Which Camera - SLR Type & Rugged

[smele]

Hello,

Looking for a camera with the following spec:

1. Looks like an SLR, but is not.
2. Rugged/Waterproof if possible.
3. Wide Angle.
4. Good in low light.
5. £200-£300'ish.

I seem to remember seeing something similar to this, but I can't remember make or name. Thought perhaps about you chaps might have an idea.

Cheers,
smele

[jimmy306]

smele said:

Hello,

Looking for a camera with the following spec:

1. Looks like an SLR, but is not.
2. Rugged/Waterproof if possible.
3. Wide Angle.
4. Good in low light.
5. £200-£300'ish.

I seem to remember seeing something similar to this, but I can't remember make or name. Thought perhaps about you chaps might have an idea.

Cheers,
smele

Not particulalry achievable on non-slr camera's due to the size of the sensor(mircro fourt-thirds systems being an exception but these start around £500 for camera like the olypus pen). Camera's the look like slr's tend to be high zoom digital "bridge" cameras' and while these are good (i have one) they are not good in low light, in fact they are particularly bad!

I feel you are asking too much for you price bracket that you quote, and i cannot think of a camera that includes all the things you ask. You can get compacts that are waterproof but wont look like an SLR and wont perform well in low-light, you could get a mirco four thirds camera that is good in low light, some look like SLR's bit will be well over £500 (panasonic G1) and probably wont be waterproof.

Your best bet is probably a second hand, enuthsiast DSLR, maybe a canon 40d or a nikon d200, although low light / high iso noise redcution has moved on since these cameras were made, but they will still be far supererior to a compact.

[TooLateForAName]

You can get waterproof cases for dslrs - suitable for scuba diving etc.

If you want rugged then I would go for a used mid-high range dslr. On the whole the consumer stuff is plastic and easily broken, also I've never seen any consumer stuff which is weathersealed.

Your budget isnt going to reach that far though I wouldnt think.

[Jasey@]

Sealife dc800.

[smele]

I don't really want a DSLR, people tend to keep fiddling with it. It does not need be waterproof really, but I was after something that was a little hardier if possible.

I though I remembered seeing a camera that was advertised as being ideally suited for outdoor use, slightly rugged, SLR like.

[smele]

I think I will go with a DLSR. Second hand ones seem cheap enough, dare I say almost disposable, so if it gets wet and the lens is OK, not too much to replace.