Whether you are heading out on your first travel assignment or your twentieth, part of the reason you chose to travel is to see all the sights that a new location has to offer. Part of the excitement of traveling to a new location is capturing your adventures and sending them to your loved ones at home or sharing on social media. While out on the road make sure you are fully equipped with the best camera for your traveling situation. We have highlighted three of the most popular camera choices among traveling healthcare professionals and have given the pros and cons to help you make the most informed decision for you!
Point & Shoot Digital Camera:
If you are looking to document all of your adventures above land then look no further than a Point & Shoot Digital Camera. These cameras have come such a long way in the past decade and now offer some of the most vibrant and dynamic picture taking abilities that used to be foreign in a compact Point & Shoot digital camera. These cameras are popular and typically the most common type of camera because you simply point the camera at a subject and it captures whatever the photographer sees on the viewing screen, hence the name Point & Shoot! The point and shoot camera is equipped with stabilization technology which helps reduce the shake and jitter sometimes associated with handling a smaller camera – especially those that offer limited ability to zoom. These cameras offer a variety of choices but typically start in the $100 range which makes them an affordable option for all. Top picks for Point & Shoot cameras are: Canon PowerShot G16, Olympus Sylus 1, and Samsung WB350F.
Cons: Although this camera takes arguably the most dynamic and vibrant of photographs, it is very susceptible to the elements so it cannot be used in extreme weather.
Waterproof Digital Camera:
Waterproof cameras are so much more than meets the eye! What can this camera do, you ask? Well, a waterproof camera is truly designed to be the rugged, tough, and damage-proof big brother of the standard digital camera. It is strong enough to survive an extended amount of time out in the elements but also allows you to flex your adventurous side taking photographs under the water, out in a monsoon, or on that sunny sandy beach. Indoor and outdoor, rain or shine, land or underwater, this camera will capture it all, so you will never have to miss a photo opportunity again. The cameras we suggest are: Canon PowerShot D20, Nikon CoolPix AW 100.
Cons: Although this camera will not be damaged by the water or sand, it can easily be drowned. If you are going to invest in this camera make sure you also invest in a float strap! Also, because of the encapsulated design of this camera it will not have the ability to take the long-range photographs that many standard digital cameras are capable of.
Go-Pro Camera and Video Recorder:
Are you looking for the latest and greatest invention to hit the camera world? Then look no further than the GoPro! This is the ultimate marriage of digital photography and video recording all housed in small, waterproof hardware that is half the size of a standard digital camera. The GoPro is unique as it comes with mounting hardware that allows you to mount it to helmets, dashboards, surfboards, and anything else you can imagine in order to experience a “front row seat” to the action. Just like the standard waterproof digital camera, it can withstand the elements and be submerged in water to take photographs. But where standard waterproof cameras typically can withstand a depth of 30 feet, the GoPro is waterproof up to a staggering 180 feet! The GoPro can also be set to take still digital photographs while it is recording so at the end of your adventure you can have photographs to put in the album and a video to show off to all your friends!
Cons: Like the waterproof camera, it can sink so make sure you invest in a device to keep it close – it is an expensive investment to lose! Since it is a sport camera, it also does not pride itself on the detail or depth of picture that a standard digital camera would take.
No matter what camera you choose make sure you are getting out and exploring in your new environment! Your travel assignment is going to fly by and you want to ensure you capture every moment you can. Make sure to share these pictures with your Aureus Medical representative or email them to photos@aureusmedical.com – it will make us a bit more jealous of your adventures!
Ashley Lovell joined Aureus Medical Group in June 2010 as an Account Manager for the Rehab Therapy division. She transitioned to a Team Lead in 2011. Ashley currently works as a Senior Account Manager, running a team of account managers who cover the southwest United States. In her free time, Ashley enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Riley, as well as family and friends, and traveling and exploring new places.