Compact camera

[Andy A]

What camera do you use ?? I am looking for a new compact camera for some trips this summer, I have a canon 7D but its too big to pack for a 2 up trip and my 6 yr old ixus75 is failing slowly, so I am looking for a new one, I'd be interested in knowing if anybody has one of these tough compact tough cameras and if they are a gimmick or actually ok.

Cheers

Andy

[APD_660Ten]

I'm using the Panasonic Lumix TS4, which is their tough version. First rate, great pics and HD video. If you want something for biking I'd definitely review the tough ranges because they just make sense, use them in the rain, camping etc without worrying. They are generally nit quite as compact as normal compacts but that's the trade off. Here's what I like about this one:
- waterproof - properly!
- quality, video and pics
- double lock on the door (make sure if you look at others it has a feature like this, I had the TS1 but it didn't double lock and I knocked the door while surfing with it... Game over! But fair play to them they fixed in newer versions)
- single button video... No need to switch into video mode.
- GPS. Didn't think I'd be bothered about this but it's a nice feature and when used with google maps it marks where you took things.

Hope that helps.

[Peejay]

The Lumix range are excellent as they have Leica lens which is real quality. I'm using the TS20 which is great but not waterproof.

GPS is a nice gimmick but if left enabled eats battery life.

The Pentax Optio WG-2 is a nice tough/waterproof camera and takes good pics.

I have also recently bought a Nikon V1 which is a bridge/SLR which takes amazing quality photos and video, smaller than SLR but a tad bigger than regular compact, but is quite tough and fits ideal in a tank bag.

[Dave DRZ]

I've just bought a Panaonic FT20 on ebay - an earlier version of the TS40 that APD_660Ten has - no GPS, but waterproof, dust proof, drop proof - generally bike proof - and less than £80 on ebay for second hand or even some new but returned models if you hold out for auctions rather than BiN listings.

Dave

[Lord Sut]

I used to have a Canon G10 which was solidly built, the newer ones carry that tradition on and there is one with a DX sensor, bigger than most compacts. I have been looking closely at the Fuji X20, which also seems well built and has had positive write ups.

[APD_660Ten]

I've just bought a Panaonic FT20 on ebay - an earlier version of the TS40 that APD_660Ten has - no GPS, but waterproof, dust proof, drop proof - generally bike proof - and less than £80 on ebay for second hand or even some new but returned models if you hold out for auctions rather than BiN listings.

Dave

Good buy! The FT and TS are the same models, just one is the European code. There has been next to no updates apart from the GPS and I think they claim the new one can go slightly deeper underwater.

[Simon_100]

I use an Olympus Tough that in bought on special offer from Mediamarkt.

The upside is that it really is tough and takes brilliant pictures. It also 'double locks' and has a 'one stop' video function. Plus you can work it with gloves - OK not gauntlets.

It doesn't have the GPS but as Paul says this can be a mixed blessing as I have battery charging issues when I'm out exploring. I guess if you've got a Satnav and are seriously recoding it's all pretty much the same.

The big downside is that the panoramic software is pants. Even though there are ways to 'cheat ' it to work it's very frustrating to use and I've lost some magic images. But I'm not sure how good any of these are in comparison.

Regs

Simon

3_2013-06-16.jpg (58.34 KiB) Viewed 2512 times

PS this is not my way of recording waypoints!

[redbikejohn]

I bought a Panasonic FT1 which I think was their first waterproof small compact camera. Its a few years old now but its a fantastic camera and can take the knocks and is totally waterproof as I've used it in the sea, rock pools,rivers and swimingpools.can film in HD too.

[Stubbsie]

I use a Canon G12 does the job for me good results very compact.

Just added a Lens Filter Attachment for a polarising filter to get better results.

Only down side doesn't do multi shots like my Canon 20D does.

[Lord Sut]

If you can live with using your legs to zoom the 40mm pancake lens would make your 7D much more packable