This page may contain affiliate links that pay me a small commission. There is no cost to you. You can review the affiliate statement at the very bottom of this page if you want more information. As an Amazon affiliate Canon Camera Geek may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, at NO added cost to you.
New Canon For Hiking With Optical Viewfinder
by Steven
(Northern California)
Canon Powershot A1400-Camera
I like having a camera with me when I take off into the wilderness on hiking trips. I keep it attached to my pack, as I often have no more than 2-3 seconds to capture a photo. Because of that need to speed, I need an optical viewfinder. I have to be able to grab the camera, bring it up to my eye, and snap the image very quickly.
I have been using Canon cameras for years, most recently a Powershot A1400, but would love to upgrade to something with more optical zoom. Does such a camera exist? My other considerations are the camera has to be lightweight, and not too expensive. The latter is important as on more than one occasion, my camera will end up in a river, or falling over a cliff, dropping into a talus field, etc. Thanks for the help.
Hi Steven!
Great question. The Canon A1400 was released in 2013. In digital camera development terms, that's outdated.
New Canon Camera For Hiking
It sounds like you're going to want a camera with these 3 features:1. COMPACT: Small and light enough to travel with on the trail in a ready-to-shoot position.
2. FOCAL LENGTH: Strong enough for photographing wildlife.
3. OPTICAL VIEWFINDER: A must have feature for locating, composing, and focusing on your subject.
-A Canon mirrorless would save you some space and weight, but to get an optical viewfinder and good zoom lens would likely push it out of your price range.
-One of the Canon Super-zoom Bridge camera might work, but they are bigger than your pocket-sized A1400.
-I use an Canon APS-C sized Canon 90D and carry it during my hikes in a belly bag for super quick access.
Canon camera chooser
Steven, you might want to visit a page I published on the Canon Geek website that will help me more precisely find a good match for you. There are a few specific questions that will provide more clarity on what you want. I'll be able to narrow down from the many possibilities that exist in the Canon lineup for a good hiking camera.
Canon Camera Finder
Also, I'm seriously hoping you and/or your camera don't end up falling in a river or over a cliff. Northern California is a great place to hike!
Bruce
Follow me on YouTube
Bruce Lovelace is the publisher of Canon Camera Geek. Read more about him on the About Page. He also publishes how to articles and camera gear reviews at the Photography Tips website.
View some of Bruce's photos on Instagram and Flickr. Join the tribe of followers on YouTube. Bruce also runs photo workshops and provides 1 on 1 digital photography coaching.
You might like these
What is the Canon 18-135mm Lens Good For? Is It Useful For Beginners?
I wondered if it was better than the Canon EF-S 18-55mm lens. I bought the newest Canon 18-135mm lens, the one with nano USM focusing. Here's what happened.
10 Best Canon Wide Angle Lens Choices. Guide to Find Best One For You
Need help choosing a wide angle for your Canon DSLR. Here are the 10 Best Canon wide angle lens choices.
What Is A Fast Canon Lens. When And Why You'd Want To Use A Fast Lens
Why a fast Canon Lens is good for low light, action, sports, and night time photography. Big bonus of fast lenses is controlling the focus of your background.
5 Best Canon Lenses is For the Dogs. Guide To Choosing The Right Lens
You want to get creative with your photography of dogs. It starts with using the best Canon lenses for dog photography. Helpful advice on choosing a dog lens.
Best Canon Lens For Low Light Photography. Lenses For Dark Situations
List of Canon lenses that work well in dark photography situations. Best Canon Lens For Low Light Photography Situations.
KEH: WHERE I BUY CANON GEAR
"I've found that the condition of the used equipment from KEH is excellent and a whole lot cheaper than buying new" - Bruce, the Canon Camera Geek
You might also like:
Most Expensive Designer Camera Bag-Who's Crazy Enough To Buy One?
Can you justify spending more on your gear bag than your camera equipment? Ponder these thoughts about the most expensive designer camera bag.
5 Simple Tips on How to Make Your Canon Battery Last Longer
Battery Life Hacks. Snap More, Recharge Less. Tips for Prolonging Your Canon Battery. How to make your canon battery last longer ways you' re wasting power.
Canon Off-camera Shoe Cord Will Make Your Lighting Spectacular
One of the easiest ways to dramatically improve your lighting is to use a Canon Off-Camera Shoe Cord. Get your Speedlite OFF the Camera
Canon Polarizing Filters. Are They Any good And Worth It? My Results.
What do these lens filters do for you? Research into the value of using one of the Canon polarizing filters on your lens.
Canon Camera Accessories-The 5 Must Have Gadgets And 5 Fun Accessories
Are you searching for Canon camera accessories? Here is what you need to know first. including a helpful list of useful articles on more accessories.
Search for articles on this Site:
Recent Articles
-
Canon Photographer Richard Lewis. NJ Fine Art Landscape Photographer
Aug 14, 25 11:54 AM
He is a talented fine art landscape photographer from New Jersey. Here is the interview with Canon Photographer Richard Lewis -
Canon EF-S vs EF Lenses Comparison. The Ultimate Lens Showdown
Aug 14, 25 09:01 AM
What are the differences between the EF and the EF-S Canon lenses. This article will demystify sensor size, compatibility, and crop factors to help you choose -
Best Canon Camera For Kids. Canon DSLR vs Kids Camera
Jul 28, 25 03:26 PM
What's the best Canon camera for kids? You've got to ask the right questions first. -
Your First Canon Camera-What To Look For And How To Choose
Jul 14, 25 06:07 PM
Canon camera buying guide. So many camera choices, but you need to know what to look for and what features are available when you buy your first Canon camera. -
Canon G1x Mark II First Impression - Full Review And Sample Images
Jul 14, 25 05:29 PM
Surprisingly I still use and recommend it. Canon G1X Mark II first impressions from the Canon Camera Geek. Canon G1X Mark II review