Looking for a solid point n shoot

[brianboston]

Hi Photrio,

I've just wasted another roll of film to a broken point and shoot camera that has inexplicably lost its ability to focus properly. This was an early 2000's samsung with the typical zoom lens system that seems too finicky to last very long after some slight banging around in a coat pocket or backpack - probably the fourth or fifth camera of this style (across various brands) that I've broken.

Anyone got solid recommendations for a go-anywhere point and shoot that can handle the trials and tribulations of life? I don't need any fancy bells or whistles, just some real durability.

 

[infrar3d]

Probably my most rugged point and shoot is a Canon WP-1. It's waterproof, and has very few moving parts on the outside. It's a bit larger than the average point and shoot, and doesn't have a zoom lens. Canon sold this camera under a few other names.

I've also seen ruggedized point and shoot cameras from Minolta and Konica.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Welcome to Photrio! Perhaps we can guide you to a camera repair or a replacement camera.

 

[xkaes]

You're going to get a ton of recommendations, of course, and you never mentioned if price is an issue.

This exact topic was discussed just a few days ago. I'd suggest you run a SEARCH (top right corner of this page for "P&S suggestions", or something like that).

 

[Paul Howell]

Konica Off Road, 28mm lens, were sold in Japan to the construction industry, Fuji made similar rugged version as well. Currently I have a Konica Zup wide, with 28 to 50mm zoom and Pentax WR weather resistance. Both have help pretty well. My only grip is that both are Dx coded with no manual override, I use a lot of Foma with is not Dx coded and both default to either 100 or 50 while shoot 400. I buy Kentmere 400. In the past I had box given to me with Minolta, Nikon, Pentax, Vivitair. the Pentax IQ zooms held up better than most.

 

[skylight1b]

There is a thread from about 2 years ago asking for the best camera for backpacking, essentially asking for a durable camera, point and shoot or not. From reading through that thread, I ended up buying a Pentax 90WR for someone and then again for myself.

I think I have a Samsung similar to what you're talking about (bought it new at Walmart 25 years ago), and it is pretty flimsy feeling. The Pentax in contrast feels very dense and solid. The water resistance is a huge bonus too.

 

[Paul Howell]

What is odd about the Pentax WR is that manual advices that the WR is only WR, not rugged, suggests letting it sit on pillow when transporting by car.

 

[Sirius Glass]

This is a thread where everyone jumps it with their personal point and shoot camera of choice. The Brownie Camera, more a box camera than a tradition point and shoot, is my favorite.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

This is a thread where everyone jumps in with their point and shoot camera of choice.

The same with all the "Can you recommend ..." threads. The result is really a litany of who owns what camera.

A better approach might be to ask "What should I stay away from?" and then select from what is left over.

On Amazon I only read the 2* reviews. Tell me the negatives and I will decide if I want to put up with them. The 1*'s are almost entirely written by total idiots.