The Backcountry Camera
Hiking trails are a gold mine for photographers, but finding a camera that can handle both the rough environment and the demanding shooting conditions is a challenge. You don't want to load down your pack with a heavy single-lens-reflex unit, yet you want all the power an SLR delivers. These three advanced models have a wide enough lens to capture big-sky vistas and an optional teleconverter for homing in on wildlife. And because a crowded backpack can be rough on any camera, we picked sturdy models.
Canon PowerShot S70
Price: $500
Photograph: Robert CardinThe Canon PowerShot S70 has a compact design and weighs just 8.1 ounces. It also has a sliding front cover that protects the entire lens assembly--not just the glass--when the camera is not in use. Its automatic settings, including auto-exposure bracketing, make the S70 very responsive. But more-advanced photographers will appreciate its many manual features, such as shutter speed and aperture priority modes. The 7.1-megapixel CCD records plenty of detail.
You need a wide-angle lens to capture the full breadth of stunning views, and the S70's zoom lens reaches the equivalent of 28mm on a 35mm film camera. To capture wildlife without frightening them off, look for a camera with a long zoom. The S70 has a 3.6X optical zoom (up to 100mm); an optional $100 teleconverter will extend your range up to 200mm. For closeups, the S70's macro mode lets you focus on small plants and insects as close as 1.6 inches away. The optional waterproof housing ($240) is rated to protect the camera to a depth of 130 feet.
In outdoor tests, the S70 produced very sharp photos with accurate colors. The only point-and-shoot to earn a better overall score for image quality was the Fujifilm F10.
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Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom
Price: $500
Photograph: Robert CardinAnother 7.1-megapixel model, the 13.5-ounce Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom has a sturdy magnesium alloy body that's much bulkier than the Canon's. The 1.8-inch LCD flips up and rotates, helping you shoot from interesting angles, and then stows away neatly to protect against scratches. The C-7070's 4X optical zoom extends from 27mm to 110mm, so it can handle both broad vistas and far-away details in the great outdoors. In addition, the camera's f/2.8-to-f/11 aperture range is impressive compared with the more typical range of f/2.8 to f/8.0. You can add a telephoto converter to boost the optical zoom up to 12X for wildlife shots, but that extra costs $320 (including the required adapter tube).
You shouldn't have to carry spare batteries except on long camping trips: The C-7070's lithium ion battery exceeded 500 shots on one charge in our test. Using the optional battery holder might double that number.
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Snapshot: Nikon Coolpix 8400
Nikon Coolpix 8400 the $900 Nikon Coolpix 8400's 3.5X lens starts at 24mm--the widest angle achieved by any camera in its class. This 8-megapixel unit's tough black magnesium alloy body weighs 14.1 ounces, making it just a shade heavier than the Olympus C-7070 Wide Zoom--and potentially a bit of a burden on long-distance hikes. Its 1.8-inch LCD swivels, and the electronic viewfinder lets you see through the lens.
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