Underwater/waterproof cameras, cases and housings

[cryssi]

weird. I don't know. I have an sd600, so I bought that particular canon housing off b&h.

 

[DznyFan]

You might also try some of the scuba equipment sites - leisurepro.com has a huge selection of housings, but check scuba.com and scubatoys.com as well. If scubatoys.com does not have it on their website, try calling them - their prices are usually the best, their customer service can't be beat, and often they have stock that is not on their website.

 

[Schachteles]

Ok, so I convinced my DH right before our trip in October that we needed a Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi 10.1MP Digital SLR Camera, we LOVE it and cannot imagine life without it.

Now we are getting ready to head on the Disney Cruise in November and I am concerned about bring that camera out on excursions, like Castaway Cay, because it could be stolen or get wet.

So now I have approached my DH for another camera...LOL ...he seemed ok when I told him about these really cool waterproof digital cameras. We could use it at the beach, IN the water, snorkling and all that fun stuff. He seems really keen now on getting one.

Can anyone give me a suggestion on which one to get?!? THANKS!!

 

[rtphokie]

Do you have another digital camera? If so, consider getting a waterproof bag for that one. Aquapac makes some decent ones for between $25-$40 depending on the size. Hard cases are also another option but they start at over $100.

Aquapac also makes an SLR sized bag for about $115. Personally, I'll trust a bag to my older Canon G3 but not to my SLR.

 

[Schachteles]

I want an actual waterproof camera that we can bring into the water. We have a waterproof bag for our SLR already. I just want something that we can get pictures with the girls in the water, with the dolphins, stinkrays, etc.

 

[donaldduck1967]

You don't say how much your'e looking to spend. Olympus has some waterproof cameras.

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_sw.asp

 

[Schachteles]

Someone on the Cruise boards suggested the 770 Olympus, so I am thinking that will probably what we will get.

It is hard, I likely will still bring out the expensive camera because I will want to get pictures with that too.

 

[Groucho]

Olympus and Pentax are the big players. I haven't done a lot of research but Pentax has been chosen by some of the regulars here (Mark B, I think Gdad, and a few others.) It sounds like by and large, they're pretty comparable. Too bad the search functionality is all busted here, there have been some informative threads in the past about them.

 

[Suzann]

I've had the pentax waterproof camera and the Olympus now too. I do prefer the picture that Pentax takes, but their latest camera is having problems with it being waterproof (read reviews on amazon) So I bought the Olympus. The Olympus is great with sunny shots, but once its a little dark, the flash fires off too brightly and the noise on the shots is just incredibly bad. Thankfully this is just a camera to bring along to take random pictures when its raining, or hiking in the snow, what have you.

 

[SueInBoston]

I have an older model Pentax -W10, I think...

It's a great little camera, took it on many snorkleing trips and the pictures are beautiful.

I also have an Rebel and took it to Castaway Cay last April as well, But I really used my waterproof Pentax alot more.

 

[Schachteles]

Of course everyone has their own opinions about them...someone on the cruise boards mentioned that the Pentex didn't take as nice of pictures. GRRR!! I like it when there is ONE simple answer!

 

[SharonLowe]

I got the Canon G9 with a waterproof case for snorkeling but that isn't as small and easy to carry around as one of the Olympus or Pentax models. It is a really nice camera though and in the case, it can stay under longer (and go deeper) than the Olympus and Pentax models.

 

[extreme8]

I've got the Optio W-10 and have been very happy with it.
It works fine under water and I'm not afraid to take it anywhere. I've gotten fun shots in places I never would have taken my D200.
Remember, it's not just waterproof but dirt and sand proof as well. Drop it in the sand and you only need to rinse it off before you toss it back in your pocket.

I guess only you can decide if the quality is what you're looking for.
I happen to have these in my Photobucket account, if you'd like to see more samples before making a decision please let me know.

And one of a more normal subject (from the pool, BTW)

 

[SueInBoston]

I found some Pentax W10 pics in my photobucket account too:


edited...sorry, can't the picture to show.

 

[webshark3]

My Pentax OptioWP is my regular companion for my Disney trips. It makes a great backup camera to my DSLR. IQ is good outdoors, and so-so indoors, but great for play around water and in the rain. I'd look at the Oly if I were you becuase it's not only water and shookproof, but also has ANOTHER enternal housing for deeper dives.

 

[Jeanne B]

Some of you may have read my recent experience with my failed A610 (with the known ccd problem that Canon refuses to acknowledge on the A610 model) so now I'm trying to figure out how to replace our u/w setup before our cruise next month. I know I said I absolutely would not buy another Canon but I love the picture quality of the A series cameras (while they last, that is ) so I'm thinking about selling my A610 housing on ebay and buying the A720IS with it's matching housing OR the recently announced Olympus 1030SW which is waterproof to 33 ft and shockproof and freezeproof (we're snowmobilers so this would be good to use during the winter months also). I'm not thrilled about the XD cards though and it only has 3.6x zoom vs 6x with the A720. It doesn't take AA's but I can live with that and I'm guessing at 10mp and a 1/2.33 sensor the picture quality wouldn't be as good as the A720 but I like the fact that it would be a lot less bulky than a camera and housing. I thought about buying a used A620 on ebay so we could use it with our current housing but for about $70 more I could have a brand new A720 with a 1-yr warranty (I would then sell our housing and buy the matching housing for the A720). I've read about some of the Olympus u/w models having waterproofing problems which makes me a bit nervous but considering I have a useless A610 with less than 2000 shots taken with it I don't know that I can give Canon the upper-hand when it comes to quality.

Here's the dpreview links to both cameras...

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/specs/Canon/canon_a720is.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0801/08012202olyswseries.asp

And here's a link to the 1030SW on the Olympus website...

http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1363

Of course, the other issue is whether or not I could even get the Olympus in time...we cruise 3/2 and it's not available on Amazon until April but Adorama is showing them as available (I don't know that I trust the website though as all others are showing "available soon").

 

[DueyDooDah]

Well, as a SCUBA diver, I would have to go with the housing. Although they take a bit more work to ensure no water gets in, I need the depth they provide. I also use them when it's raining or in conditions I think might cause problems with my gear. I currently have a housing for my Canon Powershot S80, which I use exclusively for diving since I got the 30D.

I have owned alot of Canon gear, starting way back in the '70s with my F1. I have never had an issue with any of it. I am sorry you had a bad experience with yours. If you go the Canon route, I hope you fair better than with your A610.

 

[SharonLowe]

I love my Canon G9 with underwater housing. It is a super camera (though not terribly wide) and takes great videos too if that is something you would like. Yes, it requires a housing so becomes bulky but it will also be a great camera on land without the housing.

 

[ukcatfan]

I normally do not defend Canon too much, but I do like their stuff. I know that it is very tough for you being in the situation where your sensor is going bad, but it is not Canon refusing to include that model in the recall. The only cameras on the recall are ones with sensors recalled by Sony. IMO if you want to blame someone, blame them. Every electronic has an expected failure rate. This model seems to be above average, but it still might be within accepted tolerable limits for the industry. It also went past the warranty period, so to Canon, it completely meet its legal obligations to you. I just do not think you should rate their entire brand based on this one bad experience. Also, be sure to keep it as Sony could add that sensor to the recall.

I personally would go for the A720 just because the UW housing is going to be more reliable and useful than the camera made with it. I do believe that the Oly will have at least as nice IQ though b/c it does have a newer and larger sensor. I would not consider the zoom in the decision though b/c it is unlikely more than 3x zoom will be effective underwater.

One last thing, Pentax also makes UW cameras.

Kevin

 

[Schachteles]

Olympus is releasing the Olympus 1030SW on April 1st...it looks really cool.