Reviving this thread because I am also looking for a CAMERA, WATERPROOF, rugged, pocketable, with good macro features.
But first some comments on previous comments:
A very close friend gave me the same advice. We don't have "Smart Phones". Just cell phones that are used simply as phones. We don't do cell phones on the internet. The additional charges for internet access on cell phones is something very justifiable to some but not to us. We use a cell phone just to make phone calls and a camera just to take pictures. I mean no disrespect here but the saved extra cost of internet access on a cell phone would contribute greatly to the purchase of a very nice camera. Our miserly way of looking at things I guess.
I've a little 3yr old Samsung cell phone that I got for the cost of the phone card that came with it. Because of the way they charge I have to buy extra "minutes". I buy 1 $30 card every 3 months and have about a $50 balance. So this phone costs me < $10/month. It will only take "crappy" photos and is not waterproof, but it more than satisfies my phone, alarm, clock, calculator requirements.
While I am all for being miserly at times...and I understand your viewpoint, for many of us a smartphone is a more practical device than just a phone to make voice calls with. I had lunch with a former work associate Tuesday and he was telling me his simple voice calls only phone cost him $16 per month, where my Droid costs me $50 per month for nearly unlimited use. During the two hours were were enjoying the buffett lunch, I was able to research to internet to learn answers for questions we both had, report to my Facebook friends what I was doing and who with, and do numerous other tasks his regular voice calling phone had no capability to perform. I picked up the check for the lunch and with tax and tip, it came to $27. Now, if I can blow $27 on a simple lunch, plus spend $5 for gas getting to the restaurant and back, isn't $34 a month extra for the capabilities of a smartphone vs. a standard phone a pretty minor extra expense? Just my nickle's worth here.
That may be fine if you get a signal, I seem to be in a lot of skip zones in NE Mississippi, no signal, no surf.
I'm not qualified to say what camera will take the best picture. In my opinion, it's more important to just have the camera with you and to use it. After that, it's more important what you see when you take the picture then the quality of the camera. For me, easy and handy are the most important factors in photography.
I too subscribe to the "love the one your with" philosophy. That's why I carry my ruggedized Samsung Note 8" table computer with me almost everywhere. It takes good pictures but in strong light it's hard to see the screen to frame the picture.
<snip>
I believe that I went through the same process that the OP is going through. I've had several pocket digital cameras from Fuji, Canon and Nikon. All where fine, but they where also battery eaters. I'm sure they are better now, but having made the move from a regular cell phone to a decent smart phone, there isn't any way that I would go that route again. We can debate which takes better pictures based on what you like there, and what I like here, but what is really the most important thing is what do you have with you all the time? I never go anywhere without my phone.
<snip>
I'm not looking for jobs, I go far more places with my computer than with my cell phone, and I can't easily read the small screen on the "smart phones".
I think Eddie makes a very justifiable point. There is wisdom in his comments. I would not be the one to say that a smart phone can not take better pictures than a camera. Nor can I say that a camera can take a better pictures than a smart phone. We don't own a smart phone. The smart phone option, as good as it is, is not practical option for us. And we have an ancient 3.2 megapixel camera. Just looking for a good camera that meets our expectations and/or limitations.
Same here - Neither a "camera" or a "smart phone" takes better pictures, it's the user who makes the difference.
I've a Samsung camera that almost met my needs, sans waterproof, but the iris that covered the lens got dinged and doesn't close. The Samsung Note 8 takes good pictures but is hard to see in STRONG light. So once again I'm on the hunt for a camera.
Other qualifications - REAL MINI or MICRO USB CHARGING! My samsung advertised "compliant USB charger" but had a proprietary dongle that if lost would cost $50 to replace.
Real 64GB SD storage, none of this works with only a limited brand.
Nothing easily damaged, like the iris/lens cover on my present samsung.
I'd like something I can take a decent macro shot with.
So any good suggestions? The Panasonic Lumix looks pretty good.
DPReview Recommends: Best Waterproof Cameras: Digital Photography Review
