Recommendation for underwater camera for discovery cove use

[pixeegrl]

Any recommendations for a lower end underwater camera? I have found a few on Amazon. Looking for something around $100 and I don't care if it only lasts for this trip...just want something to take decent underwater pics. Anyone use the disposable underwater cameras? Should I just get a few of those and hope for the best lol?

 

[Capt_BJ]

Took this with a Target 'one time' underwater camera (then developed and scanned)

About $20 for 50 exposures plus processing .... and post scan is on you (or pay processor to just go digital)

 

[greenclan67]

We bought one when we were in Florida a few weeks ago for the same reason to go to Discovery Cove. We bought the Kodak Play Sport. Underwater up to 10 ft and it is awesome for any kind of picture. It also has the Share application on it!
I will try to copy and paste a picture of it for you or the link. We got it at Target for $139.00 and we went back to pick one up for our friends and they told us at two different targets that it was a great camera.
http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/PLAYSPORT_Video_Camera__Zx3/productID.169976100

 

[mjohnson96]

I would not get a disposable one, the pictures I took with mine were not that great while the ones I took with my Lumix underwater camera came out really nice. I would suggest investing in a decent one, you can get those Kodak sport ones for around 100 on sale many times. It will make a world of difference if you have really nice pictures instead of so so ones when you get home.

 

[pixeegrl]

Thanks for the recommendations. I will check out the Lumix and Kodak one!

 

[MissionMouse]

It you are considering spending $100 for something that takes a "decent" photo that may not last the entire trip; why not consider a few more dollars and look at the Go Pro line. http://gopro.com/cameras/hd-hero2-surf-edition/

 

[Zim]

When these waterproof Kodak cameras came out about this time last year:

EasyShare Sport I got one for my beau who was being sent overseas and would be a few hours from crystal waters.

It's amazing for the price. Not only does it capture underwater still shots, but has a movie function and with a USB card slot, you can collect lots of photo and video. The video is also a wmf format. MUCH better than my Canon's crummy Quicktime format, for which I'm not willing to buy extra software to use.

The quality of this camera for the price has been more than worth it. This past November during Old Navy's Black Friday deals, their special freebie for for the first few shoppers was one of these cameras.... needless to say we were first in line and camped out for 4 hours to get them.

I can't say enough, my boyfriend let it sit for a while, but he finally realized that it wasn't just a crummy cheap camera and now he takes it to all beach excursions and waterparks. It's very hearty so even the older kids can use it in the water.

Keep a lookout on prices, when they first came out I think they were about $75... now I'm seeing prices of $100+ - check out Kodak's site too for pricing.

 

[Zim]

Yep - here is Kodak's link, which doesn't automatically popup right now because it's out of stock... but don't go for the $120 markup on Amazon! Maybe see when they'll have in stock again or a store selling them at the right price

Kodaks EasyShare Sport waterproof

 

[pixeegrl]

Thanks for the reviews and links! I wound up getting a refurbished Kodak ^ posted above.

 

[bas71873]

subbing...considering purchasing one for our trip in August

 

[pixeegrl]

I used the Kodak posted above http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/en_US/pd/SPORT_Camera__C123/productID.222433400 before our trip to test it out. It dies after the first pool use! Very disappointed!

 

[Zim]

I'm so sorry to hear that - we've used ours at HRH pool, Sea World and several water parks and it's still kickin'. Any chance you can return to Kodak for a refund? I would think you got a lemon or something!

 

[bas71873]

I just purchased a Nikon Coolpix S30 underwater camera from Amazon for under $100 and used it yesterday. Takes great pictures and is still working. Can't wait to use it next week on our trip.

 

[pixeegrl]

I'm so sorry to hear that - we've used ours at HRH pool, Sea World and several water parks and it's still kickin'. Any chance you can return to Kodak for a refund? I would think you got a lemon or something!

I was planning on it until one of the kids accidentally knocked it off the table and broke the battery/memory card door It was a refurb...I wonder if that had anything to do with it not working well.) BTW, the pics I did get with it turned out great!

 

[Jenny3]

I would not get a disposable one, the pictures I took with mine were not that great while the ones I took with my Lumix underwater camera came out really nice. I would suggest investing in a decent one, you can get those Kodak sport ones for around 100 on sale many times. It will make a world of difference if you have really nice pictures instead of so so ones when you get home.

Can I ask what model you have? I'm considering the TS20 and would love to get your input!

I'm also looking at the Olympus TG310 or TG610. Would love some feedback if anyone has one!

 

[Akwafunk]

I've just (after reading a lot of reviews) bought the Panasonic Lumix off AMazon for $137. It got several great reviews and (because my husband is a professional photog and it maters) has a Leica lens.

For the longest time, I have used my Xacti to shoot under water video, and it's really quite exceptional. I have the first generation version, and it's still kicking, just not so great on stills.

 

[Jenny3]

I've just (after reading a lot of reviews) bought the Panasonic Lumix off AMazon for $137. It got several great reviews and (because my husband is a professional photog and it maters) has a Leica lens.

For the longest time, I have used my Xacti to shoot under water video, and it's really quite exceptional. I have the first generation version, and it's still kicking, just not so great on stills.

Is that the TS20? Good to know your professional hubby gives it his okay!

I'm 95% sure that's the one I'm going with - just trying to find the best deal

 

[Akwafunk]

Can I ask what model you have? I'm considering the TS20 and would love to get your input!

Yes! We get it tomorrow so I'll try and test it a bit and let you know. although the plain truth is that the spouse can make most anything produce a great image. It's a nice problem to have.

 

[2 Goofy]

I bought the TS20 off Amazon for our trip as well. Was able to take some pictures in and around our pool yesterday, I'm pretty impressed. It takes a really good land picture and a pretty good underwater picture. I say pretty good only because I'm so use to dry pictures that it's harder to take your time underwater to frame your shot the way you're used to, unless of course you have SCUBA gear. I'm sure with some practice it will get better. One thing to keep in mind is how lighting changes when it goes thru water and colors may not be captured the same as what you see. So far it's a great little camera for our trip. One thing I really like it the video button on top by the picture button, real easy to shoot a video and the video quality is really good, above and below water. I just did not want to be carrying our digital SLR around Disney, Universal and Seaworld/Discovery Cove. I bought the recomended 16g card and an extra battery that was recommended as well. I didn't see a need to pay a little extra for a different color so we got the orange one, not as ugly in person as it was online.

 

[bazzanoid]

Or cheat and get one of these.... http://store.aquapac.net/