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Going to South East Asia - Need a high quality Point and shoot.

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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
So in mid April I'm leaving to go backpack around south east asia for three - four months and I always planned on bringing my DSLR, but lately I've been having some second thoughts. Will my big camera be a hamper in my travels? Am I risking too much getting my $3000 setup stolen? Is it worth risking it? I have a Canon 60D with Tamron 17-50 2.8, canon 50 mm 1.4, and tokina 11-16. I'm thinking that its a bad idea to bring it for obvious reasons, and as much as I want to have that equipment with me, I know that I'd be able to get damn good pictures out of a high quality point and shoot. So now, what are some of the optimum point and shoots out there for someone who's used to a SLR? I want something good, I figure it'll be nice to have a back up high quality point and shoot in the future, so I'm not afraid of spending money.

cheers!
Mar 23 2011 11:54PM
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PeterWojnar
Posts: 3937 - Karma: 678
I'd just bring the 60D and your 17-50. You can very easily get a discrete photo pack (i.e. Dakine or Burton, not LowePro or something else that screams "I have cameras in me, steal me!").

Or, get something like this:
http://fstopgear.com/en/product/mountain/navin
Keep that on your person or in your pack at all times, and you should be fine... that said, if you aren't comfortable bringing your camera with you (fully understandable) then you may want to look at Canon's Gseries PS cameras. The G12 is costly compared to many other point and shoots ($500) but a lot of people are loving the easy to use full-manual controls (shooting auto will piss you off after 2 shots) and good quality.
Mar 24 2011 12:17AM
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Shredability
Posts: 2756 - Karma: 501
Last reply is good. I had a lumix dmc-fz8, it shoots full manual & you can screw filter onto it (you might need a step up ring)

Click for larger image

I learnt on this bad boy
Mar 24 2011 12:35AM
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hollygrove
Posts: 7845 - Karma: 93
Thanks guys, I'm still up in the air about bringing the 60D. We'll see. in the meantime I'm considering the Olympus XL-5 - http://www.olympuscanada.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1530
Seems like an awesome thing. has got virtually everything I want in the camera. Was also considering the E-PL1 but I don't think i'd want to invest in the whole interchangable lens thing - I already have an SLR. Also the XL-5 has dials to fiddle with settings instead of getting lost in mazes of buttons on the screen. Anyone had an experience with the Olympus XL-5? Reviews all seem good..
Mar 24 2011 1:22AM
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Ben.
Posts: 21463 - Karma: 683
if you are looking for something compact like that, id check out the canon s95 as well.

lens isnt quite as fast, but also does full manual, shoots in raw. ive honestly always been impressed with canons point and shoot offerings.


but really, if a major part of your travels is going to be photography, why wouldnt you want your best gear? as someone said, pick up a discrete bag from a non camera company brand, and keep it on you at all times. however if photography is just a way to keep memories of the trip, id definitely stick to the more compact point and shoots that you can just slip in your pocket. the g series, while smaller than a dslr, are really not pocketable.
Mar 24 2011 1:35AM
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MatRich
Posts: 4789 - Karma: 1,812
Get a g 12 full manual raw beast
Mar 24 2011 10:21AM
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andrewmeehan
Posts: 765 - Karma: 363
Nikon P7000

  • http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26233/COOLPIX-P7000.html>
    • Mar 24 2011 11:35AM
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    TWoods
    Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,385
    I brought this bag with me to Italy (but in a dark brown):

    Click for larger image

    Not really my style, but Italian men carry around messenger bags as a fashion accessory, so even in tourist places where they generally make you check bags, I didn't have to check it. I only ever had one pickpocketer try to get in it (INSIDE St. Mark's Basilica of all places), but he couldn't because it zips shut and then the flap closes over with a big strip of loud velcro.

    I would be a little more sketched with Asian countries, probably. It was a pain at times, but being able to carry my good camera and a couple lenses was worth it in the end.
    Mar 24 2011 12:08PM
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    TijmenDal
    Posts: 4849 - Karma: 1,295
    Yep. Canon G12 or G11, practically the same camera. The G12 has better video though (720p, 24fps). Awesome camera.
    Mar 24 2011 4:00PM
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    jca
    Posts: 4162 - Karma: 6,261
    i wish i brought my d90...
    Mar 24 2011 7:07PM
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    All times are Eastern (-4)