HELP on chosing a Waterproof Digital Camera

[cmacf1]

Have you thought of a non-waterproof camera?
If you use one of these bags it makes your regular camera waterproof.

http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/obcameracase.html

I had the same concerns about keeping our camera dry and sand-free when we were on the Magic last week, but of course, I didn't think of that before we left for the cruise. A member of our group had one of the above waterproof bags and while it's great for keeping the camera dry and sand-free while you're on the beach, the photos looked filmy and very unclear. The person who brought the bag on the cruise ended up buying a waterproof Olympus at Shutters (don't know which type.)

 

[JimV]

Shutters was selling the Olympus 790.

I use a Canon 30D and DD21 has the Rebel XT. When I bought the 790SW for DD18 it was partially to test it out for myself. I see one of these in my future for white water rafting trips, amusement parks and this like where I don't want to bring the multiple thousands of dollars of gear I normally tote.

 

[PeterandTink]

Shutters was selling the Olympus 790.

I use a Canon 30D and DD21 has the Rebel XT. When I bought the 790SW for DD18 it was partially to test it out for myself. I see one of these in my future for white water rafting trips, amusement parks and this like where I don't want to bring the multiple thousands of dollars of gear I normally tote.

We agree 100%.. didnt want to chance our Rebel getting broken or wet even with the underwater housing thats made for it..To us the better choice was the Olympus...

 

[HFC1969]

We just bought the Pentax...

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I want to get a digital waterproof camera before my honeymoon but am not sure which to buy. My mom has one which turned out great, not as good as her regular Kodak though. I have seen the Pentax waterproof advertised but not too sure on this one as I have a regular digital Pentax Optio and I am not very satisfied with the picture quality on that camera.

 

[Schachteles]

We agree 100%.. didnt want to chance our Rebel getting broken or wet even with the underwater housing thats made for it..To us the better choice was the Olympus...

Yeah I am surely not going to take my expensive Canon in the ocean and pray the bag works, just far too much $$ in that...I would rather spend $300 and have piece of mind. Guess I need to wait for the tax refund to come and I will be getting it!

 

[elgerber]

I want to get a digital waterproof camera before my honeymoon but am not sure which to buy. My mom has one which turned out great, not as good as her regular Kodak though. I have seen the Pentax waterproof advertised but not too sure on this one as I have a regular digital Pentax Optio and I am not very satisfied with the picture quality on that camera.

I compared them side by side at the store, they printed pictures for me from the Olympus and the Pentax that we took of my dd and the Pentax pictures were not very good.

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

I compared them side by side at the store, they printed pictures for me from the Olympus and the Pentax that we took of my dd and the Pentax pictures were not very good.

Thanks, that helps me out a lot.

 

[Telemere]

Holy crap I just checked the underwater housing for my Sony Alpha and they want 1,300 euros for it.

 

[PeterandTink]

I also saw a few samples of photos someone had taken on Amazon with the 770 some were edited somewere not. Most of ours were but there were a few that wasnt. This will kinda give you an idea of what to expect from the camera.

 

[Schachteles]

Thank you...My first grandbaby....

VERY cute...makes me want another one...well kinda.

I also saw a few samples of photos someone had taken on Amazon with the 770 some were edited somewere not. Most of ours were but there were a few that wasnt. This will kinda give you an idea of what to expect from the camera.

Great to hear...now I just have to figure out where to get one. Anyone know who has the best price? I looked on eBay but I am skeptical on there of electronics.

Oh and I definitely need to get the strap so that it floats...thanks for the tip

 

[PeterandTink]

You might try Ritz Camera online, maybe even the Olympus site but sure if they sell them or not. There are several places online that do sell them..I too would be a little scared of buying one from Ebay. We bought ours at Boulchards in St Thomas and could have definetly gotten it cheaper before we left... but we had toyed with the idea and decided not to get one...til we got to St John and soon decided we had to have it...LOL..Happy hunting..

 

[virginiamama]

I have a Pentax Optio, shoot can't remember if it is a W20 or W30. I got it from B & H Photo. I am very happy with it - got a few strange looks when I took it in the pool at the Beach Club. I was very happy with the quality of the pictures and I am kindof picky. The picture quality compares pretty well to my Canon S3. In the parks, I carried the S3, and DH carried the Pentax, and in the picture books that I made, I can't tell which camera was used for which shots - that makes me pretty happy. I can't wait to take it to CC.

 

[Wendor]

I can also wholeheartedly suggest the Olympus 770. I got one for my wife and she loves it. She uses it as-is for swimming/snorkeling and with the underwater housing for scuba diving. Pictures have been remarkable and It's really nice to have the camera waterproof by itself even when it's in the underwater housing, that way no worry about leaks ruining the camera. To be honest, she uses the underwater housing right now even if we're not going deep because we're usually in cold water and the housing has over large buttons that are easier to manage with gloves on.

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We have the Olympus Stylus 770SW and love it. Only one complaint is that it is very S-L-O-W!! Drives me nuts.

 

[HFC1969]

Thanks, that helps me out a lot.

Just the opposite for us.. the Pentax looked better and was cheaper..

Also there are 2 models of the Olympus.. the 770 and 790.. The 790 is good to roughly 10 foot.. the 770 is good for roughly 25 foot.. HOWEVER... there are several recalls on the Olympus and the 770 is being discontinued with the new model coming out in March..


Probaly look at the that one when it does come out. But, for the Easter 08 cruise didn't want to take any chances of not having a camera.. So we got the Pentax for now...

 

[PeterandTink]

Just the opposite for us.. the Pentax looked better and was cheaper..

Also there are 2 models of the Olympus.. the 770 and 790.. The 790 is good to roughly 10 foot.. the 770 is good for roughly 25 foot.. HOWEVER... there are several recalls on the Olympus and the 770 is being discontinued with the new model coming out in March..


Probaly look at the that one when it does come out. But, for the Easter 08 cruise didn't want to take any chances of not having a camera.. So we got the Pentax for now...

I looked at the Olympus web site and didnt see where any recalls were being made..where did you hear about it...Google didnt turn up anything either..I would like to know about it and what is being recalled...

 

[PeterandTink]

We have the Olympus Stylus 770SW and love it. Only one complaint is that it is very S-L-O-W!! Drives me nuts.

Ours does that too but not too bad...the delay is worth having the underwater pics...

 

[JimV]

The Olympus is slower underwater than what I would like. That's why you need to practice in a pool BEFORE going on vacation. The modes really make a difference and if I recall correctly there are three or four for underwater: snapshot, action, wide angle and macro (or something like that) and picture quality and ease of use for specific kinds of pictures really changed with the settings used properly.

I was surprised -- my local camera shop actually had the cheapest price for the camera. They wouldn't sell me the display unit since they drop it on the floor all the time for demo purposes, but got the cool blue one for DD18 for Christmas (then ordered the strap online). I'm getting one soon for myself.

 

[HFC1969]

I looked at the Olympus web site and didnt see where any recalls were being made..where did you hear about it...Google didnt turn up anything either..I would like to know about it and what is being recalled...

First let me say... I wanted to buy the 770...

I do all of the purchasing of AV, computer, electronics for our company. Our rep at CDW handled all of the research for me.. I just went to Best Buy and did a hands on comparison.

Here is what his letter stated from the CDW Olympus America rep :

The Stylus 770 might be in Distribution but it was disco for a short period but now there are some available. Its replacement will be introduced next Tuesday and will ship early March a t$399.99 and is a little tougher with a bigger screen more zoom an 10MP.


Anyway... we got the Pentax for $249 ... it had a $30 mail in rebate.. If it survives the Easter 08 cruise... I will