Digital cameras for traveling

[ Photo courtesy of woodleywonderworks/Flickr. ]

When I was younger, I enjoyed flipping through National Geographic and Life magazines for their amazing travel images. It might be an unforgettable portrait of a woman from Afghanistan or maybe a wolf in a barren landscape. If you like to shoot photos when you travel, here are some models to consider.

All are very good overall, but vary in response speed and other aspects, which we don't cover here. To see how they fared in our tests, check our point-and-shoot Ratings (information is available to Consumer Reports.org subscribers only):

• Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
  This superzoom has plenty of features; two that one feature that stands out for travelers are is its long, 20x optical zoom with wide-angle capability and ability to shoot high-def video. [UPDATE: As some of our readers have pointed out, the SX10S does not have the ability to shoot high-def video. However, the more expensive Canon Powershot SX1 IS does have the ability to shoot HD video. –Ed.]


• Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR
  This subcompact has a very flexible sensor that can automatically adapt to ambient lighting or a particular scene. So, if you're in the Uffizi gallery in Florence, it might switch to a low-light setting. But if you're strolling across the Ponte Vecchio on a sunny day, it might use a dynamic range setting.

• Nikon Coolpix P6000
  This compact can keep track of where you've shot photos. Its built-in geo-tagging feature records the latitude and longitude where each shot was taken and embeds them in the picture's file.


• Olympus Stylus Tough-8000
  Consider this subcompact if you're a surfer, hiking nut or maybe you drop your camera a bit too often. Besides being waterproof (rated to a depth of more than 30 feet), it's shockproof (up to a 6 1/2 foot drop).


• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-G3
  Though pricey at $500, this subcompact can wirelessly upload photos and video to websites like YouTube and Shutterfly. It's also very sleek, with a large, touch-sensitive LCD.

Of course, for the best quality shots, you'll want an SLR. Here are two suggested models listed in our SLR Ratings (available to subscribers only):

• Nikon D90
  With this, you no longer need to lug around a camcorder with you to shoot video. It's got hi-def video built in. It won't replace your camcorder, but you can hold your cold drink in one hand, while snapping photos or capturing video with the other.


• Canon Rebel XSi
  This reasonably priced model has excellent image quality and includes a live-view LCD for composing, as you can with a point-and-shoot.

—Terry Sullivan

Comments

[Jean]

I have a Panasonic DMC-Tz1 which has all but died. I'm looking for a camera that does not need to be subcompact as I rather have a camera with some weight to it. I do not need video but I do want something that takes GREAT photos. I love to enlarge my travel shots and really need a reliable fairly simple camera.

Thank you all

[Paul Eng]

TO Brad S. and Racer X (love the screen name, BTW!)

Thanks for catching our mistake. We've corrected it in the post above.

Again, thanks.

Best,
Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics

[Brad S]

Canon's SX10IS does not shoot HD and is based on a CCD. It shoots SD video. The SX1 IS shoots HD... and costs about $200 more, and is based on a CMOS sensor. You can also shoot 4 frames per second, and it will take RAW photos.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sx10is.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_sx1is.asp

[Racer-X]

"Canon PowerShot SX10 IS
... and ability to shoot high-def video. "

It can't shoot high-def video. Its max is 640 x 480.