Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Lightweight digital camera

I'm looking for an inexpensive, simple and lightweight digital camera for my upcoming trip. I'd like it under 6oz (preferably under 4.) 2.1 or 3.2 M pixels is fine. However, Secure Digital memory media is a must.

Any ideas?

Tom H

you didn't define inexpensive but you need to reach deep in your pocket if you want quality.

the minolta dimage xg at $299 fits your other parameters. the previous version, the xt, seemed to produce inconsistently indoors, mostly being darker than one prefers, but outdoors it was incredible. very tiny, easy to use, movie mode, and booted up in a second. if the xt improved on the xg indoor mode, you would be set. i've yet to find out.

Check out the Pentax Optio s4. Small size, 4 mpx, lots of optional settings. Recently recommended by Backpacker magazine.

I've had the Pentax Optio 4 since Christmas. I like it a lot, it's way light & small. I use an Altoids can for it's case (but must take off the strap to fit)

Issues -
1) must concentrate 100% to hold this small bugger still enough for sharp picture.
2) On/Off switch is right next to shutter-release (very poor placment), OK for me now that I'm "trained", but ask others to snap a picture and often they'll turn it off instead.
3) I seem to be losing maybe 25% of my pics, I know I took them but they're not on the SD card! I'm assuming I'm doing something wrong here.
4) Not waterproof

Overall - for me the biggest issue is - do I have a camera handy when I want to take a pic, with this one's size & weight there is no excuse not to have it in my pocket.

I second the recommendation on the Minolta Dimage Xg. I used it on a ski trip in March and plan to take it up Half Dome and Whitney this August.