Saturday, August 24, 2013

What is the best and affordable underwater digital camera?

best underwater camera nikon on ... Magazine Open Roads Forum: Technology Corner: Help Chosing a Camera
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AJ


I am planning to get the best and affordable underwater camera, I've been reading lots of forums online but still can't find the best answer. I am torn amongst: Sony cyber shot tx10, Nikon cool pix aw100, Olympus tough tg 320 and Speedo 9mp aqua shot camera. Please help! thank you


Answer
I think the best one is the Olympus Tough TG-1

What is the best (yet still relatively affordable) underwater camera for snorkeling?




Alysia


I am going on a trip to the Galapagos Islands over the summer and we will be doing a lot of snorkeling, so I'm trying to find a good camera, but I don't know much about this stuff. I'd like to keep my budget around $200 or so, but I have some wiggle room.
What do you guys think is the best underwater camera?
I've looked into the Panasonic Lumix TS4, but it is around $280.00 and even though it's waterproof, I'm hearing that I'll still need an underwater housing, which is just as much as the camera itself. Is the underwater housing necessary? Is there a good camera out there that doesn't require housing?
And finally, are GoPro cameras any good for stills? I won't be taking much video, so photography is going to be my main thing.
Any and all help is very much appreciated. I'm sorry for being so daft about this stuff, but it certainly helps to get advice from people with experience! Thank you!



Answer
The biggest challenge will be finding one with a sufficient depth rating - especially given your budget. Historically, waterproof cameras have either a 3M (9ft) or 10M (33ft) depth rating. However, some of the newer waterproof cameras have pushed that depth rating a bit. For example, the new Nikon AW110 has a 18M (59ft) depth rating.

Realize though that these depth ratings are in "static" (or still) water. If you find yourself in a raging river, surf, or underwater current, or even sloshing the camera around in the water, you will have to reduce the depth rating accordingly. The simple reason is that moving water exerts more pressure than static water.

But any of the 10M or greater depth cameras should work for snorkeling. I would not use a 3M rated camera for snorkeling, due to the depth reduction when you are not in static water. Also realize though that most manufacturers specify the depth rating for one hour immersion. If you are underwater longer than that, who knows?

And of course, a housing is going to be superior to any underwater camera. Some select compact cameras do have optional underwater housings; Nikon J series, some Canon series, etc. As well, some third party housings exist, such as those by FantaSea, Ikelite, and even Polaroid.

GoPro cameras are designed primarily for sports/close action video, and they are best for that use. They are not as good for photos. However, since by definition, underwater photos will typically be closeup (you have limited range underwater), the GoPro will work better for underwater photos than above water. And you really need to buy an underwater housing for the GoPro if you are going to use one.

Finally, make sure the camera has an "underwater" (scene) mode. When underwater, photos take on a color shift to the blue spectrum, and you will either need to correct the color balance (which is what the underwater mode does) or use an underwater red filter. Some housings can accept such a filter (FantaSea for instance) if your camera does not have such a color correction mode.




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