Camera recommendations?
 

I've gotten used to using my cell phone for quick pics during rides, but the quality leaves a lot to be desired. I have some DSLRs, but they are too heavy/bulky for practical use. Any recommendations for a digital point-n-shoot that provides good images? What are some of you folks using?

Nikon has a line of modest flat pocket cameras w zoom lenses - Maybe look at some preowned Coolpix units on eBay or Amazon? For example s9100

Camera phones are pretty amazing these days. I hardly ever carry a camera any more, but my favorite is a Panasonic DMC-ZS25. Its cigarette pack sized, with a 20X optical zoom, Leica lens, and easy to "one hand" with simple controls and a hand strap. This one is a few years old, not sure what the current equivalent is. With most folks going to phone cameras, the usual places should be full of deals on lightly used small digital cameras. This is my second one of these. One got killed from being waterlogged on a ride, where my Samsung Galaxy S5 has been drenched, dropped and generally abused on many rides, and still takes great pictures. The only downside to phone cams is the lack of a lanyard, limited zoom quality, and it's a little fiddly to one hand while riding. One other thing, this Panasonic lacks WiFi, which makes downloads and posting more difficult, where with most phone cameras, WiFi and Bluetooth is a fact of life. If you're not happy with your phone shots, I would look for a better phone. 😎
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Panasonic DMC-ZS25, great little camera, also shoots full HD video.
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Galaxy S5 phone pic.
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Another S5 phone pic.
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Panasonic camera shot.
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A Panasonic camera shot, from the bike.

I use an Olympus TG-5. It's a little heavy, but I can just keep it in a jersey pocket and not worry about it which is nice.

not worth the bother unless for work or special occasions. the quality bump isn't really noticed until you get to at least a micro 4/3 size sensor and decent glass.

but then at that point you are carrying a camera that is no longer pocketable. worst part is most of these cameras are far behind tech wise, especially when it comes to video. you have to pay a hefty $$$ and size penalty to get anything that records 4k 60fps for example. something my iPhone does without any issue.

My old Galaxy S3 took decent photos, but it was lost a few years back. Got a Samsung JV-something that's not nearly as good. I may upgrade to a newer iPhone. Which iPhone are you currently using?

I carry a camera because it's a lot easier to use one-handed while riding, not because it takes better pictures.

iPhone 10s.

I have the 10r, and I'm really happy with the camera. One of the things I like is how it can keep both clouds and foreground at the right exposure. File size is 5.5 mb per photo, so there's plenty of data / detail in the shots.


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Got the IOS update over the weekend that allows you to use black backgrounds, loving that too.

Echo this. I have a TG - 4 and use it for bike trips and diving (to 50'). Shoots super macro and slow motion video. JPEG or RAW for better post processing Very happy with it.

When it packs it in I'll go TG-5.

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That's really my issue too. I can't log in the pass code and then properly focus with one hand. Plus I carry my phone in a little pouch, which just adds to the hassle.

Stick to the GoPro style action cameras. When riding a bike they cannot be beat. The only choice you have after that is which brand you trust the most to give you the quality footage and features you want.

GoPro is the signature action camera so you can't go wrong there. They are also voice activated. However, they're also the most expensive and may be more camera than you want or have any need for.

The best thing about these style of camera is they give you the most versatile and stable mounting hardware available. I can literally mount mine securely from head to toe.

The Panasonic Lumix is indeed a brilliant little camera. I have a Canon Powershot S95 which also takes amazing photos, though I don't carry it on my daily commute as a rule. If you want something even smaller the Canon Ixus series are also very good. It's a shame they've discontinued the Powershot S series again. It's true that modern phone cameras are pretty amazing but I still don't think they're anywhere near as good or as versatile as a dedicated camera with a zoom lens. I took a photo of the sunrise the other day on my Galaxy S8. The result was a very nice photo but the colour was decidedly off. I know I can fix that in post-processing but with my S95 or my DSLR that wouldn't have been needed.

You know with Android phones (and I presume iPhones have something similar) you don't have to log in to take photos - you just swipe up from the bottom right corner?

Olympus Tough Cams. Not the best at anything, but the best overall package for hard use conditions like cycling, hiking, camping, etc. I have all kinds of compact and midsize digicams, including some excellent Nikons and Ricohs. But for bike rides if I take anything besides my phone, it's an Olympus Tough Cam.

I despise phone ergonomics and won't use my phones while riding. Drives me nuts when other cyclists juggle their phones, dropping them and endangering everyone around. But I will use a compact digicam while riding -- with a neck or wrist strap. I literally point and shoot, no looking at the rear screen. I've done it for so many years with various cameras I usually need only minor edits to straighten the framing.

Mine is an early model low end Tough Cam, JPEG only, so it's strictly snapshots. Good in camera selections. Better than my phone JPEGs, but no room for editing to improve low light noise, etc. Eventually I'll get a higher end Tough Cam with raw files.

To get better image quality, go for a Sony 1-inch sensor digicam, or older Nikon CX format like the J-series or V-series. But the Sony is more compact with better image quality in a mid-size sensor.

In a DX or crop sensor I'd go for a Ricoh or Fuji. But those are pricey and relatively delicate for bike cameras in a jersey pocket.

And if you're interesting in video, don't waste time and money on cheaper or more expensive cameras: Get a Drift Ghost X for a 1080p camera costing less than $100; or Drift Ghost 4K if your computer can handle the editing burden.

The Ghost X includes a 5-hour battery pack, streamlined and reasonably weather resistant (mine withstands moderate rain without a protective shell), easy to operate, pretty good phone app to check videos on the fly. And there's an optional 8 hour battery pack for only $25-$30. Can't beat it for only $80. I've used it every ride for a couple of months, not a single hitch that wasn't my fault (forgetting to turn it on, or not listening for the confirmation chirp).

The new Iphones use facial recognition to unlock, which would allow one hand use.

What gets me is that before putting it back into my jersey pocket, I often look at my phone (to make sure it's locked) which unlocks it just before I put it away, and when I take it out again, discover all that bouncing around has opened 14 programs and placed several international phone calls, and my battery is now dead.

Back in July, I received a gift of a Fujifilm Finepix XP 140. Waterproof and shock proof if you drop it. Perfect size and easy to handle while riding.

If you want a great phone camera, check out the OnePlus

I'd recommend first identifying specifically where your cellphone camera is coming up short. For me, it was the ability to zoom in on things that were too far away to capture well on my phone. So I looked for that when I was looking for something else to take along on the bike. I ended up buying a Nikon camera through eBay that was being sold by the Salvation Army. And it has served me well. And since I paid only $20 for it, if it breaks I can afford to replace it.

I carried a Canon PowerShot S90 on my bike for years, storing it in a case on my handlebars. With one hand, I could pull it out out of the case, take a shot, and put it back in the case. Very fast to focus, with optical image stabilization, a real wide angle, and 3.8x optical zoom.

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Canon PowerShot S90 f/4.0, 10.7 mm, 1/200, ISO 160

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Canon PowerShot S90, ISO 125, 6mm, f/5.6 1/500


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Canon PowerSot S90, ISO 80, 12.85mm f/4.5, 1/500

There's also a shortcut that opens the Camera app from the lock screen. Just swipe left.

I use a cheap point and shoot on my rides. Nikon Cool Pix I found for $80. Better handling than a cell phone while taking pics on the fly and the images are actually very nice.

This is what I had in mind, to use a handlebar bag to carry said camera, not stow it in a jersey pocket. The S90 or S95 is a possibility. There's also a Sony with a Zeiss lens and 1" sensor I'm considering. Can't recall the model off the top of my head. CRS, you know. I'm more interested in stills rather than video at present.

Depending on what kind of pictures you want and how you will use them, you might want to consider Sony's a6000 series cameras.
My wife and I both use the Sony a6000, and also have one more as a backup. It will easily do everything my DSLR will do, and even do some things better.

Pluses:

• Compact, mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. It will fit easily in my bar bag;
• Has a large 24 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor that can produce high resolution (6000 x 4000 pixel) poster size photos;
• Has an electronic eye level viewfinder, as well as a rear screen. This is the primary reason my wife and I use these cameras;
• Wide range of excellent lenses are available;
• Durable, I have shot over 50,000 photos with my a6000; and
• The reason I did this is the camera will shoot at a rate of 11 frames per second which is great for sports and other fast action activities.

Minuses:

• It is hard on batteries, depending on what we are shooting, we will each carry up to 3 batteries.

This is a full frame right out of the camera picture of a portion of the Berlin Wall.
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An enlargement of the young women. Individual strands of hair are still visible.
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This panned photo of my wife was shot using an a6000 at 1/40 second exposure, 11 fps, and the great auto focusing features of the camera.
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Dale, this shot is amazing!

I mounted a Lowepro Rezo 15 case to hold a Canon PowerShot S90. Lowepro makes several sizes that hold point-and-shoot cameras.

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