Hello. Good point n shoot??? Please help.

[GKP]

Hello. I found this forum doing a search-lots of good info-LOTS.
I am looking for a “good” quality smaller point and shoot digital camera for the window bag of an ATV/snowmobile or my backpack. I want to take pictures of interesting sights (outdoors) and people. This will not replace a SLR type, but be something handy. I have been looking online and there are numerous choices.
Does anyone have a recommendation??
Small in size, somewhat rugged, I am not worried about night shots or lots of indoor ones. I am looking at less than $500. Thank you!!!

After more reading I am thinking about the Fuji Finepix E550. Any pros or cons???

[Digideb]

I was in the market for an upgrade of my Olympus "starter" digicam. I wanted a small, rugged camera that would fit in a small pouch near my waist for quick access, but could bounce around a bit as I crawl through the woods, backpacking, etc. I decided on an Olympus C-60 for my needs.
I wanted to get super macro shots, aside from occasional seascapes, etc. I like to do some emailing, but I really wanted to have nice large prints when I get a great shot.
The reviews on this site are quite helpful, but I also found alot of good advice in the User Comments. ;)

[PhilR.]

Nothing wrong with the Fuji E550, but I would get the E500, which has a slightly wider-angle lens and still has the manual modes, for a price around $200. It has enough mp's to do up to 8x10's, and possibly 11x14.

You might give consideration to the water-resistant cameras, such as the Pentax WR series and the Olympus Stylus series. The Pentax cams don't have lenses that extend from the body, and this might prove more reliable in the long term, for a camera used in the more rugged outdoor situations...

PhilR.

[Jack C]

Hello. I found this forum doing a search-lots of good info-LOTS.
I am looking for a “good” quality smaller point and shoot digital camera for the window bag of an ATV/snowmobile or my backpack. I want to take pictures of interesting sights (outdoors) and people. This will not replace a SLR type, but be something handy. I have been looking online and there are numerous choices.
Does anyone have a recommendation??
Small in size, somewhat rugged, I am not worried about night shots or lots of indoor ones. I am looking at less than $500. Thank you!!!

After more reading I am thinking about the Fuji Finepix E550. Any pros or cons???

From what I read in your post, GKP, I see that you want to take photos in the winter outdoors. If this is true, I would advise to avoid digital cameras. I still do not trust the reliability of a digital camera when the temperature goes below freezing because of the batteries. For the cold weather photography, film would be more realiable than digitial.

I like your choice of Fuji Finepix E550. It is a fast camera and shoots like a film camera. It also takes great pictures. I just would do not take it outside for a long time to when the temperature is below freezing. Maybe if you keep it inside your coat to keep the camera warm and take it out when you are taking pictures. That's just my thought. :)

[gary_hendricks]

Hello. I found this forum doing a search-lots of good info-LOTS.
I am looking for a “good” quality smaller point and shoot digital camera for the window bag of an ATV/snowmobile or my backpack. I want to take pictures of interesting sights (outdoors) and people. This will not replace a SLR type, but be something handy. I have been looking online and there are numerous choices.
Does anyone have a recommendation??
Small in size, somewhat rugged, I am not worried about night shots or lots of indoor ones. I am looking at less than $500. Thank you!!!

After more reading I am thinking about the Fuji Finepix E550. Any pros or cons???

Ok, help is here. I just posted a list of the best ultracompact cameras (http://www.basic-digital-photography.com/top-10-ultracompact-digital-cameras.html) out there in my website. You can check them out. Let me know what you think.

[Digideb]

From what I read in your post, GKP, I see that you want to take photos in the winter outdoors. If this is true, I would advise to avoid digital cameras. I still do not trust the reliability of a digital camera when the temperature goes below freezing because of the batteries. For the cold weather photography, film would be more realiable than digitial.

I like your choice of Fuji Finepix E550. It is a fast camera and shoots like a film camera. It also takes great pictures. I just would do not take it outside for a long time to when the temperature is below freezing. Maybe if you keep it inside your coat to keep the camera warm and take it out when you are taking pictures. That's just my thought. :)
I was thinking the winter conditions would be a factor, but I'm not experienced enough to say, plus I live on the coast where it never freezes. I would definately plan to carry the camera near your body where it will stay warm. Going for a compact size would be a priority. I went for the sliding lens cover for added protection. I'd recommend looking at the Olympus Stylus, that PhilR. suggested. Check out all the models though. I'm a fan of Olympus but I have a vague recollection that there was a mixed review on picture quality on a Stylus & I saw there's a new promising Stylus (500?) due out soon. (maybe out now?)

[D70FAN]

Hello. I found this forum doing a search-lots of good info-LOTS.
I am looking for a “good” quality smaller point and shoot digital camera for the window bag of an ATV/snowmobile or my backpack. I want to take pictures of interesting sights (outdoors) and people. This will not replace a SLR type, but be something handy. I have been looking online and there are numerous choices.
Does anyone have a recommendation??
Small in size, somewhat rugged, I am not worried about night shots or lots of indoor ones. I am looking at less than $500. Thank you!!!

After more reading I am thinking about the Fuji Finepix E550. Any pros or cons???

Nope. Should work fine. But if you are planning to spend $500 primarily for outdoors use, why not get a image-stabilized ultra zoom, like the Panasonic FZ15, for the same price? 4MP vs. 5MP is not a big deal, but for skiing/snowboarding shots the 3X zoom limit is.

Just a thought.

Oops, sorry I missed the "compact" part of your request. The FZ15 is not in the compact camera catagory, but is certainly small enough for a large fanny-pack.