Contributors to this thread:
I am wanting to buy one of the light weight packable pocket size camera's out today but don't have a clue which one to get. It must have the ability to screw on to a tripod and have a self timer. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.
New cannon g7x is best point shoot I've used. It's capabilities and settings are amazing!
A ton of good cameras out there doing more for less money than ever before! Sony and Panasonic are my favorites. There are really more than that and what you want to do with them. Bob.
EF Huntton, Your pics look super nice and true to life!
trkslr, I'm curious if you tweek your pics in photoshop? I'm not trying to stir the pot but the color in most of your photos looks mighty funky?
6x6 Bull, one consideration is whether you spend much time in rain and wet conditions. I've ruined more than 1 camera getting them wet. My present camera is a Panasonic Lumix TS-3 that easily fits in my pocket with a 2 or 10 second self timer. A few years ago when it first came out it was about the best waterproof pocket camera available. It also takes pretty incredible video....a lot better video/audio than my Gopro. You may want to do a search under "best waterproof cameras" and reviews will point you in the right direction.
Jims, first pic is touched up very little with a dramatic edit.. Last two no edit/"photoshop" done. The camera has high resolution and diff filters in diff settings. And nor cal in spring has strong vibrant colors in the spring unlike other parts of the country.. One of the only nice things about the state ;-)
Thanks guys. Lots of great pics by your cameras. I was hoping for one of those small pocket type cameras that they say are waterproof. Looking for something to throw in my pack and pull out for hero shots and the occasional pic that doesn't require much zoom. Something in the $200 or less range. Jims the Lumix TS-3 looks like something that might fit my criterion, does it has the ability to be screwed onto a tripod?
EF Hutton your pics look great and after looking it up it looks like your camera would also be exactly what I am looking for. Can you mount it on a tripod and take self timed pics with it?
I have the A1400. It can be set on a tripod and has a self timer. It is very basic but takes good photos. A camera in the pocket takes far more and better pictures than a camera at home. Canon offers refurbished cameras on their website.
Great info, guys. I'm looking to upgrade my carry camera too.
As for Photoshop, it's a great tool (which I don't have) but a little disconcerting to see more and more photo contests being judged by the quality of the post-editing enhancements rather than the photo as it was actually taken.
Just being a grouch...
I have a Panasonic TS3 also. Yes it has a tripod socket. Great camera, Leica lens, never have to worry about it getting wet.
6x, My Lumix has a hole for tripod. I bought a super small, lightweight tripod at Walmart that's about 6" tall for cheap. The legs can be used to wrap around tree limbs, etc. and contort to the right shot angle. It easily fits in a pocket. I also have a nice tripod but throw in the small tripod while hiking because it hardly weighs anything or takes up any room in my pack.
6x - you will have to decide what you want to take pictures of. The waterproof ones are usually (maybe always?) limited by zoom. I have seen them up to 4x but haven't looked too much more.
The non-waterproof ones will zoom a heck of a lot more - I think my Lumix has a 20x optical zoom. I have also destroyed a couple (drowned one, crushed another with my ass). I choose to put my 20x in a waterproof bag because I feel limited with trying to get pictures of animals with 4x.
Figure out how you are going to spend most of your time with the camera and make a decision based on that.
The waterproof capability isn't a deal breaker I just thought that I could take it to Mexico on our trips. I have been known to have a few too many cervesa's and jump in the pool with ,cell phones, ipods, ect. I did find a refurb one like EF Hutton has for a great price so that looks like the front runner for now.
Lumix TS-3 by Panasonic is a great camera. They can be had used for a very good price and mine has never failed me. Shawn. I will also say that some of the cell phones today have great cameras and you can by tri-pods and limb claws to hold them for self-pics. I have a Galaxy S5 that takes great field photos and great video as well. Shawn
Check out Olympus Tough cameras. They keep getting better with every model. I have 3 of them. Had 3 generations. Would like to get a new one that does more. Great photo quality. Nobody can match their quality. Waterproof, shock proof, freeze proof, crush proof.
I lost my newest one on a mountain in a snowstorm in Montana last January. If someone finds it, you can keep it.
Forgot to say not loss-proof.
Found a used Nikon Cool Pix 560 on ebay for $30 bucks. It is supposed to be in perfect condition so I won't be out much if it isn't. That will be a perfect camera to throw in the pack and take an occasional pic and hopefully a hero shot or two off of a small tripod that I already keep in the pack. Thanks for all the great suggestions. Just talked to my hunting buddy today and he just bought a Nikon Cool Pix AW110 that he loves.
Good choice. Fortunately every camera mentioned would be a good choice. I hope you enjoy.
You are correct that most waterproof/crushproof cameras don't have the focal lengths of others. It's incredibly nice to be able to put them in your pocket though. I take mine fishing and it takes incredible underwater fish pics!
One of the best bang for your buck cameras that isn't waterproof is the Panasonic FZ200. It has an impressive 25 to 600 mmm zoom that has an F2.8 all the way out to 600mm. There aren't many cameras that are capable of doing that! It is supposed to take incredible photos as well as video.
Panasonic also has a higher priced FZ1000 that supposedly has the latest and greatest video options available. It has a 25 to 400mm lens.
I'm considering a FZ200 but it is larger size and spooky not being waterproof! I've already had 1 camera tumble into the Kenai River in Alaska. I've dropped my FZ-3 in the water and got it soaking wet in several rainstorms several times and all I had to do is wipe it off!
Another tip on cell phones. I got an app that I added to my I-phone that allows me to take 10 second delay photos! Works great! Some may come with it but if not you can add it.
Jims I have that app on my I-phone 5s but I don't have a way to attach it to a tripod to take the pics of myself with animals. I am hoping that this little camera will do all that and more for $30.
I wonder if otterbox or others or others have an attachment spot for Iphones to tripods? It is a pain not using a tripod! I looked in Kmart's photo dept today and they had the small vivitar 6" tripod I mentioned in one of my posts above for $7! I used it on my last turkey hunt.
Here's a link: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Vivitar-7-Spider-Tripod/15268394 You can put it on the ground, wrap it around a pole or tree, etc. Not bad for $7.
As has been mentioned the Spider or claw type work great. I have used them to hold my cell phone for pics on the ground as well as attached to a limb or fence post. Shawn
Elkaddict's Link
This is what I carry, great for just about any type of application.
Photo shop is a great tool, makes amateur photographers like myself better. Took this last week of Momma and her cubs. Here's the original.
Picture was a little overexposed. So I adjusted exposure, did a little contrast-and took out the brush in front of cub.
I have a Cannon Power Shot ELPH 520 HS, and I absolutely love this little camera. The best part is the Zoom, which goes up to 48 power.Here are a couple Mule deer at 48 power. They were about 100 yds away. It has mounting threads, like you need.
Ergie
Another pic with the Cannon
Lots of really good little cameras...and you don't have to spend a lot either.....I think i have the Canon 430- or something like that. Better than a cell phone as you can take time delay shots, etc
I saw a demonstration of Photoshop where they took a blah pic of a single rose and went through the steps to enhance it- amazing! Bunch of those on the Photocamel site....
Mad_Angler's Link
For your phone, there is a little bracket that can mount your phone to real tripod or a gorillapod.
It is very slick
Olympus TG-3 or the New TG-4 All kinds of features I will never use like WiFi and GPS. But a tough, shock-proof, crush-poof, dust-proof, water-proof HD video capable unit, that takes some good pictures with decent battery life. Now have a "tines up" adapter for digiscopeing thru my Swaro spotter.
You could do worse than this camera.
LaGriz