Digital Cameras

Raider Bill · April 24, 2015, 08:31:25 AM

Looking for a decent digital camera. The cell phone works OK but they don't have the lens options you get with a stand alone.
Needs to me somewhat small, cheap, and resistant to shock and shake.

Any thoughts?

yukon cornelius · April 24, 2015, 08:41:50 AM

We have been using a canon rebel xt eos for several years. It is the best camera we have ever had! we have beat it up and it keeps working. it takes great pictures. we highly recommend it

Ianab · April 24, 2015, 08:43:34 AM

We are looking at a little Sony XP to take to the Islands on holiday. Something the kids can take to the beach, or I can take out in the lagoon.

Has 5X optical zoom, 16 mpix, but more importantly it's water and dust proof.
http://www.fujifilm.co.nz/products/digital_cameras/xp/XP70/xp70

Ianab · April 24, 2015, 08:48:04 AM

Quote from: yukon cornelius on April 24, 2015, 08:41:50 AM
We have been using a canon rebel xt eos for several years. It is the best camera we have ever had! we have beat it up and it keeps working. it takes great pictures. we highly recommend it

We have a Canon Rebel T3, which is a great camera, but a DSLR isn't built to take the abuse that a "sports" camera is. I'm thinking that Bill is looking for something that can bounce around in a backpack all day, and survive?

Texas Ranger · April 24, 2015, 09:21:53 AM

Went with the Sony, it does bounce. :

Mooseherder · April 24, 2015, 10:36:56 AM

I want to get a gopro. Have you considered one of those?

beenthere · April 24, 2015, 10:51:45 AM

I use a Kodak easyshare that fits in a shirt pocket, will video, has removable SD card as well as internal memory, couple AA batteries, etc. and is less than $100.

For video, I'm thinking the gopro

Hilltop366 · April 24, 2015, 11:03:38 AM

If you don't "need" all the latest bells and whistles the trailing edge of leading technology is the place to shop for lower price and more dependable ratings.

There is not much difference in sensor size between the latest cell phones and the small/compact cameras so the picture quality will be similar but it can have the advantage of a zoom lens that can collect more light.

Battery life is important and often overlooked, I got my wife a $80 canon point and shoot/ 5X zoom last year, I made sure it takes AA batteries, she would never remember to charge it and it would be dead when she really wants it.

North River Energy · April 24, 2015, 11:16:20 AM

GoPro is terribly good for 'point of view' video, but doesn't zoom,(at least mine doesn't) and if you want to use it for stills, you need the optional viewfinder back. Otherwise you're guessing as to what is and is not in the field of view.

I"m maybe 15 feet from the sled here, and the lens distortion is apparent:

clearcut · April 24, 2015, 12:13:33 PM

I went with a "Faux Pro" (SJ4000 - SJCAM ) for the kids to go snorkeling with. Quality is good enough, and the kids have fun with it. $60 on Amazon.

sawguy21 · April 24, 2015, 12:18:30 PM

We have two, a Nikon D-60 slr and a Canon SX220 Power Shot. The Nikon is a fine camera with interchangeable lenses for great flexibility if I ever learn how to use it fully, the Canon point and shoot gets the most use. It fits in my pocket, takes great pictures and is quite sturdy given some of the abuse it has seen. :

I really should get a spare battery though, it has been dead when I wanted it a few times.
Word is out that cell phones are taking over the industry but while mine works, it won't take the place of a good camera.

sprucebunny · April 24, 2015, 01:42:33 PM

I would also recomend a Sony. You can get lots of stabilized zoom if you want and they are dependable cameras. Canon and Nikon did not survive me :D

clearcut · April 24, 2015, 02:46:28 PM

For reviews on electronics, I like The Wire Cutter web site. They give their recommendation, and the reasons for it, along with alternatives.

For cameras:

http://thewirecutter.com/leaderboard/cameras/

beenthere · April 24, 2015, 03:00:13 PM

Quote from: Ianab on April 24, 2015, 08:43:34 AM
We are looking at a little Sony XP to take to the Islands on holiday. Something the kids can take to the beach, or I can take out in the lagoon.

Has 5X optical zoom, 16 mpix, but more importantly it's water and dust proof.
http://www.fujifilm.co.nz/products/digital_cameras/xp/XP70/xp70

That link is the Sony that you are looking at? Says FinePix XP70.

Jeff · April 24, 2015, 03:05:42 PM

Quote from: Mooseherder on April 24, 2015, 10:36:56 AM
I want to get a gopro. Have you considered one of those?

I got one for Christmas, but be aware its not an easy point and shoot camera. It takes time to set it up and be ready to video. If you want something that you can shoot on the fly, at a moments notice the gopro isn't the best bet. It also has a pretty limited battery life when shooting and a pain to change in mid stream.

Mooseherder · April 24, 2015, 03:50:28 PM

That's good to know. I have a canon and a Sony in the junk drawer along with a Flip camera. The Flip was my favorite but the internal battery is shot. It is the kind that got charged thru a USB port. The Flip camera company is no longer around. My Motorola phone has become my primary camera.

Chuck White · April 24, 2015, 04:02:46 PM

I wouldn't want all the bells and whistles, just a simple,inexpensive camera to take along on sawjobs.

Ron Scott · April 24, 2015, 04:51:52 PM

I had a Kodak Easy Share which took great pictures until it fell out of the pocket of my cruiser vest and was run over by a John Deere processor on a red pine thinning. Haven't been able to find a similar one since.

Ianab · April 24, 2015, 05:12:21 PM

QuoteThat link is the Sony that you are looking at? Says FinePix XP70.

There are several in the XP range. What I like about them is water and dust proof features. Sawdust would be murder on a regular camera if it gets into the mechanism.

Magicman · April 24, 2015, 05:27:41 PM

I just got a Nikon Coolpix L29. Small, cheap, and uses two AA batteries. $70 which included an 8GB card and carrying case. It has a 5X wide optical zoom.

petefrom bearswamp · April 24, 2015, 05:55:50 PM

Have a canon powershot which does all i need to do
Need any cheese yet?

dgdrls · April 24, 2015, 05:56:04 PM

I purchased a Pentax WG10, pretty rugged/water proofed and easily managed.

Best
DGDrls

thurlow · April 24, 2015, 06:09:13 PM

My first digital.........purchased SEVERAL years ago..... was a Fuji Finepix A303; about the size of a pack of cigarettes and works great. Can't remember, but it was probably nearly 200 bucks. Bought a second one......used/ebay...........for about 20 a few years later. Uses 2 AA rechargeable batteries and I've had absolutely no complaints. Bought a newer/better camera 3 or 4 years ago, but stuck with Fuji. If you're not afraid of 'used', there are some great deals........no matter the brand......on ebay.

beenthere · April 24, 2015, 06:42:23 PM

I have two of the Kodak easyshare that are "used". Both will work but one eats AA batteries quickly (must be a short somewhere) and the other was in my pocket at Rooster's barn raising and I was helping raise a bent and leaned on the camera.. the viewer window was damaged. So without it, it truly is a "point and shoot" but still takes good pics if it is needed (and the batteries last a long time in that one, just can't see anything to change the settings). The third one is the "go to" camera. Just have to be careful that dust doesn't hang up the lens cover, but a burst of air fixed that problem.
Lots of good choices for cameras out there.

Delawhere Jack · April 24, 2015, 06:47:52 PM

Not small, and not cheap, but the Canon Digital Rebel EOS is fantastic. I've had mine for about 14 years and it still works perfectly. Only about 5MP, but I've never been disappointed with the picture quality. Last I looked, (about 4 years ago), the new ones cost the same as I paid, but have much higher resolution.