Mountain Project Logo

Camera suggestions?

Original Post
Politically Correct Ball · · From WA to AZ · Joined Dec 2016 · Points: 5

I recently lost my camera in Cochise and have been pondering what to replace it with. 

I have given up on shock-proof waterproof cameras. They're heavy and the quality of the photos are absolutely atrocious. 

My main concern is a normal camera in my hands will last a week tops. I also want a decent f-stop and can't weigh as much as Olympus TG (which I can only assume gets its toughness by encasing everything in lead). 

Idears?

stolo · · Lake Norman, NC · Joined Sep 2016 · Points: 214

Sony makes some great little point and shoot/mirrorless cameras. Olympus and Panasonic also have some good options if would like interchangeable lens ability, several of them are also weather sealed. 

The small point and shoots in a decent case clipped to harness has worked well for me. Or a mirrorless in a decent case over should or in pack to be used at belays or while on fixed line shooting other climbers. 

Politically Correct Ball · · From WA to AZ · Joined Dec 2016 · Points: 5

What models?

Bill Wheatley · · Portland, OR · Joined Jan 2015 · Points: 795

I have a Sony RX100 and love it. Small enough to fit in a pocket and takes great photos. I just have the first generation model (2012) and it is fine. Bought used for a few hundred $ so not the same financial commitment as a new one. I managed to drop it on a climb and it fell about 100ft, bouncing down some low-angle terrain, and it still works so has some durability. 

Politically Correct Ball · · From WA to AZ · Joined Dec 2016 · Points: 5

1oz heavier than the aw120 I lost

Charles Proctor · · Somerville, MA · Joined Apr 2016 · Points: 75

+1 for the Sony RX100 that Bill 1552 mentioned. I also bought a 1st get used at it has worked great for me. It seems pretty durable. Certainly more durable than the Canon S100 that I had previously. That camera was OK but the lenses break all the time.

Max Forbes · · Colorado · Joined Jan 2014 · Points: 108

I'm using a fujifilm X30. Light, portable, stupid simple and takes great quality images. Easy enough to operate with gloves, and has lasted me quite some time getting banged around for almost every day I'm out climbing. Battery in winter has also never been an issue. Major drawback is no interchangeable lenses. You can check out https://www.maxforbes.us/photography-1/ for examples shot with this camera. 

Matt Himmelstein · · Orange, CA · Joined Jun 2014 · Points: 194

I have a Panasonic DMC LX-3 and love it.  It is an older model, but it has a fast lens and shoots RAW.  I also have a dSLR for when I don't need to go light.  The Sony RX is another line I would consider.

PatMas · · Tulsa, OK · Joined Jan 2017 · Points: 40

Rx100 or canon g7x both have good image quality, and reasonable durability.

Cory B · · Fresno, CA · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 2,577

+1 for Rx100 -- its been fantastic -

Rod Cole · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 0
Politically Correct Ball · · From WA to AZ · Joined Dec 2016 · Points: 5

Leaning PowerShot G9X. It's a hell of a lot lighter

Rod Cole · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Apr 2017 · Points: 0

PCB:

FWIW

I have a friend who is a National Geographic photographer, won all sorts of international awards. Gets dropped off for months at a time in the world's most remote jungles. Very cool life.

He uses a G series as his walk around camera. 

Nick Goldsmith · · Pomfret VT · Joined Aug 2009 · Points: 440

G16 is great fort high quality  without the weight of an SLR but its pretty tought to run with gloves and you can trash it in a year if you try. I sent mine back about 2 weeks before the warentee expired. they rebuilt it for free. I use a power shot XS610 for multi pitch. just do not shoot at high zoom with the 610 as it will be crap. 

carla rosa · · CA · Joined Mar 2016 · Points: 269
Politically Correct Ball · · From WA to AZ · Joined Dec 2016 · Points: 5

Yeah, I don't see the point in a lot of zoom in a point & shoot. You'll need a tripod and at that point you may as well have a proper camera. 

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
Post a Reply to "Camera suggestions?"

Log In to Reply
Welcome

Join the Community

Create your FREE account today!
Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started