New compact camera for hiking and walking on holiday!

Raider · 19 Mar 2011 at 11:16

Off to the US for 3 week driving holiday around California in September, and I'm looking to upgrade my compact camera (a little Canon IXUS) for when out and about.

I tried taking my SLR out in the Lake District as a test, and it was too bulky for me as I like to hike with as little on my back as possible! So my intention is to use the SLR when close to the B&B or the car, but carry the compact on long walks / hikes etc..

So what I'm looking for mainly is a fairly compact camera (not a hybrid) that will do decent-ish wide angle and record reasonable video too.
From what I've seen the Panasonic Lumix are quite good for this, any others to consider?

Ta!

dete · 20 Mar 2011 at 20:36

Are the Sonys any good? I do not know. What is your budget, mine is £200. Sorry for hijack.

Stuff · 20 Mar 2011 at 23:28

Lumix TZ10 or Sony H55?

bigredshark · 21 Mar 2011 at 10:23

Canon S95? Small, cheap (-er than coparable alternatives), very good.

Olympus zx-1 is also rather good but bigger, bulkier and pricier. Also has the very useful ability to charge over USB, which is a godsend if you're travelling light and don't want 4 different chargers with you.

There are obviously lumix options but I've never liked them personally.

I'd take the Canon myself as it's the best value of the lot and is small enough to pocket on the off chance of needing it, the others are a good amount bigger.

funguST · 22 Mar 2011 at 21:26

I'll be taking a lumix tz10 when i go walkies for 3 months, should be doing a fair bit of hiking aswell.

AHarvey · 22 Mar 2011 at 22:10

What route are you doing?

LA > palm springs >grand canyon > Vegas > yosemite > san Fran

seems the popular one to go for.

Tbh, you'd be mad not to use the DSLR out there, my wife's compact photos when we drive it lack compared to the slr.

Raider · 22 Mar 2011 at 23:28

Thing I like about the Lumix is the extra wide angle. 24mm vs 28mm for the Canon S95. The extra 4mm will help a lot for wide open spaces. So that's tempting.. But I do like the idea of the S95 being better suited to low light conditions etc..

I'll be taking my SLR as well, but it'll be used when we're close to the car / hotels I think. Compact will really only be for longish walks, mountain biking etc..

Regarding the holiday we're doing a circular route:

San Fran - Yosemite - Lake Tahoe - Napa Valley - Monterey - San Fran

Have no interest at all in LA or Vegas so quite happy to skip those! Can't wait for everything else though

DiCe! · 24 Mar 2011 at 16:01

Vegas is amazing, some great photo opps, i will be going back

PermaBanned · 24 Mar 2011 at 16:28

Pentax Optio WG-1 might be worth a look.