Camera for father-son backpack hunt

[mitchellmountain]

Taking my son on his first backpack hunt this fall in Idaho, his first trip to the mountains. Want to take a camera for some quality pics, not just cell phone.
What point and shoot camera would you recommend. Think smallish, and really would like to stay under $300.

Thanks

MM

 

[Marbles]

The Cannon PowerShot cameras are nice. I have not owned a point and shoot for years, but that would be the first place I looked if buying one. Look for an optical zoom. Get a second battery. Assuming you will be carrying a tripod for glassing, get a tripod plate for it as well.

Flagship cell phones have good cameras, so if you are looking to do better than that I would be looking at the upper end of your price range.

 

[MuleyFever]

For photos of your experience would a point and shoot in that price range really offer anything over a quality cell phone? Unless you don’t have a good phone camera. The one reason I have a point and shoot is for the optical zoom. If you’re looking to capture photos of your experience I imagine photos of your son and selfies over long rang photos of other things. Something to consider before you spend the money.

 

[Camera Land]

Your timing is perfect. There is a great deal from Olympus on the TG6. It is the perfect camera for hunting and camping. Here is why and it's the only camera from a major camera brand with all of these features:
Tough Design
The TG-6 is designed to withstand a wide variety of conditions, ranging from harsh climates to everyday mishaps:

• Waterproof-rated to IPX8 for use underwater to depths of 50'
• Freezeproof to temperatures as low as 14°F
• Shockproof to falls from 7'
• Crushproof to withstand up to 220 lbf /
• Dustproof-rated to IP6X to protect the internal components of the camera

Plus it has a 2.0 lens which gives you AMAZING low light pictures. Right now there is a $100 instant savings that ends on 8/1. Then it drops to $70

So as members here the camera, Normally $449.99 less $100=$349.99, Rokslide price thru 8/1 it would be $319.99 with a free 32 gig card and a cleaning kit (gets messy out there, especially if it's raining).
You must call us to get this great deal, it's not available on our website

Joel
516-217-1000

 

[Wapiti1]

Panasonic Lumix ZS-50 or 70 if you can find the 70 on sale. The Olympus Joel suggests is better if you think you want/need waterproofness. Otherwise the Panasonics have more reach and yield good photos. A Canon SX620 would also work, but has less control than the Panasonic or Oly.

If you just want a point and shoot without messing with settings any of these three will work. If you want more control, the Oly or Pana choices are better than the Canon, IMO.

Jeremy

 

[mitchellmountain]

Do you see a big difference between lumix zs-50 and ZS70? Kind of zeroed in on those 2.

 

[Wapiti1]

Do you see a big difference between lumix zs-50 and ZS70? Kind of zeroed in on those 2.

The practical differences are in the sensor and screen. You can blow up the ZS70 photos about a size larger. The ZS50 will do a good 8X10 and decent 11X14 if there was good light and you edit. The ZS70 will do the 11X14 without issue and can stretch to 16X20 with some editing.

If it were me, I'd get the 70 for the flip up screen alone. Makes low angle shots and solo pictures way easier.

If these are not critical, the ZS50 is a solid travel camera.

This is straight out of an older ZS25 to give you an idea of what they can do:


Tur hunt in Azerbeijan 2015.

Jeremy

 

[Jake208]

Sorry to steal your post, but how well does the TG-6 record? Is the video quality pretty good?

 

[LostArra]

For photos of your experience would a point and shoot in that price range really offer anything over a quality cell phone? Unless you don’t have a good phone camera. The one reason I have a point and shoot is for the optical zoom. If you’re looking to capture photos of your experience I imagine photos of your son and selfies over long rang photos of other things. Something to consider before you spend the money.

My phone takes great photos but the ease of one-handed use does not compare to a point and shoot.. I have many great critter photos because I reached into a cargo pocket, got the point and shoot, turned it on, zoomed in. took the photo then changed to video to record a short clip all with one hand while my bow was still in my left. I realize some youngsters who are permanently attached to their phones could probably do that with a phone camera but I cannot.