Rugged camera for travel -- looking for advice!

Hey folks.

Background first: I currently mainly use a Canon 60d, and have a walkaround lens (a 28-135 IS USM, acquired recently to replace a Sigma 18-125), an 85mm 1.8, and a 50mm 1.8. I also have a Tamron 70-300 VR. Normally when I travel I take the walkaround lens and the primes, unless I know I'm going to want telephoto. If I am, I'll pack the 70-300 separately.

However. I've just booked a trip to Costa Rica for the end of September, and we're going to be moving around a lot, and also doing things like zipline canopy tours. I'm feeling like that gear might be a bit heavy for frequent hotel changes, and I'm definitely not excited about taking it on a zipline.

That means I'm looking for an alternative. My initial thought is to either take the dSLR and one lens, and buy a point and shoot for times when I don't want to carry the dSLR, or just bring a point and shoot. So that means I'm looking for P&S recommendations. Here's what I need and want.

Need:
1) Batteries that will last a full day with no more than one change.
2) A reasonably good zoom. Something in the realm of 18-125 would probably be fine, although more would be nice.
3) Waterproof and shock resistant. We're doing a boat tour one day, and may be snorkeling or kayaking another day. I DEFINITELY won't be taking the 60d on that one.
4) A good image sensor and some sort of image stabilization. My hands shake, and I'm hoping to be able to rig it with a harness to my chest while ziplining. Stabilization would be real nice.
5) On the line between "need" and "want" is HD video. 1080p at a minimum would be really, really nice, and seems to be pretty universal these days.

Want:
1) RAW. I would really, really like to have RAW image files when I get home. I can live without them, but I'd be a lot happier with.
2) Control. I'd like to be able to switch to aperture control, since that's what I mostly use on an SLR, and manually controlling ISO is nice.
3) Longer zoom. It'd be nice to have it go out to something like 300 or so. It's obviously going to drop the image quality some to have that much focal range, but if it's available without too much degradation it would be nice.
4) Small. In an ideal world, I'd like to tuck it in my pocket and more or less forget it's there.
5) A tripod mount. I mostly won't care, but it'd be nice.
6) Remote control via bluetooth or wifi or something. Very low priority, but if I could trigger it from my phone it'd be a nice feature.


Looking at reviews and articles at B&H, there are a few that stick out; The Olympus Stylus TOUGH TG-4; Nikon COOLPIX AW130; and Canon PowerShot D30.

I'd love to know if people have opinions on those, or if there's something else I really should be looking at. Those are all in the ~$300-350 range, and I'd rather not go much up from there.

Thanks in advance!

I have used the Nikon and Pentax point and shoot tough cameras. The Pentax has been great for a few years. My daughter used the Nikon for a week and the shutter button stuck...sand she thought and that was it for that camera.

We have the Olympus tg-4 and like it just fine. Used it a fair amount on our Alaska trip. I haven't processed the pictures yet however.

how about a Olympus TG-Tracker

https://www.dpreview.c​om …h-your-outdoor-adventures

Luxx wrote in post #18091175
I have used the Nikon and Pentax point and shoot tough cameras. The Pentax has been great for a few years. My daughter used the Nikon for a week and the shutter button stuck...sand she thought and that was it for that camera.

Good to know. I'll look into the Pentax. I'm surprised about the Nikon, though... I would have expected it to be more solid.

medd63 wrote in post #18091204
We have the Olympus tg-4 and like it just fine. Used it a fair amount on our Alaska trip. I haven't processed the pictures yet however.

Thanks! Knowing it's at least useable is a good start, anyway.

Ah-keong wrote in post #18091372
how about a Olympus TG-Tracker

https://www.dpreview.c​om …h-your-outdoor-adventures

Looks nice, but is it really a fixed lens? I'd probably get used to not having zoom, but I suspect I'd miss it a lot... I do with my SLR when I only bring a prime.

I've been quite happy with the Olympus Tough TG-3, so I'd recommend the TG-4. It has RAW, manual modes, remote control, and a really good macro mode. I wouldn't exactly call the image sensor "good", but it's adequate. I doubt you'd find anything with a better sensor in the rugged/waterproof point and shoot category. The Nikon AW1 comes to mind, but it's out of your price range, not nearly as pocketable, and has less zoom range than you want. Battery life should be fine if you use it intermittently for pictures; video recording drains it faster, but I've never run out of power during a day of light use.

Things like the TG-Tracker and GoPro tend to have extremely wide-angle lenses and little manual control.

BTW I bought the TG-3 based on this review
https://www.dpreview.c​om …waterproof-camera-roundup
A little out of date, but still useful info

I've got to admit, the Nikon AW1 is horribly tempting. I've been considering switching overall to a micro four-thirds system, and the AW1 seems to come very close to their quality while being rugged. Sadly, the trip to Costa Rica is pretty much using up the money I can realistically spend this fall, so it won't happen any time soon.

And thanks for the commentary on the TG-3/4... It's definitely getting a lot of good press.

amckenzie4 wrote in post #18091757
Looks nice, but is it really a fixed lens? I'd probably get used to not having zoom, but I suspect I'd miss it a lot... I do with my SLR when I only bring a prime.

it is a fixed lens. The next option I would recommend is the TG-4.

Thanks!

At this point it's looking like probably the TG-4 is the way to go, unless I can find a way to swing the AW1.

For those of us who like to see threads like this actually resolved:

I finally settled on the TG-4, and it looks like it will do what I want. Once I've been on the trip, I hope to have photos to post!

The TG-4s ability to shoot RAW is huge. You can get so much more out of the images in post. I look forward to your photos. Enjoy your trip!

medd63 wrote in post #18096541
The TG-4s ability to shoot RAW is huge. You can get so much more out of the images in post.

Actually there isn't too much that camera can't do. Read the review at the B&H guide to "tough" cameras at
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …f-point-and-shoot-cameras

If you don't mind it in red, Olympus has it "reconditioned" at $280. Go to http://www.getolympus.​com …150x23842993982​x450442502.

Olympus defines "reconditioned" as....

Olympus Certified Reconditioned Product is defined as any product that has been returned by our retail partners. Once the product is returned, Olympus conducts a rigorous five-point inspection of all product functions and features to ensure that the item meets our quality standards. Your product will function identically to a brand-new Olympus product, however it is possible for a refurbished product to have a minor blemish on the surface. We support certified reconditioned products with a 90-day repair warranty and 30-day money back guarantee excluding the cost of shipping. Item number V104160BU000.'

Anyone have an experience with Olympus reconditioned and how it compares to Canon refurbished?

Mine was new but we actually got the red one on purpose. Figured if it was going to be our underwater camera we wanted it pretty visible, in case it slipped from our grip, or the strap failed, or whatever.

Edit: Just looked at that review. It didn't even mention the ability to shoot RAW.

SL1? This way you can take your lenses and when just checking out the sites, you can use other lenses. It is very robust, in fact any camera Canon has made over the past 8 years or so have been very robust. For giggles check out digital rev's torture tests, the 550D (which the SL1 is partially based on) fared very well in drops, etc. The 7D fire and ice torture test is actually quite amazing if you can get through the video (I did alot of FF in that video).

Using the SL1 means you get to use familiar controls, you can augment your existing collection, workflow is the same, etc. It is very small, but very handy, with great touchscreen tech.

http://shop.usa.canon.​com …-stm-lens-kit-refurbished