Camera for Biking

[KathiCville]

I bought a Canon Powershot about a month ago to take with me on my first supported bike tour. The darned thing is downright addictive! I shot probably 500 photos that week. (I jettisoned the lousy ones every evening to give me plenty of room on the memory card.)

I, too, wanted to take at least some pictures on the move, as well as when I was stopped. I found it to be doable but tricky. My set-up included a compact and very stable Ortlieb handlebar bag that allowed me to keep the camera within easy reach. I tucked the camera into the top third of the bag, down far enough so that it couldn't pop out if I hit a bump.

Even with the image stabilizer, I found it tough to get decent on-the-move shots. For every one that came out well, there were probably a half dozen throwaways. It was also difficult to see the screen in glaring sunshine, so aiming was a bit of a challenge. AND, of course, safety on the bike was, ahem, compromised, too. I only took photos when I was confident that I didn't have any traffic creeping up behind me, or any potholes or other nasty obstacles ahead of me.

Have fun!

[Zen]

Zen, think Best Buy will let me ride my bike around the store to test the autofocus speed? That's what I meant by comparing the specs to people's real-world experiences.

Ohh. I thought you meant how fast you could shoot one after another.
They always have those cameras tethered down otherwise, you could get someone to push you around real fast in a shopping cart

[Bad JuJu]

Let me throw in a plug here for an Olympus camera, the Stylus 720 SW. The SW means shock-resistant from 5 feet, and waterproof to something like 10 feet (my main concern is having it survive an occasional rain shower, not snorkeling with it). My brother sent me this camera, so it's not one I shopped for, and my other cameras are Canons, but this Olympus has been a real trooper. I've even rolled my kayak with it in my shirt pocket (tethered) and it came out fine. 7.1 mp, 3x optical zoom, well-made.

[Aint Doody]

JuJu, I have an Olympus Stylus, too. Don't know what numbers. I've loved it. I've absolutely rubbed the words off it from use. Never had any problems at all, but on the move it's not going to do so great.

[dachshund]

The smaller, the better. I got one of the Canon powershot models because my bigger camera is a Canon, and they use a similar menu system. So maybe one of the Nikon coolpix would be a good choice so you don't have to learn another system.

The other thing is the data card - get one with the same type as your other camera so you don't have to buy those all over again.

I think any of the current models of the major brands will take good pictures.

[Pedal Wench]

We have a Pentax Optio WP -- waterproof, so we don't have to worry about sweaty jersey pockets or rain on the bike.

[OakLeaf]

I was also thinking of the Coolpix series. But I can look at the specs all I want and it won't tell me if it actually holds up in real life. The main thing is quick focusing and shooting.

Google "shutter lag" and you'll find several sites that rate P&S cameras.

I know, I'm going through the same thing right now. Now that I've looked through the optical viewfinder of the Canon G9, and with my vision getting worse seemingly daily at my age, I have a really hard time going back to a digital viewfinder (and I just can't use those awful displays at all). But the G9 scores rather poorly in the shutter lag department, plus it doesn't have as long a zoom as I'd like. But then it has the larger sensor....

I want it all. DH keeps telling me to step up to a SLR, but one thing I definitely DON'T want is carrying around all that bulk and weight. He can carry his own 30 lbs of lenses, not me.

[mupedalpusher]

We bought a little Casio last fall and we love it. It very small and fits in pockets nicely. We have taken pictures and video from our bikes with great success.

[Harley]

I'm a long time nature photographer, the 2 cameras I love for adventures when I don't carry all the big DSLR gear are a Canon digital elph SD700IS (when I need to go very light), Image Stabilization fantastic, allows for crisp photos without tripod, slips in the pocket. But, Canon has made the Elphs for years and you can find 4-6mp versions fairly inexpensive.
or
My other favorite is the Canon G9, I don't use a case just sling it around my neck/shoulder, it's flat, light, doesn't bounce, has a built in lens cover, is ready for stopping and shooting anytime, and is rugged, has IS 35-200zoom. I have a small handlebar bag with a plastic ziploc if it rains, or gets nasty.

And if all fails there is the cell phone camera, good for snapshots

It's fun to document your journey, bicycling is ALL about the journey.

[OakLeaf]

Harley, so how do you find the shutter lag on the G9? Is it acceptable to you? Would you be able to shoot candid photos of people as they go about their activities? Or is it strictly posed shots and landscapes?

[NoNo]

Thanks for all the great replies! Hadn't thought of the wetness factor, but it's definitely something to consider. My very first digital camera was an Olympus 2.1mp 2000UZ (for ultra zoom). I loved that camera, took great pictures. I wouldn't mind going back to Olympus. As for memory cards, I don't think the smaller cameras take Compact Flash. I see a lot of SD and xD being used, so no matter what I'm going to have to buy a new card. But if it's SD I can use it in the Wii, too One thing's apparent: everyone seems to have something different and are generally happy with it, so it doesn't look like I can really go wrong. P&S's have probably come a long way since I was last interested in them.

[Bad JuJu]

As for memory cards, I don't think the smaller cameras take Compact Flash. I see a lot of SD and xD being used, so no matter what I'm going to have to buy a new card. But if it's SD I can use it in the Wii, too

Another good thing is that memory cards--at least SD--seem to be pretty inexpensive now, compared to what they were a year or so ago. I recently bought a new DSLR camera and a 2 gig SD card for it was only around $35.

Another thing is that I was noodling around on the Canon website last night and saw that they now offer point-and-shoots with Image Stabilization--designated by the IS in the camera's name. Though I still recommend the Olympus SW line for its resistance to the slings and arrows of outrageous outdoor fortune, those IS P&S cameras are worth a look too.

[Harley]

Harley, so how do you find the shutter lag on the G9? Is it acceptable to you? Would you be able to shoot candid photos of people as they go about their activities? Or is it strictly posed shots and landscapes?

Oakleaf... the shutter lag is noticeable on single shot, but is much better then most compact cameras in continuous shot mode. Not as fast as the DSLR's but for a small camera ok for action.
It is a fun semi serious camera, image quality is excellent with the Canon processor, same processor that is in the Canon XTI/400D and in my opinion it's all about the capture with digital photography.

Sorry I'll miss this thread, we are headed out of town for the weekend... off to play

[surgtech1956]

I just bought a Canon S5 IS, its a little bigger. I haven't used it yet, just started reading the first of three owner's manuals

[F8th637]

I just bought a Canon S5 IS, its a little bigger. I haven't used it yet, just started reading the first of three owner's manuals

Man, they are on S5 now? I only bought my S3 less than two years ago!