Rugged / tough compact (2nd) camera for work and travel - which one?

[tetragnatha]

I work as an ecological consultant, and get out to a lot of remote places in Scotland, in all weather, at all times of day and night, and in all seasons. And I also spend my spare time doing pretty much the same thing!

I am also going traveling around Africa, and may go to other places.

I have found all the rugged gear I need for work, but would really like to get a good indestructible compact camera that will work in subzero temperatures, in wet conditions, underwater, after being dropped in a bog, or whatever. Being a fan of invertebrates, I would also like a good macro setting.

So, I am looking for a camera that is:

1. Indestructible (as possible)
2. Portable
3. Has decent image quality - including macro

The Olympus Tough-8000 and the Canon Powershot D10 seem to be the forerunners in this area, with Panasonic Lumix TS1 getting a look in here and there. I gather the Olympus Tough-8000 has poorer image quality, while the Canon Powershot D10 is not as portable and user friendly, and the Panasonic Lumix TS1 is not nearly so indestructible but has good image quality. I can rule out the Panasonic on the basis of it's lack of ruggedness, if that is the case, but am unsure about the tradeoff between portability and image quality?

I'm generally confused about how each of these cameras perform, as the reviews are so contradictory!

Does anyone have experience of any of these (or other) rugged cameras?

I'm open to new suggestions, and would really like to hear how the various models actually perform in real life!

(For travel, I would be using a Canon EOS as well, so the rugged camera would be for tougher situations, as a kick-around camera or second camera.)

Thanks!

[FungiJohn]

Hi tetragnatha

I would certainly look at the Canon G10 ...especially the older version G9 if you wish to have high resolution video too. The price of a second hand G9 has soared!

It's a very rugged and well built camera based on the 'solid' cameras of the 70's but is very functional and capable of producing excellent images.

John

[tetragnatha]

Thanks for the suggestion FungiJohn.

I looked up the camera, and it does look to be really good.

Unfortunately, it isn't really designed for the conditions I will be putting it through (subzero temperatures, potential drops, in the water... although I note there is a good, if fragile, waterproof casing for the G10).

In my experience, cameras really don't like it too far below freezing (sometimes they just won't work, other times they never work again...), so this is important to me (I spend a lot of my winter outside at crazy times in all weather, and I want to be able to take snaps of animal signs, landscapes etc. - for instance, I once had a male goshawk land only a few metres from me in a blizzard. It didn't notice me, I figure due to the almost whiteout conditions, and it would have been nice to be able to at least try and take a snap with a camera that could fit in my Buffalo mountain jacket's pocket! Sure it would still be a bad picture, but would have been fun!).

Also, my wife is very keen to be able to take the camera snorkeling while we're on holiday.

(Franky, so would I - I've had so many close-encounters with cuttlefish that I would have loved to have been able to try and snap - nothing fancy, just a fun photo. I like cuttlefish!)

Any ideas?

[FungiJohn]

Hi

There are several underwater units for the G10 ... and some are very expensive too!

Here's one of the cheaper type which you are probably referring to above:

Canon WP DC28 Underwater Housing for Canon PowerShot G10 (3156B001AA) - Warehouse Express

You could also look at the Olympus Stylus Tough 6000 and 8000 camera's. Nikon do similar but more expensive.

John

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by tetragnatha

I gather the Olympus Tough-8000 has poorer image quality

I'm surprised! Usually Olympus optics are exceptional.

Jim

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

I'm surprised! Usually Olympus optics are exceptional.

Jim

I agree Jim

I had the C8080 before going DSLR and was always happy with the quality. It also supports a very good underwater housing unit.

John

[tetragnatha]

I am suprised by the reviews of the Olympus Tough-8000 as well. It seems to get top marks for invincibility and size, but mixed marks for image quality, depending on which review you read. I've had mixed comments from people who own it as well. I'm concerned about the macro in particular. The camera has a nifty LED feature to light up macro shots, but I am getting more people saying the macro images are soft than otherwise.

But, perhaps people are being too harsh on a compact camera due to its cost. The cost in this case must go in to its build, so perhaps optics are not as good as one may expect?

Does anyone actually have experience of any of the 'rugged' cameras?

Thing is, I know rugged gadgets are 'gimmicky' generally, but when you put things through extreme conditions on a near daily basis, as I do for work (especially through winter!), then you find that spending on bomb-proof items is worthwhile for what little tech I'll take out on a hill. I guess they're just not worth it for general use.

But, for this rugged camera, I am also looking for something that will slip in to a pocket easily, and I would like it to have a decent macro feature. When going out to take photos, or on holiday, my wife's Canon EOS 400D is the main camera, but when we were in India last year, without a compact, we found ourselves thinking one would have been useful in a number of situations when we didn't have the kit ready and the like, or want to cart it out ready. For instance, when in towns and cities, or during impromptu walks out from camp. Then there are other times where my wife may be taking photos of big things, and I see a snazzy spider. They just don't wait around for your wife to finish taking photos, and for you to swap out lenses!

[Naturenutz]

the olympus tough is relatively new out . before that they were called olympus mju. They were very popular indeed and probably a best seller. ideal for extreme use. ive seen photographs and underwater shots from the mju 1030 that were very good. Not sure about the macro mode though . Many fisherman use them as they are made to withstand being dropped from 2m hieght and are Completely waterproof and you can use underwater video.
I have the olympus 9000 but that has different characteristics and is not what you want.My friends have the olympus mju 1030 and are very happy with it. im not sure if the write up on photo quality for the mju 1030 is any better ?, but it sure sounds like its something for you too look at.
cheers
vic

[eeyore]

I have a Fuji F10 (now superseeded by the F11) which has lived on my belt day in day out for over 3 years (and i'm an outdoors proffesional)- it has high endurance batteries , 1600 shots to a charge, has a decent macro , and is no bigger than a pack of cards. Its only draw back is that it only has a 3x zoom - but for walking arround shots thats not a problem

its not waterproof in the sense that you can use it underwater , but it has survived more than one dunking in the thames while in its case - i just took the battery out , and put the camera in the airing cupboard for a couple of days and it was fine.

[JennyS]

I have a Fuji F10 (now superseeded by the F11)

And there's also the Fuji FinePix f31 - a classic compact with good macro and an image quality that doesn't seem to be equaled by the newer, higher mega-pixel compacts .......