Suggestions for Digital Camera Purchase

Hi, I'm a hiker. I'm also still a 35mm girl. My husband purchased a rather expensive Cannon for me just before the digital cameras started to really enhance their quality and became affordable. I'll be traveling to Spain and hiking in the Pyrennes. I'd like to purchase a digital with a quick learning curve. I'm used to film and using both auto and manual focuses. My camera is heavy and I'm getting tired of hiking it up and down mountains with the extra zoom lens. I heard the Cannon A 640 is a good way to learn. I don't think I'm ready for SLR yet. I'd appreciate any suggestions or comments. I probably won't ever get to see the Pyrennes again, so I'd like to get it right.
Thanks for your help.
Mo

My step daughters both have Canon A640s and they love them. But for me there is nothing like a good SLR. In the long run I just feel there is much more they can offer. If you buy a Canon and also take your SLR you can have it both ways. If I had a chance to go to Europe I would certainly want the option of night photography. Something you could easily do with a DSLR or SLR. Just be sure and take a small tripod.
Greg

Hi,

I'm a hiker too. I have to tell you that I'm tired of lugging my SLR up mountains. I'm in the market for a P&S type camera for such situations. I'm looking at one of the advanced P&S's, such as the Canon G7 ($$$!!!!) or Nikon P5000.

I'd go with a more advanced P&S - haven't really paid much attention to them but I still like my fairly old Nikon Coolpix 5000. Just be sure to have extra batteries if recharging them is not an option. It's hard to resist looking back thru your shots, but that's really tough on the batteries. So is using the flash so I'd set the camera to not use it unless you need it (don't leave it on auto). I'd skip the tripod because you can usually find something to set the camera on for stability even though it's not always in the perfect spot. My experience is from kayaking trips which I guess is similar.

how about the gorillapod? I've heard nothing but good things about it when coupled with point and shoots.

A monopod can double as a walking stick.

Thank you everyone. I'm still a bit confused, but I love your suggestions.
Mo

Mo -

What is your experience level/interest in photography? You mention that you are a 35mm girl but does that mean point-and-shoot 35mm or SLR? The main difference is that with an SLR you have full control where you can set the aperture and shutter speeds. Plus, you usually get a camera that has a sharper lens, one that can take pix in lower light, less shutter lag, etc. The point-and-shoot cameras are good under ideal conditions - perfect lighting, no freezing of action required, etc. They are ideal for "go stand over there and I'll photograph you with that mountain behind you" type shots.

With a SLR you can also do night shots and things like that.

So is the SLR worth the extra weight to carry it, and the extra time and effort needed to learn it? It really depends on what type pix you want and your level of interest in photography. If you view this as a one-time situation where you want good shots cause you might not make it back to France anytime soon, I recommend not going with the SLR and instead going with a good Pt and shoot or the next level above. There are cameras that are halfway in between - they have a fixed lens but take better quality shots than the PNSers. But they are also almost as heavy and balky as an SLR.

G

for more advanced users, If you want to shoot in RAW, but dont want to carry a DSLR around, check out the CHDK firmware that's compatible with some of the Canon Powershots.

It works with the A710 IS (which is a good size, takes AAs)

that firmware is more like a program that the camera runs off the SD card, but lets you shoot in RAW, play Reversi, turn the LCD into a flashlight, and have a battery meter among other things. I really dont know how much benefit RAW will have with a compact digital

The A710 IS is a good camera to start anyway, with image stabilization, it's great for low light, it's got 6x zoom, which is pretty good, equivalent to 210mm in 35mm film terms.

I would recommend it over the A570 IS because of the extra zoom and the freedom to upgrade it for free.

(this software will work with the A640 as well, but the Image Stabilization of the A710 is a huge plus.