This is a guest post by by Simon Tushingham Jone and all of these cameras and more can be found in store and online at the Devon Camera Centre whom we would like to thank for their contribution to the World First Travel Insurance blog.
Holidays are to be remembered and pretty much everyone tries to capture the essence of their holiday on camera to show to family and friends, and to look back on in years to come.
Digital cameras have made it so much easier to get great shots of one off moments, but with so much choice out there it can be difficult to know what the best option is.
Do you go for a waterproof camera that can also take a knock if accidentally dropped? A big zoom to capture everything from that rare bird in the tree to getting the whole majestic beach into the photo? Or is the camera you need one that allows you to develop photography as a passion?
All of these questions and many more are common dilemmas facing people when looking for a camera to take on holiday. So where do we start in choosing the best digital camera and what are the best buys?
A waterproof camera is a really useful piece of kit for holidays by the sea, because it allows you capture to an underwater world of photographic opportunities. And as an added benefit, due to the sealing that these cameras require to make them waterproof, it also makes them dustproof so they are ideal for on the beach and are more robust in general.
The Pentax Optio W90 is an excellent camera both in the water and out. With the ability to survive at depths up to 6 meters and drop-proof to 1.2 meters, the Pentax can cope with everything travelling can throw at it. It also has features for underwater use that put it in a league of its own, with the addition of front-mounted LED’s for illuminating things under the water.
Another option is the waterproof Sony DSC-TX5. Waterproof to 3 meters and drop-proof to 1.5 meters, the camera is very resilient but it also boasts some unique features that make it a valid contender for a great travel camera – the DSC-TX5 has one of the best panorama modes available for photographing huge scenes and making sure that you don’t miss any of it, from the mountains all the way down into the sea. The DSC-TX5 also uses Sony’s Exmor sensor, which is excellent in low light conditions above and below the waves so it will never miss a shot, even at night or in murkier waters
If the water’s not your calling when travelling, then a big zoom is certainly a good way to go. These cameras allow you to get up close and personal with nature and can give you the best chance of capturing a truly inspiring photograph.
The Panasonic TZ10 offers great versatility for travel photography with its 10x optical zoom. This will allow you access to wildlife without disturbing them, getting you nice and close without physically being too close. The TZ10 also boasts a wide-angle lens for the landscape photos as well and a feature that will amaze your friends and relatives when viewing the images back – a GPS. This records exactly where you are in the world when you take the photo, pinpointing that hidden beach you couldn’t quite remember how to get to, or this amazing view over the river that you stumbled upon one evening.
The final camera type that you might be looking for is something that allows you all the control of the SLR but without the bulk that would be impractical for travelling.
The Canon Powershot G11 embodies everything that you could want from an SLR but in the body of a compact camera. It offers a moving screen, which gives you a greater versatility. With this camera you wont have any trouble taking shots with the camera raised or low down, as you can tilt the screen to see exactly what you’re taking a picture of.
But if a tilting screen won’t help you get the best holiday snaps, then the Powershot G11 might be more up your street. This camera also uses a viewfinder, has a 5x optical zoom and the body is made of magnesium alloy, making it perfect for coping with the wear and tear of travelling. It also has an image stabiliser for the lens to produce pin-sharp images even if you’re experiencing movement, say on a boat or in a strong wind
It’s always best to seek advice when buying a digital camera. Although they are much cheaper now than a few years ago, they are still a reasonably big purchase. It’s worth looking at all the options and getting a camera that will be perfect for this holiday and many more to come.
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