Camera recommendations wanted

[Jock Elliott]

I'm looking for a "walking around" digital camera.

For years I have used an Olympus D550, and I've had dozens of pictures taken with it published, but it's (a) not pocketable, (b) slow to start up and (c) relatively noisy.

I want a quiet, fast, pocketable camera that can be quickly and stealthily deployed when a surprise opportunity for a shot happens.

And it has to use AA batteries.

Got any suggestions?

[David Neils - Colorado]

I would highly recommend the Sony DCS-600 Digital Camera. This six megapixel camera fits in your shirt pocket, takes beautiful pictures AND movies, and you'll never hesitate to take it with you. It also uses two AA batteries. I'd recommend the Energizer 2500 NiMh Rechargeables. The camera will eat up alkaline batteries much too quickly.

I'm using this camera to build a trail camera for monitoring mountain lion activity for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. I'm also looking to buy one for my pack. This model is discontinued but you can find one on Ebay for around $130 - $170.

Here is a recent shot I took with the camera:
   Sony DSC-S600 Photo

Note the resolution of this picture. It's incredible.

You might consider the latest Sony model in this line. I'm not sure what that would be.

I hope this helps,

David

[David Neils - Colorado]

This is a great site for camera reviews. Here is the review the the camera I mentioned:

 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinions.asp?prodkey=sony_dscs600

[Jock Elliott]

Great minds must work alike ;-) --  That's one of the cameras that I was considering.

Thanks for the input!

[David Neils - Colorado]

Hello Jock,

If you share the type of pictures you'd like to take, I might have some other recommendations. One
camera that is a bit bigger but has a larger lens is the Canon G6. One of the features I really like about the G series is the flipout LCD. It allows you to take pictures that you normally can't take with
your head behind the camera. I've taken some fantastic wildflower pictures and youth photos by
having the lens at the right height, usually much lower than where I'd normally look through a camera viewfinder.

David

[Jock Elliott]

Here are some samples:

 
 
 
 
 
 

[David Neils - Colorado]

Hello Jock,

I realize, after looking at your photos, that we have an opportunity on this forum to critique and support each other's photography journey.

What caught my eye right away is the low angle of some of the shots. The picture of the three whitetail does is a great example of the advantage of taking a picture at eye level (the deer's eye level, not the photographer).

Given this, I'd highly recommend going with a camera that offers a lot more flexibilty with the flip out LCD. You'll take some incredible pictures of flowers, streams, insects, and other subjects close to the ground.

Here is an example of a Salmon Fly photo I took on Rock Creek, just West of Missoula, Montana. I was slaying Brown Trout that day. Salmon Flies were everywhere and I watched this one crawl out of the water, up that plant stem, and I couldn't resist the photo.

 http://www.telementor.org/images/davidn/salmonfly.jpg

Check out the Canon Powershot S3 IS at:
 http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelDetailAct&fcategoryid=144&modelid=13077

and

 http://www.dpchallenge.com/camera.php?CAMERA_ID=1519

Although I like the Sony DCS-S600 for its packability, the Canon camera is a huge leap forward in terms of quality glass and photography flexibility.

My three cents,

David

[Weasel]

Check this one out. Improved noise reduction at higher ISO's.  Sounds like a good one. 10mp, optical image stabilization, and Leica optics. I may buy one for my hunting pack, especially since I can shoot in RAW mode with it. Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2, $479 at B&H.

 http://www.popphoto.com/cameras/3267/camera-test-panasonic-lumix-dmc-lx2.html

Jerry

[Jock Elliott]

Jerry,

Thanks! This, I think, is more like it. I've never heard bad things said about Leica glass.

As much as I think the Canon S3 looks worthy, and has some really cool features, it's much less pocketable.

My theory is, to get more cool pictures, have a camera that's convenient to carry all the time.

BTW, I have enjoyed your column!

[Weasel]

Originally posted by Jock Elliott:

My theory is, to get more cool pictures, have a camera that's convenient to carry all the time.

BTW, I have enjoyed your column!

You are exactly right!  I've been waiting for a compact with decent noise reduction at higher ISO's.  I'm glad it's a Lumix. I have heard nothing but good things about them. Bought my daughters a cheaper Lumix for Christmas last year. At ISO 100 I would have no problem making 16"x20" prints!

Thanks!  Glad to know folks actually READ the column...    

Jerry

[Jock Elliott]

Jerry,

I've been writing columns for various magazines for a while, and I am amazed at how little feedback I get.

Seems like folks will walk two miles to tell me I missplaced a comma, but wouldn't walk across the street to say hi if I won the Pulitzer (although there is NO change of that!).

Anyhow, keep writing. Like I said, I enjoy your stuff.

[David Neils - Colorado]

Hello Jerry,

Thanks for jumping in! I appreciate your feedback about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX2 camera. I should have asked Jock how much he was willing to spend. I didn't realize I was conversing with a Pulitzer prize winner with all the commas in the right place.

I welcome a list of important considerations when looking for a small hunting camera. Help me think outside the box while I sit by this campfire:

 http://www.telementor.org/images/davidn/David_campfiresm.jpg

Thanks,

David

[David Neils - Colorado]

Jock,

Before you break out the plastic, consider the feedback about the Lumix camera at:

 http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/read_opinions.asp?prodkey=panasonic_dmclx2

The first entry might give you pause. I'm not sure.

I guess it depends on how you plan to use the camera. I took that salmon fly photo with a Canon Powershot G2, a whimpy 4 megapixel camera. I love the flip out LCD on that camera but it might not sway another buyer.

Let us know what you end up doing...and why.

David

[Weasel]

David, thanks for the link to reviews.  Makes me rethink my decision.  Looks like I'll be waiting some more for a DC with better noise reduction!

[David Neils - Colorado]

In addition to  www.dpreview.com  I also like the site  www.dpchallenge.com.  With a few mouse clicks you can see hundreds, or maybe thousands, of pictures taken with a particular camera.

 http://www.dpchallenge.com/camera.php

As I mentioned to Jock in an e-mail, I probably need two cameras. The first one I want in my pack all the time, regardless of where I'm headed. I'll use this camera for harvest photos, short video clips, etc. This first camera would be small like the Sony DSC-S600. The second camera would be for those times when I know I'll be taking plenty of pictures. During those times I want a large lens, decent zoom, flip out LCD, and great battery life.
My Canon Powershot G2 has served me well so far. I've taken over 16,000 photographs since I bought the camera three years ago.

On another note, I'm excited to see the next wave of hard disk camcorders like the JVC Everio line. There are many times when I wished I had a great video camera but I'm not willing to deal with the post-processing hassles of a minidv tape.

Jerry, would you be interested in critiquing a photo or two of mine and allow us all to learn from your experience and wisdom?

David

[Chris O]

Two cameras is really the best solution but one camera that is close to doing both is Panasonic's DMC-TZ1S. It has 10x optical and is very relativly small but runs on a li-ion batt. Cannon's S3-IS is larger but is excellent for all around shooting, especially with the flip out screen. Its certainly one of the faster cameras if you don't want to spend the cash on a DSLR.

For a smaller camera i'd suggest taking a look at any of canons ELPH series. I especially like how they keep the viewfinder and manage to have a large screen too(I don't believe the sony DSCS600 has one). The SD600 is priced very reasonably at $249 and if you would like to spend a bit more an get the SD800IS it has slightly better zoom and image stabilization. You also could check out the Panasonic FX01.

[Rob DiStefano]

I've been using an Olympus D-490 2.1 mpx for about 4 years and it's big and kinda clunky, but she do take some real nice pix.  Anyhoo, I just picked up a Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W30 6 mpx little feller and have been quite happy with both the imaging and video - and the super speedy USB file transfer to the PC.  Sports a Carl Zeiss lens, too.  I particularly chose the W30 because unlike too many other DC's, this one has a viewfinder.  Got the W30 on sale last month from Staples for $160 + $30 for a 1 gig memory card.  I'd recommend it, for sure.

Oh, the power supply:  It's a rechargeable pack only, no standard batts, and that was an initial concern that I'm glad I got over - works fine, bought a spare that I've never had to use.  On the 3 day Paradise hunt I took over 60 full res pix and never charged.  In fact, since returning I dumped those images, took 4 hi res movies and another few dozen images and I'm still on that initial charge!