Budget P&S

[S6PNJ]

I'm off to France in a few months time to take part in a cycling tour called the Raid Pyrenean. I'd like to take a few shots while I'm out and about, but due to the likelihood of a camera getting wet (sweat or rain) and the possibility of dropping it while I'm riding, I don't want to spend much.

The good old bay of E (Canon outlet shop) has the A2400 IS, A2500 and A2600 at £38 delivered and I think I've worked out that the A2400 IS is the best of the bunch (A2500 has a slightly smaller screen than the A2600 and both have digital IS whereas the A2400 appears to have lens IS). Seems the Ixus 125 HS might also be a contender as well.......

At this price range, what other cameras should I consider? Budget creep not an option (well, lets say to £40) as I have a Canon DSLR with a few lenses which suits the rest of my photography needs. Chances are, this new camera will get flogged on afterwards as well, or just sit in a box on my shelf!

Edited by S6PNJ on Saturday 10th May 15:18

[LongQ]

S6PNJ said:

I'm off to France in a few months time to take part in a cycling tour called the Raid Pyrenean. I'd like to take a few shots while I'm out and about, but due to the likelihood of a camera getting wet (sweat or rain) and the possibility of dropping it while I'm riding, I don't want to spend much.

The good old bay of E (Canon outlet shop) has the A2400 IS, A2500 and A2600 at £38 delivered and I think I've worked out that the A2400 IS is the best of the bunch (A2500 has a slightly smaller screen than the A2600 and both have digital IS whereas the A2400 appears to have lens IS). Seems the Ixus 125 HS might also be a contender as well.......

At this price range, what other cameras should I consider? Budget creep not an option (well, lets say to £40) as I have a Canon DSLR with a few lenses which suits the rest of my photography needs. Chances are, this new camera will get flogged on afterwards as well, or just sit in a box on my shelf!

Edited by S6PNJ on Saturday 10th May 15:18

If you are worried about the thing getting wet of being dropped you may as well assume it will and consider buying a used "ruggedised" compact to start with.

On the other hand if the images from the trip are not too important, should the cheapo unit be wrecked early on, does the answer really matter? Take anything. Enjoy what it gives you and, if that's not a lot, it would be a shame but no big deal.

If you can find a working Pentax S5i that might be the answer.

Years old tech and only 5Mb - but they are good Mb and at the time it was about the smallest zoom pocket cameras you could buy, a situation that may not be so different today.

The batteries I have for mine are shagged but the camera still works despite 3 major 'incidents' the last of which some years ago was an accidental launch of the unit across the car park tarmac at an airport car park as I got out of a car. It still works well, despite the dents. Thoroughly recommended if you can find one.

[Craikeybaby]

In the past I've found Canon's Ixus range to be better built than their cheaper compacts, no idea if that is still the case though.