Cameras for the hunt

[Russ16]

So I know most people use their phones these days. But I just hate carrying mine if I don’t have to. I’m too tied to it for work and on a hunt I love leaving it in the camo or truck.

So for those of you who use a separate camera what are you using. Caveat I’m talking point and shoot not a big DSLR. Something that fits in a pocket and can be used for quick pics. Not looking for studio grade.

 

[AZDAVE]

I have used a old cannon Power shot compact for years. It fits in my pocket.

 

[Manny R]

Generally I only take my Phone camera or my little 35mm Sony camera which gives excellent pictures. In March going to Zimbabwe and going to take my Nikon 750 to get really sharp pics with my telephoto. A friend is joining me as an observer and camera man. This way I have the best of both worlds. He carries the camera and I am not lugging all that crap around.

 

[JimP]

With today's technology in compact cameras go find one that you like and that meets your needs and buy it.

Back in 2015 I took two cameras. A 10 year old Olympus point and shoot and a new Cannon Powershot with a very large digital zoom. Looking at the pictures side by side and most will not be able to tell the difference. The older Olympus has a case that I can strap onto my belt with the case being large enough to carry a couple extra batteries. The Powershot naturally had a larger case and stayed in my pack until it was needed.

On my last hunt I just used my phone leaving the Powershot in my room. My plan was to text pictures to family and friends but Verizon had my plan all screwed up so that never happened.

 

[Mekaniks]

I use my cell phone... BUT, I get the desire to leave it behind....SO, if I was going use something else that still fit in my pocket, I would go with one of these...

https://explore.omsystem.com/us/en/tg-7

 

[Hunt anything]

We take our canon with a 300mm lens for scenery shots and close up shots of game that refuse to cooperate at close range . While phones have great cameras for grip and grin pictures they are terrible at getting quality pictures of game much beyond 50yds.

 

[Nyati]

I carry a Canon SX720HS on my belt.

A larger Canon SX50HS is on my backpack.

 

[375 Ruger Fan]

Bought off of Amazon in 2015. The photos I've taken are noticeably better than ones off of my iPhone. But the phone is sooooooo convenient!

Sony Alpha a5000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm OSS Lens (Black) $349

Sony E 55-210mm F4.5-6.3 Lens for Sony E-Mount Cameras (Black) $298

It's almost doubled in price now

Amazon.com

 

[mdwest]

I get the”tied to my phone” dilemma…

My solution is to put it in airplane mode..

No calls, no emails, no text coming in while I’m hunting…

But I can still take pics

 

[Russ16]

Thanks all.

Glad to see that recommendation for the OM System. I had a predecessor to that phone 8 or so years ago it was solid. Lost it though.

Airplane mode is a half way measure but on some hunt I worry about phone damage. A broken camera isn’t as much of a problem as a broken or lost phone.

I’ve taken to try to really limit my phone access on vacation to protect me from myself. For instance the last couple of years we’ve chartered sailboats in the med. I put myself on a strict time the phone doesn’t leave the cabin. So I can check it a couple times a day but not often.

My job just forces me to be tied to it so much for my mental health it’s nice to have a break.

 

[WyoBull]

As a hunter and serious photographer, I find it really difficult to hunt and photograph at the same time.
I have an older Canon S95 point and shoot that is small and will easily fit in your pocket but is still high quality and shoots in RAW format. See picture of it below.

It works great for closer in photos such as LDP’s but will not work well for zooming in on a Cape buffalo 100 yards away. Unless I am specifically looking to photograph, I leave my big gear at home.
I know the OP does not want to use his cell phone but the cameras in cell phones today are as good as dedicated point and shoot cameras from just several years ago.