please recommend a digital camera.

[adkmountainken]

i am looking for a compact, good zoom digital camera for hunting. want one easy to carry and operate. will be using it on a CO trad elk hunt. somewhere in the $200 range as it will be a X-Mass gift. any ideas?

[Mark Zagrzebski]

I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 that I absolutely love, takes great HD video also.  I don't think it is made anymore but they make a ZS8 and ZS10 that are higher megapixel than mine. Looks like the ZS8 can be had for about $200 on E*** and the ZS10 is just over $300.  Check some reviews, if they are as good as my ZS7 I think you will be happy with it.

Mark

[WhiteBeard121]

I the same model camera that Mark mentioned and I love it. I also have a Cybershot (I think it's a Sony?), but the Panasonic is easier to use with very good results.

Good luck on your hunt!

[centaur]

This one is a bit more than your $200, but my wife just got one and it is a really quality point and shoot.
 http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_sx260_hs

I have had a few Panasonics over the years, and they are a lot of camera, as well.

[Stumpkiller]

Ken,

I have a Nikon S9100 Coolpix and I am VERY pleased with the image quality and battery life (about 6X longer than my HP 967).  I have used mine hard and it does all I ask.  Videos floor me with their quality.  $190 or so.  Just be sure to get a Class 4 or better SD card.

18X zoom

[happy1]

The Olympus Tough TG-820 is waterproof to 33 feet, shockproof, and works down to 14 degrees.  It also has good ratings.  Quill.com has them on sale for $149.99 regular price is $279.99 and free shipping.

[donnyrambo]

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Waterproof-Digital-Camouflage/dp/B008JI0R8U/ref%3Dcm_cr_pr_sims_t

[donnyrambo]

I recommended the Nikon in the first post because it seems really Bad A$$, because it has all of the features my Olypus Stylus Tough 8010 has plus it has a built in GPS which shows you where you were and what time you took the photo and it also tells you which direction you were facing as well.  But I don' t have the Nikon, nor have I ever used it.  My Olympus on the other hand is very reliable and it takes fantastic pictures.  I paid over $310 for it a couple of years ago.  It is on Amazon now for around $170 with extra goodies.  It is great for anything outdoors because you can bang it around and swim with it.  I put mine on a fly fishing zinger that retracts fishing nets by William Joseph, and I am able and ready to take photos whenever I want without digging through pockets and water proof or zip lock bags in cold or rainy conditions.  Here is a link.

  http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Stylus-Digital-Camera-Black/dp/B0031RGEV8/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1358489867&sr=1-1&keywords=Olympus+stylus+tough+8010

[donnyrambo]

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/tough/tough-tg-1.html