camera questions

[ultracyclist]

I am placing this in "Gear" because this thread is not posting pictures.
If the mod wants to move it, be my guest.

I am looking for a high quality point and shoot digital camera that is SIMPLE. I will use it for family events, shooting from motorcycles and boats.

Is there a small unit that is still "glove" friendly?

What do you use? How do you like it? What is on your wish list?
Best,
Howard

[tommcgee]

Every week, it seems like there are 35 new models from each company. My current favorites are from Canon and Sony, but it's really difficult to go wrong with any p&s.

[183435]

I use a canon SX120 IS. 10x zoom and 10MP.
Does everything I want for about $200.00 street price.

The buttons are large enough for gloves and the size is about a deck of cards + 1/2" for the lense.

[troutluck]

The updated version of the sx120IS is out...the sx130IS. Highly recommend. About $200.

[lilredroadster]

Besides several dslr cameras, I use a 3 yr old Canon A560 (7.2 megapixel sd cards). It has easy features and can be "glove friendly". The size is perfect for a pocket or tank bag.
One thing to consider is what tybe of batteries does a camera use. Tha A560 and probably Canon's more current models use AA batteries available anywhere.
Whatever you get take lots of pics!!!

[marchyman]

One thing to consider is what tybe of batteries does a camera use.

I hear this sentiment a lot and probably even said the same thing myself in the distant path. But then I looked at my actual camera battery use. Not once have I ever purchased batteries for a camera on the road (and some of my camera's still use AA batteries). The Li-ION batteries that are in my non AA battery cameras are good for 300~800 pictures. At the rate I shoot I'm guaranteed to be in a place where I can recharge batteries at least once before I run out of juice.

If I were going to be away for months I might consider a spare battery. I had one for my last camera... and never used it.

Maybe I just don't take enough pictures.

[lmo1131]

Here's a great photography website to help you pick your way through this...

You can compare makes and models based on price, manufacturer, features, etc. It helped me out quite a bit.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs.asp

BETTERMENT THROUGH BADGERMENT ... love it!

Reminds me of the poster on the wall at work; Notice! The beatings will cease, when morale improves!

[58546]

From my experience it does not matter if the camera is glove friendly unless the camera can be used in daylight. The challenge is to deal with the distortion that comes from some versions of sunglasses or helmet sunscreens. This is less of a problem with polarized glasses but does not eliminate all ills of this style of camera.

I have found several Canon P & S glove friendly cameras that also have viewfinders. You have to do a search for models with a viewfinder. they still make or you can get on Amazon or related out of production models with viewfinders.

I wear glasses and the glare or washout from taking photos in the sunlight means the majority of the latest P & S camera models out there are unsuitable for me.

If you have the opportunity go to a full service camera store ask for their recommendations then take a sample outside in the full sun and see if you experience any problems with seeing in the rear screen what you are attempting to photograph.

Small, light, convenient and glove friendly might all be for naught if when you go to use it if the screen is too difficult to see so you can properly frame your photo.

[marchyman]

From my experience it does not matter if the camera is glove friendly unless the camera can be used in daylight.

Ahhh, but with a real point and shoot you do just that. Point and shoot. No looking.

I do that with an old Canon A610. When riding down the road I can get the camera out of my tank bag with my left hand (the camera is tethered to the bag), turn it on, point, and shoot. At no time do I look through the viewfinder. The LCD is blocked by the back of my left hand. Doesn't stop me from getting on-the-go shots.

If I'm stopped the DSLR comes out.

[jstrube]

My wife had a nice point & shoot that was stolen. It was a Canon & had a lot of optical magnification & a viewfinder. Now, I'm finding most of them without viewfinders at the higher end of the Canon line... I am borrowing a very nice Sony, but hate it. Hate how it works, hate how it has a special card & hate how it doesn't have a USB port... I'll check out the one mentioned above...

[robsryder]

For the tankbag I like a camera that is easy to use, takes good photos, and is relatively inexpensive. For several years I used a Canon A620 (based on photos put on a Ride Report by Flying Avanti on ADV - he and his wive were touring South America on an airhead GS).
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=94531

In the last year my A620 has failed a few times and been sent to Canon for repair - once paid for and once under warranty after repair. I don't use this camera too much any longer.

More recently I've gotten a couple of new cameras. Last summer I got a Panasonic DMC-TZ5 for my wife - that is a very nice camera, but has been discontinued. A similar model is the Panasonic DMC-ZS5.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html

Another nice P&S camera that was relatively inexpensive is the Nikon L22.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0329864

For P&S cameras I also like to be able to take video clips at resolutions of 640 (or 720) x 480 - this is DVD resolution. I like to use AA batteries, but many cameras have lithium batteries that have very long usage periods - the biggest problem is forgetting where the charger has been placed.

One thing that I've found - good pictures are not usually the result of the camera; rather they are the product of the photographer (and it really helps to take a LOT of photos!!!).

[alzyck]

or whatever's replaced it.

Great tankbag P&S. Waterproof to 33ft. Shockproof and built take a 5 foot drop.

[SHERIDESABEEMER]

I have had very good results with my Canon SD cameras. I have an SD770 now...not sure what the latest number is.
I wear my camera on a tether around my neck and shoot left handed all day long, with good results.
If you are shopping in person for the camera, handle it with your left hand. Can you easily turn it on? I rely on the retracting lens to tell me if the camera has turned on/off. For this reason my waterproof Canon D-10 is not a good choice when riding, it is to bulky for one hand.


Here is a rare left rear view shot...you need cruise control for this one..

[dancogan]

...More recently I've gotten a couple of new cameras. Last summer I got a Panasonic DMC-TZ5 for my wife - that is a very nice camera, but has been discontinued. A similar model is the Panasonic DMC-ZS5.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...al_Camera.html

Another nice P&S camera that was relatively inexpensive is the Nikon L22.
http://www.microcenter.com/single_pr...uct_id=0329864...

I'm a long time Nikon user for work with an SLR, but have found the Panasonic P&S cameras to produce outstanding quality pictures. Small enough to hang around your neck, too, whether you take pictures while riding or walking around a rally.

[tommcgee]

The potential downside of a camera with retractable lens is if you bike mount it. The bugs WILL jam the lens mechanism. Not being content after jamming my A-470, I did the same thing with a Canon G10.



Then I bought the D10, which has a bug-ready design.