Need a new Camera!

[Squatch]

OK 1st I'm NOT a photographer and never will be. I just take snapshots. But I do a bit of that.

1st and foremost it has to be waterproof without a separate case. I'm a fisherman and canoeist.

Not looking for a DSLR. I'm looking for a decent point and shoot. The less menu items the better. I just want to take simple pictures. Most of the menu items on new cameras I don't want to wade through and don't use.

My uses often require me to just grab the camera and shoot. So I want one that works WELL like that. The current camera takes so long to aim and focus the day is over before the pic gets shot.

In the film days we used a Minolta Weathermatic. It was perfect though big by today's standards.

It was replaced by an early Olympus Stylus splashproof with a sliding cover. It also had a real veiwfinder in addition to the screen. Loved that in dim light. Don't remember the model # but liked it a lot till it got dunked in the canoe.

That one got replaced by another Olympus. A stylus 550WP. It works but I've never been fond of it. Very slow camera. Too many functions I don't need or use. The menu is tiny and a PIA to use. Doesn't take good close up shots. And the zoom is crappy.

So I need: easy, simple, rugged, can be used without having to put on my glasses to read a menu, water proof, takes decent close ups, fit's in a shirt pocket. And I like removable memory cards. My printer has slots for them.

Any suggestions?


Don't even mention an I-phone. We ain't going there.

[ditto1958]

Waterproof as in underwater, or splash proof?

[Sir Henry]

As a former professional photographer I suggest an iPhone. It won't do much but take a simple snapshot but I believe that is what you want. I have a very basic camera I take hiking but even its not quick to turn on and get the system up and running. I can modify the pictures on my computer so in the end they are quite good. An iPhone will startup in a second and most likely you will have it in your shirt pocket anyway. Granted they don't usually take very good pictures but they can be brought to life on a computer.

[Squatch]

Waterproof as in wet in a boat!

I have no need for a smart phone. Don't use the cell I have. I can buy lot's of camera's for a couple months paying for smart phone service.

[RetiredSeabee]

Here is a link to B&H photo for cameras that fit your needs. I have bought lenses and other gear from them. Good prices and fast service. Just reading through a few of these models the Fujifilm and Nikons look like a great fit. Not too many bells and whistles and great prices.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?at ... 4052359761

[Travlin]

Squatch, I totally agree simple is good. I don't have and don't want a smart phone or any other complicated electronics. Re the tippy canoe, you should check out a Gheenoe. They are like a square stern canoe that won't tip. I have had one since 1982. I can stand up while fishing with no fear of getting wet. Good luck.

[Sir Henry]

Here is a link to B&H photo for cameras that fit your needs. I have bought lenses and other gear from them. Good prices and fast service. Just reading through a few of these models the Fujifilm and Nikons look like a great fit. Not too many bells and whistles and great prices.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?at ... 4052359761

Great link and search. I saw a few that would even work for me as a backpacker.

[JEBar]

I carry a Cannon Power Shot SX120 .... https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/port ... t-sx120-is ..... it meets almost all of the wants listed in the opening post .... don't know that its waterproof, other than to take come pictures in the rain I haven't tested it (and don't plan too )

[Squatch]

Thanks for the link RSB. Looks like Olympus still rules the waterproof stuff.

Travlin I'm familiar with the Gheenoes. I fish shallow rivers usually. Fiberglass is not what you want in the rocks. Flipping canoes is not the problem. I haven't done that in years. I actually sold my tandem last fall. Still have my Solo canoe. Most of my trips are in my outboard jet Bassboat. But when you are on or around water things get wet.

[ditto1958]

As a former professional photographer I suggest an iPhone. It won't do much but take a simple snapshot but I believe that is what you want. I have a very basic camera I take hiking but even its not quick to turn on and get the system up and running. I can modify the pictures on my computer so in the end they are quite good. An iPhone will startup in a second and most likely you will have it in your shirt pocket anyway. Granted they don't usually take very good pictures but they can be brought to life on a computer.

You just had to go there!? He said don't go there.

Seriously Squatch, iPhones have caused kind of a problem for folks wanting to buy simple point and shoot cameras. They have made smart phone cameras so good that no one buys very many of the cameras you are looking for, so they don't make very many of them any more.

So you've got a couple choices. One is to take Sir Henry's advice and try using an iPhone.

Second, is to go out and find the most inexpensive Canon point and shoot camera they are currently selling at your local big box electronics store. Don't worry about whether it's waterproof. It will be splash proof. If you dunk it and kill it, buy a new cheap camera.

Third is to get another waterproof one from Olympus. Their cameras tend to be slower than the competition, but Olympus makes excellent lenses, and their digital cameras have always been known for producing really good colors.

[Squatch]

I have actually read Apple's privacy policy(unlike most). I'll never sign it or use their devices! Smart phones have convinced me that zombies are real! I see them everywhere I go. I also don't believe in carrying a device with me that tracks me 24/7 whether it's on or not. Smart phones never really turn off. Flip phones do.

I do understand the conundrum. My flip phone actually has a 1/2 decent camera. But I won't pay for the data package to be able to use the pics. I'm cheap. And a practicing Luddite by choice! I have a huge aversion to recurrent monthly expenses. Especially since I retired. If not for the wife I wouldn't even have a cell phone.

Some think I'm just an old fart with a fear of tech. Far from it. Just tired of it when I don't need it. I just retired from a long technical career with "The phone company". I spent the last 14 years in a control center with 3PC's/terminals on my desk building and programing the fiber optic networks the internet and cell service runs on. Most consumer tech is not tech but marketing. That's why all the features I don't need or want. Like all the new camera's having WIFI. I think I can wait to get home before dumping my pics.

I take a lot of pics of things close up like my guns and car project stuff. The wife needs a camera that also takes good close ups. I saw one of the camera's in the above link has a macro feature. That might come in handy.

[Travlin]

Your not the only one, I still have a flip phone and I tell everyone not to text me because if it's not worth a voice call, don't bother.

[Squatch]

Right on. I don't even have texting allowed on my service. I don't want anything I have to put my glasses on to use. There actually are a lot of us. The big players try to force you into a smart phone. So the little guys are raking in folks like us.

[JEBar]

Right on. I don't even have texting allowed on my service. I don't want anything I have to put my glasses on to use. There actually are a lot of us. The big players try to force you into a smart phone. So the little guys are raking in folks like us.

I'm still happy with my flip phone ...

[PT7]

Right with you, Travlin & Squatch. I like my flip phone, too. Actually, I call it my "lever-action" phone!

BTW, we still use the cell phone only for emergencies, which I think is what the primary purpose was when they first came out years ago. Our main, everyday phone is still a land line. Both work good for us.

JEBar -- very cool flip with that rotary dial! I've never seen one like that.

[Travlin]

I still have a land line because that's the # on my business card and I can't get any work done on the job with constant calls on the cell. When my T-Mobile contract expired I went with Singular and it's about half the $$.

[Squatch]

I just ordered a new Camera. I got a Nikon Coolpix s33. It was on the site posted earlier. It's touted as super simple and takes good but not great pics. read a lot of reviews and most liked it. I normally spend around $300 for a waterproof camera. This time i decided to see how much camera I could actually get for a little over $100. Most sites say this is a great bang for the buck. I'm hard on my travel camera's. So no worries if it gets trashed at this price.
I ordered this bundle. I'm actually excited to see how it does.
http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-COOLPIX-Wat ... ol+pix+s33

Most of my pics are just snapshots and pics for build threads on forums ect. Super detail isn't really needed for this. Once it comes in I'll get some fresh pics of my Henry's!

[CT_Shooter]

It looks like a great camera; it's made by Nikon and it's waterproof! I'm thinking my pond might want one, too. I'm looking forward to seeing your range pictures! Thanks for sharing it.

[RanchRoper]

Most of my photos are taken with my Blackberry cell phone, and it's not even a very new one. So the Iphone would be way better I'm sure. My wife uses a pretty nice Canon with several large lenses to choose from. Her photos are incredible, but I just need something that will work fast and is easy to pack around. My cell just rides in my little saddle bag until I need it.

[daytime dave]

I think what you picked out will be good for what you want. The internet is a great resource to see what others think about what you want or what they already have.

I recently researched pocket binoculars for work. There are plenty of opinions out there.

Nikon has always had a good reputation. I'm sure it will work well for you.