best waterproof camera compact image
Sunnyboy
I'm looking for a compact digital camera which I can use both in and out of the water. Most of the good waterproof cameras which I have found are only rated to 10 meters, which is insufficient. Am I better off buying a regular camera and a waterproof case? I have seen some of these offered by Canon.
Answer
You're best off to do a little research on the camera you really want and then see if there's a decent underwater housing for it. Personally, I'd steer clear of the actual camera manufacturer's housings. They tend not to allow use of all the camera functions and they are usually only just good enough that they can claim a depth rating of 130ft max. You're better off protecting that camera investment by purchasing a decent housing like an IkeLite ( if it's available for your camera). They're rated to 200 feet and each is factory tested to pass that. I own a Canon A720IS, that canon does make the housing for, but it was so cheaply made that I opted for the IkeLite housing instead. That housing cost TWICE as much as the actual camera. But I know the camera is safe and that model does everything I want in a camera, both above and below.
As for amphibs ( cameras that are in their own housing such as Sea&Sea, or Bonica) I'd advise against unless you don't mind lugging a large housing around on the surface or what your photos will actually look like. Amphibs are a compromise solution. They don't take great above water shots and they don't take great underwater shots. They do both only "ok" as opposed to a higher end camera that you put in a higher end housing.
When you're looking for a camera, keep a few things in mind.
What's it's power consumption like? Changing batteries is impossible on a dive.
What's it's storage format and capacity? You can't swap out cards on a dive.
How easy is it to point and shoot? You're looking through a housing with a mask on your face, can you see what you're aiming at?
You may be wearing gloves when diving. Can you manipulate those function buttons on the housing easily?
What are the options for adding things like strobes, lens or video lights later? What about the actual camera modes? You may find yourself doing macro or wide angle pics. Maybe at night? Maybe in low vis....that onboard flash can then be your worst enemy since you may not have an option to disable it and all you'll get is backscatter.
My advice... choose ten cameras that do what it is that you intend on doing. Find out if a dedicated manufacturer of dive camera housings makes a housing for those cameras. Then choose from between the ones that do.
You're best off to do a little research on the camera you really want and then see if there's a decent underwater housing for it. Personally, I'd steer clear of the actual camera manufacturer's housings. They tend not to allow use of all the camera functions and they are usually only just good enough that they can claim a depth rating of 130ft max. You're better off protecting that camera investment by purchasing a decent housing like an IkeLite ( if it's available for your camera). They're rated to 200 feet and each is factory tested to pass that. I own a Canon A720IS, that canon does make the housing for, but it was so cheaply made that I opted for the IkeLite housing instead. That housing cost TWICE as much as the actual camera. But I know the camera is safe and that model does everything I want in a camera, both above and below.
As for amphibs ( cameras that are in their own housing such as Sea&Sea, or Bonica) I'd advise against unless you don't mind lugging a large housing around on the surface or what your photos will actually look like. Amphibs are a compromise solution. They don't take great above water shots and they don't take great underwater shots. They do both only "ok" as opposed to a higher end camera that you put in a higher end housing.
When you're looking for a camera, keep a few things in mind.
What's it's power consumption like? Changing batteries is impossible on a dive.
What's it's storage format and capacity? You can't swap out cards on a dive.
How easy is it to point and shoot? You're looking through a housing with a mask on your face, can you see what you're aiming at?
You may be wearing gloves when diving. Can you manipulate those function buttons on the housing easily?
What are the options for adding things like strobes, lens or video lights later? What about the actual camera modes? You may find yourself doing macro or wide angle pics. Maybe at night? Maybe in low vis....that onboard flash can then be your worst enemy since you may not have an option to disable it and all you'll get is backscatter.
My advice... choose ten cameras that do what it is that you intend on doing. Find out if a dedicated manufacturer of dive camera housings makes a housing for those cameras. Then choose from between the ones that do.
What are some good waterproof digital cameras?
frecklefac
I've always thought it was a really cool idea, and lately I've been looking into getting one. I've looked at some from Canon and Olympus. I'm leaning towards Canon's D10 because it gets good reviews, is slightly cheaper than Olympus models, and because I really like Canon cameras.
Anyone that owns this camera or another waterproof camera-
Is it good price considering that it would only get moderate use?
Do you recommend this camera, or another one?
Would I be better off getting a waterproof case for my current camera (a Canon powershot a570)?
Thanks so much!
Answer
Here are 5 top rated waterproof cameras:
1. Canon PowerShot D10
$330, 12.1MP; 3X optical zoom; waterproof to 33 feet
Canonâs first foray into waterproof digital compacts looks like a cross between a Digital ELPH and a diving bell. With a waterproof rating down to 33 feet, itâs among the deepest divers in this category, but its 2.5-inch LCD and optically stabilized 35â105mm (equivalent) f/2.8â4.9 zoom lens arenât at the front of this pack. Like the other cameras here, the D10 is freeze- and shockproof, in this case surviving temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and falls of up to 4 feet.
2. Fujifilm Finepix Z33WP
$200, 10MP; 3X optical zoom; waterproof to 10 feet
Borrowing design cues from Fujiâs teen-targeted Z30, this underwater shooter is one of the tiniest and most stylish, as well as the most affordable. Its 2.7-inch LCD is as large as they come on this type of compact. But itâs waterproof only to 10 feet, and its 10MP and 35â105mm (equivalent) f/3.7â4.2 optical zoom arenât groundbreaking.
3. Olympus Stylus Tough 8000
$400, 12MP; 3.6X optical zoom; waterproof to 33 feet
Olympus offers some of the most rugged compact cameras you can get, and its latest fits the mold. You can shoot down to 33 feet underwater, drop the camera from up to 6.6 feet, and use it in temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, its metal construction can withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure. Sensorshift image stabilization combats hand shake, and the zoom, while not league-leading, spans an equivalent 28â102mm f/3.5â5.1.
4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1
$400, 12.1MP; 4.6X optical zoom; waterproof to 10 feet
Panasonic has stepped up to the pool in a strong way with its first waterproof digital camera. Its optically stabilized 28â128mm (equivalent) f/3.3â5.9 zoom offers a nice balance of wide angle for underwater and midrange tele for land-based adventures. At 12.1MP, it affords plenty of resolution, and it has an ample 2.7-inch LCD. While we wish it could go deeper than 10 feet, its 720p video recording should make playing in the backyard pool more fun than ever.
5. Pentax Optio W60
$250, 10MP; 5X optical zoom; waterproof to 13 feet
Pentax was one of the first to offer dunkable digital cameras with its WP series years ago, and now itâs a major force. This model has plenty of room to the left of the lens to hold onto, and we like the 720p video recording, though weâd rather have a faster rate than its 15 frames per second. Its Super Macro mode should be a boon below the surface, letting you focus as close as 0.4 inches from the front of the 28â140mm (equivalent) f/3.5â5.5 lens.
Here are 5 top rated waterproof cameras:
1. Canon PowerShot D10
$330, 12.1MP; 3X optical zoom; waterproof to 33 feet
Canonâs first foray into waterproof digital compacts looks like a cross between a Digital ELPH and a diving bell. With a waterproof rating down to 33 feet, itâs among the deepest divers in this category, but its 2.5-inch LCD and optically stabilized 35â105mm (equivalent) f/2.8â4.9 zoom lens arenât at the front of this pack. Like the other cameras here, the D10 is freeze- and shockproof, in this case surviving temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and falls of up to 4 feet.
2. Fujifilm Finepix Z33WP
$200, 10MP; 3X optical zoom; waterproof to 10 feet
Borrowing design cues from Fujiâs teen-targeted Z30, this underwater shooter is one of the tiniest and most stylish, as well as the most affordable. Its 2.7-inch LCD is as large as they come on this type of compact. But itâs waterproof only to 10 feet, and its 10MP and 35â105mm (equivalent) f/3.7â4.2 optical zoom arenât groundbreaking.
3. Olympus Stylus Tough 8000
$400, 12MP; 3.6X optical zoom; waterproof to 33 feet
Olympus offers some of the most rugged compact cameras you can get, and its latest fits the mold. You can shoot down to 33 feet underwater, drop the camera from up to 6.6 feet, and use it in temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, its metal construction can withstand up to 220 pounds of pressure. Sensorshift image stabilization combats hand shake, and the zoom, while not league-leading, spans an equivalent 28â102mm f/3.5â5.1.
4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1
$400, 12.1MP; 4.6X optical zoom; waterproof to 10 feet
Panasonic has stepped up to the pool in a strong way with its first waterproof digital camera. Its optically stabilized 28â128mm (equivalent) f/3.3â5.9 zoom offers a nice balance of wide angle for underwater and midrange tele for land-based adventures. At 12.1MP, it affords plenty of resolution, and it has an ample 2.7-inch LCD. While we wish it could go deeper than 10 feet, its 720p video recording should make playing in the backyard pool more fun than ever.
5. Pentax Optio W60
$250, 10MP; 5X optical zoom; waterproof to 13 feet
Pentax was one of the first to offer dunkable digital cameras with its WP series years ago, and now itâs a major force. This model has plenty of room to the left of the lens to hold onto, and we like the 720p video recording, though weâd rather have a faster rate than its 15 frames per second. Its Super Macro mode should be a boon below the surface, letting you focus as close as 0.4 inches from the front of the 28â140mm (equivalent) f/3.5â5.5 lens.
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Title Post: What is a good waterproof digital camera for SCUBA diving?
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Rating: 100% based on 99998 ratings. 5 user reviews.
Author: Unknown
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