Ignore my comment from earlier... I mixed up the sensor sizes on the G10 and G11.

The Ricoh or an LX3 are a better option I think. I've got an LX3 in the mail right now actually!

Hi Jim

Energiser e2 Lithium AA batteries. NOT other brands with 'lithium' in their names - they are frauds.
4 of these for 6 weeks in the Swiss Alps and maybe 600 shots in a Canon A95, and I am still using the same batteries.

Technically: about 6x the capacity of alkalines, and while the alkalines die at freezing point the lithiums keep working fine to -20 C. Different chemistry. The lithiums are significantly dearer, but work out cheaper in the long run, and the batteries are lighter too.

Cheers

Good point. Same with "titanium" used as a name for a product rather then describing the material used.
The Eneloop work down to -15c. They are much lower amperage but hold the voltage better than NiMh
For longer than a couple of weeks trips, the Energisers would be better (they are also much lighter) . For shorter trips, you can recharge the Sanyo. The Eneloop also hold the charge for long periods of time.
Franco

What do you guys think about this?

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=0&t=1565043

7.7 ounces with dimensions of 2.4 inches by 4.1 inches by 1.3 inches

It can be found for around $310 w/o shipping. Downside is basically no manual controls except for some basic stuff in normal mode. Battery replacement is also expensive.

Otherwise quite a nice compact point and shoot that can take hd video which allows you to zoom in while shooting.

Edited by rivrfox on 09/21/2009 02:35:58 MDT.

No optical viewfinder either.
Pity

Cheers

I just bought a Panasonic GH1 micro four thirds camera with 14-140 mm (28-280 35 mm equivalent) to replace my shelf full of heavy analogue Nikons and Nikkors. It weighs about half of one of my old bodies plus a 35 and 85 mm lens. I think the micro four thirds standard is the best way forward for lighter high quality camera's. That said, it is still not a light system, far from it.
The heaviest and bulkiest part is this long zoom lens. A 14-45 mm zoom is quite a bit lighter and smaller, and would be enough in many situations. I am holding out here until Leica will market a micro four thirds version of their four thirds zoom in this focal range.
This is of course the biggest of the new micro four thirds camera's, but is has the eye level electronic viewfinder that for me was the reason to finally jump into the digital world. Indeed the two smaller Olympus and Panasonic camera's only have a large lcd, and I still feel that these are unsuitable for serious photography. If I had my way, I would indeed prefer a smaller and lighter camera without the lcd, and only the EVF. A kind of Leica CL. As with that Leica CL the new 20 and 45 mm primes make a perfect combination for those who need the best image quality. The currently lightest combination would be with the Olympus 14-42 zoom (150 gram, but without image stabilization).

Edited by willem on 09/21/2009 04:04:29 MDT.

I'd love a GH1 but it is $$$$$$$$!

Indeed. My wife needed the video option, but the ordinary G1 is not only *much* cheaper, but the 14-45 mm lens is also rather lighter and more compact.

I was just looking at the new Panasonic DMC-FT1 , has anyone checked them out as yet?

Cheers
Mark

As promised, I posted some shots taken with my new camera.....just not right here. There are roughly 20 shots in the trip reports section under "Superior Hiking Trail September Thru-hike (and some MYOG stuff)" Hopefully this link will take you there:


http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=24441&skip_to_post=198883#198883


My initial assessment is that I took plenty of average pictures but also some that i'm very very pleased with. I'm certainly not an expert, and i just replaced a 3.2 megapixel olympus stylus that i'd been abusing for about 6 or 7 years with this fujifilm. Interestingly, photos taken at the end of the trip were better than those at the beginning, probably because i became more familiar with settings/options etc. Overall, I'm pleased with my purchase and I expect to become more and more proficient with my new camera.

Matt