Galapagos Islands

[GalapagosGal]

I am going on a trip to the Galapagos Islands, a working trip where I will be involved with a number of conservation programmes.

Please can anyone help and give me some advice on a good camera that I can buy to take with me?

Budget
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My trip is costing a lot so I dont have a huge budget! I am also staying in shared houses so wont be able to store the camera in a "safe" location!


SIZE:
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I need to travel light so a compact camera will be best!


Features
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Megapixels - this is quite important! If I get the illusive shot(s) then I would love to blow them up and get them on canvas when I get home!

What optical zoom will you need? - Need some advice on this one, I will be able to get close to some of the wildlife, but I would like to take close up shots of the amazing flora and fauna as well as the animals.

How important is “image quality” to you? - Important - it needs to be good enough to go on a large canvas when I get home (If I manage to get the right shot!)

Do you care for manual controls? - Point and press can be good, if I need special settings for certain shots thats ok (as long as it is not too complex)


General Usage
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* What will you generally use the camera for? This trip and others, along with general camera use - piccies of friends / family and just day to day photo opportunities

* Will you be making big prints of your photos or not? Hopefully yes!

Will you be shooting a lot of indoor photos or low light photos? Only for general snaps (less important)

Will you be shooting sports and/or action photos? May do on rare occasions (not important)


Miscellaneous
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Are there particular brands you like or hate? - Had a problem with the last camera I had - a Cannon, but I wouldnt rule Cannon's out all together

Any help or advice would be much appreciated!!

Thanks
GalapagosGal :D

[AndyfromVA]

The Canon SX110is is a 9 mp compact ultrazoom with good closeup macro capability. It can be purchased for just over $200.

[KCook]

good enough to go on a large canvas If "canvas" means a T-shirt, you'll have no problem, any camera can handle that. If it means a 16x20 print, then start thinking DSLR.

For a locale as remote as the Galapagos Islands I would definitely want to take TWO cameras, so as to have a backup. May as well make one of these an underwater job, for all that cool shore life. Least expensive right now is the new Fuji FinePix Z33WP -
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=1340

For camera #2 the Canon A1000 IS has a low price and is quite versatile for close-ups, etc -
http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/cameraDetail.php?cam=1263

Kelly Cook

[TenD]

If you want to go really large with your photos then Cook is right, an SLR is the best tool for the job, they are hardly a budget item or compact in size. An SLR also must be paired with a decent lens for decent results.

I would look at the Canon SX200, or Panasonic ZS1 or ZS2. All three of these camera have quite a zoom range that will come in handy for wildlife, Image Stabilization, are very compact in size, and take excellent photos. The Canon offers manual controls where the Pannys are basically point and shoots. Any of these three cameras will make a fine travel camera. A good clean file from these cameras will enlarge quite nicely, I know I have enlarged some shots from my S-3 compact(13x19) and they have come out just fine.