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benharty81
member (9)member
  
06/07/2020 04:09PM  
We are looking at buying a new camera for our first BWCA trip. I dont want to spend over $200 since we are not photographers; we just want something that will take good fishing and landscape photos.

I have an iPhone XR but plan to leave it shut down for the most part. I will have a power pack for that too.

We do plan to bring it out while canoeing/fishing so i assume we should get waterproof. I've searched the messageboards for cameras but most of them are from 2011 up to 2017 so I am looking for some more recent camera recommendations.

So far - i was considering the Fujifilm FinePix XP 130? Any advice on that one?

Thanks everyone - super stoked for this trip. Never been before but love camping and being on the lake (just without my boat now).
 
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06/07/2020 04:35PM  
PC Magazine's review said it had a "so-so lens". But for the price, you probably can't go wrong. The zoom range of the lens will be adequate. Forget about its digital zoom feature. The ISO range is fairly limiting (6400 max), but it should be ok for daylight photos.
 
andym
distinguished member(5340)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
06/07/2020 06:08PM  
My wife and I have been very happy with cameras from the Panasonic Lumix line. If you want to save money, primarily take scenic pics, then you can go with one of the ruggedized, waterproof cameras similar to the TS20 for around $200. There are some older models for less than that and would probably be fine. Waterproof is nice (I've used my older model for snorkeling as well as the BW) and they fit in a pocket for easy access. It should also do well for fishing photos because I assume you mean taking pictures of the fish after you have landed it and the fish is nearby.

BTW, waterproof doesn't mean floats. You may want to attach a small float to it such as the ones sold for keys. They are usually close to neutral buoyancy but just slightly negative and that will still take it to the bottom of the lake.

If you want to take wildlife photos then something with a bigger lens and more zoom will help. It will cost more than $200 but look at the FZ80 for about $300. My wife uses an older model and the image stabilization is excellent for hand held shots of wildlife at high zoom levels. Or you can just wait for that moose or bear to get really close to you.

If you really want excellent low light shots then you need to spend even more than these cameras. Neither of them have big enough sensors to really do well in fading light.
 
halvorsonchristopher
distinguished member(1163)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/08/2020 09:09AM  
I've been bringing my cell phone for 4 years.
Google Pixel
Better pics than $200 cameras. Water resistant. Convenient. Smaller. Long lasting battery. Auto editing, auto load to cloud.
 
06/08/2020 03:33PM  
Might want to consider something out of the Olympus TG line. They're waterproof, shockproof, and take really good photos for a point and shoot. This is DPReview's top pick for waterproof cameras.

The TG-6 is the current model and a bit over your price range. However, you should be able to pick up a TG-4 or 5 (used or refurbished) for what you want to pay. I bought a TG-5 last year for our trip and was quite pleased at the photo quality. Fit quite neatly in my shirt pocket for easy access.
 
06/08/2020 04:24PM  
andym: "My wife and I have been very happy with cameras from the Panasonic Lumix line. If you want to save money, primarily take scenic pics, then you can go with one of the ruggedized, waterproof cameras similar to the TS20 for around $200. There are some older models for less than that and would probably be fine. Waterproof is nice (I've used my older model for snorkeling as well as the BW) and they fit in a pocket for easy access. It should also do well for fishing photos because I assume you mean taking pictures of the fish after you have landed it and the fish is nearby.

BTW, waterproof doesn't mean floats. You may want to attach a small float to it such as the ones sold for keys. They are usually close to neutral buoyancy but just slightly negative and that will still take it to the bottom of the lake.

If you want to take wildlife photos then something with a bigger lens and more zoom will help. It will cost more than $200 but look at the FZ80 for about $300. My wife uses an older model and the image stabilization is excellent for hand held shots of wildlife at high zoom levels. Or you can just wait for that moose or bear to get really close to you.


If you really want excellent low light shots then you need to spend even more than these cameras. Neither of them have big enough sensors to really do well in fading light."


I have one of these lumix/panasonic cameras and I love having it handy and waterproof. I also love the metal body and it's been through a lot without issues. I do like my cell phone pics better sometimes, but enjoy the versatility of the real camera. I have a floating handstrap that attaches and I tested it to ensure it could hold the camera above water as needed. Doesn't impact me when I purposely put it underwater to take pictures, but if it drops out of the boat, I know I'm OK. It's bright orange. GPS feature is handy to tell where you were when you took the shot, lol.
 
06/09/2020 11:18AM  
Beginner?? How about something refurbished or second hand?
I dabble a bit in photography and just about every camera and lens I have, 5 DSLR's and a pile of lenses, is an Ebay purchase. From TG4's between $150 and $75 to a bunch or pocket Tough series under $50, yes I'm an Olympus fan but, Canon, FujiFilm, Pentax, Nikon and other name brands are good.

Cameras are heavily tech related and new cameras or new models are priced high. Soon as a newer version is out the prices drop like rocks.

DPreview is my source for comparisons, the have a good archive of reviews.

butthead
 
fishEH
member (36)member
  
06/09/2020 01:43PM  
benharty81: "We are looking at buying a new camera for our first BWCA trip. I dont want to spend over $200 since we are not photographers; we just want something that will take good fishing and landscape photos.

I have an iPhone XR but plan to leave it shut down for the most part. I will have a power pack for that too.
"

Sounds like you already have a great option for your intended purpose. I have used a couple variations of Panasonic Lumix cameras and they have been great. That said, I won't be taking one on my next trip. Cell phones take as good or better pics than a lot of cameras now. Just run it in Airplane mode and turn off at night. Should be good to go.
 
06/09/2020 07:43PM  
Cell phones make for a very expensive pocket camera. OP apparently does not want to risk damage or loss of a $500 iPhone XR. The quality issue is also very debatable.

butthead
 
benharty81
member (9)member
  
06/09/2020 07:54PM  
Thanks for all the info everyone!!!

I may take one of the recommendations as well as the cell phone for pictures and just see how it goes.

We may just bite the bullet and spend over $300 too - we shall see. I have a DSLR camera just dont want to pack it :)

Thanks again!!
 
Bearpath9
distinguished member (364)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
06/10/2020 07:16AM  
I tend to agree with Butthead on the Olympus TG series. I have an 810, probably going on 10 years old. Fits in my pocket, takes good pics and videos, waterproof and can take a licking. As Butthead said, wait for the new models to come out, and buy last years model. I did, and saved $200 on mine. I bought it so I could take pics and videos in the Caribbean when I'm snorkeling. If you follow the directions for cleaning after use underwater, you should have no problems.
 
06/10/2020 08:19AM  
benharty81: " I have a DSLR camera just dont want to pack it :)


Thanks again!!"


Ben, you may want to consider an insurance rider to cover damage and loss of photography gear. I take a Pelican 1300 with a DSLR and lenses on my trips. The gear is insured. $3500 worth cost around $50 a year. In 2017 I swamped on Kenny Lake in the Falls Chain with a OMD E5 in hand. Found the camera in 3 foot of water, but it was toast. Insurance settled for the as purchased price plus a penny (it was purchased used for $400). The video zoom lens was not affected and is in current use.

butthead
 
06/10/2020 11:11AM  
Thanks for this thread.

I have wanted a waterproof point and shoot for my canoe trips for a couple of years. I have read the reviews and the Olympus TG series comes out on top for image quality.

Also the best point and shoot I had was an Olympus. It just took the best pictures in my experience. (I have only ever owned point and shoot and cell phone cameras.)

I am happy enough for with image quality from a cell phone. I did use my cell phone last year in the bwca. I kept it in a waterproof case, kind of like a tougher version of a ziplock.

I wanted something that I could put in a PFD pocket and take pictures while underway without worrying about getting it wet. This will allow me to take more pictures because I don't have to fool around with a case.

I opted for a Fuji xp140 that I got as a package deal from Costco for budget reasons.

I have had it out on one paddle and one bank fishing trip. It did let me take more pictures. I am not real happy with the auto focus though. Too many blurry pictures even with a person in the shot. Good autofocus should lock onto someone's face quickly and you know focus.

I had not thought of buying a used Olympus. I had a bad experience with a refurbished Thinkpad about 10 years ago. These cameras are supposed to be hardened. So maybe they will last longer even if used. I may look and see if Adorama has used Olympus TG series for next year.
 
06/10/2020 11:35AM  
These are on the Rock River in IL. All taken with Fuji XP140.







 
06/13/2020 05:34PM  
When I did canoe-tripping (pre-2014) I always took my best camera, whatever that was at the time. Toward the end, it was a DSLR with a couple of Canon L-series lenses.) Never used a Pelican case; kept my regular camera bag in a clear dry bag in front of my feet in the narrow Bell canoe. But I also took a small waterproof camera that I wore on a lanyard around my neck for those quick shots, and for days when there was drizzle.

For many years it was a Panasonic W200 and later a Panasonic W300. After our grandkids ruined the last one doing underwater shots of sting-rays in the Bahamas, (they had my permission, but I forgot to tell them that the actual UNDERWATER time was limited to 30 minutes) I purchased a Nikon Coolpix W300.

I love it. It has become my primary camera for many types of shots, for family trips, for sticking in a pocket and whipping it out for a quick shot, or for playing in the swimming pools with grandkids. I see you can get one for a little less than $300 in some places and I would highly recommend it. Doesn't float, but with a lanyard on it, that isn't hard to manage. Lightweight, and from my experience, durable.





 
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