Best Digitial Camera?

[idig4au]

What lightweight digital cameras are you guys using?

I've been using a 12.1 MP Sony Cyber-shot that is a few years old, and it takes fantastic pictures, but it getting a bit old and having a few problems with the shutter. I want to upgrade to something new that is in line with current technologies.

I borrowed a Nikon for my last hunt, and wasn't impressed by the picture quality...seemed dark and contrast was not as clear as the Sony.

'm not really worried about the budget. Will pay what it takes to get the best. I would like it to have 14+ MP and be lightweight and compact.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

 

[fair-chase]

Just using my iphone for now until I can afford to splurge on a full size DSLR. It actually takes better pictures than any of the compact cameras that I own. Also takes better pictures than my mid size Canon Powershot. If there is a compact that tops it by a reasonable amount I would also be interested in hearing about it.


Taken with my Iphone this summer...

 

[chorpie]

You're not going to want to lug a full sized DSLR when you're hunting. They're big, and heavy. You could look into the micro four thirds series of cameras, as they're smaller but will take lenses, but still.. same issue. I've got a Canon G12 that I take with me. It's not entirely compact but it's way smaller than my DSLR and has all the same adjustments.

You sort of need to figure out if you're going to be shooting everything in automatic mode or not, which will narrow your choices. places like dpreview will give a lot of technical information, but they also take sample photos, with color cards and such that are the same across all of their tests, so you can compare and contrast that way.

Why do you need 14+ mp? you can get 16x20" prints from an 8MP camera.

 

[digger]

I just bought a canon Sx510 hs.It is 12.1 megapix and a real nice camera with wifi capability .I like it real well.
It fits in whatever pack I carry and takes nice pictures and was only $240 at wallyworld.

 

[Jager]

Good iphone image.

A link to a good explanation on MP's.

 

[argonaut]

I've had good luck with my Canon S95. Has even survived a couple drops in water. The latest model in this line is the S120, but if you don't need the latest features you can get the S100 for about $300. Fits in your pocket and gets pretty good reviews.

 

[Stid2677]

I will not say it is the best, but it is the best for me and how I use a camera. That is the Olympus TG-2 waterproof, tough camera. I keep it in my pocket at all times and can quickly pull it out and take a photo. I find that I take way more photos this way, as when I used cameras that I had to protect, I often would just not want to take the time to dig it out. All the photos and video including digiscoping photos I post have been taken with it.

Just another option to consider, good luck on your purchase.

Steve

 

[Buster]

I wanted big zoom for relatively cheap, with hd videoing capabilities. Came up with the Canon sx50 HS. 50x zoom (must be conscious of lighting conditions obviously), smaller than an SLR, and great photos for a point and shoot guy like me. Panasonic also offered a comparable camera (forgive me but I can't remember which one right now) that had 35x zoom, but a little better light collecting abilities throughout the zoom range (F-stop jargon). Bigger than a standard point and shoot, but the zoom can capture stuff that a 6 or even 10x zoom would never touch.

I do like stid's philosophy of having a little camera ready at all times, so I've also been packing a small powershot as a trial in my pocket. Pictures are borderline sometimes.

 

[flatfoot]

Fuji x20. It's a bit of a midsize point and shoot 12 megapixel. Used it in Montana and Italy for a variety of shooting conditions and the results were very good despite the amateur photog taking the pictures. I didn't test the toughness or water resistance of the camera though.

 

[Racethesunset]

I borrowed a Nikon for my last hunt, and wasn't impressed by the picture quality...seemed dark and contrast was not as clear as the Sony.

I'm not really worried about the budget. Will pay what it takes to get the best. I would like it to have 14+ MP and be lightweight and compact.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

I recently geeked out about cameras for outdoor adventures, and can provide some summary to help you with a decision.

There are two routes you can go for hunting cameras if money is no object:

1) Point and shoot with a large sensor
a. Sony RX10 or
b. Sony RX100 + Canon SX50 (for telephoto)

2) Mirrorless compact system camera
a. Nikon AW1 with Nikon 10-100mm telephoto (WATER PROOF and SHOCK PROOF)!
b. Olympus EPL5 w/ Oly Zuiko 70-300mm lens

Both routes will set you back about a G or 1.5G's, but the performance will far exceed your and your buddy's Nikon, SX510's, or most other Best Buy / Walmart cameras. You will be able to achieve a modest degree of subject isolation with the larger sensors (think: background blur), as well as gain considerable low light performance. I ended up going a slightly less expensive route with the Sony NEX-3N + 50MM + 55-210MM lens for under a thousand, and am already planning on adding another mirrorless lens to the mix.

 

[Hardstalk]

There have been a few threads on this topic. I think majority census is between the j1 and the rx100. Ive used the rx100 the past two seasons. ( lost one rx100 ) but ive dropped it a few times and sat on rocks with it in my pocket and it holds up pretty well. Im not a huge fan of how the flash works. Would prefer something 1-piece. If you research some of bitterroot bulls posts he has alot of time with the j1 and is very fair on his reviews of performance. I believe aron snyder is still running the rx100 if you research a few of his recent field trips you can see the quality of the rx100.

Shopping for cameras is like shopping for spotting scopes. Everyone who has one feels theirs is the best. So let your mind be your guide on pros and cons. Also feel em out in a store and make sure you get what ya want. Its a buy once cry once decision.

Iphones are great and I still use mine for pics quite often. But there is a reason most magazines wont accept cell phone pics at all. Having the ability to shoot raw or different formats is a huge plus for more than just hunting pics.

 

[Racethesunset]

Would recommend that you also check out http://camerasize.com to compare camera sizes. Honestly 9/10 interesting cameras out there that adhere to your criteria of 'not really worried about budget' (aka are badass cameras) are not in best buy, so you won't be able to handle them unless you visit a specialty store. Yes the RX100 is there, and yes the Nikon 1 series is there, but those are just the beginning. If you want a telephoto lens or capability, or some of the newer, more advanced features, you'll have to do your research.

 

[idig4au]

Would recommend that you also check out http://camerasize.com to compare camera sizes. Honestly 9/10 interesting cameras out there that adhere to your criteria of 'not really worried about budget' (aka are badass cameras) are not in best buy, so you won't be able to handle them unless you visit a specialty store. Yes the RX100 is there, and yes the Nikon 1 series is there, but those are just the beginning. If you want a telephoto lens or capability, or some of the newer, more advanced features, you'll have to do your research.

Thanks for the information in this and your previous post. What do you think of the Sony RX1R? Seems to provide great functionality in a more compact unit that is quite a bit smaller than a DSLR. Its an expensive bugger, but does it justify the price?

 

[colonel00]

I haven't used a ton of cameras but I can add a +1 on the Canon S95. Probably the last P&S I will buy, at least for quite a while.

On a side note, I did pick up a Pentax K-30 with a WR lens. Sure, it's a DSLR. Is it heavy? I guess. Will I take it everywhere? Probably not. But, with a capture camera clip system, I can mount it on the front strap of my pack and the weather resistance allows me to carry it in any situation. Also, it has a AA battery adapter so that is quite convenient in the field instead of carrying extra batteries that only work for the camera. Just throwing it out there in case someone is interested.

 

[bobhunts]

I like my Sony Rx 100 and need to learn it more. My older Panasonic Lumix did a pretty good job too and costs a lot less. Like I said I need to learn the first one more. Bob.

 

[Matt W.]

You guys need to check out Stid2677's posts with photos. Between what he posts and what Aron Snyder is doing with his Olympus and Spotter I know what direction I want to go...
1) Olympus TG-2 (for all the reasons Stid pointed out)
2) Olympus OM-D E-M5 DSLR to do videos and more planned photos and digiscoping

But need to get a quality spotter and connection to make the OM-D E-M5 worth it. I've always been the guy who never thought a Swarovski or the like was worth the dollar... Well take a look at Aron's photos. If he can make a photo look that good, that high end glass would save me walking in sheep country.... Heck, I might even get lucky and manage to capture a good photo here and there as well...

Aron mentioned he has a write-up/review coming soon on this subject. I'm looking forward to the info.

 

[tttoadman]

This is one of the best threads for me. I have always been a photo freak in the field. I packed the 35mm and the 75-300 for years. When I finally stepped up to a canon DSLR with the heavy 70-300IS lens, the size just seems way out of control now. I did alot of looking this year to buy a reasonably sized compact that would take AA batteries instead of only the rechargable battery. I thought it would be better to be able to change out and not get stuck with a dead battery in the woods. I ended up with the canon powershot SX160 IS. I am pretty happy with it, but I find myself always dissapointed with the speed and ease of use compared to the big cameras. I did finally realize after I got home from my last trip that I need to explore the custom settings such as locking on only the center spot for the autofocus so I can possibly get this camera to react a little more like my big camera.

On a side note, I wanted to throw my two cents in on the megapixel count. I have had a few people(pro photographers at weddings...) tell me to ignore the great big giant MP adds because the processors in the camera can't keep up with it anyway. The MP is just a buzz word that they can sell. I can see that based on the photos I get from my 8MP DSLR compared to some of these newer cameras that advertise the really big MP.

Stress that I am a total amateur and don't really know that much about this stuff, but I wanted to share what I have experienced with my small pile of equipment. And now i can keep tabs on this and see what info I can take with me to the camera store next time.

 

[bobhunts]

I do believe the size of the sensor makes a big difference too. Megapixels only count if you will make a larger pic..to a point. The stuff we are buying today used to cost more than 7k when pro digital cams cams came out not too long ago. What all of us (including me) need to learn is how to use the seemingly easy to use stuff we already have and Aron did that in his pic post. Some say saving your pics in raw form is the best and I do not know why so if someone can tell me I am all ears? Bob.

 

[Buster]

I found that I always wished I had "just a little more" optical zoom. I see a lot of rave for the sony rx100, and it's pro's are very obvious. It is an amazing camera for it's size. However, with it's limited 3.6x zoom, doesn't it come up short when it comes to photographing game? I guess it all depends on what your outdoor situation is. Input?

 

[kodiakfly]

I have a Sony DSLR, but not for hunting and fishing. For that, I carry one of my Olympus Stylus/Tough cameras. I have three of them and they're great. They range from 7.1-10 mp, which by todays standards is archaic, but they take great trophy pics and they're water/crush/freezeproof so they work for me where I take them. If I'm doing serious photography; animals, landscape, whatever...I'm not hunting and I take the DSLR.