What Camera?

[PointBlank]

I am thinking about getting a decent camera to take out with me because I'm starting to hate it when I see something and all I've got is my mobile to take a picture with!

Any suggestions what would be a good buy for quality pictures and with a suitable zoom for stalking distances, preferably nothing overly complicated and without a 3' long lens!

Cheers

 

[old keeper]

I've used a Canon G11 for a few years, absolutely brilliant, especially if, like me you are no expert.

 

[deerstalker.308]

The Panasonic lumix range are very good if you go to the mid range of their products, great optical zoom and very compact to take stalking with you.
Andy

 

[otisthedog]

I've used a Canon G11 for a few years, absolutely brilliant, especially if, like me you are no expert.

+1
Bought a Canon G12 last year as I was fed up taking a bulky DSLR fishing. The picture quality is honestly not far off at all (see pics in my gallery) - I love it that much I am toying with the idea of selling my DSLR kit.
Not that small however - too bulky for a trouser pocket, but fits in a jacket pocket no probs. The G12 also does HD video. Canon do a more compact version called the S100 (I think!)

 

[PointBlank]

+1
Bought a Canon G12 last year as I was fed up taking a bulky DSLR fishing. The picture quality is honestly not far off at all (see pics in my gallery) - I love it that much I am toying with the idea of selling my DSLR kit.
Not that small however - too bulky for a trouser pocket, but fits in a jacket pocket no probs. The G12 also does HD video. Canon do a more compact version called the S100 (I think!)

Is the x5 zoom enough?

 

[6pointer]

PB I had the Lumix a great wee camera that had an optical 10x zoom i took some good pictures with it. I have now moved on to a Nikon with a 42 x optical zoom. zoom not as small but still fits in my coat pocket.

I was 100 mtr from this Girl

 

[Conor1]

I've used a Canon G11 for a few years, absolutely brilliant, especially if, like me you are no expert.

+1.....wife got me one two years ago. Takes great photos and and not too fiddly..

 

[otisthedog]

Is the x5 zoom enough?

Fair point, should have read your first post more thoroughly - sorry.
One of the reasons I bought it is that it shoots in RAW format (a lot more leeway when it comes to editing) and the crops I have done so far are superb, very sharp. I know it doesn't have the zoom, but for me the quality was most important and it's as close to DSLR as I've seen from a mid-price compact.

 

[martinl]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/CanonG12/9

 

[Scott Country]

We just bought a Sony Nex 5R for work stuff, and it is a cracking camera, with a full size sensor, and is packed with features.

 

[Klenchblaize]

I have a Canon G10 and am never without it when in the field so would have to recommend the latest version IF they’ve addressed the infuriating and costly design flaw of my model.

Cannon would never admit to such a condition but I’ve had no less than 5 lens assemblies replaced due to scratches resulting from – somewhat ironically – contact with the protective retracting curtains such is the ridiculously close proximity of curtain to lens when closed. After the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] unit and noting yet another ‘dink’ after a day’s stalking I demonstrated to myself that by simply applying very little finger pressure to the curtain I could enlarge the blemish most noticeably!

I have since installed a Butler Creek flip cover as a secondary lens/curtain protector and after a year of hard use the lens is as the day it left the repair shop.

Perhaps more info than you need but worth consideration in the context of any camera with a curtain that is to be packed/carried when stalking.

Cheers

K

 

[PointBlank]

I like the look of the canon and how compact it is but the 5x zoom doesn't sound enough and more zoom than that looks too big to carry around.

 

[paul o']

i use a pentax WG1 its fully water proof 33ft and it drop proof 2mts or so, a very good litttle cam 5x hdmi lots of extra's and can gun mount for long vid on highseat work nice to look back on

 

[Sharpie]

I got a Canon SX260 HS for Christmas, and am very impressed. My Nikon SLRs don't get as much use as before.

It is compact enough to carry everywhere, but has a 20x zoom, from 25mm to 500 mm equivalent, which sits almost entirely inside the body when turned off. Works well even in quite poor light.

Feels really sturdy, mostly encased in aluminium.

I've had some great results, optical image stabilisation really works when zoomed out, and it takes pretty good full-HD videos.

Built in GPS will "geotag" every photo with exact location and time, you can even use it as an emergency GPS by taking a snap then reading the lat-long back from the screen. The GPS locks on really quickly when turned on, or you can even leave it on permanently, recording a track log of your stalk.

Spare batteries are very cheap, under £5, so its practical to carry a few spares instead of lugging a charger around when travelling.

For about £180 I think its excellent. Paid less than half that by doubling up Tesco vouchers to use at Jessops (before they went bust), together with a Cashback promotion from Canon UK.

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_SX260_HS/

 

[PointBlank]

I got a Canon SX260 HS for Christmas, and am very impressed. My Nikon SLRs don't get as much use as before.

It is compact enough to carry everywhere, but has a 20x zoom, from 25mm to 500 mm equivalent, which sits almost entirely inside the body when turned off. Works well even in quite poor light.

Feels really sturdy, mostly encased in aluminium.

I've had some great results, optical image stabilisation really works when zoomed out, and it takes pretty good full-HD videos.

Built in GPS will "geotag" every photo with exact location and time, you can even use it as an emergency GPS by taking a snap then reading the lat-long back from the screen. The GPS locks on really quickly when turned on, or you can even leave it on permanently, recording a track log of your stalk.

Spare batteries are very cheap, under £5, so its practical to carry a few spares instead of lugging a charger around when travelling.

For about £180 I think its excellent. Paid less than half that by doubling up Tesco vouchers to use at Jessops (before they went bust), together with a Cashback promotion from Canon UK.

http://www.canon.co.uk/For_Home/Product_Finder/Cameras/Digital_Camera/PowerShot/PowerShot_SX260_HS/

wow, looks compact for a 20x optical zoom.

 

[PointBlank]

I have got carried away now and been looking at the canon powershot SX50 HS

Canon PowerShot SX50 HS - Digital Compact Camera - Canon UK

Looks bulky for stalking but 50x optical zoom for under £300 sounds good....

 

[Lovatscout]

i use the olympus utough its bright red so i dont lose it wand waterproof to 3m so if it gets wet or muddy just hose off and good as new it does viedo too if you want just video i use a kodak playsport looks like a mobile nice and light oh and again its bright white so if i put it down etc etc you get the idea....