BootsnAll Travel Community

I am looking to get a digital camera for the next trip but want to get one that uses AA batteries (for convience sake). What AA cameras have you used and how did you like them?

Thanks.

Marshall

Hard to say, too broad a question. What other features are you looking for in a camera? Megapixels? Form factor? Shutter speed?

There are many websites that review and compare cameras. Digital Photo Review is very good, albeit very detailed -- you can compare cameras on that site based on various criteria, but unfortunately not on whether they use AA batteries. But at least that tool can help you narrow it down.

My recommendation would be one of the Canon A series. The Canon A70 is 3.2MP and is just an all-around great camera. A quick web search turned up prices around $245 for that one. Obviously more MP means more money.

And as Taylor said, a little more info as far as what type of camera you are looking for would help us with recommendations.

Yeah, I was looking for a smaller camera (was looking at the Canon A95 and a Fuji E550). Megapixels--prolly around 5 but I'm not married to it.

I've looked at the review sites but was more interested in people's experience. The sites arent really geared for backpacking and some cameras deal better than others--had my minolta film camera just die in South America.

Thanks for the input.

I've owned five Canon digital cameras and have had nothing but great luck with them. Never had them break down, die, or otherwise give up on me, even through some rough handling that goes with my traveling sometimes. And they are user-friendly and take great photos, to boot. I've owned the old S10, the S45, two S400s (one was stolen when it was virtually new), and now an EOS 300D SLR. A friend of mine has owned two of the Canon "A" series and has been very happy with them. I've had the chance to use them and found them great cameras. The S400 I use primarily now fits nicely in most pants pockets for easy portability.

Five? FIVE? If they are so friggin' great, why have you had to buy so many?
That's like one camera every six months!

well, since you asked:

I got the S10 back in 2000, sold it on eBay in 2003 and upgraded to the S45, had that one stolen in Spain. So I bought the first S400, then bounced that baby down two flights of steps to a concrete landing, dead on the scene. Thus bought a replacement S400 which I still have. Recently got the 300D for some more "serious" work.

probably would still have that first S45 if someone hadn't swiped it. so there you have it...

So the S400 is the one, then?

it's a winner in my book. Love Canon digital.

Actually I did a compilation CD recently - gathered photos from some 12 different cameras. The Canon's were consistently some of the best quality, at least technically speaking. The only oddity was an old Kodak DC 280 2.0 MP camera that took some even better.

Just a cheapo Aiptek PocketDV camera setup I bought over the web. They do 2 to 4MP pictures and AVI 10 frame per second videos with sound. It's perfect for web/blogging as well as just memories. I'm not taking pictures professionally so I didn't care about quality. The video camera piece is the best for this price point as it takes videos for as long as the CF cartridge has memory. They go for $79 to $150 so you can buy six, keep one for yourself and hand one to every theif you encounter on your trips! Also slips into my pocket just great.

Here's the link: http://www.aiptek.com/

I think Nikon still use AAs for their digicams - my 3100 uses them, but only rechargeable AAs, not Duracells. I think it's still more useful than having a weird battery to recharge!

Canon A-series is great. Durable, cheap, great image quality. I recommend the A95 if you can afford it, but they all do a good job.

Hey capt steve!

I have an S400 also! I got it on the recommendation of Leif, God of Thunder (his blog).

However,the OP makes a good point, because these batteries for the canon are expensive, need a charger and run out fast. I'm going to ask Leif how he deals with that on these bus rides for hours and hours. Obviously picture taking is out for those times. Needs electricity.

I went and took some photos today and had to change the battery three times. Although two were brand new batteries. But even once they are charged...ugh.

And I need the LCD screen, that's what makes picture taking so great with these. The little view finder would never have gotten me the pictures that I did. Look on my two new photo albums that I posted.

But, Captain, now you know we are camera soul mates!

I love my Canon A95. The AA batteries are a lifesaver when you're traveling. No need to carry around adapters, converters, plugs, cords, etc.

My A95 lasts forever with one set of batteries, too. You can take literally hundreds of photos with the LCD on 100% of the time and with flash 100% of the time on one set of batteries.

Are AA's actually more convieniant?
I guess I you're going to use and discard they would be, but you'll be spending more on batteries than airfares.
If one was to go with rechargable AA's...Are they actually anymore convieniant than changing any other other type of camera battery? What say y'all?

Slight change of topic.. but I'd also like to hear what people recommended in the way of compact digital with a decent wide angle lens? I just want something cheapish to point and shoot (I have my SLR for the money shots) but I don't want the have to be 3 km's away to fit everything in shot. Recommendations?

Lucky,

As for wide angle cameras, you should post a new thread for it.

Done.

(now everyone please flock to my post and give me lots of advice!!)

I used a Fuji s5000 when I went to Europe last summer, it's a little bigger than your normal point-and-shoots but the 10x zoom is AMAZING. Mine is 3mp, but there is a new model (s5100) that has a 4mp resolution.

And, yes, AAs are much more convenient than battery pcaks.

I went with the Canon A520 -- which uses 2 AA batteries -- for the flexibility. When I am able to charge my rechargeable AAs, I'll do that. If I'm camping somewhere in the sticks, I can throw in a spare set of regular AA batteries. I also picked up a solar, AA charger from Campmor. I haven't given this a test run, yet, so can't comment on how well it works.

Hello Woody, I've been in the same boat. From the million of reviews I've read the Nikon Coolpix come top trumps.

I've played with a 5600 (the one I'm getting) and it is incredibley small but crammed with features, the only downside reviewers give it is the poor low light shots it produces.

You can pick up the 4600 (4MP) for around £120, but no doubt it will be cheaper in the states. The 5600 (5MP) costs an extra £30.

Both cameras take AA batterys and uses SD memory, they also capture 15 second movies with sounds something which their predecesors failed to do.

Hope that helps.

http://www.cameras.co.uk/details/nikon-coolpix-5600.cfm
http://www.cameras.co.uk/details/nikon-coolpix-4600.cfm