I'm thinking of replacing my Canon S3is. I think I want to stick to that "type" of camera. My priorities are easy to use, great optical zoom and an articulating LCD screen. I've looked at several camera review sites and the one that currently jumps out at me is the Canon SX30is which has a 35x zoom (!).

Am I being short sighted by not looking at DSLRs? Is there another superzoom camera that you'd recommend over the Canon? Would this be a good camera for Antarctica?

Help all you lense lads and lasses :cool:

Hi Lauri

Alice bought the Canon PowerShot G12 on Black Friday and absolutely loves it. Not sure it zooms enough for what you want, though.

I can't say enough good things about the new compact SLRs such as the Panasonic DMC-G1 that I purchased last year before LLAMA and the new DMC-G2 this year, Consumer Reports highest rated SLR-like camera. The ratings are comparable to regular SLRs.

The cameras are relatively small and light and you can get interchangeable lenses. I used the lens it comes with and bought a telephoto lens also--much smaller than the ones for regular SLRs. The camera is eary to use and does have articulating LCD screens. The new one takes HD video, which mine doesn't and has a touch screen menu. I think it's a steal for $700.

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Eugene

Hi Lauri,
There is lots of good information on photography in Antarctica on the web. Just Google the question.
From research it would seem that a long optical zoom is not essential as most things, including the wildlife are so close!
My view is that you need a camera that takes an instant shot, no shutter lag, to catch the moment. Any DSLR or, as Eugene suggests a camera like the Panasonic G2 will be good.
When on a trip of a lifetime, such as ZODIAC, I will take a second camera as a backup. Think of the anguish if your camera packed up on day one!

And lots of batteries....the arctic cold shortens their life and we were all scrambling for batteries or trying to recharge before our next adventure!

The panasonic costs about twice what the Canon sx30 does and you need to buy separate lenses. Is it really worth the extra expense?

I'll certainly bring my older camera if I do upgrade. Good advice about the batteries Margo, I seem to remember that from other trips I've taken to cold places. One thin I really do like about my current camera is that it uses AA batteries which come in good rechargeable and can be found in most places in a pinch. Proprietary batteries, not so much.

I think it's 5x optical zoom on the Canon PowerShot G12. Check out this video review. It's what helped Alice decide:
http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-g12/11400.html

Lauri,

I am a definite Canon buff. Most of the professional photographers I know use the G11 or G12 for a personal point and shoot. The S90 or S95 (Powershot) Canon is also an excellent camera. I have recommended these many times. If you are already used to the Canon menus that will be very helpful. I've owned both of these models (The G11 and the S80) myself and as a professional photographer I am very picky about the output. More than a 5x zoom will actually degrade the image quality. As for batteries, I always recommend three - one for the camera, one for a spare and one in the charger.

The ship didn't have one AA Battery left in the shop - we actually were stooping to take batteries out of our TV Remotes - after we reported that they needed new batteries!

That is so funny Margo!

I have several sets of good rechargable AA batteries and two battery chargers that I bring when I travel. I'm really paranoid about my batteries running out!

I found a slightly used panasonic G1 with 14-42 and 45-200 lenses on eBay. It looks like a pretty good deal. I know it doesn't have video but I really don't take much video anyway. What do you think a good max bid would be?

I can only tell you that I paid $613 for the camera and the regular lens and another $284 for the telephoto lens from B&H Photo in December '09. Those were very good prices at the time. I bought the carrying case from someone on eBay for about $30-40. I also bought an extra battery.

I suppose if I was doing it now, I'd have to decide whether to go for a G2.

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Eugene

Thanks, I think I'm going to make a bid on it and see what happens.

Consider bringing glove liners - they helped keep my fingers from becoming icicles.

I was unable to use my cameras well with regular gloves but with just liners it was doable - still had cold fingers, however

I used emitts (from ebay)--mittens with glove liners in them. I mostly just used my fingers. I didn't find it cold.

My camera was a pentax 90. Not a fancy one, but had a big zoom and was so easy. Pics came out fine

I was planning on glove liners, I remember using them while skiing and they really do help.

bring a quart sized ziploc to fit over your camera. Cut the corners out on the bottom & slide the camera strap through it. That helps to keep the camera dry during the zodiac rides & any unexpected precipitation.

Brought to you by richard, our camera expert on ICE

Cheers, Anne

Anne:

What a great idea! One I shall remember. Thanks!

Great seeing you & Gary on FUN2.

Doug

You should always have Ziploc bags in your camera bag and keep the camera in there when you are going outside from Air Conditioning or in humid weather. Let your camera come to the room temperature inside the ziploc so you don't have condensation inside the lens.

Good suggestions!

Well, after much reading, researching, shopping and bidding I am now the owner of a Panasonic G2 with 14-42mm lens, a 45-200mm lens, a 20mm "pancake" lens, an external flash and some various filters and other playthings. (one package from eBay). I should be pretty well set for all my photography needs, now I just have to learn how to use it and practice!

Lauri:
That is great! Enjoy your new camera.

Just remember.... Now is the time to learn your camera. Not when you are on vacation and trying to get that great shot.

Know before you go!

Doug

Believe me, I'm eager to play with my new toy. Now all I need is a bag for it all.

I have a new toy as well, just got a Canon s95 pocket camera in the mail yesterday, been working at it since on FUN, I saw that some of our more serious lct lens lads had picked this up as their "fun" camera. All sites with good prices were sold out until finally B&H got it restocked.

Great shots in low light. I sure wish they would send manuals for these things to get you beyond point and shoot or how to turn on the video. The prospect of printing out a 196 page "User Guide" from the internet just isn't working for me.

I looked pretty hard at the S95 as well. It is a sweet little camera. Maybe next time
I agree, the lack of a "real" manual is annoying.

Olivia - I had the S80 - so did Brad - I sold mine to a friend to upgrade to a G12. The S95 is a really nice camera. You will be happy with the results.

Olivia and Lauri: ENJOY ENJOY - I kid Tony who has top of the line, whatever,for point and shoot SONY?? He takes scenery ..my little Kodak point and shoot IS more than OK, too, I take people pixs .. BUT realize you girls have moved on to the IMPORTANT serious cameras good for both of you ..I still cannot work my cell phone so in awe of you :app: :app:

I have ordered camera manuals from these people; I ordered the compact book form. They sent it fast. And they have for all brands, I just ordered for Canon.

http://ManualsInk.com/cannon/cannon-manuals.html

Anyone who wants a "printed manual" ( think it is going to come in a litte spiral thing), I will report on this! Thanks so much Pam, for pointing us to this site. I have bookmarked it for the future. Apple is the worst, when sending you their products. You just learn how to turn it on, as I have learned from my iTouch and iPad. Talk about Bare Escentuals! ;) :D

My husband just bought a book called "The Missing Manual" for his IPad. It seems the day of the included albeit impossible to decipher manuals is gone.
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Helen

I just bought a little Canon pocket digital . I checked in the shop that it had a manual, and indeed it did. However when I unpacked it , all the manual said was , "How to get started".
All it basically said, was charge the battery put it in, put in a memory card and press the On switch.
Fortunately it had a disc which I loaded into the computer and that has a full manual in adobe form. I printed off the Table of Contents for future reference.