Foo - Decent digital camera to carry around

Any recommendations for a decent all-around digital camera for carrying on rides? There are a good number out there, but I'm mainly looking for one that others riding have found rider friendly.

The main things I'm looking for in a digital camera:

Decent resolution. Megapixels are not the be all and end all, but it helps.

Size. Something that can fit in a jersey pocket. For general shooting where a DSLR isn't needed, I like the features that the Canon Axxx line offers, but they are too big to carry on bike rides.

Media. Memory sticks and SD are fine, but MicroSD or miniSD formats too small and don't have the capacity.

Features. Ability to take a wide range of shots one would encounter when wandering around.

I use a cheap Kodak that I am very happy with, but I have never taken it on a ride. It was well under $100. Can't remember model number.

Samsung S800 is pretty nice.

One thing, invest in recargable batteries! It eats batteries for a snack! Good video resolution in addition to 8 megapixel images.

It's a P&S though with LCD screen only, no view finder, but it has auto and full manual available for settings as well as MP3 audio and the vid is MP4 format.

Any recommendations for a decent all-around digital camera for carrying on rides? There are a good number out there, but I'm mainly looking for one that others riding have found rider friendly.

The main things I'm looking for in a digital camera:

Decent resolution. Megapixels are not the be all and end all, but it helps.

Size. Something that can fit in a jersey pocket. For general shooting where a DSLR isn't needed, I like the features that the Canon Axxx line offers, but they are too big to carry on bike rides.

Media. Memory sticks and SD are fine, but MicroSD or miniSD formats too small and don't have the capacity.

Features. Ability to take a wide range of shots one would encounter when wandering around.

I have a Canon A540 and, it is true, they are a bit big to carry on bike rides. I usually ride with my messenger bag on my bike so it doesn't bother me. Knowing that you're looking into a digital camera that can fit into a jersey pocket I would recommend a Canon Powershot. They're thin and sleek. Specs: 7.1 MP; 4X digital zoom, 3X optical zoom (12X total zoom); and has a 3 in. LCD screen. I personally like owning a Canon camera. They're quite reliable. Good luck with finding one.

I just bought a video camera that was only $88.00. It takes high quality videos, and has a 6 megapixle camera, plays MP3's, records sound, and works as a webcam when connected to your computer. It's really easy to use.
Its and Aiptek IS-DV2

I have always liked Cannon products, and Fuji is known to have some of the best sensors on the market. At the point and shoot level your being comfortable with the camera is the most important aspect.

Any recommendations for a decent all-around digital camera for carrying on rides? There are a good number out there, but I'm mainly looking for one that others riding have found rider friendly.

The main things I'm looking for in a digital camera:

Decent resolution. Megapixels are not the be all and end all, but it helps.

Size. Something that can fit in a jersey pocket. For general shooting where a DSLR isn't needed, I like the features that the Canon Axxx line offers, but they are too big to carry on bike rides.

Media. Memory sticks and SD are fine, but MicroSD or miniSD formats too small and don't have the capacity.

Features. Ability to take a wide range of shots one would encounter when wandering around.

My Canon A530 isn't that big. It's what I shoot with all the time. I strap the holder to my stem using my NiteRider battery strap, but it would just as easily fit in a jersey pocket.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/237/514987221_b66f4a288c.jpg

Don't know what your budget range is, but check out the Olympus 770sw. I just got one and so far it seems to fit the bill. It's not a DSLR quality wise, but at 7MP, it's got decent resolution. The reviews give it fairly high marks for outdoorsy pictures (including underwater!!) but lackluster for indoorsy stuff. That's fine, I've got another camera better suited for that.

This things is water proof to 33', drop proof from a 5' drop and crush proof to about 220#. It's small enough to fit in a jersey pocket or a pouch on your camelback shoulder strap for easy access.

It uses a miniSD card (I think) but I got one in 1GB capacity which gives me ~300 images at the highest resolution and quality.

PM me if you'd like to see a couple of images from this camera.

I have a Canon A540 and, it is true, they are a bit big to carry on bike rides. I usually ride with my messenger bag on my bike so it doesn't bother me. Knowing that you're looking into a digital camera that can fit into a jersey pocket I would recommend a Canon Powershot. They're thin and sleek. Specs: 7.1 MP; 4X digital zoom, 3X optical zoom (12X total zoom); and has a 3 in. LCD screen. I personally like owning a Canon camera. They're quite reliable. Good luck with finding one.

+1 I have a Powershot and I couldn't be happier with it. I generally ride with a bag and the camera gets put in there but I can see it fitting in a jersey pocket pretty easily.

Any recommendations for a decent all-around digital camera for carrying on rides? There are a good number out there, but I'm mainly looking for one that others riding have found rider friendly.

The main things I'm looking for in a digital camera:

Decent resolution. Megapixels are not the be all and end all, but it helps.

Size. Something that can fit in a jersey pocket. For general shooting where a DSLR isn't needed, I like the features that the Canon Axxx line offers, but they are too big to carry on bike rides.

Media. Memory sticks and SD are fine, but MicroSD or miniSD formats too small and don't have the capacity.

Features. Ability to take a wide range of shots one would encounter when wandering around.

it is recommended to stick to lense makers - say Nikon, Canon... - than to electronics maker since the picture is still made by lenses.

However it is hard to go wrong in today's world on our amateur level - you can find decent 4 -6 megapixell camera of yesteryear for cheap money and be very happy with it without the fear to soak it or kill it while riding.

On the other hand dont expect to make a poster sized print from point and shoot digital camera.

I am using Nikon 4Mega for everything and since my pictures end up on DVD or in an email,it fits my needs just right.

The Powershot SD series is pretty good. The SD800 is the current model I'd recommend, but it's only a marginal improvement on older models if you're looking to save a few bucks. It has image stabilization to reduce blur in low light photos, which makes its performance there on the same level as the Fujis, I think. They're very good in other lighting conditions and of course, extremely easy to use all of the features on.

I've also found the Canon point-and-shoot lenses much better than the Nikons and most other brands. Nikon doesn't seem to put much emphasis on point-and-shoot, despite their solid reputation in SLR's.

Canon A540
Canon A530The Canon Powershot A5xx is a brilliant line of cameras. Low price, great picture quality, and quite a few features, including full manual control, if you're so inclined. Not the smallest cameras on the market, but if the Digital Elph line is anywhere as good as the A5xx, you're covered there, too.


Fuji is known to have some of the best sensors on the market.
This might be true at the mid- and/or high-end, but at the low end, blech. My dad has a low-end Fuji camera, and it takes positively awful pictures.

I like my Canon A620. Here's a review (http://www.steves-digicams.com/2005_reviews/a620.html). It's small, light, easy to carry on a bike and takes a great photo.

http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/59094962.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/billd9/image/79401897.jpg

I have a Canon A540 and, it is true, they are a bit big to carry on bike rides. I usually ride with my messenger bag on my bike so it doesn't bother me. Knowing that you're looking into a digital camera that can fit into a jersey pocket I would recommend a Canon Powershot. They're thin and sleek. Specs: 7.1 MP; 4X digital zoom, 3X optical zoom (12X total zoom); and has a 3 in. LCD screen. I personally like owning a Canon camera. They're quite reliable. Good luck with finding one.

I also have an A540. For a P&S, it's very good. While I find mine is too big for a jersey pocket (in the Winter, when I actually wear a jersey), it fits well in a makeshift handlebar bag.

The Canon ELPH line may do well, though. I had a digital ELPH for a while and it was a wonderful little thing!

I like the Canon line because I think they have the best image quality in the digital photography world. I'm also very familiar with their menus, which barely change between lines.

Nowadays, there is a class of cameras that have a small form factor. Typically, they all have some type of memory stick (Sony), Sandisk SD, or XD cards (Olympus and Fuji). Also, they typically have rechargeable lithium batteries. I would make sure whatever you get has a rechargeable lithium battery, which is generally more expensive (expect ~ $150 and up). As far as resolution, most are 7 mega-pixels and up. I'm an Olympus man, so that's what I have, and have been very happy with it.

Don't know what your budget range is, but check out the Olympus 770sw. I just got one and so far it seems to fit the bill. It's not a DSLR quality wise, but at 7MP, it's got decent resolution. The reviews give it fairly high marks for outdoorsy pictures (including underwater!!) but lackluster for indoorsy stuff. That's fine, I've got another camera better suited for that.

This things is water proof to 33', drop proof from a 5' drop and crush proof to about 220#. It's small enough to fit in a jersey pocket or a pouch on your camelback shoulder strap for easy access.

It uses a miniSD card (I think) but I got one in 1GB capacity which gives me ~300 images at the highest resolution and quality.

PM me if you'd like to see a couple of images from this camera.

+1 for the Olympus 77SW. I just picked up one of these for riding, swimming, etc. it is great, and it uses a xD memory card. Plus as tough as it is, I can let my 4 yo son explore his inner photographer and not worry.

I have used both the Canon sd600, and the Casio Z600.
Recomend both for ease of use a good pics. My personal feeling is;

the Canon has slightly better pics, and the wall recharger is small.

The Casio has easier software, but you have to use the docking station to charge or download pics.
( unless you ahve a card reader).

both come with a rechargable battery good for 400-500 shots before recharging.
Many more than you will actually take before sticking back on the charger.

Thanks for the info all. I guess I'm going to obtain another Canon, likely the SD line then, mainly because their camera technology is always top notch.

Software is a good thing, but I tend to rely on Windows 2008's [1] default stuff rather than install vendor software unless there is a feature like the PhotoStitching ability that some cameras have that requires software to decode/use correctly.

[1]: Windows 2008 is MS's new server operating system, based on Vista.