Best Waterproof Digital Camera...Expert Opinions?

Skillet · 07-09-08, 03:46 PM

Looking to buy a very good camera with movie capability and it needs to be waterproof.

Can anyone chime in here?

Thanks.

carboncycles · 07-09-08, 03:56 PM

Hmm, webcams a few weeks ago and now waterproof cameras...kinky

Actually, why don't you just get a plastic waterproof container that wraps around your digital, which they sell at the photo stores? Give me a sec to look one up or maybe someone will chime in.

re_guderian · 07-09-08, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

Looking to buy a very good camera with movie capability and it needs to be waterproof.

Can anyone chime in here?

Thanks.

Don't own one, but have skimmed the B&H catalog looking for cases (www.bhphotovideo.com). I guess you might want to clarify how waterproof is "waterproof"? Something to play in the surf with (Bag/case for regular camera) or something you'll take diving to xx feet? Something to take on a river trip and get splashed? You can easily spend more on a case for a camera than the camera itself, depending on your needs/wants... For playing in the surf and mild snorkling shots, I have just used a waterproof "bag" with a flat(ter), clearer section for the lens to look through. Results are "ok". I'll look up brand when I get home...

Jetboy · 07-09-08, 04:01 PM

What do you mean by waterproof? I use a Canon A570IS with a Canon WP-DC12 case for almost all of my camera needs. The camera takes great pics, has full manual settings, and has an optical image stablilizer. The immage stablizer works very well for video mode as it dampens the hand held shakiness. I've been very pleased with it as an all around camera. I also use it for water sports with the Canon housing, which is nice because it's built specifically for the camera, and the camera is designed for use underwater with settings to eliminate some of the blue tones.

The camera was ~140 and the housing was ~175. Yep, the housing cost more than the camera, but it is well built, and works awesome.

Canon has housings for a lot of their camera models, so if you wanted a nicer camera you could likely find a housing for it. This set up IMO is the best dive camera you can buy for the money, it fires my strobe well, even though it's a cheap strobe, and the camera takes great shots out of the housing for everyday use. Plus it's fairly small, which was my original reason for getting it as I have a couple more expensive cameras that are a PITA to haul around. And the reality is that anything short of low light where a big objective lense really helps, it takes just as good of pictures.

Also I would highly recomend a visit to Imaging Resource "Comparometer" ™ Digital Camera Image Comparison Page to do a side by side comparison of photos with the different cameras you are considering.

Skillet · 07-09-08, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carboncycles

Hmm, webcams a few weeks ago and now waterproof cameras...kinky

Nothing kinky here. I am a naturalist and beavers look best while swimming under water...

yzftaco · 07-09-08, 04:03 PM

Ahh crap, When I was in Costa Rica at the Tabacon Hot Springs I saw a guy taking pictures of his hot wife (i was right behind him) and I see the guy swim towards her... I was like WTF you just put your camera underwater... (no case) I had no idea they make waterproof camera's that didn't need a case....

ohh, and the Ahh crap was because I can't remember what kind of camera it was

Skillet · 07-09-08, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by re_guderian

Don't own one, but have skimmed the B&H catalog looking for cases (www.bhphotovideo.com). I guess you might want to clarify how waterproof is "waterproof"? Something to play in the surf with (Bag/case for regular camera) or something you'll take diving to xx feet? Something to take on a river trip and get splashed? You can easily spend more on a case for a camera than the camera itself, depending on your needs/wants... For playing in the surf and mild snorkling shots, I have just used a waterproof "bag" with a flat(ter), clearer section for the lens to look through. Results are "ok". I'll look up brand when I get home...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jetboy

What do you mean by waterproof? I use a Canon A570IS with a Canon WP-DC12 case for almost all of my camera needs. The camera takes great pics, has full manual settings, and has an optical image stablilizer. The immage stablizer works very well for video mode as it dampens the hand held shakiness. I've been very pleased with it as an all around camera. I also use it for water sports with the Canon housing, which is nice because it's built specifically for the camera, and the camera is designed for use underwater with settings to eliminate some of the blue tones.

The camera was ~140 and the housing was ~175. Yep, the housing cost more than the camera, but it is well built, and works awesome.

Canon has housings for a lot of their camera models, so if you wanted a nicer camera you could likely find a housing for it.

Not for diving. Maybe down to 5 or 10 feet is all I need. Just something for going in the water with it aound my neck. Swimming, spalshing, etc...

Skillet · 07-09-08, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yzftaco

Ahh crap, When I was in Costa Rica at the Tabacon Hot Springs I saw a guy taking pictures of his hot wife (i was right behind him) and I see the guy swim towards her... I was like WTF you just put your camera underwater... (no case) I had no idea they make waterproof camera's that didn't need a case....

ohh, and the Ahh crap was because I can't remember what kind of camera it was

I actually have an older version of this:

However, it belongs to the company I work for and it is only 5 mgpx.

I will probably go with this one if nobody has any other suggestions because it has performed very well for 2.5 years through many countries, travels and it has been in rivers, lakes and oceans.

optionseeker · 07-09-08, 04:12 PM

x2 on Canon digital with corresponding underwater housing. You just have to choose the camera that suits your needs and budget and then get the housing. I use ours for diving (I've been to 100' with it) but also for shallower stuff. Great for protecting the camera for just a day at the beach. Canon designs the housings to allow full functionality of the camera. May also be good if you finally meet a squirter.

Skillet · 07-09-08, 04:14 PM

The waterproof box is out. Not into that.

I was hoping that Canon or other high quality camera makers had come out with something to match the Pentax but apparently not.

BeefBarley · 07-09-08, 04:14 PM

i would suggest investing in a brow proof camera first....

Jetboy · 07-09-08, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

I actually have an older version of this:

However, it belongs to the company I work for and it is only 5 mgpx.

I will probably go with this one if nobody has any other suggestions because it has performed very well for 2.5 years through many countries, travels and it has been in rivers, lakes and oceans.

In March I went on a dive trip with a lady who had a newer version of that camera. She took it down to around 65 feet, which is way more than they are rated to, and it did just fine. Never saw the pics that came out of it, but I think that may be your best bet. They are also supposedly a very strong little camera with a stainless steel frame.

Only thing is that the newer version will cost about the same as a camera with a true dive case. And models like the A570IS have optical stabilizers, which really help with video quality.

Edit: Doh, it was an Olympus Stylus 770 or similar, not a Pentax

However, if you compare the studio shots between the Oly 770 and the Canon you can see that the Canon takes a considerably sharper immage

yzftaco · 07-09-08, 04:19 PM

quick google brought up this.. I think it was an olympus what the guy had..

Waterproof Digital Camera - Tech Gear - Cameras - Travel Gear Blog

Azrael · 07-09-08, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

Not for diving. Maybe down to 5 or 10 feet is all I need. Just something for going in the water with it aound my neck. Swimming, spalshing, etc...

I just got an Olympus Stylus 850 SW in the spring. It's not the greatest picture quality, but for basic use like this, it's more than adequate. Waterproof to 10 ft, shockproof from a 5 ft drop, and freezeproof down to 14º. If you need more, they have a more rugged version as well.

Shockproof Waterproof Digital Cameras Olympus

e rock · 07-09-08, 04:22 PM

I use a Pentax Optio W10 (6MP) for work (drainage investigator), and haven't had any problems, although so far I haven't dropped it in the water yet so the majority of the exposure is from incessant rain.

My biggest gripe is that the I hate to RTFM, and the icons Pentax uses for their various modes are cryptic at best. I guess I'm just used to my Canon and Sony cams.

Skillet · 07-09-08, 04:27 PM

This one looks pretty sweet...

calphi27 · 07-09-08, 06:22 PM

Yooper has one me thinks. I asked him about it awhile ago. Not sure which model he had.

Those camera housing are a freaking rip off.

yooper · 07-09-08, 06:28 PM

Skillet get the Olympus. It's the current best choice.

I am currently using a Canon SD550 in a housing for underwater stuff. I'm thinking of buying a smaller knock around camera and if I do the Olympus is the one I'll get.

OZCAL · 07-10-08, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skillet

The waterproof box is out. Not into that.

I was hoping that Canon or other high quality camera makers had come out with something to match the Pentax but apparently not.

Ditto. Good thread. I've been looking around for one myself.

bderks · 07-10-08, 07:44 AM

Skillet - I bought the Pentax Optio 20 last year to use on backpacking and fishing trips, and it's definitely waterproof. It's even been in the ocean a few times. The picture quality is pretty good outside and decent underwater..

However...picture quality is dowright shittay indoors - anything that requires a flash, and the camera has a hard time focusing. I don't know how many pictures my wife has taken of our daughter where the background is crisp and the baby is fuzzy. She hates that.

One more bonus - it has an excellent macro mode, you can take some extreme closeups for a point n shoot.

Cliff notes - outdoor/underwater, great; indoors, shittay.

Skillet · 07-10-08, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bderks

Skillet - I bought the Pentax Optio 20 last year to use on backpacking and fishing trips, and it's definitely waterproof. It's even been in the ocean a few times. The picture quality is pretty good outside and decent underwater..

However...picture quality is dowright shittay indoors - anything that requires a flash, and the camera has a hard time focusing. I don't know how many pictures my wife has taken of our daughter where the background is crisp and the baby is fuzzy. She hates that.

One more bonus - it has an excellent macro mode, you can take some extreme closeups for a point n shoot.

Cliff notes - outdoor/underwater, great; indoors, shittay.

The older, original version I use, the 5.0 mgpx, which has no number designation, is pretty much the same.

Though it does not technically belong to me, I have used it a great deal for personal stuff. Hawaii, camping a million times. In fresh and salt water down to 20 feet. No leaks to date and still takes pretty good pics.

You are correct about indoors. It sucks with funky lighting situations.

I have not really taken too many underwater pics but the ones I have taken have been okay.

Macro pics are very, very nice. You can see the hairs on a gnat's ass when you hold still.

I was just hoping that some of the lighting and acquiring speed issues had been fixed.

The Optio W60 does not come out until August so maybe I will wait until then.

Another big plus about the Pentax is the size. It is very small and for work I just have it hanging around my neck and it sits in my shirt pocket. I do not even know it is there. It will be hard to go to something bigger.

nat · 07-10-08, 09:10 AM

Sounds like you have got some good advice

I'm partial to Canon stuff, but if you are not into a separate box.....I am not sure what to recommend. The Pentax looks cool, but that sucks about its color balance in indoor shots.

Poriomania · 07-10-08, 09:58 AM

I've had the Olympus 770 for about a year now and been happy with it. You can get a 33' version and a 10' version for less. For the most part the program settings work well, the macro settings are pretty good also.

chet · 07-10-08, 11:05 AM

the only shitty thing about the olympus is the damn Xd cards! if they switched to SD like everyone else they would sell more cameras I think.

Skillet · 07-10-08, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

the only shitty thing about the olympus is the damn Xd cards! if they switched to SD like everyone else they would sell more cameras I think.

What is the diff? Just curous why one is better than the other.

chet · 07-10-08, 11:15 AM

Xd cards are more expensive and when you have multiple items that take SD cards having special cards for one camera sucks! plus alot of card readers don't take Xd. other than that they are fine speed wise etc. as I'm sure its all the same chip in a different plastic case!

Azrael · 07-10-08, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chet

the only shitty thing about the olympus is the damn Xd cards! if they switched to SD like everyone else they would sell more cameras I think.

When I bought my 850, it came with a microSD --> XD adapter card. Unfortunately a few features are locked without an Olympus brand card, but it still makes a difference.