Going backpacking - best camera?

[christieyoung]

This summer I'll be exploring Europe and Asia and I want a camera to document my travels!

Budget: CHEAP. will probably buy USED.
What I have: My friend has a Canon DSLR (don't know what kind) that I use for projects but I'm mostly a disposable film/iphone photographer
Skill Level: beginner

I want something as COMPACT as possible, as I will be traveling and don't want something too bulky that will weigh me down/entice thieves. I don't need the top-grade camera (nor am I willing to pay for it) so I'm really just looking for a camera that will give me better pictures than my iPhone could. I also don't really feel like dealing with film in general, I don't know how I would get them developed when I'm overseas and I don't want to cart it all around.

 

[astroNikon]

you may want to provide a budget amount because "cheap" may vary for various people .. under $200 .. under $400 etc

and welcome to TPF

 

[Designer]

Welcome!

 

[Robin Usagani]

micro 4/3 camera system

 

[lambertpix]

Since you're open to buying used and you're already used to Canon, I'd take a look at what you can get in Canon's G series. I had a G3 a long, long, time ago, and it was a pretty sweet little camera back in the day. Some of their more recent models are pretty capable for their size. They don't have the crazy zoom range of some of the compacts you'll find, but unless you think you'll need that, they're solid where it counts -- sensor & image quality. I know Nikon's got a competing model to this, too. I'd score bonus points for a camera that's got replaceable LiOn batteries -- pick up a couple extras so you'll be set between outlets, and make sure you've got a universal voltage charger.

Good luck, and have fun!

 

[JerryLove]

Can you borrow gear from your friend? We might focus more on EF, EF-S and EF-M mount cameras (SL1, EOS-M) then.

Budget matters a lot. Below the SLRs we are likely talking Sony NEX, m4/3, EOS-M, etc.

What will you be shooting while hiking? Landscapes? People? What is your budget?

 

[Designer]

Here are some ideas:

Best compact cameras 2014: The best pocket cameras available to buy today - Pocket-lint

Top 10 Compact Cameras for Travelers -- National Geographic

Best compact cameras 2014: 21 we recommend: Best waterproof and rugged cameras | News | TechRadar

Top 10 Best Pocket Zoom Digital Cameras 2013

12 Great Digital Cameras for Travel Photography from Adorama Learning Center

Best Compact Point and Shoot Digital Cameras for Travel Photos Under $500

 

[robbins.photo]

This summer I'll be exploring Europe and Asia and I want a camera to document my travels!

Budget: CHEAP. will probably buy USED.
What I have: My friend has a Canon DSLR (don't know what kind) that I use for projects but I'm mostly a disposable film/iphone photographer
Skill Level: beginner

I want something as COMPACT as possible, as I will be traveling and don't want something too bulky that will weigh me down/entice thieves. I don't need the top-grade camera (nor am I willing to pay for it) so I'm really just looking for a camera that will give me better pictures than my iPhone could. I also don't really feel like dealing with film in general, I don't know how I would get them developed when I'm overseas and I don't want to cart it all around.

I'd probably look into a bridge camera of some sort, maybe a used Canon SX-40 or something in that neighborhood. Small, lightweight, built in lens, reasonable picture quality, cheap - pretty much fits the bill I would think.

 

[CdTSnap]

You should be able to get a D3100 real cheap second hand.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

 

[robbins.photo]

You should be able to get a D3100 real cheap second hand.

Sent from my SM-N9005 using Tapatalk

The only problem with even a low end DSLR is that most people don't know the cheap ones from the expensive models, they all look pretty similar. Which actually reminds me of kind of a funny story, a friend of mine took a trip to Rome a few years back, and actually bought a really cheap camera that looked a lot like his much more expensive version. He was a pretty talented artist/modeller, and he even did some camera repair on the side. So he bought a casing for his expensive camera and took the time to paint the exterior of it to make it look old and beat up, scratched - just nasty.

I thought it was pretty funny when he showed it too me, made me laugh quite a bit at the time. Well he took both cameras to Rome, sure enough the cheap camera he had that looked nice got stolen, the expensive one didn't because it looked like crap. Lol. When he got back he put the old casing back on his camera and it looked brand new again.