Tackle box camera

[Pooch]

I've carried an Olympus point and shoot in my tackle box for years and it works great. Pictures are good but not as good as my Nikons. (Which I can't bring myself to throw in the tackle box!) Are any of you guys "camera buffs"? I'd like to replace the old Olympus with something that comes close to the Nikon's photo quality but is point and shoot with built in flash. Something tough enough to last in the boat and that I wouldn't chase over the side if I lost it. Any suggestions and comments out there?

Pooch

[dan]

I’m using an Olympus in the “Stylus” model. Maybe this is the Olympus you are replacing. The Stylus is weatherproof and has the fill-in option on the flash, which is a must. If I had to replace it, it would be a twin.

[sib]

hey pooch,
just wanted to say stick with 35mm and not the newer "advanced photo system." the advance photo system is basically 24mm negative size. if you land that trophy of a lifetime, then release it and want to print an 8x10 for the wall, the qualtiy of the 35mm will be noticably better.

"go outside and play"
sib

[hgf]

hey, i love the advanced photo system. great pics, when developed they give you one sheet with all the pictures on it, the pictures come out great. Would reccommend it to anyone for casual shooting. I also have a big 35slr with telephota, and the little APS does better for the casual shots any day. Course, if your a pro the 35SLR has more options. But for the common take a picture, scan it,, send it by email, APS is plenty ok. Idiot proof unless you drop the camera into the water like my wife did.

[FreeByrd]

Here's another vote for the Olympus Stylus line for point and shoot. They have several different models depending on how much zoom you want. I've had one for about 4 years. Most bulletproof point and shoot camera I've owned. What I like is the way the lens retracts and the front cover slides over it to completely protect it. Also very simple to operate, it does the autofocus almost instantly so you can get spontaneous pics. I'd buy another one in a heartbeat. No doubt the quality is not like a Nikon SLR - I also have a Nikon N90S for taking sports pictures. I'd stay away from the Nikon point and shoot. Brother had one and it was a pain to operate. Definitley make sure you get fillflash mode. Other option is buy packs of the disposable 35mm with flash. They take surprisingly good pics. I'd also stay away from APS. Film and developing are much more expensive. Most places don't do 1 hour developing nor enlargements/reprints. If the Olympus you want to replace isn't a Stylus then give them a look. If it is a Stylus - buy some insurance on your Nikon SLR and take it because I can't imagine you being satisfied with any point and shoot if you don't like the Olympus Stylus.

[Lee Erickson]

Take your Nikon with you. Buy a Pelican waterproof case to keep it in(they float too). Always shoot with flash and I agree ...don't ever buy an APS camera. The neg is too small to make a quality enlargement.
Lee Erickson
Professional Photographer

[ufda]

Depends on what you would dive overboard for. I have a Pentax 105Zoom WR. The WR stands for weather resistant. Can't be used at 10' down, but rain, etc. won't bother it. Features include 38-105 zoom, multi choice flash, multi metering including spot, panorama for those scenery shots, macro focus to make that minnow into a trophy!! It won't cost you what a Nikon 6006 would (I have one of those also), but it aint cheap for a point and shoot. On the other hand, I think its lens is sharper than my Nikon. Worth looking at perhaps.
ufda

[bob oh]

Digital?? Proof on your puter - get prints of ones you want ??
Bob

[cisco]

The Pentax is great. I'm now using my second one -- the 105 with panoramic mode. Got lots of good years out of the W90 Zoom, but had a chance to pick up the 105 at auction for $200. I think that's a good 100 under retail.

Brought home 25 rolls of exposed film from an Alaska trip last summer and could not complain about a single exposure -- even on the cloudy, misty Alaska days.

[Phil T.]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with brand, but I would be sure to buy a 35mm camera whose lens will zoom back to 28mm. The real wide angle is very handy in a boat or when taking group photos indoors.