I'm no expert but have been very happy with my panasonics. I have a basic, compact one (LZ8) and a larger more, advanced one (FZ28). If I were in the market for a new camera to take biking etc, I'd be looking at Panasonic's wide angle options. I forget the model names but they've been reviewed on DPreview.com.
Best P&S Camera for the Front Range?
Here's another "best of" question for all you camera guys out there.... I've got a pretty sweet dSLR setup (Canon 50D plus lenses), but I find myself NEVER taking it with me when I ride. I really like taking pictures of biking and skiing, so I thought I'd pony up for a new advanced P&S that I can carry in my pack or pocket. What are the favorites out there?
The leader in the clubhouse is the Canon S90/S95, but I'd love to spend closer to $250 if there are cheaper options available. I'd like it to shoot RAW and have an Aperture Priority mode, but other than that I'm open.
What say the masses?
The leader in the clubhouse is the Canon S90/S95, but I'd love to spend closer to $250 if there are cheaper options available. I'd like it to shoot RAW and have an Aperture Priority mode, but other than that I'm open.
What say the masses?
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I think it's Canon vs Panasonic, so far above the others in a lot of ways. I prefer the Canons especially since they stopped the megapixel wars in favor of quality. but whichever you pick the wide angle is a must IMO.
You know now that I think about it maybe you're better with a lower end model from either of those, something you're not worried about bashing. It makes a huge difference if it's right there in a jersey pocket rather than stashed in a case, wrapped in a shirt & stuffed in the camelback.
As someone who knows photography you can probably get excellent shots from most anything already.
As someone who knows photography you can probably get excellent shots from most anything already.
Nice website Steve. You probably know more about selecting a camera than most of us on here...
Partial to Canon though...
Partial to Canon though...
S95 if you can live with a 4x zoom. It shoots in RAW if you need it. It does start at 28mm wide. The Panasonic ZS7 has a 12x zoom, starts at 25mm wide (?) and is currently $199 at Amazon (see linky). No RAW, though. Heck, on the trails JPEGS are just fine.
My thread "xcguy's mud report" was shot with my ZS1 (nearly the same specs as the ZS7). I usually shoot with a Nikon D90/D5000/D40 but am pretty pleased with the ZS1's output ("given its limitations" as DSLR users are wont to say about point and shoots).
My thread "xcguy's mud report" was shot with my ZS1 (nearly the same specs as the ZS7). I usually shoot with a Nikon D90/D5000/D40 but am pretty pleased with the ZS1's output ("given its limitations" as DSLR users are wont to say about point and shoots).
Just got the ZS7. Will provide a report once I get some ski pictures taken.
Steve, great website! My wife just bought a Nikon 3100 DSLR and is starting to get hooked on photography.
I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1. Its shock, water, and dustproof. I really like the way it shoots and it takes some descent HD video if you like video.
I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1. Its shock, water, and dustproof. I really like the way it shoots and it takes some descent HD video if you like video.
I use a Panasonic LX-3. I like it because it has a great high ISO (good low-light noise), fast lens (f/2.0) and great macro. They replaced it with the LX-5 (more zoom) which I wish they would have made in the first place. The LX-5 is $500 though.
Makes great movie clips too.
Makes great movie clips too.
Hmm.... so it looks like I'll do some research on Panasonic too. I appreciate the feedback so far, and thanks for the website compliments as well. If I wasn't already such a slow climber, it'd be easier to take my dSLR with me on rides... but I sure as hell don't need another 4-5 lbs on my back!
Oh, one other "nice to have" is a decent burst rate. I think I saw a couple P&S cams that were close to 2-3 fps. Since I'm used to 6+, it would be nice to have something better than just one per second like most seem to have.
All in the name of posting more TRs. Damn you internet.
Oh, one other "nice to have" is a decent burst rate. I think I saw a couple P&S cams that were close to 2-3 fps. Since I'm used to 6+, it would be nice to have something better than just one per second like most seem to have.
All in the name of posting more TRs. Damn you internet.
Even a small piece of grit will kill the cameras with the motorized lenses that retract into the body. A leak in your Camelback will kill many of them, too.
You want one of the "rugged" point and shoots. I have a Pentax Optio W90 and love it, but it does not shoot RAW. It does do nice 12M jpegs and has a good movie mode though.
You want one of the "rugged" point and shoots. I have a Pentax Optio W90 and love it, but it does not shoot RAW. It does do nice 12M jpegs and has a good movie mode though.
Gotta wear it on your chest for quick draw anyway.... just don't crack your sternum on a nice fall.honkinunit said:.... A leak in your Camelback will kill many of them, too...
I never carried a point and shook nekkid (the camera, not me) I always carried it in a small LowePro case. After ten years of hiking/biking with point and shoots with those retractable thingies over the lens I've never had one jam or fail.honkinunit said:Even a small piece of grit will kill the cameras with the motorized lenses that retract into the body. A leak in your Camelback will kill many of them, too.
You want one of the "rugged" point and shoots. I have a Pentax Optio W90 and love it, but it does not shoot RAW. It does do nice 12M jpegs and has a good movie mode though.
I take that back: my first day in Utah one year, on my first ride, within the first hour, I took out my TZ5, turned it on, held it up to my eye to get some shot and a fly flew right into my ear. I reflexively swiped at it (unfortunately with the hand that was holding the camera) and basically threw my TZ5, lens first, straight down onto the slickrock.
What a horrible SMACK it made as it died on the rock. Stupid fly. I've used a wrist strap ever since. Cool fun fact: on my drive back I phoned my insurance company and had a check waiting for me when I got back. I bought another one and still have and use it. Great camera.
I think the S95 maxes out at a little under 2 fps. My ZS1 does an honest 2.5 fps (full rez) for five shots or 2 fps continuous. However, my ZS1 has what's called a "Hi Speed Burst Mode" where it will bust out 7 to 10 fps (at a reduced resolution), even better than my D90. My TZ5 has the same "Hi Speed Burst" and I got some great shots of racers clearing a gap up at Sol Vista. Even at 3 megs or whatever the resolution was the shots were clear and clean.smmokan said:Hmm.... so it looks like I'll do some research on Panasonic too. I appreciate the feedback so far, and thanks for the website compliments as well. If I wasn't already such a slow climber, it'd be easier to take my dSLR with me on rides... but I sure as hell don't need another 4-5 lbs on my back!
Oh, one other "nice to have" is a decent burst rate. I think I saw a couple P&S cams that were close to 2-3 fps. Since I'm used to 6+, it would be nice to have something better than just one per second like most seem to have.
All in the name of posting more TRs. Damn you internet.
There are newer Canon models that have a CMOS sensor that have high speed continuous shooting but not the S95.
+1 on the panasonic cameras. That is what i have and i also bought a Pelican Case at REI and now my camera never sees moisture, grit and if i crash i might break the case but the camera should be fine. I have already broken one case that would have destroyed the camera but returned to REI for another, no charge.
That;s the great thing about the Optio W90 and others like it: they are designed to be carried naked so you don't have to screw around taking it in and out of the case. They work great as a helmet or car cam too, with one of the available mounts.xcguy said:I never carried a point and shook nekkid (the camera, not me) I always carried it in a small LowePro case. After ten years of hiking/biking with point and shoots with those retractable thingies over the lens I've never had one jam or fail.
I take that back: my first day in Utah one year, on my first ride, within the first hour, I took out my TZ5, turned it on, held it up to my eye to get some shot and a fly flew right into my ear. I reflexively swiped at it (unfortunately with the hand that was holding the camera) and basically threw my TZ5, lens first, straight down onto the slickrock.
What a horrible SMACK it made as it died on the rock. Stupid fly. I've used a wrist strap ever since. Cool fun fact: on my drive back I phoned my insurance company and had a check waiting for me when I got back. I bought another one and still have and use it. Great camera.
Check out this video:
I've never had a problem with either of my P&S cameras and I take them BC skiing, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking etc. I'm sure it happens but I'm not convinced it's enough of a risk to bother with a "rugged" camera. I often carry my small camera in a case on either the sternum strap or on the bottom of the shoulder strap, but sometimes it's just in my jersey pocket or the built-in pocket on my waist strap.honkinunit said:Even a small piece of grit will kill the cameras with the motorized lenses that retract into the body. A leak in your Camelback will kill many of them, too.
You want one of the "rugged" point and shoots. I have a Pentax Optio W90 and love it, but it does not shoot RAW. It does do nice 12M jpegs and has a good movie mode though.
I recently got a Sony Nex-5 as my "real" camera and it is small enough to carry mtb'ing on some rides that are more mellow or especially scenic. Shooting 7 fps is awesome... I also use my p&s, a Fuji F20.... it still works, takes decent pics and is cheap enough I don't need to worry about it. I agree a sternum strap mounted case is required to make it easy enough to get out and put away.
I would go Canon or Sony for a p&s just because I prefer their output over other brands.
I would go Canon or Sony for a p&s just because I prefer their output over other brands.
You are only speck of grit from ruining a camera with a retractable lens. I had a Nikon P&S that I loved. I dropped it once. Just once. A small speck of grit got between the tubes of the lens, and when I turned it on to check it, it jammed and the plastic gears that extend/retract the lens stripped. Game over.
YMMV
YMMV
Yeah, I'm not really worried about ruining a camera like that... I've had a P&S before, taken it with me to shoot skiing and biking, and it's never been an issue. I know it CAN happen, but as long as you're somewhat careful with the camera, it shouldn't be a problem.
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