small digital camera for hikes, ect ????

[stims]

Hello.  I am looking for a small compact digital camera which will take good pictures and can easily packed for a hike or in my coat while hunting or fishing.  I'd like to find something that can zoom in a bit and won't bankrupt me.  If anyone can give me a few examples, I would greatly appreciate it.  Thanks.

[.54]

The Canon digital Elph line of cameras are really compact and take some good pics.

[Grandpa Jack]

Take a look at the Olympus 720 SW or 770 SW. Both are waterproof and shock resistant-supposed to be able to withstand up to a 5 ft drop. 720 is waterprooof up to 10 feet and 770 up to 33 feet. The 770 is new but 720 has received excellent reviews. Pretty sure one of these will be my next compact camera.

[bearfat]

Ditto again Grandpa Jack. Probably going to be my next replacement too.

stims if your still looking take a peek at the 770. A little steep for a digital at $379.00 but looks like a real tough cam for outdoor use. I try to baby mine but I'm sure one day they will take a hit out there, either by me dropping them, falling, transporting etcetera.

The 770 is just coming out in March and looks like a "Hummer" in toughness.

If you accidently drop it in the water while fishing (considering max 33' depth and easy retrival) no problem. If your kid throws his book bag on top of it after school no problem (well...the camera would survive at least   ).

 

[quickdtoo]

+3 on the Olympus 720SW, I bought one a few months ago, great Camera, the reviews have been right on as far as I'm concerned, $258 for the camera, a couple extra Olympus 900MAH batteries for $28, a 1Gb Olympus card for $25 after rebate.

Tim

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/stylus720.html

http://reviews.cnet.com/Olympus_Stylus_720_SW/4505-6501_7-31675516.html

[MontanaVet]

This is my next camera for the great outdoors:  FinePix E900  Do a search and you can get one around $250 or less.  MV out!

[Ahab]

I've gone with the Pentax Optio W20 as my all purpose out door camera. Waterproof, dustproof and small size. Battery lasts longer than the Oly 720 and takes better video. Have had mine for almost two years and it's my constant companion.

[Capt Gary]

Olympus 770 SW Waterproof. I purchased one to take fishing and it is a keeper. Very tough and does a great job. Small and light enough I wear it on a lanyard with it tucked in my shirt pocket all the time. Comes in really handy when it takes too long to get the big gun (Nikon D200) out.

[bearfat]

Any chance Capt Gary you can post a couple pics of what the Olympus 770 can do?

I went on line and checked it out but can't really trust their pics since they are in the business of sales and all.

[james]

My employer (Uncle Sam) just sent me a Sony cybershot.   It fits in my shirt pocket and has a 7 mega pix.  I've only used it once but so far I really like it.   The agency may have bought several but its my understanding they gave less than $200 apiece for them.