waterproof digital camera optical viewfinder image
cyranae
I need to buy my husband a digital camera that has both a viewfinder and an LCD screen. He is being deployed to Iraq and he's heard from the person he's replacing that it's very difficult at times to perceive the subject through the LCD screen because of the light there (too bright to see the screen). He needs this for his job so it is fairly important. I've tried to look at specs online but many descriptions do not indicate whether or not there is a separate viewfinder. I'm looking for something in the 150-300 $ range. He's leaving soon so any help you can give me will be appreciated.
Answer
Most point and shoot digital cameras do. If he is going to Iraq you might want to get something rugged, the olympus stylus's are waterproof (which would probably double as dust proof), shockproof and a bunch of other proofs. Run for about 300.
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Stylus-1030SW-Digital-Optical/dp/B0011E87QI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1223658586&sr=8-2
or a little cheaper
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Stylus-1030SW-Digital-Optical/dp/B0011E87QI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1223658586&sr=8-2
Otherwise I believe all the canon powershot models have viewfinders as well I believe. The Powershot 850IS is good, but not sealed against anything.
Most point and shoot digital cameras do. If he is going to Iraq you might want to get something rugged, the olympus stylus's are waterproof (which would probably double as dust proof), shockproof and a bunch of other proofs. Run for about 300.
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Stylus-1030SW-Digital-Optical/dp/B0011E87QI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1223658586&sr=8-2
or a little cheaper
http://www.amazon.com/Olympus-Stylus-1030SW-Digital-Optical/dp/B0011E87QI/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1223658586&sr=8-2
Otherwise I believe all the canon powershot models have viewfinders as well I believe. The Powershot 850IS is good, but not sealed against anything.
Looking for customer reviews for Olympus Stylus 1030SW 10 1MP?
Gwendolyn
Where can I find reviews and opinions online for Olympus Stylus 1030SW 10 1MP
Answer
Technical Details
10-megapixel image sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
3.6x optical wide-angle zoom; Face Detection
2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD
Waterproof to 33 feet; shockproof to 6.6 feet
Stores images on xD Picture Cards (not included)
Product Description
Scuba divers, mountain climbers and adventurers worldwide will love the 10.1-megapixel Stylus 1030 SW, the toughest point-and-shoot camera in the world. This shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof and dustproof model builds on the Olympus Stylus SW series reputation of delivering amazing images while enduring extreme expeditions and everyday adventures, including life with kids. Even more durable than its predecessors -- it can withstand a drop from 6.6 feet -- the camera has also been pumping up its power with a 3.6x wide-angle optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD screen and digital imaging advances, including Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, and a TruePic III image processor to capture rich, vibrant detail with every shot.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By Elmira
After 5 years with a 5MP Olympus Camedia C-50 with the underwater housing, I decided it was time to upgrade. We only used the underwater housing to protect the camera from the elements when we went sailing. We used it a couple of times to go snorkeling, but it wasn't worth the bulkiness of the housing.
So, that being said, I went looking for another camera that was waterproof--we could take it on the boat or for the occasional swim without buying an underwater housing. The options were limited with the Pentax and the Olympus. I went for the Olympus because we were happy with the old camera and still have a few xd cards. I went for the 1030sw since it is the latest and greatest. So far I am glad with my choice.
In the box: The camera, USB cable (not the same camera connection as the old one), audio/video cable, microSD converter (put the microSD card in to fit into the xd space), Olympus Master Software, battery, and wall plug-in charger (no more cord--although the manual says in some areas a cord is still used). No xd-card is included.
I took the camera right out of the box and started playing. I took videos of my dog and plenty of pictures of him, too. I loved it! It is strange to me not to have an eye viewfinder, but I am getting used to it. It is super easy to use and I had so much fun dropping it in a bowl of water to test it out and having it work! I've ruined a camera before because it got wet, so this was the coolest feature!
I bought the camera even though I knew it only took VGA video at 30fps for 10sec, which was a disappointment, but I figured I could live with it. Well, after registering the camera a couple of days ago, I got an email this morning saying that an update to the firmware was available that would allow longer video at 30fps! Yea! I upgraded the firmware (through the provided software) and tried it out and it didn't work. Then I re-read the email--an M+ or H xd card is required. The older (or cheaper) M xd cards don't allow for the longer videos at 30fps. So, I ran out and bought a 2GB M+ xd card and sure enough, I can take VGA videos at 30fps for as long as the card can hold. That does away with that negative!
Let's get down to the pros and cons:
Pros:
*small & lightweight,
*takes nice pictures,
*easy to change settings (a quick click on the "ok" button and you can change settings,
*lots of available features on the camera itself (it even has a selection that will "guide" you for certain things),
*nice big LCD
Cons:
*the xd card--just about every other camera out there uses an SD card and computers don't have built-in xd reading capability,
*it doesn't have a remote to take group photos--the c-50 did and I loved it because I didn't have to set the timer and run into the picture--I'm going to miss that,
*it is easy to get your finger in front of the lens--I will have to learn to keep my fingers off to the side.
It doesn't have all the features of an SLR, but hey, it isn't an SLR! For a point and shoot, it does enough for me. I have the SLR for the "big" projects and this is for the times when I don't want something bulky and want to take pictures. I can't wait to take it on the boat or snorkeling!
I highly recommend this camera for someone looking for a sturdy camera that is waterproof (not just all weather) and easy to carry around. Go for the M+ xd card for the video capability (I went for the 2GB). I would also recommend protective covering for the LCD (I'm thinking about the silicone cover, too). An extra battery is always nice, too, but it doesn't seem necessary so far--I've been playing with it for 3 days running around taking videos and pictures and it still shows a full battery even though I don't think I even charged the battery all the way when I first got it because I was so excited to play with the camera.
Technical Details
10-megapixel image sensor captures enough detail for photo-quality 18 x 24-inch prints
3.6x optical wide-angle zoom; Face Detection
2.7-inch HyperCrystal II LCD
Waterproof to 33 feet; shockproof to 6.6 feet
Stores images on xD Picture Cards (not included)
Product Description
Scuba divers, mountain climbers and adventurers worldwide will love the 10.1-megapixel Stylus 1030 SW, the toughest point-and-shoot camera in the world. This shockproof, waterproof, freezeproof, crushproof and dustproof model builds on the Olympus Stylus SW series reputation of delivering amazing images while enduring extreme expeditions and everyday adventures, including life with kids. Even more durable than its predecessors -- it can withstand a drop from 6.6 feet -- the camera has also been pumping up its power with a 3.6x wide-angle optical zoom, 2.7-inch LCD screen and digital imaging advances, including Face Detection, Shadow Adjustment Technology, and a TruePic III image processor to capture rich, vibrant detail with every shot.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
By Elmira
After 5 years with a 5MP Olympus Camedia C-50 with the underwater housing, I decided it was time to upgrade. We only used the underwater housing to protect the camera from the elements when we went sailing. We used it a couple of times to go snorkeling, but it wasn't worth the bulkiness of the housing.
So, that being said, I went looking for another camera that was waterproof--we could take it on the boat or for the occasional swim without buying an underwater housing. The options were limited with the Pentax and the Olympus. I went for the Olympus because we were happy with the old camera and still have a few xd cards. I went for the 1030sw since it is the latest and greatest. So far I am glad with my choice.
In the box: The camera, USB cable (not the same camera connection as the old one), audio/video cable, microSD converter (put the microSD card in to fit into the xd space), Olympus Master Software, battery, and wall plug-in charger (no more cord--although the manual says in some areas a cord is still used). No xd-card is included.
I took the camera right out of the box and started playing. I took videos of my dog and plenty of pictures of him, too. I loved it! It is strange to me not to have an eye viewfinder, but I am getting used to it. It is super easy to use and I had so much fun dropping it in a bowl of water to test it out and having it work! I've ruined a camera before because it got wet, so this was the coolest feature!
I bought the camera even though I knew it only took VGA video at 30fps for 10sec, which was a disappointment, but I figured I could live with it. Well, after registering the camera a couple of days ago, I got an email this morning saying that an update to the firmware was available that would allow longer video at 30fps! Yea! I upgraded the firmware (through the provided software) and tried it out and it didn't work. Then I re-read the email--an M+ or H xd card is required. The older (or cheaper) M xd cards don't allow for the longer videos at 30fps. So, I ran out and bought a 2GB M+ xd card and sure enough, I can take VGA videos at 30fps for as long as the card can hold. That does away with that negative!
Let's get down to the pros and cons:
Pros:
*small & lightweight,
*takes nice pictures,
*easy to change settings (a quick click on the "ok" button and you can change settings,
*lots of available features on the camera itself (it even has a selection that will "guide" you for certain things),
*nice big LCD
Cons:
*the xd card--just about every other camera out there uses an SD card and computers don't have built-in xd reading capability,
*it doesn't have a remote to take group photos--the c-50 did and I loved it because I didn't have to set the timer and run into the picture--I'm going to miss that,
*it is easy to get your finger in front of the lens--I will have to learn to keep my fingers off to the side.
It doesn't have all the features of an SLR, but hey, it isn't an SLR! For a point and shoot, it does enough for me. I have the SLR for the "big" projects and this is for the times when I don't want something bulky and want to take pictures. I can't wait to take it on the boat or snorkeling!
I highly recommend this camera for someone looking for a sturdy camera that is waterproof (not just all weather) and easy to carry around. Go for the M+ xd card for the video capability (I went for the 2GB). I would also recommend protective covering for the LCD (I'm thinking about the silicone cover, too). An extra battery is always nice, too, but it doesn't seem necessary so far--I've been playing with it for 3 days running around taking videos and pictures and it still shows a full battery even though I don't think I even charged the battery all the way when I first got it because I was so excited to play with the camera.
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