Camera for the beach/water/pool

[TinksDH]

I have a Nikon D300 DSLR and a fairly large kit that I take everywhere. I even took it to Castaway Cay in 2010, but was not too comfortable in using it near the water or in the sand. I don't have a decent point and shoot, so my quest last year was to find a good point and shoot that also is water proof. I wound up getting a Panasonic Lumix TS3 and was real pleased with it. Took it to WDW and the Keys last year for summer vacation. It worked great but UNFORTUNATELY it leaked!! However, Panasonic has a 1 year full warranty, and they sent me a new one no questions asked. So this year when we go to WDW and Vero Beach hopefully it won't leak!

The problem for me was that after shooting DSLRs for over 6 years, and getting used to that level of sharpness, low noise and lack of shutter lag, going to any point and shoot under $400 - $500 wasn't getting me the quality I wanted. Over the past 2 years the water proof point and shoots have improved dramatically in image quality, zoom range and noise reduction; the current quality you get from them is like what you could get from a good point and shoot 2 years ago, so I feel like I am compromising less. Plus it also shoots HD video, which is great to have both underwater and on the beach.

 

[KSDisneyDad]

Just my two cents.

Camera choices are very personal. Some are okay with a disposable, others are not. I used a disposal on a trip to CC and was very disappointed with the colors and quality. It was absolutely horrible (fuzzy, not bright and to make matters worse, the film developer burned a hole in the negatives causing a burn mark on each picture).

So for me, a digital camera with the ability to control white balance, exposure, etc. is very helpful. A cloudy day is different than a sunny day. Underwater pictures may also need extra light or expsoure. Plus, I can take video with a digital. I have been very happy with the quality of my digital pictures compared to the disposable. YMMV

Yes, there is the risk that the camera will leak. I've had very good luck with our water-proof digital camera though (knocking on wood right now!)

As far as money, that's a personal decision. Why cruise Disney when you can cruise Carnival for less? Why stay in a verandah cabin when an inside room is less? Why spend $75 per person for Remy when the MDR is "free"? Why spend $499 on a cabana at CC when the family beach is free? Why spend $399 on a photo CD when you can use your own camera? Why fly when you can drive? Why buy a Canon 7D when you can buy a Rebel for $1,000 less? The list goes on and on. What choice is good for one is not for another. We all spend our money differently and knowing the pros and cons of each to make an informed decision is what this thread should be about, not trying to defend one camera vs another.

 

[jetskigrl]

We bought our Canon D10 back in 2010 for our trip to WDW. That has been the best camera investment we have ever made. It is our go-to camera all the time now. It is durable and waterproof. It has spent many hours both in pools (completely submerged) and in the ocean. Never a single leak. And at the parks, I like being able to keep in the our bag without worrying about it getting wet on water rides, etc.

For our upcoming cruise, I will be taking my Canon Rebel (DSLR) and our Canon D10 along with my DS's Kodak Playsport (I think that is what it is called - also water proof).

 

[DLW8]

I do a combination of cameras.

For the pool on the ship and at Castaway Cay- I use my regular "good" camera. i take LOTS of photos, so always want that with me.

For water excursions (like swimming with the dolphins or snorkeling) - I use my Kodak Playsport. It's a waterproof video camera which I have found is much easier underwater than a point and shoot camera. Then, when I download the videos, I can take a still shot from the video.

 

[Chelley00]

We've used the disposable Fuji's , and once I got the D10, I realize I'll never go back. I love that the D10 takes video too.

Now, I also use it as my smaller camera if I dont want to lug the good camera around, and it's been on 2 cruises and beach/lake/pool/waterpark visits so I've gotten my money's worth out of it.


As for the leaking issue, ours is 4 years old and we've never had a problem, however I'm always careful about rinsing out the salt water by submerging it in regular water after we use it. It says that very clearly in the instructions and I've read numerous reviews where people complain about leakage and if someone asks them about rinsing or submerging in regular water after salt water, they haven't done it. I take a Ziploc bag and a bottle of water and put the camera in there while we are drying off and then dry the camera off. The only problem I've had with it is fogging from the temperature change between hot air and cold water and it drives me nuts!

Here are a few samples taken from our vacation this summer

 

[scrapbookmomma74]

We bought a waterproof digital camera a couple of years ago. It is a Fuji WP, and it is lime green. It is the BEST point and shoot digital camera that I've ever had, and it was about $129!!! I carry it with me everywhere, in my purse, as it is small, and takes amazing pictures.
So, I recommend leaving the big guy away from the water! We have a Nikon D90 as well, and I find it a bit of a pain to lug around. We did set it up on a tripod last year at Bay Lake Tower, to catch firework shots, but I hated carrying it around. (And since my kids are bigger now, no more stroller to put it in...I MISS THE STROLLER!!!) lol
Here's an example of the great underwater shots we get with the Fuji:

 

[Minniemiss]

Please define cheap! Also what camera is it?

Thanks...

---Paul in Southern NJ

A disposable Fuji, about $12 .

 

[LilGMom]

We have a nice point and shoot that I bought a little waterproof 'bag' type thing to use. Then DH convinced me he needed to buy a GoPro so that he could make videos while riding his motorcycle and the main selling point was that it comes in a waterproof case. So since it then went from a camera for just him to a camera for the family he just had to get it. So we'll be taking the GoPro for the water pictures and my Sony for dry pictures.