What camera are you using??

[Buttermilk]

Lost my little Nikon and now a couple years ago and need to replace it. I've grown sick of using my phone as a camera.

So...what is everyone using? I see lots of sweet photos both in regards to scenery/action as well as image quality on this site. Looking to keep the price below $250 or so and want some thing that hold up to the rigors of bikepacking (I like to keep my camera in my feedbag on my bars). I also want something that takes regular batteries, not a rechargeable.

So help a guy out...what camera would you recommend?

Thanks!

[Area54]

Panasonic FT2 for me. Fairly tough, proprietary battery (not AA or AAA driven) so I just take more than one and charge them on the run (dyno hub), shoot hi-def video as well. Lots of local 'packing and 3 US trips, snorkelling, snow work to -6C have proven this camera to me.

Not sure what cam uses replaceable batts any more.

[Colorado Cool Breeze]

Sony DSC-HX9V
Pros:
16X opt zoom
Best picture quality of all the small digitals I've owned.
Cons:
not waterproof
not shockproof
not dustproof

I don't think you can buy a digi camera that uses AA's anymore.
Once peeps found out what power hogs they are.
All I remember is two new AA batteries lasted for about 30 pictures. Ouch!
Lithium Ion's are so cheap on ebay now I'd never go back.

[stumpyfsr]

I'm using Panasonic Lumix TS-3 - water/dust/shock/freeze proof. Not the best camera for low light conditions (starry night) but compact and with GPS off battery will last long enough.
Also sometimes for better picture quality I can take friend's Lumix LX-5 and she uses mine for snorkeling
I really kick myself for not buying LX-5 - It's a really powerful compact camera

[bigworm]

I am a Canon P&S guy myself. Right now I am using the S100. F stop on it is great and what I really like is the lens size. Since I dont really use my bike camera for things other then outside scenery I go for a nice wide angle lens and dont care about the zoom features. The S100 has a 24mm lens. Look for the smaller number the better for wide angles.

[evdog]

I had used a couple different Canons previously (SD1000 and SD870) both of which took good pictures. 

I have the Sony DSC-HX9V as well now.  A friend had it, I liked the way his pics turned out, and this camera had a couple features I really wanted.  I'll add my pros and cons to the quote below.  I love the pics this camera takes but it has a few features that really drive me nuts.  Interested to hear if you have the same problem CCB?

Sony DSC-HX9V
Pros:
-16X opt zoom
-Best picture quality of all the small digitals I've owned.
-Tons of manual adjustments and ability to save several customized setups
-I like the ability to use the 10 second delay with the 10-shot burst mode, excellent for self timer shots
-It has an excellent panorama setting where you hit the button and pan the camera, it stitches the whole thing together for you, for some very nice shots

Cons:
-not waterproof
-not shockproof
-not dustproof
-Camera takes forever and a day to turn off.  Doesn't seem like this would be an issue but when you've taken a pic and your friends are blazing up the trail I hate having to wait for 5 seconds or whatever it is for the lens to retract.  It takes way longer than my canons did.
-Camera does not come with an external battery wall charger, only a usb cable to an external plug-in.  This means the battery has to be in the camera when it is being charged.  So you cannot use the camera with a second battery while charging the first one, unless you buy a separate charger. (The year prior to mine came with an external wall charger, that is no longer the case) 
-The power button is slightly recessed which makes it hard to hit especially with gloves on; the cover for the battery/memory card can easily pop open when removing from case.
-Rather than having an additional mode for movie setting, it has its own button on the back of the camera.  It takes 3-4 seconds for this to activate when you hit the movie button, and unfortunately because this button is not recessed it is very easy to hit, and usually when you are not intending to.  And then you have to wait for it to actually activate, then wait for it to turn off, wait for it to record what ever it was you hadn't intended to record.  By then your shot has likely disappeared far around the corner. 

The slowness in turning this camera off is actually enough of a pain in the ass that I will consider other cameras instead, next time.  I stop to take pics often.  If you don't, then this may not be an issue.

[bigworm]

Also this is a good source of knowledge for new guys looking for cameras. http://kenrockwell.com/

And remember a lot of the cameras are gonna be almost the same quality as each other lens wise and therefore picture wise. You you may really want to look at are the extra features that set them apart. Most all of your pics can be touched up in lightroom or some other photo editing software in like 2 minutes. Make a list of the things you think you would like in the camera and we can maybe even help you more. Canon cameras even have a pretty cool set of in camrea editing features that are fun to play with. One that I use a lot makes only one color stand out in the pic.

[Stormy]

I am using a Panasonic Limux LX-3 and I am very happy with it.

I have a Canon 400D too, but, it was not the best thing for biking/bikepacking because the size. Focusing in what kind of photos I like to make, I made a list with the main caracteristices my new and small camera should have.

-Good image quality
-Wide angle
-RAW shooting
-Manual controls
-Strong construction.

After 4 years using and abusing the camera, it still works fine. Is not very light because its metal body, and the zoom is maybe too short for what people are looking for, but I think that short zoom helps to get the image quality better.

People who asked me what camera to buy, they bought the LX-5, and the are very happy, too. and I think taht the new LX-7 will work as well as the others. Despite, the 95% of my photos are shooted in RAW and latter processed by Lightroom, those cameras have a IA (artificial Intelligence) mode that works really fine

Finally, see how does the LX-3 work:

http://www.bikepacking.net/forum/index.php/topic,4829.0.html

[Chunt]

I really like my Canon G12. Excellent picture quality, quality glass, metal body, and HDMI movie capability and a super long lasting rechargeable battery. A G12 and a Gorillapod with a quick release bubble level is a fine combination for most anything you want to do with it. Bordering on excess, if I go with making a film in mind, I'll take a GoPro II for point of view angles as well.

[Colorado Cool Breeze]

I had used a couple different Canons previously (SD1000 and SD870) both of which took good pictures. 

I have the Sony DSC-HX9V as well now.  A friend had it, I liked the way his pics turned out, and this camera had a couple features I really wanted.  I'll add my pros and cons to the quote below.  I love the pics this camera takes but it has a few features that really drive me nuts.  Interested to hear if you have the same problem CCB?
The slowness in turning this camera off is actually enough of a pain in the ass that I will consider other cameras instead, next time.  I stop to take pics often.  If you don't, then this may not be an issue.

Yep I have those same complaints on the Sony plus 10 seconds on a selftime sucks for me it is way to quick. Lot's of picts of my back while running towards my mark. haha
Before the Sony I used a Canon S95 ($500) P&S at year 2 a piece of trash deposited its self right in the center of the lens on the inside.
It was determined this was trash left inside the camera from the mfg process. Camera was out of warranty. Many attempts were make to dislog
this FO including throwing across the room and swearing to never but a canon or any other high dollar camera for mtn biking again. This is year 3 for the Sony so far so good.

[bmike-vt]

I really like my Canon G12. Excellent picture quality, quality glass, metal body, and HDMI movie capability and a super long lasting rechargeable battery. A G12 and a Gorillapod with a quick release bubble level is a fine combination for most anything you want to do with it. Bordering on excess, if I go with making a film in mind, I'll take a GoPro II for point of view angles as well.

G12 here. love it.
wouldn't mind an S100 or whatever they are at now, but I do like the manual controls right on the dials on the G12.

[stumpyfsr]

Brand doesn't really matter. Every brand have competitive models in their line which are very similar.
Great pictures are done by photographer, not by camera.
So, to pick good bikepacking/outdoor camera you must decide first what size (how compact) your camera should be. Some will go for point&shoot while others will sacrifice compactness over picture quality and will go with DSLR or 4/3.
Then other future is nice to have is weather resistance - camera will last longer without costly repairs. If its not weather-resistant, there are many cases available to compansate it. Or simple zip-lock bags.
 Also, does it have manual functions? Does it shoot RAW? How do you feel that camera in your hands? Does Menu makes sense to you? Is it easy to navigate? And many other criterias which really should determine what camera to bring on your next bikepacking trip.
Looks like cameras like Lumix LX-series, Canon G-series, Sony with Carl Zeiss lens, Nikon (not familiar with their models) and other similar are the most optimal choice for multiday trips, where you want to get the most quality pictures out of most compact camera
Same as bike, try as many cameras as you can before buying and choice will come naturally.

[caseygreene]

s95 was a great camera, but it managed to run itself into a bike path pilon the other week.

Just got a NEX 5n. It's better for video, but it's a pain to get out, whereas with the s95 was so convenient to keep in my toptube bag, and could get it out at a moments notice.

hey bigworm, Is that my drunk cousin drinking drinks in that photo?

[KenSmithMT]

My reliable Nikon died...well, drowned....but that's a different story.  I bought an Olympus TG-820, one of their waterproof, shock proof, durable "adventure" cameras.  During this past summer it worked great.  Lots of beautiful pictures, good color, good focus, fast when you turn it on, 350+ pictures on a charge during a 7 day backpack trip.  Now it's getting cold out.  I had it out last weekend in my backpack.  It was around 10deg out.  Took it out for some pictures and the battery was dead.  I had only taken a few pictures and had charged it about two weeks before.  I was very disappointed. Not unheard of for batteries to drain when cold, but it had only been out in the cold for about 6 hours.   I wish I had gotten a camera that took AA's again.  My mistake. I'll keep it inside my jacket next time, or at least up against my back in the pack.    Otherwise I'm very happy with it, but would only recommend it if you can keep it warm.

[bigworm]

hey bigworm, Is that my drunk cousin drinking drinks in that photo?

Yes it sure is. He's all roadie except his drinking habit. That means there is still hope in there somewhere.

[evdog]

AA's can have the same problem with cold.  In the 4-day Coconino bikepack I went through about $30 worth of AA's.  They just wouldn't stay charged, and it really wasn't that cold except at night.  Maybe a bit below freezing.  Normally the AA energizer renewals I use are good for a full day ride (these are used in my GPS, the camera battery was fine)

Having charged them 2 weeks prior could have something to do with it.  They do lose charge over time especially with age.  And they still may show full charge when you turn on the camera, but they seem to lose that full charge faster.  Rather than put your camera in a warmer place try taking out the battery and putting it in a warmer place like your pocket either overnight or when you wake up in the morning.  That seemed to help with my camera battery, didn't seem to help much for the AA's in the GPS.

[KenSmithMT]

It was the new Lithium battery in the camera that died.  Charged 2 weeks before and then not used. It should have been fine. My old camera used AA's and rarely had a problem above 0deg.