All photos compliments of the manufacturers.
Ok, so having destroyed my Sony camera on this last trip, I'm looking for a more fieldwork/backcountry-friendly camera. I welcome any informed comment.
Our contestants are:
The Pentax W60. Market entry date: August 5, 2008. Anticipated cost: $330. A 10-megapixel waterproof (which also makes it dustproof & sandproof) model that can handle macro photos as little as 1 cm away from the subject. It is shockproof to 5 feet, freezeproof and waterproof to 13 feet. Ok, so I probably won't be taking it into freezing temperatures or to 13 feet below the surface. But the macro function is attractive as are the high megapixels. Has beaucoup features, including shake reduction, wide-angle capability, face recognition, a 5X optical zoom lens, auto picture that self-determines the best settings. High quality video at HDTV levels. Panorama function splices together 3 photos into one. Also a wide-angle function available (comparable to 21mm on a 35mm camera). A large 2.5 inch LCD viewfinder. 36.4 MB of built-in memory.
The Pentax W30. Available now. Cost: approximately $215. The W30 is a 7.1-megapixel waterproof model. Not quite the extreme tolerances of the W60, but it does have the macro ability up to 1 cm. Also has face recognition, a 3X optical zoom lens, auto picture that self-determines the best settings. The wide-angle function is a bit less than the W60 (comparable to 38-114 mm on a 35mm format). High quality video is available comparable to a camcorder. Has both digital image and video shake reduction. 21.9 MB of built-in memory.
The Olympus SW1030. Available now. Cost: approximately $400. Waterproof to 33 feet. Shockproof to 6.6 feet. Freezeproof up to 14 degrees F. Dustproof. Crushproof (can withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure). 3.6X wide angle lens. Has the face detection, image stabilization, video function, in-camera panorama. Panorama capabilities allow you to stitch together up to 10 photos using their proprietary software and memory cards. 14.7 MB of internal memory.
The Olympus SW850. Available now. Cost: approximately $280. Waterproof to 10 feet. Shockproof to 5 feet. Freezeproof up to 14 degrees F. Dustproof. Shake stabilization. 3X optical zoom. 5X digital zoom. 8 megapixels. An improved LCD that allows you to compose pics in bright light (this is important!). Like the SW1030, this one is in-camera panorama photo capable, and you can stitch together up to 10 photos with their proprietary software and memory cards. 14.8 MB of internal memory.
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oooh. Hard choice! One thing I'd consider that they don't discuss much, is how well the camera is able to find the correct subject to focus on in macro mode. Mine sometimes has a really really hard time knowing which thing to focus on when I'm up close, and usually pics the gravel behind--even when I'm within the range at which the camera is capable. This causes me to curse and switch to my other camera. Since this may be your only camera, be sure that it will focus on more than just faces well.
ReplyDeleteps I like the olympus 1030SW
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