<p>It needs to be inexpensive (under $50 or thereabouts) and super lightweight - every ounce counts! Will be used for one month only, during a mountaineering trek in the High Sierras. </p>
<p>I figured we’d just get a couple of old-fashioned disposable cameras . . . but they actually weighed quite a bit more than the digitals we looked at, so now I have no clue.</p>
<p>We found a “Digital Concepts” camera for under $20 . . . but looking at the reviews on Amazon, it looks like it’s a waste of money even at that price - crappy pictures and a pain in the [blank] to use. It would be too bad to take pictures during the trip, only to discover later they’re so awful that we can’t see anything.</p>
<p>And I should probably mention that the trip leaves in just over a week, so something we could pick up at Walmart or the local Rite-Aid would be a big help.</p>
<p>Does his phone have a camera? Some of the camera phones are better than many digitial cameras, especially the cheaper cameras. Have him try it out now to see if that would work & decide whether it needs a case to protect it during his trip.</p>
<p>His phone has a camera . . . but phones are absolutely not permitted!</p>
<p>And you’re so sweet to realize that it’s “he” and not me, who’s heading into the mountains! Although, to be honest, this is one trip I have done myself . . . several long decades ago! ;)</p>
<p>My favorite thing to do is to go to Costco and browse around in the camera section and see if anything meets your needs. If not that, maybe your local camera section of a drug store like CVS or Walgreens or Target, etc. I have been very happy with Costco, because they will take back the camera after I try it out if I decide it doesn’t meet my needs (e.g. not enough flashfill for photos with strong backlighting, which is common for outdoors shots in HI).</p>
<p>Congrats to YOU that you’re going on this amazing trip! It sounds very fun!</p>
<p>He needs something waterproof, rugged and with a really long-lasting battery, since there are no places to recharge it. I can think of one option, but it would not be cheap.</p>
<p>No, no, HImom, it is he, and not me. My High Sierra days are long past. I did it. I lived through it. And now it’s his turn. Of course, he’ll thrive where I barely survived! :D</p>
<p>Waterproof isn’t actually necessary, BunsenBurner - that’s what plastic bags are for.</p>
<p>I have a feeling we’re headed to Walmart tomorrow morning on the way to the airport at 5 am . . .</p>
<p>I have a similar one and it’s great. Two AA batteries and you’re set for a long, long time. Great close up focus and takes movies too. About 20 minutes of film and then you’d need a new memory card (or at least that was my experience).</p>
<p>P.S. You can search on Amazon for digital cameras, $25 - $50 that have at least 4 star reviews and there are many that come up. </p>
<p>Kodak is going out of business but they’re honoring a one year guarantee, plus you’ll get a little piece of memorabilia that fits easily in your pocket.</p>
<p>Dodgersmom, check if B&H sells the same camera… I see a silver one on Amazon for $45. I highly recommend getting him a couple of extra SD cards and a special waterproof bag for the camera (they cost about $10-15). A ziplock is not going to survive in such a rugged place for long.</p>
<p>If your son is an avid outdoorsman, a GoPro would make a wonderful present for him. That’s the camera I had in mind and was looking for the older version, but the $99 clearance model is no longer available.</p>
<p>Is he allowed to take his phone (if it’s also a camera) if he removes the SIM card? That’s the easiest and cheapest way to go. Otherwise, I’ve found that it’s the batteries that make most cameras heavy. Look for one that takes 2 AAA batteries if you want really lightweight. One thing I was surprised about is that different types of batteries are heavier than others. The rechargeable ones I have are really heavy by comparison. He won’t need rechargeable batteries if there’s no way to recharge them :)</p>
<p>Other options: 1) borrow a camera 2) don’t take a camera, but get other people to email pictures to him after the trip. When my son went on a trip, they all uploaded their pictures to a flickr site set up for the group so they could all see each others pics.</p>
<p>IMO there’s not much point in taking pictures with a very low quality camera.</p>
<p>He can double bag in ziplocs in case it may get wet. There are also waterproof cases meant for smart phones that you can hang around your neck. We ordered some from amazon for only $2 - $3 with free shipping, but the shipping was s l o w. If you go that way, look in your local store for them and pay more like $10 - $15 (or on amazon). A small camera should fit inside easily.</p>
<p>No, even without a SIM card, a smart phone has music, games, etc. . . . all the things that don’t belong on a trip like this.</p>
<p>It looks for now like he might just end up with an old disposable camera I had sitting around. No batteries, so no battery-life issues, and the pictures will probably be just fine (although having to get the film developed is a bit of a PITA). It is heavier than the digitals, but it’s a simple solution. We still have time, though, to do something else, so all suggestions are appreciated, and I’m going to keep searching Amazon.</p>
That’s the camera I had in mind and was looking for the older version, but the $99 clearance model is no longer available.</p>