Weather resistant cameras
Author
Discussion

Beggarall

Original Poster:

591 posts

270 months

Thursday 2nd January 2014
quotequote all
This year we are back into the high mountains and I am looking for a weather resistant camera. I would also like something that will take high quality pictures and preferably get away with just one lens as weight and portability are also considerations. The new Pentax K3 looks promising particularly as I already have a number of K fit lenses but becomes quite bulky. I think Olympus do something 4/3 which might be better. Camera needs to be fairly robust and preferably with a viewfinder. Any suggestions?

markmullen

15,877 posts

263 months

Thursday 2nd January 2014
quotequote all
Nikon AW1 is a waterproof CSC, no viewfinder though.

Whitefly Swatter

1,131 posts

228 months

Thursday 2nd January 2014
quotequote all
Any of the 4/3 Olympus, they are lighter and smaller than most cameras and the lenses are good too

Beggarall

Original Poster:

591 posts

270 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
quotequote all
Any other suggestions, comment, or personal experience? Is the weatherproofing worth the money? Thanks

Elderly

3,735 posts

267 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
quotequote all
You say "one lens". Out of the selection of Pentax lenses you already have do you have the one lens that would suffice and is it weather resistant ( there's no point in a weather resistant body if your lens isn't ), If so, another Pentax body would make sense.
You also don't want bulk but if you are in high mountains, is it going to be cold and if so are you going to be wearing gloves?
The trouble with a small camera is that the controls might be awkward.

I tried the Olympus EM-5 and 12-50 mm kit lens (it's all weather resistant) and although the sensor quality was up with, or better than all but the newer APSC DSLRs, I found the buttons were horribly small and squidgy feeling, and the menus a nightmare.

Do you have a budget?

Beggarall

Original Poster:

591 posts

270 months

Friday 3rd January 2014
quotequote all
Thanks for replies so far. My Pentax lenses are not weather resistant but if I had to chose one it would be the sigma 18-125 F3.8-5.8 as it is most versatile and reasonable price-wise. The point was that if I bought a new camera for the trip, would it fit with what I already had. I am quite inclined to go for a 4/3 and cost is not a huge issue - but I would like something to use after the trip that would fulfil other needs - to some extent as yet to be defined. Seems to be a good offer at Curry's on Olympus at present.