Trying to use my phone while out riding isn't working out for me, so I want to get a dedicated camera for it. I'm not looking for anything "ruggedized", as these tend to be of inferior photo quality, and you end up paying more for the ruggedness than the quality of the camera. Of course I still want something reasonably durable, and able to withstand some light rain during handling and use. I'm looking for something that doesn't require a lot of manual adjustment and can take really good pics on automatic settings, but has manual adjustments available when needed for certain conditions and special shots. Budget wise I'd prefer something under $500, but I'd like to see options in the $500-$1000 range as well. I'm not looking for a full-sized SLR type, unless it's reasonable compact. I want something that can take really good quality pics, and be in the small to mid-sized range. I imagine that these days, spending that amount of money can get you a camera that can capture very near pro-quality pics.

So what camera or cameras should I be considering?

I bought a refurbished Canon G1X directly off the Canon USA site a few years ago for this purpose and have been delighted with the quality of the photos it produces. It was pretty cheap, I can't remember what I paid but it seemed like it was way less than full retail for a new one.

Well, I have the Olympus TG4 which is a best in class outdoor P&S. $349CAD last year. Waterproof down to 50'. It's nice to have a camera that you don't worry about getting wet in the rain and can stand some tour type abuse like cold or dropping.
It shoots in JPEG and RAW and has a pretty good macro feature along with the ability to fix a so so external zoom lens.
Here are some pics:

Nice to be able to use a camera worry free in this weather


Macro

















And one more macro...

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/cam...r-the-holidays

Lot of information there for you, broken down by camera segment.

I use a Fuji, probably bigger sized than you want.

OK, thanks guys. I'll check those out. Here's a pic from my second ride during my injury recovery here. This was taken with my cheapo budget phone, so it's pretty grainy and such. Of course I want to be able to take pics like this without ending up such a grainy mess. That Olympus seems to make a lot of sense for the conditions encountered out in damp, cold, and even rainy weather. I suppose version 5 may be out before too long, perhaps I should just make do with my phone and an old camera I have around here somewhere until then.

Don't be too quick to rule out the "ruggedized" cameras. They don't have the super-zoom lenses. But the Olympus cameras my daughter (and now I) have take hand-held pictures that are as sharp as any of my other cameras.


Bottom line, the photographer usually matters more than the equipment. I just haven't found a way to upgrade the photographer...

Kelley just picked up a Sony Alpha a5000. VERY impressed with the picture quality. I may sell my DSLR and pick up one of these.

Here's a shot:

Max, check out the sale at B&H Photo on the a6000. My wife and I use them; they have a great eye level viewfinder. We do not use our DSLR'S much since we got them.

Are those Sony's weather resistant? I don't need a camera for underwater use, as that Olympus is made for, but I want a camera that can handle a bit of rain and not end up wet or fogged up with condensation inside during harsher weather, which would eventually ruin it.

Thanks for the tip! Maybe it's the a6000 Kelley has, I forget, but that's about what she paid.

i toured for 3 miserable days with a guy, he drove me mental taking photos of him on his phone. every couple yards he would stop and ask me to take several pics of him with a big stupid grin on his face .
just use your phone for the odd photo you know it makes sense.

No worries here. I won't be traveling with anyone that's a narcissist/psychopath, ever.

* They have the "profanity filter" here set to about the level of an 6 year old and below. I had to change my original word to "narcissist" to avoid it! lol

If you are really interested in photography, the are better options than a phone


The Sony a6000, or any of their "a" series cameras, rival full size DSLR's in features and picture quality.

They are "mirrorless" with close to full size sensors. They are compact, and about as weather resistant as most cameras. My wife used hers for three years. During that time we toured about 6,000 miles. It rode in her bar bag through all kinds of weather. I' ve only used mine for 2 years. When I trashed my old camera, I liked her a6000 so much that is what I got as a replacement. I took over 10,500 pictures since I got it.

We are thinking of buying a backup body, because the price is so good right now. With the new models coming out the supply will not last long.

I'll send some sample photos when I get back home, and am able to use my computer.

This could be enlarged to larger than 16"x24" without any loss of picture quality. I had access to this one through my phone, and has been reduced to about 20%of the original file size to post on this forum. Typical file size/picture is between 7 and 9 MB.


This goes inside my wife's bar bag.

It seems like is too late to order a black a6000 from B&H Photo; they are already sold out. There are still some of the kits available, but when I went to order a body only, they were already on backorder.

They are back in stock today, 11/30.

I’ve had my Olympus TG-3 for a while, and think it does a great job. We also have a mirrorless Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark II that easily fits in my handlebar bag, is weather-resistant, and has all the features and capabilities you could want.

That TG4 looks like a really nice outdoor camera.

I have a Panasonic LX100, which takes fantastic photos, but it can be fragile. There's reports of dust getting sucked in through the lens extensions, for instance. (That's a problem with a lot of non-removable lens cameras; as the lens assembly moves in and out, air gets pulled inside.) So I keep it sheltered, and don't carry it while riding.

I like:
Exposure compensation, adjusting the exposure up to 3 stops. Reducing the exposure in low light keeps the camera from treating the scene as if it's full day light.
Exposure bracketing. Taking 3,5 or 7 shots at a range of exposures.

I'm planning to get DxO Optics, to edit / process raw images.

From a trip last summer. These would look way too bright at a normal exposure.
The lake was -.66 EV, and the tree photo was -1.33 EV

Second the Sony mirrorless for a great quality non-SLR option. I have a friend that does semi-pro photography as a side job, it is about all he uses, and gets amazing results. Been thinking about replacing my SLR with one.

This is the photo I was talking about above. It was reduced from 6000 x 4000 pixels down to less then 900 x ??, and from a file size of 5.5 MG to 280 KB to post here. It was a grab shot, as I was trying for a picture of the barge going under the bridge. This was in the Netherlands, and the deckhand was wearing an U of O sweatshirt. This is the drawbridge operator that I had to get permission from before slipping under the barricade to get closer to the lip of the bridge and the barge.

It was taken handheld at 1/125,f5. I was focusing on his face. Not a great picture, but it gives you an inkling of what the Sony a6000 is capable of doing. This was with the kit 16-50 zoom. I also have a 35mm prime that is just tack sharp.

I primarily "shoot" people, and want a camera with an eye level viewfinder that is fast to use. That is the only fault I found with the a6000; it is a little slow on the startup.





This shot was taken while riding next to my wife.

Those do look very good Doug.

Look at Sony RX100 (5 versions, MK3 would be my choice), Panasonic LX10, LX100 and ZS100, Canon G7XII. Some of those charge in camera via USB, which is pretty handy while travelling.

For interchangeable lenses, look into micro 4/3 (Olympus and Panasonic) and Sony E mount (APS).

Will do, thanks!

You do pretty doggone good even with your "cheapo" phone—nice shot! Happy Feet's photos are also a great endorsement for that Olympus

Thanks! I don't have the money to get the new camera just yet, because what money I have for touring is going into the essentials right now, but I am very close to having everything I need. I am going with the Ortlieb handlebar bag as you suggested, and I've got a pair of Arkel panniers inbound. That pic is from my second ride since getting back on my feet from the motorcycle collision. I loaded up the bike that day and drove out to Old Man Mountain's shop, where the owner, Channing Hammond, installed one of his awesome racks on the front for me, and really helped me out with a few other things. Talk about going above and beyond! He's a genuinely great guy, and anytime I hear someone looking for a new rack, OMM is my first recommendation. The man deserves the recommendation and the business! After he was done helping me with my bike, I asked about local places I could go for a ride. No surprise, he recommend a trail down along the beach area nearby. As I was riding and loving every second of it, I was surprised by the beauty I found there. When I came up to that location, I new I had to get a shot of it. I'm glad I at least had the phone to do it with!

Here's a few more from that ride,