Gentlemen, can some of you recommed a good pocket camera for use on hunting trips.

Since some of my trips last for a couple of weeks or more, I would like to find one that dies not take a rechargeable battery, but rather takes store bought batteries.

If I could find a good one that takes the Lithium 123 batteries [the Surefire sized], that would be even better as I always have a bunch of them around.

While the idea of being able to use disposable batteries rather than rechargeable cells may look good on paper, in reality there are no real advantages, in my opinion. Lithium 123 batteries are mostly unavailable in Africa, and most certainly unavailable in the small towns or hunting camps. On the other hand, almost every hunting camp has a generator going at least a few hours a day.

Most of the pocket sized cameras use very small rechargeable units. Rather than buying expensive Lithium batteries, which you will throw away, buy two or three extra rechargeable units made for your camera. They will take less space overall, in the long run will cost you less, and if you charge all three or four before leaving you can go a very long time without needing to recharge.

450,

All of the higher end compact cameras that I have looked at take rechargeable battery packs. In this segment, I would look at the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LF1, Olympus XZ-10 iHS, and Canon S120. The LF1 has a 7X zoom, and I find that to be very appealing. The other two have 5X zooms, which is what I consider the min for a travel camera. I have only used the Canon from this list.

If you still want non-rechargable batteries, the Canon A1400 is the only one I can think of that still takes AA batteries. It is a nice camera, but not in the same image quality league as the three above. Using the flash much will kill a set of alkalines in short order, though.

I personally get the camera that gives me the best image, then deal with the other aspects like batteries. I think Wink is right on. Get extra batteries, charge them before you go, and you will be fine. Or get a solar charger, but those cost as much as the camera.

Jeremy

Thanks for the info guys.

You cannot go wrong with a Panasonic TZ40.

Quality wise it is top of the pocket cameras. It has a 20X zoom, and can take very good video clips too.

It uses rechargeable batteries, but uses a USB charging connection.

But, you can take an external battery as shown in the link below.

External re-chareable batteries

All you need do is charge it before you go, and it will keep your camera charged several times while you are hunting.

I picked up a Canon SX280HS late last year and so far am really pleased with it. It has a 20x zoom, does vids., etc. The only thing I have noticed with most of the pocket cameras is that when it is really cold (like 25 deg. F and below) the batteries don't seem to last very long.
C.G.B.

Anyone have the Canon G16? Was thinking about getting one - any opinions?