Best camera for amateur adventure travel photographer?

Canon PowerShot G9 is great for you.

Any DSLR would be reliable, at get entry to point Pentax is larger than Nikon and Canon the two for applications and build high quality, they use the main present day sensors, extra significant than you think of, it rather is the main inexpensive extreme high quality equipment to purchase into by ability of a few distance and that they'd do something, no restrict, multiframe all of them have it, bracketing for HDR it rather is in there. do no longer purchase a great array zoom for any DSLR, the better sensor isn't forgiving and demands extra photograph high quality from the lens, there are numerous compromises in extensive determination zoom layout they have all the image high quality of a milk bottle (I exaggerate - yet you get the belief). you will get telephoto zooms. The kit lens continues to be the main clever and maximum inexpensive lens you will ever purchase, use that for some months and then % what you prefer to do for the subsequent lens. Chris

I agree about the Canon G9... it would be an awesome camera for what you are planning... just get an inexpensive weather casing for it ...

sounds like you need one with image stabilize

National Geographic Adventure Magazine just named the Olympus 790 as a good camera for adventurers.

It has so many features that make it suitable for adventure that I'll just post the B&H link and you can click on the "Features" tab. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/515765-REG/Olympus_226090_Stylus_790_SW_Digital.html

This looks like a great choice for you, especially since it's under $300.