Any suggestions on a good camera for using outdoors that has an NTSC video out?

Resolution doesn't need to be the latest and greatest, super, megapixel and the camera doesn't need lots of whistles and bells.

Something in the sub-$500 price range, compact size, easy to use, relatively durable, with the ability to do "live lense" with the video out (versus just preview images already taken).

Thanks in advance!

Joel

-- Joel McNamara (joelm@eskimo.com), March 24, 1999

Answers

Maybe I'm looking at this from the wrong angle, but here goes. I'm not sure if you're looking for a digicam or if a video source would be better suited for your app., but I've seen several queries from people looking for a camera for outdoor use with continuous video out so here are two suggestions:

1. Buy an inexpensive board level video camera or lipstick style camera. B/W units go for around $50, and color units are available for less than $100. A cheap plastic case from radio shack or another vendor, a touch of drilling, a dab or two of RTV or silicon sealant and you have a nicely waterproofed customized video camera. Most operate off 9-12Vdc and can be powered by batteries or from a cheap ac adaptor. Many vendors offer a board that provides standard video and power connectors and optional ac adaptors. IMHO these are a much better solution for indoor/outdoor video capture than using a more expensive digicam that really isn't suitable for possible exposure to the elements. The best part is that these can be used in places a digicam won't fit and exposed to risks you'd rather not take with your digicam. They're also available already mounted in waterproof cases for a bit more $. Wireless units are also available. Try:

www.polarisusa.com www.mcmelectronics.com www.web-tronics.com

2. If you're actually looking for a reasonably priced digicam with great features and a video output that will also stay powered up if turned on correctly(auto power down can be defeated) try a Toshiba PDR-M1. I have one and like it. I bought mine for $350 last fall, which is hard to beat for 1280x1024 resolution. Checking www.computershopper.com shows 7 vendors listing it for $338-$360 currently. The Fuji MX-500 is a clone, or vice-versa. You might also consider the newer PDR-M3 and Fuji twin if you'd like a 3X optical zoom tacked onto the basic PDR-M1. The PDR-M1 is reviewed on the Imaging-Resource.

I hope that covers it and that one way or the other I managed to hit on what you were looking for.

-- Gerald Payne (gmp@francorp.francomm.com), March 24, 1999.