Camera buyinig help!

[jocojohn]

Budget
below 500 US
Size
Preferably small, doesn't really matter

Features
-I would like a camera which will suit all round environments particularly mt. kilimanjaro. I have heard that normal digital camera battery tend to run out easily due to the temperature and other factors so it would be best if the camera recommended has a long span battery life in cold temperature.
- SD card memory slot would be best.

How many megapixels will suffice for you?
over 6 megapixels

* What optical zoom will you need? (None, Standard = 3x-4x, Ultrazoom = 10x-12x, Other - Specify)
Close to Ultrazoom

* How important is “image quality” to you? (Rate using a scale of 1-10)
7/10

Do you care for manual controls?
can someone explain what this means?

General Usage

* What will you generally use the camera for?
taking outdoor photos

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not?
no

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos?
rarely

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos?
yes

Thanks :D

[griptape]

I think the Canon G5 or G7 would fit the bill pretty well. Relatively compact, great performance in bright light, 35-210mm focal length is as versatile as you'll get without going to the size of a super zoom.

And manual controls (which the G5/7 offer) let you set everything for your exposure manually instead of letting the camera decide for you. This doesn't mean there isn't an auto mode where you can just point and shoot, it just means if you care to grow into it, there are manual controls available.

[jocojohn]

Thank you for the recommendations. I checked them up on the Canon website and both looks great. However, which camera would be more cost effective? and are there any other choices which anyoen would recommend?

thanks

[David Metsky]

For cost effective, look at the Canon A570 or A710. They both offer much of the same control as the G7 but at a much lower cost. The G7 will have slightly higher quality images, but most folks wouldn't notice much difference.

The biggest concern on Kili will be battery use. A camera with AAs is important as you can carry some inexpensive backups to the NiMH rechargeables that you will need. For extra cold, throw in a few sets of Lithium batteries (non-rechargeable) and you should be fine. I use my cameras in the cold all the time when hiking and mountaineering and a little care will get you through.

Another important thing would be to have a optical viewfinder. I always turn off the LCD screen in cold weather to save battery power. Since I'm often hiking for days on end, this is the only way I can make it without carrying tons of extra batteries. Many cameras these days don't have optical viewfinders and you MUST use the LCD. Not good in the backcountry.

All the Canons mentioned above have viewfinders and use AAs.

-dave-

[griptape]

The A series won't have the focal length (as you said you're looking for "close to ultra zoom"), but I think the 570 and 710 will both accept a lensmate adapter and teleconverter, which if I'm not mistaken, you get vignetting with, so you'd have to take it off for non zoom pictures. It would probably be more cost effective though. The zoom is the only thing the A series really noticeably lacks compared to the G5/7.

[David Metsky]

The A710 and the G7 both have 35-210mm equiv lenses.

I was mistaken, the G7 uses Li-Ion batteries. For that reason I would recommend against it for extended backcountry use, unless you're willing to buy 4-5 batteries. How long will you be away from a charger on Kili?

[griptape]

The A710 and the G7 both have 35-210mm equiv lenses.

I was thinking it was the same 35-140 as the 630 for some reason. Then yes, I would say the A710 probably is the best choice.

[jocojohn]

How long will you be away from a charger on Kili?

Around 6-7 days

[David Metsky]

I've gone 3-4 days several times with my small camera with Li-Ion batteries, but I never use the LCD. It can be done, but I carry 3 spares, at $20 each. If the G7 really appeals to you it can be done.

But I think the A710 would probably be a better fit for this trip. It costs significantly less then the G7 and delivers quality images that aren't much different. Since it takes 2 AA batteries I'd carry 6 of them, plus one set of Lithiums as a backup. And I'd go easy on the LCD, perhaps turn it off until you're on the way back down.

Make sure you bring enough memory cards, they're wicked cheap now so buy more then you need. If you have extra you won't waste battery power reviewing and deleting.

Have fun, it sounds like a great trip.

[jocojohn]

Are there any other models similar to the A710 because they stopped selling this model.

[David Metsky]

Are there any other models similar to the A710 because they stopped selling this model.

No they haven't (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HATNH4/ref=nosim/?tag=yahoo-ce-20&creative=380333&creativeASIN=B000HATNH4&linkCode=asn). You can buy them online all over the place.

[jocojohn]

I meant they don't sell it in any shops from where I live and my parents don't approve of buying online...

Would the Powershot A570 IS be a reasonable alternative? Apart from having a lower zoom it seems to have similar specifications to the A710.

[David Metsky]

Yes, the A570 also has the newer version of the Digic chip, face detection, the ability to take videos up to 4G vs 1G on the 710, and slightly better battery life. It would be nice to have the great zoom for backpacking, but the 570 will serve you well.

[John_Reed]

I say that because the OP's needs would be better fulfilled by a small Panasonic TZ3, which has longer 10X zoom, AND superior wideangle capability to any of the Canon models mentioned, not to mention a sharper lens? Far be it from me to suggest that Canon stuff wouldn't be wonderful, but here's my TZ3 gallery (http://john-reed.smugmug.com/gallery/2762845) - you can judge for yourself its level of adequacy from the stuff I've done?

[David Metsky]

The TZ3 has no viewfinder and uses Li-Ion batteries, neither are very good for long backpacks and conserving battery use. It's a fine camera as your gallery attests, but I'm not sure it is appropriate for this 6-7 day trip up Kilimanjaro.

[coldrain]

I say that because the OP's needs would be better fulfilled by a small Panasonic TZ3, which has longer 10X zoom, AND superior wideangle capability to any of the Canon models mentioned, not to mention a sharper lens? Far be it from me to suggest that Canon stuff wouldn't be wonderful, but here's my TZ3 gallery (http://john-reed.smugmug.com/gallery/2762845) - you can judge for yourself its level of adequacy from the stuff I've done?

You can leave that "sharper lens" out of your panasonic love list though... the photos are less sharp with a TZ3.
A shame that Panasonic uses such noisy sensors and such crappy in-camera processing, for the rest their cameras are quite interesting.