GPS Digital Camera

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The Options for a GPS Digital Camera

Have you considered a GPS digital camera? Maybe you should.

Perhaps you travel a bit and love taking photos, but later you have trouble remembering just where you encountered that glorious two tiered waterfall. Wouldn't it be great if you could combine location information on those photos to jog your memory?

Wouldn't it be handy too to be able to find your photos based on where they were taken? For anyone who really takes a lot of pictures with a digital camera this could significantly cut down on search time.

Well, there are ways to do this, and we will talk briefly about them but GPS digital cameras are starting to emerge; those which have built-in GPS to do the trick by themselves. Learn all about the options here and come back as new possibilities hit the market in the coming months.

The Advantages and Disadvantages of a GPS Camera

The primary advantages of a GPS digital camera are obvious. Using GPS technology, a photographer can have fairly specific location data recorded along with their images. Just as date stamps helped in jogging the memory for years so can location information. It's good for professionals and average consumers/casual users as well.

In addition, for those who take a large volume of pictures these geotagging cameras could really make finding photos easier.

There are, at least currently, some drawbacks to a GPS digital camera however. Clearly, operating the GPS feature consumes battery power, so battery life is negatively influenced. In addition, a camera with true built-in GPS will be bulkier and heavier. Then of course, the cost of such a camera is also higher than for a similar model without GPS. The other primary problem at this time is simply the limited availability of built-in GPS. Right now, there are only a few higher end cameras that offer true built-in GPS.

What Are the Current Options for Digital Camera GPS?

Here are some of the current ways of using GPS information to tag your photos.

  • Use a separate portable gps device to record location information while photographing. Then using special software, transfer that information to geocode your photos on your computer after the fact. It's a bit cumbersome and more complex if you aren't as comfortable with the technology. (There is a video tutorial on this below)

  • Use an add-on device, such as those shown below to get the GPS function. These are designed to work with a wide range of cameras.

  • Buy a GPS digital camera. Right now this mean buying a mid-range to higher end camera.

  • Use free downloadable programs such as GPicSync by Google to geocode your pictures after the fact.

  • For casual users; use a camera phone with built-in GPS to take your photos. Clearly, this option reduces the number of photographic features you have to choose from as camera phones still don't offer many of the features found on stand alone digital cameras.


  • Use the Eye-Fi Explore memory cards. Are they more expensive than other memory cards? Absolutely. But they allow geotagging and wireless transfer.
  • Things to Think About

    Before you buy a digital camera which the salesman indicates has GPS, be sure you understand what you are getting.

  • Is the GPS built-in?

  • Does the camera just offer a port to attach GPS?

  • Do you have to buy the GPS as an optional feature?

  • Point and Shoot GPS Digital Cameras

    Canon IXUS 230HS

    Canon PowerShot SX230HS 12.1 MP Digital Camera with HS SYSTEM and DIGIC 4 Image Processor, 14x optical zoom (Black)

    Amazon Price: $239.00 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    This GPS digital camera from Canon has a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, a 28mm wide angle lens that assures you can get everything within the shot, and a 3" color LCD display. It features improved low light performance with better light sensitivity/higher ISO settings resulting in less noise in the image and better detail.

    It offers a built in GPS tracker and logger so that you always know where those shots were taken. It offers 14x optical zoom, with optical/dynamic image stabilization for steady video and blur free shots. It provides plenty of automated settings (32 pre-defined shooting modes) including SMARTauto for simplicity and manual modes for those who want more control.

    This camera also records 1080p HD video with stereo sound. Video can be recorded at various speeds and qualities including 1080p at 30 fps or 24fps for slow motion playback. .

    Canon SX230 HS Review

    Canon PowerShot SX230 HS Review
    by infosyncvideos | video info

    306 ratings | 264,585 views
    curated content from YouTube

    Sony DSC HX9V

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    A Quick Look at the Sony DSC HX9V

    Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-HX9V Digitally Digested
    by TheDigitalDigest | video info

    283 ratings | 84,418 views
    curated content from YouTube

    Casio Exilim EX H20G GPS Camera

    Casio EX-H20GBK Hybrid-GPS Enabled 14 MP Digital Camera with 10x Zoom and 3-Inch LCD (Black)

    Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    The Casio Exilim EX H20G is another GPS digital camera with point and shoot simplicity. It offers a 14.1 megapixel sensor, 10x wide angle zoom lens, and a CCD shift image stabilizer for helping to eliminate blurry images. it has has a 3" high resolution LCD screen and the ability to shoot 720p HD video.

    This camera boasts the ability to accurately geo tag photos not only when you're outdoors, but also when indoors and GPS signals are lacking. It touts low power consumption, a 360 degree panoramic mode, and the ability to automatically detect time zone changes and make adjustments.

    Canon Powershot D20

    Canon PowerShot D20 12.1 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Image Stabilized Zoom 28mm Wide-Angle Lens a 3.0-Inch LCD and GPS Tracking (Blue)

    Amazon Price: $349.00 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    The Powershot D20 is another good choice for those who want a GPS digital camera. It has a 12.1 megapixel high sensitivity sensor that captures excellent detail, even in low light. It also offers a 5x image stabilized zoom function (for stills and video), a 28mm wide angle lens, 3" LCD, and built in GPS function.

    This camera is perfect outdoors as it is waterproof to 33 feet, tolerates temperatures from 14 degrees F to 104 degrees, and is shockproof from falls as high as 5 feet. It can record 1080p video at 24 frames per second or 720p at 30fps. Other features include adjustable ISO up to 3200 and an electronic wind filter for improved audio.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 12.1 MP Digital Camera with 12x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch LCD (Silver)

    Amazon Price: $329.99 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    The Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ10 is another consumer level point and shoot GPS digital camera. It is a 12.1 megapixel model which features 12x optical image stabilized zoom, 4x digital zoom, a 3" LCD display, and a 25mm ultra-wide angle Leica lens as well as built-in GPS for geotagging both your photos and video. It boasts a stereo microphone with Dolby Digital Stereo Sound which makes watching the video you record on your HDTV a great experience.

    This camera has a variety of automatic shooting modes as well as aperture and shutter priority, and full manual mode. It includes face detection technology and allows users to record 720p video in AVCHD Lite.

    Panasonic Lumix DMC ZS7: A Closer Look

    Panasonic Lumix DMC TZ10 / ZS7 review
    by cameralabs | video info

    418 ratings | 190,002 views
    curated content from YouTube

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10

    Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS10 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 16x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and Built-In GPS Function (Silver)

    Amazon Price: $189.95 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    The Lumix ZS10 is another point and shoot GPS digital camera that allows users to geotag the images they capture. It features a 14.1 MOS sensor, a 3" touch screen, and a 24mm ultra wide angle advanced LEICA DC lens. It offers 16x optical zoom and power optical image stabilizaton. It boasts a number of technologies such as a 3D photo mode, face tracking so that you can keep focus on a subject even as they move about, face recognition, and a high speed burst mode. This camera can capture up to 5 frames per second or up to 60 fps at 3.5 megapixel resolution using the electronic shutter.

    This camera can also capture 720p HD video in motion JPEG or 1920 x 1080 60i video in AVCHD format. It offers high quality Dolby Stereo Sound.

    Sony Cybershot DSC HX5V

    Sony Cyber-shot DSC-HX5V 10.2 MP CMOS 10x Wide-Angle Zoom Digital Camera with Optical Steady Shot Image Stabilization and 3.0 Inch LCD

    Amazon Price: $330.00 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    The HX5V is a 10 megapixel GPS digital camera with optical image stabilization, 10x optical zoom, and a 3 inch LCD screen. This camera also provides wireless image and video sharing, a 10 frames per second fast capture mode, and 1080 HD video capture in AVCHD format. The built in GPS allows you to easily geotag photos and it can create stunning low light and panoramic images as well.

    DSLR GPS Digital Cameras

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    Digital Cameras with a GPS Port

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    GPS Receiver for Nikon and Fujifilm Cameras

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    GPS Digital Camera Reviews: Learn more

    Nikon D90 review
    by cameralabs | video info

    1,463 ratings | 1,019,747 views
    curated content from YouTube

    Digital Camera Add-On for GPS Capabilities

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    Learn More about Add On Devices for GPS Capabilities

    Jess at CES-Sony GPS Image Tracker
    by toytester | video info

    6 ratings | 2,747 views
    curated content from YouTube

    A Tutorial on Geotagging Your Pictures with a Portable GPS Unit

    Video Podcast #14 - GeoTagging Your Images
    by AllenRockwell | video info

    2 ratings | 1,211 views
    curated content from YouTube

    The Eye-Fi Explore Memory Card for When You Don't have a GPS Digital Camera

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    What Do You Say?

    Will a Camera with GPS be Your Next Camera?

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    Yes, that sounds really cool and useful!

    williemack58 says:

    Why not I am due for a new camera anyway.

    canonpowershotsx130isreview says:

    I definitely know that I'm going to have one of these. I dont know if it will be may next camera, but i will try it out for sure, add to my collection.

    Doug says:

    Yes. I travel frequently & like to hike or mountain bike to remote locations. A GPS or geotagging camera would be extremely helpful in organizing my photos, as well as helping me remember exact locations. I would like to know if the GPS metadata includes altitude.

    SafeCard says:

    soon :)

    markets says:

    It does sound neat. Maybe upload photos of geo-tagged places to Google Earth... that would be sweet :)

    UKGhostwriter says:

    I'm part of a search and rescue team, it could be useful

    squidootime says:

    Using GPS a lot now so good info!

    Philippians468 says:

    yes i hope so!

    canonpowershotprice says:

    Wow great lens i did not have any idea about this kind of camera thanks

    gogy says:

    Perhaps :)

    Dennis says:

    The location tagging adds good info to the picture. A GPS camera that has some navigation capability is good too; anyone can get lost and need a little help getting home.

    Ross S. Wynott, Jr. says:

    Yes. I have a Nikon Ftn I bought in 1968. Have boxes of slides, negatives, and pictures I've taken over the years. I know where some were taken, but it sure would be nice to know for sure, many don't even have dates.
    I decided to upgrade to a digital PRO camera about a month ago. I was told Nikon and Cannon have an attachment, that I don't believe interfaces with the camera but some other device.
    When I expect to pay a minimun of $2500 for a body I expect GPS installed as an intergal component. I can buy a GPS for less than $100 and they can be made extremely small. Anyone afraid of battery drain can use the on/off function for the GPS.

    perryarbor says:

    I am shooting with Nikon DSLR, D300 and luckily I got an Easytagger GPS. I can geotag directly. http://www.e-geotag.com

    Nope, just another feature I don't need to pay for on my budget!

    Ken says:

    No - I don't like the potential for loss of privacy.

    Joie says:

    How about this: That sounds really cool and useful! But it's really another feature that I don't need to pay for on my budget.

    sandyspider says:

    Sounds interesting. My don't think I need that on a camera.

    DennisF says:

    No! I post some pics online and don't want the entire internet knowing where my home is.

     
    view all 25 comments

    GPS Digital Camera: Let us know you stopped by!

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    Photo Credits
    Introduction: Locify. (no derivative work allowed)
    Advantages and Disadvantages of a GPS Camera: raneko.
    What are the Options: Dawvon.

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    mulberry

    You can geotag your photos with a GPS digital camera. Learn all about them here.

    Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

    Finepix XP30 

    Fujifilm FinePix XP30 14 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with Fujinon 5x Optical Zoom Lens and GPS Geo-Tagging Function (Orange)

    Amazon Price: $139.00 (as of 02/15/2012)Buy Now

    A great little point and shoot camera that is perfect for travel and outdoors, the Finepix XP30 is a GPS camera that can geo-tag your photos instantly. It has a 14 megapixel sensor, 5x wide angle optical zoom lens, and a 2.7" anti-reflective LCD. It also happens to be nearly an indestructible camera; it's freezeproof to 14 degrees F, shockproof to 5 feet, dustproof, and is waterproof to 16.5 feet.

    This camera also offers face detection, automatic red-eye removal, easy uploading features, tracking autofocus for better action shots, a movie editing mode, and blog mode too. This little camera even records 720p HD video at 30fps.

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