The new generation of all-terrain cameras means you can shoot anywhere, anytime, and bring back great pictures. What are you waiting for?
Guest blogger: Mason Resnick (In other words, Mason actually wrote this. Jack's name is appearing as the author due to a technical glitch. We'll get that fixed soon, folks!)
"What a beautiful/funny/interesting scene! Oh, man, I wish I'd brought my camera."
How many times have you said some variation of the above sentence? Well, with the current crop of pocket-sized, winterized, shock-proof, water- and dust-resistant compact cameras (many of which Jason Schneider wrote about this week in his Ultimate Waterproof Camera Round-Up), you have officially run out of excuses to leave your camera home.
Some of the most common excuses which no longer apply include:
My camera's too big and heavy. True of DSLRs, not true of compacts. Most will fit in your shirt or pants pocket, or in your purse, and are very light. Excuse cancelled!
My camera isn't waterproof; The rain will ruin it. Again, true of most cameras, which is why a water-resistant model gives you good back-up. Excuse cancelled!
Compact camera image quality isn't as good as my DSLR. Perhaps true, but they're getting better thanks to noise-reducing onboard software, and if you shoot at the lowest ISO, the results will be fine. Besides...isn't it better to have a slightly grainy picture than no picture at all? Excuse cancelled!
Waterproof cameras cost too much. Not any more. Although some models cost in excess of $300, with the market flooded with new cameras over the last year, prices have come down, and you can buy a waterproof camera for as little as $165 (See the Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP). Excuse cancelled!
Ruggedized cameras only come in gaudy colors. While early waterproofs were usually bright orange, most models these days ruggedized cameras can be found in basic black or silver, as well as in colors fit for a teen. Excuse cancelled!
New ruggedized cameras (perhaps we should call them "all-terrain" cameras) are being introduced more frequently than ever, with more sophisticated features. Just this week, Pentax announced the Optio W80, which includes a 5x zoom that starts at 28mm (35mm equivalent), can focus to within an inch, and records HD video. (It wasn't planned that way, the camera just happened to be announced the week we devoted to compact waterproof cameras! Fortuitous timing!)
I'm not advocating replacing your DSLR with a compact camera. But we all come upon situations where we wish we'd brought a camera with us but for reasons of convenience or time or weather...or whatever...we left them home. Now, I can slip a ruggedized compact in my pocket as I run out, and if I stumble on a great photo, I'll be prepared—and so will you!
Take a look at the listing on the right side of the page for a representative sample of what's available...then go for it. No excuses.
QUESTION:
Do you own a ruggedized or waterproof camera? Are you taking it everywhere? Share your thoughts--leave a comment below!
