteAndrew, I bought a Nikon AW1 cos I read about a couple of blokes on 690s who went from Finland to Siberia with these strapped on their chests. They spent most of their time ploughing through bogs in terrible conditions and the cameras functioned just fine.
ReplyDeleteThey are waterproof and shockproof. Nikon ceased making them as people went underwater with them after not preparing them properly and the warranty claims were a nightmare. I bought one at a run out price. I look at it as splashproof and rugged but a little heavy. Having an optical lense it is a little off balance I think when you hold it. No connectivity though so I bought a wifi SD card to transfer photos to my phone. Unfortunately the wifi card doesn't turn off with the camera so if you're not careful the battery drains even if you're not using it. There's always something....
Thanks Wayne, good to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteLooks like it's probably a little big for what I want. I'm not after replacing my "big" camera but basically after a small point and shoot that takes a nice shot. Zoom of around 5-10x is probably fine.
Read this post and thought maybe I'll see what I have hanging about. Post to come! My first digital camera was a Casio QV-10 (https://goo.gl/images/SbRvnM) like the one in the picture. I still have it it but for the life of me I have no idea how to get pictures off it. Powered by AA batteries!
ReplyDeleteWell at least it's not steam powered!
DeleteAbout to read your post...
The camera I use most when in "trips" is a Samsung WB30F. (https://invictamoto.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/samsung-wb30f.html). Recently took it over all the others cameras to Florida. Both of ours are fitted with 64gb micro-SD cards and they charge from the same cable as the phones and tablets. An app on the phone can get the pics off it or failing that an OTG cable and sd card reader can do the job.
DeleteLooks quite good Paul. I do want to try to find a rugged unit if possible. Still looking and reading reviews...
DeleteI use a little point and shoot Canon, but it isn't "Lifeproof". After Troubadour burned through 2 little cameras several years ago we bought an Olympus Tough "TG-830" Waterproof, impact resistant and small enough to pack around. It does a pretty good job and hasn't broken yet. https://goo.gl/7E2z4M
ReplyDeleteThat's looking pretty close to what I'm after! Are you happy with the picture quality?
DeleteI might need to go on a serious look this weekend...
The latest crop of tough or rugged cameras all seem to be quite good. B&H Photo have a overview of them on their site.
ReplyDeleteWish someone made a decent camera left hand friendly as right hand design is too hard to use while riding and action cams continue to disappoint me for still images.
Thanks Warren. Liking one of the Olympus models but it looks pretty expensive over here. It'd be good to find a decent review of cameras side by side...
DeleteI'm also using the Sony DSC RX100. (about $400 USD) It has a great lens and sensor. Point and shoot mode works great but I mostly shoot in aperture priority mode. (Very low apertures let you get shallow depth of field/ blurry backgrounds.) You can loose a lot of image quality when posting to Blogger, which posts a smaller version of your original image. I have a theory that there is a maximum px/image size that you need for the web and that the sharpness of the lens, aperture range, ability to compensate for low light, and zoom (if you need it) are much more important.
ReplyDeleteBut mostly I needed it to fit in my breast pocket and just work, which it does. (Cannon has a similar point and shoot that also fits the bill, the PowerShot GX9. I just liked the menus and buttons of the Sony better.)
https://ridenorthmn.blogspot.com/2017/07/a-new-toy-that-goes-click.html
Happy hunting.
Thanks Jason, great to get another point of view. Still looking...
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