Camera Season

muledeerjunkie · Apr 10, 2014

Hi All,

I'm looking to purchase a new digital camera that I'd carry in my pack while hunting and doing other outdoor activities.

It should be relatively small and light weight.

I'd also use it to capture video footage.

It needs to be a fairly fool proof unit for a guy like me!

Something that is point/shoot and takes photos fast enough that I don't miss the action.

My price range is $800 or less, any suggestions?

MDJ

fishing4sanity · Apr 10, 2014

I looked at both the Canon SX50 and Panasonic FZ200. I stayed with my DSLR which is physically bigger and more of a pain to pack around, but also paid for. These may not be as small as you're looking for, but they have lots of zoom. Here are links to them on CNET.
http://www.cnet.com/products/canon-powershot-sx50-hs/
http://www.cnet.com/products/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fz200/

Gerald Martin · Apr 10, 2014

Shot with a Nikon P510. The P520 is the current model I believe. Not as good quality as my DSLR but pretty good for a $350 camera.
https://vimeo.com/58632114

jryoung · Apr 10, 2014

There are a ton of point and shoots in the $200-300 price range that are lightweight and very functional. If you want a bit more get a Canon G16, it has the function of an SLR in a point and shoot package.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...JW68a7X170CFUqUfgodVlYACQ&Q=&is=REG&A=details

Cornell2012 · Apr 11, 2014

Gerald Martin said:
Shot with a Nikon P510. The P520 is the current model I believe. Not as good quality as my DSLR but pretty good for a $350 camera.
https://vimeo.com/58632114

My dad has the P510 and I played around with it a lot during our last hunt. I was quite impressed overall.

Cornell2012 · Apr 11, 2014

Here are some pictures that I took with the Nikon P510. The pictures might look a bit fuzzy/noisy since they got substantially downsized when posted online.

The first one I had printed on a large (24"x36") canvas and it looks great.

huntRme · Apr 11, 2014

Check out the Olympus "Tough" cameras. Sturdy, waterproof, 16 megapixels, zoom, flash - all for + or - $200 depending on model. Like mine so far, but I haven't really learned how to use it. Really easy to carry, small.

sagebrush · Apr 11, 2014

Lots of choices out there. Mine is a Nikon Coolpix L810. 16 megapixels 26 power zoom. $228.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Digital-Camera-NIKKOR/dp/B0073HSJR4

muledeerjunkie · Apr 11, 2014

Thank you to everyone who has chimed in and shared their opinion on cameras here.

fishing4sanity said:
I looked at both the Canon SX50 and Panasonic FZ200.

Sanity, If you were to choose one of the two cameras that you mentioned above, which would you go with?

Gerald & Cornell - I have to admit that the P510 video and photos are impressive.

muledeerjunkie · Apr 11, 2014

huntRme said:
Check out the Olympus "Tough" cameras. Sturdy, waterproof, 16 megapixels, zoom, flash - all for + or - $200 depending on model. Like mine so far, but I haven't really learned how to use it. Really easy to carry, small.

HuntRme - It looks like there are many models of "Tough" cameras, is there a particular one that you'd recommend?

Gerald Martin · Apr 12, 2014

My dad has the P510 and I played around with it a lot during our last hunt. I was quite impressed overall.

Matthew, your dad's thread about the P510 was what inspired me to buy it. For the price, I've been impresssed as well. There's a couple of "alleged" fish snaggers/poachers that aren't as impressed about the superzoom qualities of the P510 as were the judges and juries at their trials, but since said judges' and jury's decisions have been appealed, that probably a story better saved for another time.

Muledeerjunkie- I wouldn't put the P510 in the category of "tough" cameras if that's important to you.

muledeerjunkie · Apr 13, 2014

A "tough"camera isn't a requirement, so all cameras have a shot at being in my pack!

dustinf · Apr 13, 2014

muledeerjunkie said:
A "tough"camera isn't a requirement, so all cameras have a shot at being in my pack!

Are you sure?

I've dragged this bitch up more than one mountain, and I've thought about throwing it in more than one lake...

3D6882EC-58CC-4A2D-84E9-5FB7BDFD4BD4-34552-00001F51706961CC.jpg

AKDrifter · Apr 13, 2014

dustinf said:
Are you sure?

I've dragged this bitch up more than one mountain, and I've thought about throwing it in more than one lake...

Cute camera.

muledeerjunkie · Apr 13, 2014

dustinf said:
Are you sure?

Dustin,

I stand corrected! A camera of that magnitude would exceed my carrying capacity and probably won't fit in my pack, let alone fit in a super cub...

MDJ

boof · Apr 13, 2014

I have a Canon Powershot SX500 and love it. You can view my photography here, all of the pictures were taken with this camera.

http://www.capturedakota.com/users/spencerneuharth

starvingoutdoorsman · Apr 14, 2014

I would take a look at Pentax DSLRs and a Pentax WR lens. While a Pentax is not the absolute best for video it can still take decent video and all but the lowest entry level cameras have weather sealing in the body. Something to take a look at. I bet you could get a K-30 and a lens or 2 for around your budget on Amazon.

Pretty much all of these photos have been taken with a Pentax K5 and some various lenses I bought new or used. I pack way to much into the mountains, but I love what I come back with most of the time even if I don't fill a tag. But then again, I have used point and shoots that did what I wanted also for 10 years before I bought my DSLR.

muledeerjunkie said:
Hi All,

I'm looking to purchase a new digital camera that I'd carry in my pack while hunting and doing other outdoor activities.

It should be relatively small and light weight.

I'd also use it to capture video footage.

It needs to be a fairly fool proof unit for a guy like me!

Something that is point/shoot and takes photos fast enough that I don't miss the action.

My price range is $800 or less, any suggestions?

MDJ

Ridgerunner1CO · Apr 15, 2014

Mule deer junkie,
You might want to check out a new Panasonic Lumix ZS40 as it's loaded with features - 18 megapixels, 30X LEICA zoom lens, HD video, GPS, NFC (links up to your smartphone), gyroscoptic balancing of your photos, and many others ! It will fit in your shirt pocket !
I have a Lumix ZS19 and a FZ200, both Panasonics, and I'll vouch for their quality, especially their picture quality. Below is a link for the info from Panasonic.
http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-ZS40S

idnative1948 · Apr 15, 2014

Cornell2012 said:
Here are some pictures that I took with the Nikon P510. The pictures might look a bit fuzzy/noisy since they got substantially downsized when posted online.

The first one I had printed on a large (24"x36") canvas and it looks great.

Like!

starvingoutdoorsman · Apr 16, 2014

Ridgerunner1CO said:
Mule deer junkie,
You might want to check out a new Panasonic Lumix ZS40 as it's loaded with features - 18 megapixels, 30X LEICA zoom lens, HD video, GPS, NFC (links up to your smartphone), gyroscoptic balancing of your photos, and many others ! It will fit in your shirt pocket !
I have a Lumix ZS19 and a FZ200, both Panasonics, and I'll vouch for their quality, especially their picture quality. Below is a link for the info from Panasonic.
http://shop.panasonic.com/shop/model/DMC-ZS40S

The lumix are for sure great cameras.

Camera Season

Member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Administrator

Administrator

New member

Active member

Member

Member

Well-known member

Member

Active member

New member

Member

New member

Active member

Member

Well-known member

Active member

Similar threads

Forum statistics

Share this page