Can someone recommend a good pocket-sized camera? Maybe stabilized, as the old hands are a bit shakier than they used to be. Some telephoto ability would also be good. I am sure this will be pricey. If there is already in a post somewhere, please direct me. Thanks for any help you can offer.

MossBack

Olympus TG-6 I believe has stablization. I really like mine.

My wife really likes the Sony DSC-HX80. It’s really small and has a 30x optical zoom. I’m not sure about stabilization, but she usually carries a miniature tripod.

martian: "Olympus TG-6 I believe has stablization. I really like mine."

I have an older model "TG-810" Olympus. I think it is older, at least. I like it because it is waterproof and can take a licking, and it fits in the front pocket of my jeans. Just clean it properly after getting it wet. I don't mean rainstorm or lake, I mean after underwater use. I've used snorkeling many times.

Most all now use some form of stabilization so other considerations should drive any choice.
My favorite starting point is DP Reviews and as expected the TG 6 is top of the picks.

If more funds are available a great pocked sized interchangeable lens (telephotos) is Olympus Pen
I use 2 of it's slightly larger bros, OMD EM1 and OMD EM10.

butthead

Thanks everybody. Looks like Olympus is the standard now days. Shows how far behind the technology curve I am.
MB

Not necessarily, a lot of very good pic shooters in other name brands. Biggest reason I use Olympus is over a decade of collecting bodies and lenses, and a familiarity with the operating system menus.

butthead

Olympus makes decent cameras, and I’ve heard pretty good things about their waterproof cameras. However, they don’t have much optical zoom if that’s important to you. Also, cameras with interchangeable lenses don’t really fit in pockets, especially if you want telephoto lenses.

I really like the point and shoot super zoom category, but it’s hard to get good shots at high zoom without a tripod. Oh, and they don’t seem to be very rugged.

Great thread and thanks for attached info. It's time for a camera upgrade.

For unmatched image quality in small form consider a camera from the Sony Rx100 lineup. Great lenses matched with a 1" sensor- it takes nearly as good of photos as my full frame DSLR in a package not much bigger than a deck of cards. Expensive but delivers. I bought the initial model because I wanted a pocket camera that could shoot RAW. Great camera.

I'd agree on RX100 advice - it has incredible quality and controls for point-and-shoot. Still I won't compare it's quality to full-size camera: at 10% sensor size it would be a miracle.

Another vote for the Sony RX100 lineup. I use the RX100 VII and love it. They tote it as the mini a9. All the features of a full frame mirrorless with a fixed lens that fits in my pocket.

I like the Sony RX-100. I got the m3 as I think that was the first one in the lineup to
have a popup view finder. I don't like having to fully rely on the view screen on
the back to compose a picture in bright sunlight. It can be impossible to see what
you are trying to capture.
The 1" Sensor is another big plus for me. It allows a lot of "zooming" in to crop
the pic that you want in the computer at home. "Post Processing"
However, the in camera Menu has a definite steep learning curve. Best to get an
after market instruction book to figure out what is going on there. That can be a real Rabbit Hole to follow down but it is interesting too.
I also bought an add-on (sticky tape attached) that allows me to use different
filters (polarizing or gradient) and a lens cap. I especially wanted to be able to
use a lens cap to keep the lens dirt, dust and moisture free. I've had bad luck with
those point-and-shoot camera that just use a diaphram closure over the lens.
I've had those get jammed with dust and locked shut in the desert or just damaged
and locked shut when sticking it in my shirt pocket.
I like the rx-100 but it ain't waterproof. I got mine wet on about the 4th day of
the last BW trip and that was it for the rest of the trip. Had to use my "smart"
phone for the rest of the time. Next trip I'll be more careful.
The Canon G9x is another small form 1" Sensor camera that is a bit thinner than
the RX-100 but it does not have the popup view finder.
Neither of these cameras have much zooming capacity so you won't be getting
much in the way of wildlife shots with them.

Larry S

I think it all depends a lot on how much abuse you expect to and/or are willing to give your camera. Based on what I've quickly read about the Sony it looks like an excellent feature packed product. At over 3 times the price it should be.
I don't abuse my stuff at all but decided to switch to the TG-6 when moisture got into my camera on a previous trip making it useless. I too used my phone camera as a backup so not a total loss. I can't say I like using my phone in the deep woods mostly because if something happens to it I have no communication device for a long drive home.
The TG is limited specifically it the zoom department. I do have a zoom lens extender but it's 1.7x so not much. What I do know is it can take some abuse, is waterproof and battery can take 200+ pictures in RAW if you want depending on SD card size. It also fits in my lifejacket pocket so I'm never without a shot. Horribly composed as it might be.
A two camera system might be a better solution. A Sony perhaps?

martian-

I use a two camera system. My compact (Sony RX100II) is in a small Lowe padded case which is inside a Sealine silnylon dry bag clipped to a thwart. I also carry a full frame DSLR which I transport in my day bag (in a soft case inside a Sealine silnylon dry bag).

Martian, I believe I read that the TG-6 came with a 4X zoom. You mentioned a X1.7 extender. Does that equate to a total of X5.7? Yes, my ignorance is showing again.

As a semi-pro photographer I own and have used many different cameras. My favorite for canoe and kayaking has been the Nikon W300 waterproof camera. Small, easy to use, I seldom carry a large camera for backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding or canoeing. I own 3 of these cameras. The DSLR cameras stay home for any trips where weight and size are factors. These small cameras are rugged.

KeithMiller: "As a semi-pro photographer I own and have used many different cameras. My favorite for canoe and kayaking has been the Nikon W300 waterproof camera. Small, easy to use, I seldom carry a large camera for backpacking, skiing, snowshoeing, dog sledding or canoeing. I own 3 of these cameras. The DSLR cameras stay home for any trips where weight and size are factors. These small cameras are rugged. "

Do these use rechargeable batteries? How long do they last?

MossBack: "Martian, I believe I read that the TG-6 came with a 4X zoom. You mentioned a X1.7 extender. Does that equate to a total of X5.7? Yes, my ignorance is sho8wing again."

Yes, this is my understanding of the zoom factor. I'm no pro but that seems reasonable assessment. It adds just a bit zoom but you do need to zoom to 2x to not see the barrel of the extended lens.