need advice on what camera to buy

[Bolo_Grubb]

Now to explain how I want to use this camera.

One of my main hobbies is cycling. I like to take picture while moving on the bicycle. I need a good camera for this.

Of course the camera will also be used for vacations and such, but we also already have 2 other cameras that are great for that.

One is a Kodak EasyShare DX6490, great camera but too bulky to use one handed on the bike. Not to mention, expensive if I drop it.

The Other is a Casio Exilim EX-Z60 ( I think, I know it is a 6 megapixal Exilim). Takes great pictures but as it is my wife's camera and she paid over $200 for it, I would be too afraid of dropping it.

So to recap.
I need to use the camera 1 handed while riding a bicycle.
needs to be a camera that can take pictures fast
needs to be inexpensive, so looking at used cameras ($40 or under so I don't feel bad if I drop it at 20mph off the bicycle)
looking for 2+ megapixals
needs to take SD memory card

right now I am leaning towards the Casio Exilims, a cheaper one of ebay or similar.

Are there any other cameras I should be looking at?

Are there any other sites I should looking for buying a camera like this?


Are there any other questions that could help you with giving me the advice I am seeking?

Thank you.

 

[jann1033]

just the thought of someone taking a photo one handed on a moving bike going 20 + mph, well
you might check b&h for used, craigslist for used. and maybe get one of those hand grips from optech if they have them to fit what ever you get( mark B. posted a photo of one on the "strapless" thread) that would help you keep from dropping it, but wouldn't help you steer any better while using it

 

[Master Mason]

I'm not sure it exists, to get that cheap your talking an older used camera, and your lag time will most likely be pretty high....

 

[Bolo_Grubb]

I have taken several pictures from the bike at speeds ranging from 10mph to just over 20mph. It is really pretty easy and you can get some very neat pictures that way.

In the past I used a Logitech clicksmart 310. It is a very low pixal count (well under one megapixal) but took ok pictures until it died (just quit working, never dropped it).

I did use my wife Casio on a recent ride and it took great pictures, but again I do not want to risk dropping it.

The lag time on the casios seems really small as reported by steves-digicams.com

# Less than one second startup time
# 0.01 second shutter lag time
# Fast shot to shot time - even with flash

this is on the Casio EX-S2 2 megapixal.

Also seems like this might be a good camera for taking pictures while on the rides at Disney's parks with good results.

Has anyone here used this camera or can you reccommend any others similar to it?

 

[MIDisFan]

I have taken several pictures from the bike at speeds ranging from 10mph to just over 20mph. It is really pretty easy and you can get some very neat pictures that way.

In the past I used a Logitech clicksmart 310. It is a very low pixal count (well under one megapixal) but took ok pictures until it died (just quit working, never dropped it).

I did use my wife Casio on a recent ride and it took great pictures, but again I do not want to risk dropping it.

The lag time on the casios seems really small as reported by steves-digicams.com

# Less than one second startup time
# 0.01 second shutter lag time
# Fast shot to shot time - even with flash

this is on the Casio EX-S2 2 megapixal.

Also seems like this might be a good camera for taking pictures while on the rides at Disney's parks with good results.

Has anyone here used this camera or can you reccommend any others similar to it?

If you think that Casio will work out for you, there are a couple used ones listed on ebay.

1st Listing Link

2nd Listing Link

 

[webshark3]

The perfect camera is not in production anymore, but is still on ebay. Made for Sports people, it was designed for easy 1-handed operation. I LOVE this camera and would highly recommend it, even used.

Sony DSC-u60

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2003_reviews/sony_u60.html

And this 2mp camera almost outperforms my 5mp Pentax WP when images are scaled up to 5mp. I have 8x10 prints from the Sony that blow away my other cameras.

Cons: no zoom, no sound with movies, unusably small movies, no manual control (scene modes only), no tripod mount

Pros: Easy and secure 1-handed operation, waterproof, wide angle (28mm) lens, Rugged hand strap, operates on 2 AAA batteries, excellent 2mp sensor with small file sizes (1000 photos hi-res photos on a 512mb memory stick), FUN

 

[Bolo_Grubb]

thanks for the tips and the links. That Sony looks like the perfect camera for my wants and needs. Still considering Casio too as they seems to be cheaper.

 

[Bolo_Grubb]

I kept scanning Ebay for the sony but it was always more expensive then I wanted to spend.

I did end up buying a Casio Ex-Z850 for $60 plus shipping and handling. I got it cheap because it was a store display model that had been super glued to the charging base.

The selling ebay store was able to remove it from the base and made sure it worked. I knew when I bid that the battery/memory card cover was also glued shut (it is on the bottom of the camera so sat in the superglue used on the base).

Since my wife has the same exact camera and I was happy with it performance I bid knowing it was a risk.

So far it has worked well even if it is slightly damaged. I was able to get a memory card in it and I am able to use my wife's charging base to charge it and transfer pictures.

Works very well for what I wanted it for and will be a back up camera for vacations.