srom

Thanks guys, your answers are very helpful

Peterfiore Loc: Where DR goes south

G1X is a great camera. Light and the sensor is plenty large...

david vt Loc: Vermont

I hike a lot in the White and green mountains of NH/VT, and have even, once, pulled my D7100 with a long lens up to Tuckerman’s ravine on Mt. Washington. I won’t be doing that again. For my, this was not a photography trip where I was going into the mountains. This is a hiking trip where I wanted the opportunity to grab a quick snapshot to help remember something nice on the trip. An important distinction for many on this forum

After that, I started researching for just this issue. Wanting something that would fit in a coat pocket and/or attach to my pack shoulder strap, still give a good zoom range, and a good set of features. While I really liked the Olympus TG-5 for its ruggedness, I ended up going for the Sony RX100 MII. Fits my needs, but also does good sports photography (my other main focus - pun intended!) and has image stabilization. Very happy with the purpose. While not as rugged as the TG-5, I liked when the lens retracted it closed a cover over it.

All that said, but for the desires for decent sports work, I may have well brought a newer phone with latest generation camera. I will hike with a phone anyway, so if the camera was good (my older phone is not), this may well be a good compromise, but only you know the end goal when take a picture while hiking.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

When want smaller and lighter camera than a Canon Rebel I have a Canon G15 I carry, usually does the job!

ncribble Loc: Albuquerque, NM

For the last 20 years, when traveling, walking or hiking I've always had a camera, in the car, in my backpack, on a sling, where ever. The rigs have varied with the times, Canon 5Dii. Diii, Div, R, RP, but times have changed, age, rig weight, and of course my mobility now it is, unless the cause is specific, my iPhone 13. It is always in my pocket and for those immediate needs it is fantastic.

This was taken from the Sandia Crest overlooking Albuquerque. NM. And no we didn't hike to the top we rode up on the Tram.

V2volk Loc: St. Louis area

Agree, Olympus Tough would be a good choice and compact without much weight.

Charlie7

My Nikon z50 and two kit lenses worked well throughout Switzerland last year.

markwilliam1

I second this recommendation! I own both these cameras. I used the Sony RX100vii hiking out West. Never pulled out my RX10. The little RX100vii is That Good! Have fun!

Jack56 Loc: Florida

Have you considered a Fujifilm X100V? Small, lightweight, high quality. But it has a fixed, wide-angle lens.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

My travel camera is Canon R5 (was an R6) and a Canon 24-240 lens. Smal package and has see USA, Europe and Asia. But that is me.

Rick from NY Loc: Sarasota FL

Agree with RX100m7, but the Rx10iv? He may as well carry his Nikon.

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

I am an Olympus EM1 MKII user, but for even lighter weight take a look at the EM5 MKIII or IV series.

Also, I just finished a float trip through the Grand Canyon on the Colorado River. During the day, on the river, I used the Olympus Tough T-6. I am just starting to review images on my PC. It is a 12 mp camera, shoots RAW and or jpeg and is waterproof to a 45' depth. The camera easily fits in a pants pocket for easy access.

MountainDave

Lots of good options mentioned so far. It really comes down to an equation of quality, weight and convenience. I live in the Colorado rockies and do a lot of hiking and climbing. At altitude, every ounce matters. Over time (I'm 71) I decided I was willing to deal with some extra weight to get the quality I want. I did consider some of the options above but didn't want to buy into another system, so I'm currently using a Canon RP with either a RF 24-105 4L or 70-200 4L. The combo weighs about 2.8 lbs which I find comfortable enough. Prior to the RP, I used a 77D usually with a EF 24-70 2.8L II which weighed about 3.25 lbs. If the hike is not overly strenuous, I will take my R5 which weighs an extra 9 ounces. This past Sunday, I climbed 14,005 ft. Mount of the Holy Cross with the RP. It required 5600 ft. of elevation gain over 12 miles. I got some beautiful images.

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

iPhone 14 Pro. It can also send emergency messages via satellite if you are out of cell range!

Mustanger Loc: Grants Pass, Oregon USA

Long ago I used to carry the only camera I had, a Minolta SRT202 with a Tokina 70-200 zoom and a 50mm extra lens in the pack. Plus extra rolls of film. That was a heavy load around my neck of course but I never gave it much thought. My Kelty frame pack was loaded to 35-38 lbs. for 10-14 day trips in the High Sierras. I usually started out in the 135lb weight area & came back 10-15 lbs lighter body weight. Once we got above 10,000 feet we never dropped below that mark and spent the time at 12,000 to 14,000 ft.+ climbing the peaks there. I felt the camera was worth taking no matter the extra weight because of the pictures it enabled me to take. Man, I really surprise myself at what I USED to do.