A change of camera

[WinstonOng]

Hi. I'm currently a Singaporean student based in London and I'm going back to Singapore to get a new camera.

Currently, I'm using HP Photosmart R607 which isn't really smart at all. I bought that camera under $200 a few years ago for P&S purposes and I realise there are too many shortcomings in the camera which cannot fulfill my demand for photography now.

As of now, I am travelling across Europe every few months and like to take to experiment with angles in photos. I need something that can withstand winter temperatures, but yet can provide prosumer functions. Optical zoom is very much important as is IS. But being not so professional in photo taking, I need some automated functions before I start to use it manually as I learn more about photo taking.

Are there any recommendations about rugged cameras that can survive some outdoors yet easy to handle without much manual tweaking? I am thinking of getting gorilla tripods to complement it, so accessories wise not so much of an issue. But I'm concerned with the quality of pictures, especially when taking in lowlight conditions.

Olympus SP550UZ is on my list, but the IS issue and quality of pictures are deterring me from giving it a second look. Panasonic FZ8 sounds ok, though it may not be convenient with the Li batteries while out in the wild.

Need help here, thanks.

 

[ExplorerZ]

most camera can survive unless it is really extreme...

 

[WinstonOng]

temperatures are one thing, protecting the camera from rain is another. but which prosumer camera is better? I'm going home in July, and will start looking around. Will it be worth it to buy in September during the Comex or IT show?

 

[night86mare]

As of now, I am travelling across Europe every few months and like to take to experiment with angles in photos. I need something that can withstand winter temperatures, but yet can provide prosumer functions. Optical zoom is very much important as is IS. But being not so professional in photo taking, I need some automated functions before I start to use it manually as I learn more about photo taking.

Are there any recommendations about rugged cameras that can survive some outdoors yet easy to handle without much manual tweaking? I am thinking of getting gorilla tripods to complement it, so accessories wise not so much of an issue. But I'm concerned with the quality of pictures, especially when taking in lowlight conditions.

Olympus SP550UZ is on my list, but the IS issue and quality of pictures are deterring me from giving it a second look. Panasonic FZ8 sounds ok, though it may not be convenient with the Li batteries while out in the wild.

Need help here, thanks.

There are no cameras which can withstand super extreme temperatures better than others, doubt anyone can really advise you on this aspect, basically no matter what battery you use, they will be affected by the lower temperature anyways.

My suggestion is to look at prosumers taking double A batteries, if IS is a must-have for you, then you probably would want to look at Panasonic FZ7/8/30/50, depending. Also, Canon S3 IS, Sony H2/5/7/9 are possible.

From personal experience I would recommend Sony. I will also tell you in advance that there will be people who will tell you that Sony sucks. =D As for surviving outdoors, not much of an issue so long as you take proper care. There is no G-shock camera yet. Most P&S are quite solidly built to take some punishment though, but that doesn't mean you try to toss them in the air every chance you get.

Why gorilla tripod? Just get a normal tripod which is good, and has variable length on legs (not those with the funny spider thing in the middle), and if you're planning on extended trips with no access to power for long periods, get Eneloop batteries (if you buy a camera using double A batteries, anyways) - better charge retention. You don't want to be catching a gorgeous sunrise in the middle of the woods with self-discharged batteries, hee hee.

 

[leeter]

Hmm, looks like you've outgrown your camera~ hehe, now its a choice between the Prosumers (as the models mentioned by night86mare) or go into DSLR.

Personally i felt the latter choice would be better, as its expandable (but it meant you will spend tons more), but you can always look in the BnS in this forum, there seems like lots of deals going for the *older DSLR, which are very capable.

 

[night86mare]

Hmm, looks like you've outgrown your camera~ hehe, now its a choice between the Prosumers (as the models mentioned by night86mare) or go into DSLR.

Personally i felt the latter choice would be better, as its expandable (but it meant you will spend tons more), but you can always look in the BnS in this forum, there seems like lots of deals going for the *older DSLR, which are very capable.

Yes, DSLR is definitely a choice if you're definitely, 100% bona fide into it. But be sure. And you'd definitely want to read up more before you go on your trip, maybe include a little practice with regards to shots if you decide to buy in.

But note that if you take the DSLR route it means $$$. To get the same zoom range as a 12x zoom prosumer you'd need approximately 1.7 to double the price, albeit at slightly higher quality and better noise performance, assuming you get the cheapest combination possible - i.e. one of those 18-200 or 28-300(? not sure about range here) "holiday" lenses from Sigma or Tamron. If you want good glass then er, even more, and have to carry more lenses too. =)

Maintenance is also an issue, as I so found out recently after joining the crowd. :bsmilie:

 

[WinstonOng]

Sony H-series seems pretty decent. I do have a budget to conform to, and it's in the range of about $700. DSLR is out for me, I've yet to commit the time for that level. Think I'll need a few more years before I'll consider that. But most of the models recommended are pretty much Li-ion battery powered. Looks like I've to keep looking around, there's still two more months to go. Anyway, any idea if there's any upcoming prosumer?

 

[night86mare]

Sony H-series seems pretty decent. I do have a budget to conform to, and it's in the range of about $700. DSLR is out for me, I've yet to commit the time for that level. Think I'll need a few more years before I'll consider that. But most of the models recommended are pretty much Li-ion battery powered. Looks like I've to keep looking around, there's still two more months to go. Anyway, any idea if there's any upcoming prosumer?

Naw, only Panny is Li-on.

Canon S3 IS is AA.
Sony all AA. =) H7 and H9 will be Li-on though, hrmph. So get a H2/5, price will drop since H7/9 are going to be released, in my honest opinion they should be enough for your needs. If you ask me H2 would be better, the lower MGP and general consensus that it seems to be razor sharp compared to H5 would be the reason. Not sure about noise performance, but you shouldn't be looking for good noise performance in any non-DSLR that isn't Fuji (which doesn't have IS, as a side note) anyways!

H2/5 will be in that budget, sadly you missed the sale of my H2 recently, dumped it for $400. =D Might want to consider second-hand, some people sell it under warranty still (like me). =D

 

[ExplorerZ]

try a d40? my d50 was caught in rain, whole body wet but still working fine. ;p