I need a camera: I am going to be hiking the Appalachian Trail this year, and I'd like to bring a camera with me. Weight is a factor, so I'm thinking point-and-shoot. What I really...

Kombiguy Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA

I am going to be hiking the Appalachian Trail this year, and I'd like to bring a camera with me. Weight is a factor, so I'm thinking point-and-shoot. What I really need, though, is one that uses batteries. Not rechargeable ones, though. Alkaline AA, C, whatever. I'll be able to resupply more than recharge.

Any suggestions?

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The Canon A1400 uses AA batteries.
I went through 4 rechargables in 10 days at Philmont.
I think the AA's are a good idea.

A review from PC Magazine here.
"The A1400 is impressive enough to earn our Editors' Choice award for budget cameras"
One negative I see is no Image Stabilization.
From what I have read, the models with IS all use battery packs.
A lot of the earlier PowerShot Axxx line used AA batteries.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-164707-1.html

CHOLLY Loc: THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE!

Kombiguy wrote:

I am going to be hiking the Appalachian Trail this year, and I'd like to bring a camera with me. Weight is a factor, so I'm thinking point-and-shoot. What I really need, though, is one that uses batteries. Not rechargeable ones, though. Alkaline AA, C, whatever. I'll be able to resupply more than recharge.

Any suggestions?

Kombiguy, from another tread in his forum:

http://www.yahoo.com/tech/sensor-innovations-from-sony-ushering-in-a-golden-age-74229401513.html

Check out Sony products. They are LIGHT YEARS ahead of Canon and Nikon in the pocket camera/point and shoot segment of the market. ;-)

lucky13 Loc: Hudson, Fl.

I have a fuji finepix s4830 it has a 30x zoom (24-720) it takes great pictures as well as vidio also uses AA bat. I am very pleased with it for what I do with it

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Also look at the Canon SX 160 IS for a small, lightweight camera, image stabilization and less than ten ounces.

lukan Loc: Chicago, IL

CHOLLY wrote:

Kombiguy, from another tread in his forum:

http://www.yahoo.com/tech/sensor-innovations-from-sony-ushering-in-a-golden-age-74229401513.html

Check out Sony products. They are LIGHT YEARS ahead of Canon and Nikon in the pocket camera/point and shoot segment of the market. ;-)

Although it's irrelevant to the OP's question, I'd like to add that Sony is light years ahead in DSLR/ SLTs as well.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

Kombiguy wrote:

I am going to be hiking the Appalachian Trail this year, and I'd like to bring a camera with me. Weight is a factor, so I'm thinking point-and-shoot. What I really need, though, is one that uses batteries. Not rechargeable ones, though. Alkaline AA, C, whatever. I'll be able to resupply more than recharge.

Any suggestions?

Speaking of batteries, the Energizer Ultimate Lithium are pricey but they seem to last forever. They are NOT rechargable, BTW.

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

Having done a lot of back packing in the Appalachians, I would go with a water proof camera like the Olympus Tough series. They are proven and LIGHT. You know how hard it can be to keep your gear dry at times.

Good luck.

ocbeyer Loc: Baltimore

But AA batteries would be a must, leaving Olympus out. Check out these options :

http://www.amazon.com/gp/search/field-keywords=Waterproof%20Digital%20Cameras%20That%20Use%20Aa%20Batteries?ie=UTF8&tag=top5best-20

Kombiguy Loc: Cedar Rapids, IA

Thanks, everybody! Now I've a nice list to select from. I've got about 10 weeks to decide!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

Some food for thought...
http://www.voltaicsystems.com/solar-camera-charger.shtml

hdp26 Loc: Upstate NY

Another consideration is a weather proof camera. You are going to hike in rain at some point on the trip. There are some small point and shot that would fill your needs. Weight is always a factor when hiking long distance.

coco1964 Loc: Winsted Mn

If you want rechargeable batteries that last forever get Enloop AAs. Put a set in your camera and pack another set (or 2 to be safe) and you'll be able to shoot all the photos you want........

mapster Loc: Wisconsin

LFingar wrote:

Speaking of batteries, the Energizer Ultimate Lithium are pricey but they seem to last forever. They are NOT rechargable, BTW.

Just read in consumer reports, it is the best out there for length of use!