Best Camera for Mountain Biking?

[GrossMan]

I know there are a lot of photogs on this list and a lot of MTB fanatics so I will ask you all your opinions on the best camera to carry while mountain biking.

My top 3 criteria:

1) Compact Size: Has to easily fit into a cycling jersey pocket.

2)Photo Quality/Optics: Needs to take fairly decent photos. (not expecting Nat'l Geographic quality but high "consumer market" quality would be nice. (I don't need macro capabilities or a massive zoom).

3)Durability: needs to be able to take a moderate fall and survive an average rain storm.

I owned a waterproof Olympus Stylus 720 for years. It was basically indestructible, but the photo quality was not that great. Guess I'm looking for something similar, but with a greater emphasis on picture quality.

If any of you have experience with a product that meets the above criteria please share your thoughts.

TIA
GrossMan

 

[telum01]

I had a Panasonic Lumix for a while that took awesome pics. It eventually crapped out on me during a trip to Prague (horrible timing!), but it was an excellent camera for being a point-and-shoot.

Not sure about how much abuse it could take, though. I took pretty good care of it, physically.

 

[Appntr]

I'm a fan of using a GoPro and capturing stills from the video. More fun to me to ride and get into the flow of the trail and grab what I want out of the video later on. If a section of trail is fun or there are some good berms to rip through we will usually just take turns on that section and have someone else hold the Go-Pro.

And if you havent seen it yet:

http://vimeo.com/91496760

 

[thebwlife]

I have this and it's pretty sweet, just get you a couple bar mounts and your good to go. It's the gopro white good entry level gopro. http://amzn.to/1pa3xGW

If you want more of a camera feel and better quality I recommend this to everyone for great shots and portability: Amazon.com : Fujifilm X100S 16 MP Digital Camera with 2.8-Inch LCD (Black) : Camera & Photo

 

[GrossMan]

I have this and it's pretty sweet, just get you a couple bar mounts and your good to go. It's the gopro white good entry level gopro. Amazon.com : GoPro Hero3: White Edition - (131'/ 40m Waterproof Housing) : Camera & Photo

If you want more of a camera feel and better quality I recommend this to everyone for great shots and portability: Amazon.com : Fujifilm X100S 16 MP Digital Camera with 2.8-Inch LCD (Black) : Camera & Photo

Wow!....that FujiFilm X100 is one sweet looking camera. I had no idea they made anything on that level. It is out of my price range, but you have provided me with a much clearer idea of what I should be aiming for.

Thanks!

 

[MONTYMTB]

I also am a fan of the Panasonic Lumix cameras - have had one for a while now and it takes great pics. Have no personal experience with it, but you might take a look at this one: Amazon.com : Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5D 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Orange) : Point And Shoot Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

 

[thebwlife]

Wow!....that FujiFilm X100 is one sweet looking camera. I had no idea they made anything on that level. It is out of my price range, but you have provided me with a much clearer idea of what I should be aiming for.

Thanks!

Fuji is has made a huge comback/impact on smaller cameras in the last few years. What's your price range? Are you wanting to shoot scenery or action?

 

[1engineer]

GoPro. Takes great stills and is mountable anywhere and waterproof too.

 

[GrossMan]

Fuji is has made a huge comback/impact on smaller cameras in the last few years. What's your price range? Are you wanting to shoot scenery or action?

Looking for a scenery camera primarily. I'll be MTB in Newfoundland this summer and South Carolina this fall. I have an Ion Air Pro 2 and it's fun for what it is; showing family, friends "action shots." But I'm looking for quality still camera that is compact, but will still take photos that will make family and friends say "My God,that's beautiful!" ....does that make sense?

The info you provided has me now considering the Olympus E-P2

Amazon.com : Olympus E-P2 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Electronic View Finder not included) : Compact System Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

And the Leica C Typ112

Amazon.com : Leica C Typ112 Compact Digital Camera, Light Gold : Compact System Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

....my only concern is their "toughness."

 

[thebwlife]

Looking for a scenery camera primarily. I'll be MTB in Newfoundland this summer and South Carolina this fall. I have an Ion Air Pro 2 and it's fun for what it is; showing family, friends "action shots." But I'm looking for quality still camera that is compact, but will still take photos that will make family and friends say "My God,that's beautiful!" ....does that make sense?

The info you provided has me now considering the Olympus E-P2

Amazon.com : Olympus E-P2 12.3 MP Micro Four Thirds Interchangeable Lens Digital Camera with 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 Zuiko Digital Zoom Lens (Electronic View Finder not included) : Compact System Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

And the Leica C Typ112

Amazon.com : Leica C Typ112 Compact Digital Camera, Light Gold : Compact System Digital Cameras : Camera & Photo

....my only concern is their "toughness."

I don't like the Leica (buying the name, probably a sony sensor) - in sticking with my fuji recommendations Amazon.com : Fujifilm X-E1 16.3 MP Compact System Digital Camera with 2.8-Inch LCD and 18-55mm Lens (Black) : Camera & Photo

But the Olympus is nice too, but that tech is pretty old. I think the Fuji offers more and is more upgrade friendly. The cool retro metal camera is pretty cool too. They come in silver or black and are not big flashy cameras with white lenses. I'd pic up the fuji 35mm f/1.4 when money allows too.

 

[RafaNoor91]

I think the Hero 3 could record much better quality videos.To mount it into your MTB's Handlebar or Seatpost or Frame or wherever,I think you need to buy the Handlebar Mount separately.When I bought my GoPro Hero 2 about a year ago,it didn't came with a Handlebar Mount,so I had to buy them seperately.