BF deal on GOOD waterproof camera?

[It'sWDW4me]

I've been wanting to get a waterproof camera for a while now and I'll need one next August (Fantasy here I come! ).

I've looked into Fujifilm's waterproof camera (about $150) but there are some horrible reviews out there.

Sony has one - Cyber Shot TX10 - but it's around $300. Ouch!

What waterproof camera would you recommend and is there a great deal out there for Black Friday?

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

No idea what the bad reviews are about, I love my Fujifilm waterproof camera. It takes excellent pictures in a variety of settings. I take it (and the Kodak Playsport waterproof video camera) to florida each year, in the MA snow, to the beach in SO CA, to the lake in the midwest... love it.

I've been wanting to get a waterproof camera for a while now and I'll need one next August (Fantasy here I come! ).

I've looked into Fujifilm's waterproof camera (about $150) but there are some horrible reviews out there.

Sony has one - Cyber Shot TX10 - but it's around $300. Ouch!

What waterproof camera would you recommend and is there a great deal out there for Black Friday?

 

[girli565]

I was wondering if there were any BF deals on a waterproof camera. We're taking a NYE cruise and would love one to take with us to the beach and snorkeling. We bought a fancy nikon but won't dare take that anywhere near sand or water, lol.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

No idea what the bad reviews are about, I love my Fujifilm waterproof camera. It takes excellent pictures in a variety of settings. I take it (and the Kodak Playsport waterproof video camera) to florida each year, in the MA snow, to the beach in SO CA, to the lake in the midwest... love it.

Yay - someone who has one! Most of the negative comments were about poor quality (very dark & grainy) on indoor shots and a very slow shutter speed which made shots blurry. Any problems with these things for you?

 

[momto2inKC]

My husband has the newest version of the Fuji waterproof and I absolute hate it for anything but water pics. Indoors the pics are dark and grainy. It's just really hard to get a descent pic of anything but pics outdoors or in water.
I ended up buying myself a non-waterproof for taking pics of everything else.

 

[Chelley00]

I have a Canon D10, and I use it now as our all around camera instead of my bigger, more expensive camera. It takes great underwater and above the water pictures and video.

The only issues I have are that it fogs up easy, but anti-fog wipes cured that

 

[scootch]

I got the Sony TX 5 for Christmas last year. It was about $279 but let me tell you, it is a great camera. It takes better pictures than my $500 Canon. I use it for everything, day, night, underwater, pool, beach, you name. Very happy with it.

 

[marie1203]

Olympus has a great water proof camera but haven't seen any deals yet.

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

The shutter speed (rather, the speed with which the camera processes the image) has a LOT to do with the class of SD memory card one uses. You want a faster camera? Use a Class 10 card.

Also, there are about two dozen camera modes one can choose from depending on the light level, activity, etc. Using the wrong setting can cause dark & grainy shots in low light indoors.

If you are willing to read the manual and spend some time experimenting with the settings you'll have zero issues.

Yay - someone who has one! Most of the negative comments were about poor quality (very dark & grainy) on indoor shots and a very slow shutter speed which made shots blurry. Any problems with these things for you?

 

[bridget]

We had an olympus that last for almost 4 years. It died in Cancun.

I got the following...I think I read every review for every digital camera

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...ic_DMC_TS3A_LUMIX_DMC_TS3_Digital_Camera.html

They had a special $30 off that ended last week.

I was trying to decided between the canon d10 and this one.

 

[jessica52877]

My husband has the newest version of the Fuji waterproof and I absolute hate it for anything but water pics. Indoors the pics are dark and grainy. It's just really hard to get a descent pic of anything but pics outdoors or in water.
I ended up buying myself a non-waterproof for taking pics of everything else.

This is my exact experience. I honestly wish I had never purchased it because I only use it in water settings.

The shutter speed (rather, the speed with which the camera processes the image) has a LOT to do with the class of SD memory card one uses. You want a faster camera? Use a Class 10 card.

Also, there are about two dozen camera modes one can choose from depending on the light level, activity, etc. Using the wrong setting can cause dark & grainy shots in low light indoors.

If you are willing to read the manual and spend some time experimenting with the settings you'll have zero issues.

I have not found this to be true. I have 6 other cameras and not an issue with any of them except the fuji, manual read and all. It isn't user error.

 

[Tiger926]

The shutter speed (rather, the speed with which the camera processes the image) has a LOT to do with the class of SD memory card one uses. You want a faster camera? Use a Class 10 card.

Also, there are about two dozen camera modes one can choose from depending on the light level, activity, etc. Using the wrong setting can cause dark & grainy shots in low light indoors.

If you are willing to read the manual and spend some time experimenting with the settings you'll have zero issues.

Yes, true for the Class 10 memory cards.

Not true for the Fuji settings. Some of us are very camera savvy, but the Fuji has setting limitations for inside photos.

This is my exact experience. I honestly wish I had never purchased it because I only use it in water settings.

I have not found this to be true. I have 6 other cameras and not an issue with any of them except the fuji, manual read and all. It isn't user error.

I knew the Fuji was limited, but I purchased it anyway, as I got the camera with the silicone sleeve and accessory kit for $159.99 CDN. Fuji has a 2 year warranty, and so with my VISA, I now have a 3 year warranty. I only need it for a few waterproof photos, as I use one of my other digitals. It is limited inside though - my photos at Great Wolf Lodge are not that great, but I was able to edit a bit, and they are presentable, as for the most part, I'll be using the Fuji outside in the sunshine.

I have several other high end digitals, but I purchased Fuji and not the following models for these reasons:

Panasonic - too expensive for the limited water use I need it for. Not a very sturdy side latch on battery cover. Nice photos though!

Olympus - several waterproof versions at good prices (310 - 610 models), but no silicone sleeve, and very flimsy battery/memory card switch. I wasn't able to view or try out the higher end model.

Sony - expensive, but nice photos. I don't care for touch screens at all.

Hope this helps! Tiger

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

The biggest limitation the Fuji (and any P&S camera) will have is the focus range (or distance to) your subject. Too close and there will be overexposure... too far away and it will be too dark and grainy, even with a flash. YMMV, but this is what I've found in my experience.

Not true for the Fuji settings. Some of us are very camera savvy, but the Fuji has setting limitations for inside photos.

 

[momto2inKC]

The shutter speed (rather, the speed with which the camera processes the image) has a LOT to do with the class of SD memory card one uses. You want a faster camera? Use a Class 10 card.

Also, there are about two dozen camera modes one can choose from depending on the light level, activity, etc. Using the wrong setting can cause dark & grainy shots in low light indoors.

If you are willing to read the manual and spend some time experimenting with the settings you'll have zero issues.

We've tried all of the above and still get horrible pics with the Fuji.

 

[Tiger926]

The biggest limitation the Fuji (and any P&S camera) will have is the focus range (or distance to) your subject. Too close and there will be overexposure... too far away and it will be too dark and grainy, even with a flash. YMMV, but this is what I've found in my experience.

Nope, not all point and shoots will perform this way. If you've ever used any of the higher end Canon point and shoots, they are very good in low light situations, even when a good distance away. My Canon G10 rarely, if ever, produces grainy photos. It actually produces better photos than my Panasonic bridge camera, that was twice the price ($500 vs. $1000.00).

We've tried all of the above and still get horrible pics with the Fuji.

Yup, same here, and we also have several higher end digital cameras. Fuji does not make good cameras, IMHO, but as I said, for the little bit of money we spent, it was fine, and my DD8 was able to work it without issue, as it's pretty easy to use.

I figure even if it only lasts a few years, we are ok, as the cost will have been close to a disposable camera. Also by that time, even more waterproof cameras will have come out, so more choice and selection.

So, in answer to the OP's question for suggestion of a good waterproof camera, it would depend upon what type of settings the camera will be used under (indoor vs. outdoor), in order to properly suggest a good camera. I would not classify the Fuji as a good or great camera, but for someone who is only using it outdoors, it would be fine, especially since you can purchase a silicone sleeve for it, which greatly adds to the security features of having the camera/battery cover stay closed. This is the biggest area of problems with waterproof cameras, besides sand on the inside (both Olympus and Fuji told me this).

So for us, we would not spend close to $400.00 CDN for the Panasonic or Sony (there is also a new waterproof Nikon that has just come out), as the battery/memory card cover buttons are very flimsy, as well as we already have several very good digitals, and because we only need it for limited water use throughout the year.

Tiger

 

[Cruise]

I've been wanting to get a waterproof camera for a while now and I'll need one next August (Fantasy here I come! ).

I've looked into Fujifilm's waterproof camera (about $150) but there are some horrible reviews out there.

Sony has one - Cyber Shot TX10 - but it's around $300. Ouch!

What waterproof camera would you recommend and is there a great deal out there for Black Friday?

Not to hijack, but who has the waterproof cameras on sale for BF?

Thanks!

 

[LOVETHATMOUSE]

We bought a fancy nikon but won't dare take that anywhere near sand or water, lol.

I have a Panasonic Lumix that I love as my "tiny" camera....it takes awesome video and pictures. I was looking for a waterproof camera too for the same reason as you..no beach or sand..no way!... I came across the waterproof housing units for an awesome deal. Let me tell you, it was the best $$ I ever spent. It protects my camera and takes the best underwater shots and videos b/c it's my "regular" camera. I even took it on Kali River Rapids for the first time and we got awesome pictures. It does bulk up the camera tons, but is light because of the material it's made of. We are really happy with it. I just wanted to give you another option instead of a separate underwater camera.

 

[It'sWDW4me]

Thank you everyone for the suggestions, tips & insights. This is a truly helpful thread!

I'm REALLY not camera savvy - obviously - and I just want a simple p&s that I can take on our cruise next year. When I heard that there were cameras that also shot video (yes, I was under a rock ) and UNDERWATER to boot, well I'm all for that. But, as I said, I'm not a huge picture taker so I also don't want to spend a ton for something I'll only use on holidays and vacations. I was originally drawn to the Fujifilm ($150 at Best Buy) since it was cheap but then I started reading a bunch of negative reviews so I think I'll have to loosen the purse strings a little.

So, thanks for the tips (I had no clue that the shutter speed could improve with a higher class of memory card!) and your suggestions - any newcomers to the thread, keep em coming!

 

[girli565]

I have a Panasonic Lumix that I love as my "tiny" camera....it takes awesome video and pictures. I was looking for a waterproof camera too for the same reason as you..no beach or sand..no way!... I came across the waterproof housing units for an awesome deal. Let me tell you, it was the best $$ I ever spent. It protects my camera and takes the best underwater shots and videos b/c it's my "regular" camera. I even took it on Kali River Rapids for the first time and we got awesome pictures. It does bulk up the camera tons, but is light because of the material it's made of. We are really happy with it. I just wanted to give you another option instead of a separate underwater camera.

Yes, I bought a waterproof housing for my old olympus point and shoot (my tiny camera) but it died on me a few months ago so we're in the market for a new waterproof camera. I wish there was a waterproof housing for our new nikon but there isn't yet. Thanks for the help!

 

[KnightFarms]

Olympus has a great water proof camera but haven't seen any deals yet.

I have to disagree with this one. I've had nothing but trouble with 3 olympus waterproof cameras... aside from underwater and skiing pictures; the photos were fairly bad. The battery life is poor. And the thing shorted out twice in the first year.

Olympus was great in replacing it, but a rep told me that those are consistant problems.

If you want a waterproof camera- I would go for the cheapest one you can find -even disposable- and then use a different camera for the shots that matter.