Suggestions for a Point-n-Shoot camera for the bike

[1TallTXn]

I'm looking to acquire a PnS digital camera for hauling around on the bike.

If possible I'd like something water-resistant so I don't have to worry about it getting wet should the weather change unexpectedly.

Ease of one-handed use would be very nice. espcially with gloves.


While its primary use is going to be on the bike, I don't want to sacrifice too many traditional features of a decent camera. IE, I'm not willing to trade a good quality pic for one-handed use. I'll stop the bike if I have to.

Price can't be exorbetant, but I'm willing to pay to get a good camera.

I'll admit that I'm biased towards Nikon and Canon.


So what do you have, what would you change, and what would you recommend?

Thanks in advance.

[Jack Giesecke]

I haven't looked for cameras in a while, like what I've got, but IIRC the Olympus Stylus cameras, film and digital, were the only water resistant ones I noticed when I was searching and I didn't like their size. I've still got an old Stylus film camera I haven't used in years. I just keep my Vivitar 5.0 mpx in a zip lock bag in my pocket or tank bag on a ride. Still works. I'm a little antsy about taking it duck hunting or fishing, but I reckon it'd survive. I don't know that a water resistant camera would survive if submersed. You'd have to have some sort of diver's camera for that I'd think.

[1TallTXn]

I glanced at the Stylus cameras and I just plain don't like them. low ISO, xD card, etc.

I'm really looking for something that will take being in my pocket if it rains. Not looking to take it SCUBA diving of any form.

[Jack Giesecke]

I've been rained on with the camera in a baggy and it survived. I didn't like the Stylus at the time, either, especially since it was bulky and more money that some of the newer stuff with just as good resolution and features. I really haven't looked at cameras, though, in several years and they change with rapidity. Might be something credit card sized out there that's waterproof to 200 feet for all I know. :lol2: I'm quite happy with mine, though.

When I was looking, they had a Pentax and just down the row of cameras was my Vivitar. They were IDENTICAL right down to the moldings, the color, the controls, the features, just one had "Pentax" on it and the other "Vivitar". They're obviously built by the same source company and just branded different. The Pentax was $199 and the Vivitar $169. No brainer there. I liked the camera and was able to get a SD card for what I'd paid for the Pentax by itself.

I ain't a photographer, but the thing takes great pix and movie clips and is pocket sized. My only beef with it is how it eats batteries with the screen on. But, the flip side is it only takes 2 AAs and around the house I use rechargeables. When I go on a trip, I buy big bulk packs of AAs because my little TV, my radio, and my camera run on AAs. My new MP3 player runs on a single AAA, so now I have to buy those, but again, around here I use rechargeable and on short trips rechargeables last the trip. Seems like batteries have replaced film as the main expense of pictures. :rofl:

[1TallTXn]

Mom's got a Nikon CoolPix S2 thats "weather proof", I like it pretty well, but its not made anymore :( its hard to hold with gloves on. Also requires a proprietary battery, but it runs forever and can shoot more then a card full on one battery so its not a problem.

[pkiser]

What about a digital with the shutter button on the left side of the camera instead of the right? It seems this would make camera use a little easier while you are riding. Easier not necessarily safer! Does anybody make such a gadget? :zen:

[dutchinterceptor]

I've heard good things about the water resistant/proof Pentax cameras over the years but haven't ever put my hands on one.

Pentax Optio (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Pentax/pentax_optiow30.asp)

You may have already noticed but Canon has waterproof cases for most all of their point & shoots and I believe Nikon does also. The downside is that they are usually over $100.

I am a die-hard canon guy and am currently using a Canon 620 which has taken me quite a while to get used to but it does very well. The main selling points for me were AA batteries and an lcd that flips around. My complaint is the focus sensor in moderate to low light is almost useless. The lens is also not tack sharp at all focal lengths but I know what I bought and works well for me.

My best recommendation is to head off to Best Buy or someplace that has a big stock and just start playing with all of them and see which works best for you. I personally wouldn't worry about them getting too wet. They will handle quite a bit of moisture before any damage is done. Just be ready to stash it in your tank bag or whatever.

Good Reference:
DPReview (http://www.dpreview.com)
DCResource (http://www.dcresource.com)

[Hood Ornament]

I've got the Canon Power Shot A 610. Takes decent pictures, didn't cost that much, uses SD memory, has a decent optical zoom, and the best feature is the view screen can pivot in almost any direction. Found that this is quite helpful. As a plus it can be positioned so that it faces back into the camera protecting it from scratching.

[bushwhacker]

Get you one of these and you do not have to worry about holding the Camera. It uses the SW Motech gas cap mounting ring. -

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/trade/productview/2210/441/

http://www.twistedthrottle.com/ezimagecatalogue/catalogue/variations/6703-500x600.jpg

[Jack Giesecke]

Hmm, it appears they still sell my camera, hasn't gone obsolete in 6 months, shocking. :lol2: I like the camera a lot, but it's not weather resistant. Price has dropped 60 bucks or so on this site. I feel I might have gotten screwed. :lol2: But, if I wait another couple of years, they'll be giving it away. Meantime I've been taking a LOT of pix and enjoying it. Oh, well.....

http://www10.shopping.com/xPO-Vivitar_ViviCam_5385

[gotdurt]

I glanced at the Stylus cameras and I just plain don't like them. low ISO, xD card, etc.

I'm really looking for something that will take being in my pocket if it rains. Not looking to take it SCUBA diving of any form.

Low ISO, while being difficult to hand-hold in some scenarios, is the only way to get noise-free images out of a small P&S sensor. Even the best P&S cameras have nearly unusable noise above 400 ISO, some above 200, IMO. Just FYI, there'll be a compromise somewhere for P&S cams, whether it's noise or softness (from shake), just depends on what is more important to you.

I've never noticed water resistance as a feature in typical P&S cameras, but maybe there is. I carry my cameras in zip-lock bags bags to keep the dust and moisture at bay during transport, but even when I've used them in the rain, I haven't had any problems, knock on wood.

Check out www.dpreview.com and www.steves-digicams.com for comparisons, tests, features, etc.

[1TallTXn]

After poking around, I've found 3 cameras that are "all weather" the 2 Olympus's and one Pentax. None of which strike my fancy.

So continuing the poking around the Canon A570 IS is really looking good. Not to mention the reviews are great.
Hmm, I may just wind up ordering one of these little guys... :ponder:

[Bagwell]

I was poking around on the www.tailofthedragon.com site yesterday since I am goin out there pretty soon. I saw in the top right corner a link to a story the owners of the website put up about canon cameras. They mentioned that they went to buy this canon camera and took good care of it and about 3 months after buying it the thing had a failure and canon wouldnt cover it for some strange reason claiming it had some phantom liquid exposure damage. Anyway, makes me leary of canon a little. :)

[1TallTXn]

I was poking around on the www.tailofthedragon.com site yesterday since I am goin out there pretty soon. I saw in the top right corner a link to a story the owners of the website put up about canon cameras. They mentioned that they went to buy this canon camera and took good care of it and about 3 months after buying it the thing had a failure and canon wouldnt cover it for some strange reason claiming it had some phantom liquid exposure damage. Anyway, makes me leary of canon a little. :)
I've had excellent service from my Canon XL1s video camera, though I've never had to deal with it for warranty. Many friends have had excellent service out of various other Canon products, but again, no warranty issues.

I'm willing to guess that like everything, somebody's got a *** story (not questioning their story) about everything.
Based on personal experience, I am willing to purchase another Canon.

Oh, that was post 666 Vaughn... :wary: :lol:

[DaveC]

what would you recommend?
find a longer lanyard or don't drop it. If you do drop it the good news is all the pictures are on the memory card if you set your camera up that way.

[sharkey]

After poking around, I've found 3 cameras that are "all weather" the 2 Olympus's and one Pentax. None of which strike my fancy.

So continuing the poking around the Canon A570 IS is really looking good. Not to mention the reviews are great.
Hmm, I may just wind up ordering one of these little guys... :ponder:

Something else to consider is buying a camera you like and then buying a waterproof housing (similar to what divers use) for it. Any of the Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Pentax will serve you well. I've been happy w/ my little XD cards too.

[1TallTXn]

Something else to consider is buying a camera you like and then buying a waterproof housing (similar to what divers use) for it. Any of the Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Fuji, Pentax will serve you well. I've been happy w/ my little XD cards too.
I noticed that Canon makes one for the A570, its $150 :eek:

Guess I'm used to using my card reader and it doesn't support XD, then on top of that the additional cost of them compared to SD and CF cards.

I'll most likely run up to Arlington Camera and have a chat with them.

[1TallTXn]

Went up to Arlington Camera and had a nice chat with them and wound up walking out the door with the Canon A570IS and a 1gb card. Haven't had much time to mess with it yet, but it seems like its gonna take a pretty good pic.

Now I just gotta go take a ride so I can take some pics :trust: :rider:

[TexasShadow]

Get you one of these and you do not have to worry about holding the Camera. It uses the SW Motech gas cap mounting ring.
That is just what I was looking for!!! I plan on using the point/shoot Olympus for moving pics and use the Canon PowerShot IS3 for the more serious shots. Both fit in my tank bag, but the Canon is not one I want to mount anywhere on the bike and it's too complex for quick captures.

What I wonder about the mount is the issue of the windshield on the Whee. No matter how I try, it's always covered with Kamikaze bugs! (and sometimes bird doodoo) :-?

[Squeaky]

You can see it in some of my pics, but I bought a camera case that I can easily attach to the shoulder strap of my Camelbak. It uses velcro, but also has a snap that is strong enough that I trust it. I added a lanyard around my neck, and now I can take pics on the road with ease. I an 'drop' the camera out of my left hand if the need ever arises and not worry that it will go bouncing down the road.

The camera case isn't waterproof, but if the flap is closed I'm not worried about it unless there's a deluge - then it goes in the tank bag.

As far as left-handed operation, I just hold it upside-down and push the shutter button with my thumb.

[dukey33]

What I want is a camera that doesn't take an eternity to boot up. It's amazing how 6 seconds can feel like a lifetime in a fleeting moment of a candid shot.

Dave

[1TallTXn]

What I want is a camera that doesn't take an eternity to boot up. It's amazing how 6 seconds can feel like a lifetime in a fleeting moment of a candid shot.

Dave
my A570 comes up in ~2 sec. Still longer then I'd like, but decently quick.

[Squeaky]

Mine is probably around a second or a second and a half to boot up, and it's fast to store a pic and get ready for the next one. Since I knew I'd be on the bike with it a lot, I was looking for these features. (Olympus FE-190)

Another thing I had to have was a simple USB cable to offload the pics instead of a bulky docking station, since I already pack too much when I'm on the road.

[TexasShadow]

You can see it in some of my pics, but I bought a camera case that I can easily attach to the shoulder strap of my Camelbak. It uses velcro, but also has a snap that is strong enough that I trust it. I added a lanyard around my neck, and now I can take pics on the road with ease.

As far as left-handed operation, I just hold it upside-down and push the shutter button with my thumb.I haven't seen this in a pic, but I sure am interested. The issue with the gas tank mount is....... no tankbag! I need my tank bag.

[Squeaky]

Ok, so I'm a little late responding...

Mine is the Lowepro Rezo 10 (I think)
http://lowepro.com/images/products/large/Rezo10_gray_left_equip_L.jpg

Here it is attached to the shoulder strap on my CamelBak:
http://squeaky.smugmug.com/photos/141517961-M.jpg

With the velcro AND snap holding it there, I have no worries. I also use the front pocket (small, intended for an extra battery or memory card) to hold a pair of earplugs.

[Bagwell]

looks like a problem as it shows that you would have to use your throttle hand to remove the camera. Might work better on your right shoulder as to allow your left hand to remove the camera? Just thinking out loud. :)

[Squeaky]

looks like a problem as it shows that you would have to use your throttle hand to remove the camera. Might work better on your right shoulder as to allow your left hand to remove the camera? Just thinking out loud. :)

I never though about that, but then it might interfere with the drinking tube. I'll have to try it that way and see, but I can get to it pretty easily with my left hand where it is. :ponder:

[Tx Rider]

After a few cameras I driled down to what I need in a point and shoot that not all cameras have.

Must take AAA batteries, no built in or proprietary batteries.
Must take an SD memory card, you can buy 2 2gb card for less than $50
Most have a good self covering lens, I hate lens caps.
Must have a viewfinder, it's a pain to use the LCD all the time, viewfinders are nice.
Must have a fold away or covered LCD screen, otherwise that get scratched up in my pocket, tailbag etc. when out DS riding.

My current one is Canon A630, fit all the criteria ok and the price isn't very high.

For a few more bux you can get a lens filter kit, telephoto lens and wide angle lens as well that snap on and off the front.

I should have bought an A640 though for the remote capture ability, but most folks wouldn't need that. I want it to make it easier to use when attached to my telescope.

[TexasShadow]

I should have bought an A640 though for the remote capture ability, but most folks wouldn't need that. I want it to make it easier to use when attached to my telescope.For tripod use, too. I reeeeeally miss a cable release. A remote would suffice.

[1TallTXn]

For tripod use, too. I reeeeeally miss a cable release. A remote would suffice.
most of the little cameras have a timer if not a remote release. i've set the timer for 2sec and let it go. then you don't have to touch the camera when it takes the pic

[Tx Rider]

Yeah I could build a remote cable for the A630, The 640 though can actually be run remotely from say a laptop, and all settings like shutter speeds etc. can be changed via the laptop while your looking at the live image.

[TexasShadow]

most of the little cameras have a timer if not a remote release. i've set the timer for 2sec and let it go. then you don't have to touch the camera when it takes the picI've resorted to that a few times, but it doesn't supplant a cable release.