Good Tough Camera?

[Original_Ranger84]

What do you guys use for cameras or video recorders?

My dad and I came to the realization that it would be a really good idea to keep a good tough camera handy in our vehicles after 1 car accidents and 2 wrecked vehicles. Especialy since the accident would be completely over right now if I had gotten pictures of the truck when it was hit. Also I guess it would be nice to have a camera that I can keep in my truck for adventure pictures and stuff as well.

I tossed around the idea of getting a phone with a camera but I don't have it 100% of the time with me and I am quite fond of my phone as its been through hell and back and still works great and I know a fancier phone would stand no chance with me...

So what do you guys use for cameras? I am looking for something cheap that can get decent photos and videos and isn't too monsterous I guess.

 

[snomaker321]

wow, i didnt know they made phones without cameras anymore..haha

http://store.theflip.com/en-us/products/Camcorders.aspx#

my brother has one of these, uses it for sledding, skiing, and anything else you can think of. Takes great video and pics. His is just the most basic one too. How much are you looking to spend?

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I was looking more in the hundered dollar range like 50 - 150 but if it was really good and tough I may spring for more. As I kinda said about my phone I am pretty rough on electronics and anything for that matter so when I get something I look more for ruggedness cause chances are its gonna get dropped and splattered with mud and rain...

 

[martin]

Water tight cases are available for some cameras. that might work for you as the cases are pretty rugged and can be hosed down if they get muddy. Can't remember where I saw them but you should find them somewhere on the net.

 

[K.Strong]

Go with an Olympus Tough. They are great cameras, water proof up to 10ft and shock proof up to 5ft. They are a little bit more then what you said for a price, but it would be worth the bit extra I think.

http://www.olympuscanada.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1483&page=features

 

[straycat]

I love my JVC HD 1080 video/camera. It also takes 8 mp stills. The video is so nice. It is a small as a small cell phone and slim like one. Very easy to use and you can add more meg storage with the built in slot and enjoy it forever. It has the image stabilzer which makes it one of the best on the market (most video cameras don't have this). Price is around $149. I bought one for the waife as well. She loves it too.


Straycat

 

[robertc1024]

my $0.02 - I got a Panasonic video recorder that I like, but it stores files in a prorietary format and they are a royal PITA to convert to any standard movie type file. If I bought another video recorder, I'd check what kind of file conversion SW it comes with or what native file types it stores.

 

[strvger]

i have a Panasonic digital camera. it survived after being totally submerged when my trail rig went into a pond. opened it up and dried it out for several days and it is still going. that was 2 years ago. my next one will be another Panasonic for sure! just my $.02.

 

[superds]

I had an old 5 MP Pentax Optio. It didn't survive repetitive dropping from face level onto hard floor. My friend had one as well, he had the same problem with his.

 

[Original_Ranger84]

Sounds like I'll be looking into Panisonic and Olympia. Thanks guys

 

[Jay FX4]

my $0.02 - I got a Panasonic video recorder that I like, but it stores files in a prorietary format and they are a royal PITA to convert to any standard movie type file. If I bought another video recorder, I'd check what kind of file conversion SW it comes with or what native file types it stores.

Which format exactly?

I have a Panasonic digital camera that records video in the POS .mov format, stupid Apple Quicktime garbage.

I downloaded Format Factory (free!) and can convert the videos to any format I want. I don't think there's any format that can't be converted with this software.

 

[superds]

Sounds like I'll be looking into Panisonic and Olympia. Thanks guys

Two of the things I look for in cameras is non proprietary USB cables, nothing is worse than looking for the one cable you have to work with the camera. So look for one that uses Micro USB or Mini USB on one end and standard USB on the other end, those are the two common, universal type ends.

I also look for cameras that use SD cards. SD cards are the most universal and generally the least expensive per MB. More and more cameras look like they're switching to SD cards.

 

[strvger]

my panasonic has both. it also has a 6X optical zoom, image stabilization, and simple controls. it has a tripod mount that i use with one of those small, flexible leg tripods to help hold it still as my 60 year old hands aren't quite what they were 40 years ago. between that and the image stabilizer, my shots have never been blurry. SAM'S Club has a newer model out that has like 12X optical zoom and all the same features for under $200, last time i checked. that will be my next one for sure, but my current one is 5 years old and still going strong! kinda hate to part with it really.

 

[robertc1024]

Which format exactly?

I don't have it with me (or any of the DVD's) right now, but it's not .MOV, .AVI or anything. It didn't come with any conversion software, but thanks for the tip. I might dig around on the Panasonic web site and see if I can find something.