Underwater/waterproof cameras, cases and housings

[Marie9LPG]

Floating wrist-strap works very well.

We also found it took fairly decent shots on the rides with the anti-shake on.
Marie

 

[wdwwishes]

Canon just came out with one too. Overall the specs seem to be the same. Not sure about Olympus's megapixels, the Canon one is rated at 12.1. My DDs both have the Olympus Stylus 850 SWs and love them. The pictures they take are good as are the movies. The underwater results are nice too. Simply because I'm a Canon gal, I just bought Canon's underwater model which is the D10 for when I don't want to carry my DSLR around. I paid $330. for what I want it for, I know I'm going to be happy with it.

 

[nikkistevej]

I love my Olympus- I also like the fact that it can record video. I have a Canon Rebel- so very paranoid around any water. I took my Olympus jet-skiing- and it was awesome to use. I did buy the floating strap for the water- and it works great. Good luck with whatever choice you make.

 

[alan]

Has anyone ever tried taking a waterproof cameras to rides at the water parks. Are you allowed to hold the camera as you go down the rides, or do the CMs not allow you to carry stuff?

regards,
/alan

 

[SueInBoston]

I did with a small waterproof P&S (Pentax Optio), just make sure you have a really good wrist strap. Mine came off my wrist at the wave pool, luckily found it at the bottom.

 

[jenbeat1]

I took mine with no problems!

 

[donaldduck1967]

Floatable straps are available.

 

[TEK224]

Wow! All this time on the Dis and I didn't even know there was a photography board!

Need some help from any photography/camera experts out there.

I'm going to Hawaii in Sept. and will be doing some snorkeling and other water activities. I want to get an digital underwater camera.

I looked at the Olympus Stylus Tough-6000 and 8000.
Looking at a comparsion, the only differences I see are that the 8000 is 12MP, while the 6000 is 10MP, the 8000 is waterproof up to 33 ft, the 6000 to 10 ft. (I won't be going more than 10ft under), and the 8000 is supposedly crushproof up to 220 pounds of pressure (the 6000 is not). Both are shockproof (6000 up to 5ft; 8000 up to 6.6 ft.)

The 6000 is approx. $299 and the 8000 is $399. My question is, do you think the extra 2MP and being crushproof is worth the extra $100? I'm normally pretty good with my cameras. If I do drop them, it's not usually from any great height.

Any help would be appreciated. If there are any websites that compare the two or offer help, could you let me know them also?

Thanks!
Terri

 

[ukcatfan]

IMO the extra MP is a detriment. Even 10MP is too much from a p&s camera's tiny sensor. I personally would not need the extra depth either, so it is a no from me. On a different note, I have seen some waterproof cameras for $200. It used to be just Pentax and Olympus with waterproof models, but now I believe that Fuji, Canon, and Panasonic have models. If you are willing to get a discontinued model then you can probably get below the $200 mark. Look at places like Adorama, B&H, and Buydig.

 

[rtphokie]

I'm not a big fan of the dedicated underwater cameras sold anywhere but a dive shop. If you need a new point and shoot and would find the water proof feature useful (snorkeling, water rides, rainy days, the beach), then it makes sense. I wouldn't spend a couple hundred bucks on a camera just for snorkeling ever few years,

If you already have a point and shoot camera, consider getting a water proof bag instead. I've got an SLR but also have a point and shoot canon that I have a bag for and get remarkable good results for not much $$$. I recently got a flip video camera and put it in an inexpensive waterproof bag as well.

Also, If you are just snorkeling, the depth they are rated for really doesn't make much of a difference.

Do a search here on keywords like EWA-Marine, DicaPac, Waterpak, or Aquapac for info on the bags. They range from $20-$80 depending on the size and quality. The inexpensive ones are just thick rubbery plastic bags with clear sides. The more expensive ones have glass ports and allow your camera to extend it's lens out.

 

[My2Girls66]

I bought a SeaLife Eco-Shot for around $200 last year for a snorkel trip. I got certified to dive so I went with the 75' model. I got some nice shots above and below the water with it. A friend of mine bought a waterproof bag from LL Bean and stuck her camera in it and she got some decent shots- it was $40 ish.

 

[MichelleinMaine]

I just last week bought an Olympus Stylus 850SW from LL Bean. It is a bit of an older model (these things change so darn fast!). I got it at the outlet open box and it was only 11 cents more than it was at Walmart. I figure the warrantee is worth 11 cents! (Plus I had LLB a gift card to use.) It's on sale now, too.

Olympus camera at Beans

I got it for underwater, plus as for a general take-along camera when I didn't want to bring my DSLR.

I have used it underwater only so far as sticking my hand in the pool with it. (Too cold to swim yet!) Definitely not the quality of pics from my Rebel, but I was pleasantly surprised with the above/below water quality. Can't wait to take it out in the kayak and lake later this summer. (Other places do sell a floating wrist band for it too. Being cheap, though, I plan to just cut a section of pool noodle and tie it on if I'm using it outside of just the pool.)

 

[wdw-ocd]

I love the portability of my Sony Cybershot, but hate that it's not waterproof and takes crappy pictures in low light.

I'd like to get a new camera, especially since we'll be going to Discovery Cove this trip. Any suggestions?

TIA

 

[Frantasmic]

http://www.popphoto.com/Features/The-5-Best-Waterproof-Compact-Cameras

One of these ought to work. The Pentax at the end seems to give you the most bang for your buck for your adventure. Waterproof to 10 feet. 5x optical zoom and some decent video capabilities with a macro feature for under $300.

 

[annnewjerz]

I'd recommend the Olympus Stylos 1030SW. I bought it before our trip to Mexico last year and had a blast using it in the pool, on the beach and snorkeling through caves/reefs/etc. It was around $300, took very nice underwater pics (especially compared to a cruddy disposable) and really came in handy! My only complaint is the lack of viewfinder---the LCD screen is big and bright and great for when you are shooting underwater, but above water I like to have a viewfinder to look through. AND---you may want to invest in the floating wrist strap if you are thinking about swimming in any deep water. The camera is like a little brick, there was one time while snorkeling in a cave on vacation that I almost dropped it and if I had, I wouldn't have gotten it back.

Also---for what it's worth, I believe Mark (MarkBarbieri) said he was using a Pentax underwater camera for the trip to WDW that he just returned from and said that it failed after using it for their first day at Typhoon Lagoon. I'm not sure how old it was, or how much it was used, but he said that he is considering getting an Olympus now rather than replacing the Pentax.

So far, I've used the Olympus for a week-long vacation in Mexico, as well as some pool shots when back at home and my sister has it at the beach right now and so far, so good.

Here are a few sample pics---hadn't use the camera prior to this and I'm sure the more you use it, the better the pics would turn out.

Underwater

Above water

 

[zackiedawg]

If you intend to use it as your primary camera, and want the highest possible quality and control, I'd recommend looking at the new Panasonic Lumix TS1 (28-128mm optical lens, real lens-shift image stabilization, waterproof to 9 feet, shockproof from 3-4 feet, around $350) or the Canon D10 (35-105mm optical lens, real lens-shift image stabilization, waterproof to 30 feet, shockproof from 3 feet, around $300). Both of these will likely excel a bit with regards to image quality over some of the less expensive waterproof compacts, because they are essentially 'midrange' compacts with waterproof shells, as opposed to cheap compacts with waterproof shells. And they both feature mechanical image stabilization, as opposed to the more common digital stabilization. Also, the Olympus Tough 8000 and Pentax Optio W80 might deserve mention in this class, as the Olympus also has mechanical stabilization (though not the Pentax) and both have a useful 28mm wide end for around $300-320.

If you want to pick up a cheaper camera that can give you the underwater ability for a bargain price, check out the Fuji Z33WP, Pentax Optio W30, or Olympus 1050SW. All should be found for around the $150-160 range, and all can do at least 3 meters water resistance. The lenses all don't have mechanical stabilization, nor do any have a true wide angle lens (they range from 35mm to 38mm at the wide end). And they all may not have quite the quality lens as the higher priced models. But they're a bargain for the money. Personally, I'm thinking of picking one of these up myself just as an extra fun cam for underwater stuff - my Sony T100 remains my primary compact, and my DSLR will still do the bulk of the serious work...but I used to have a waterproof case for an older camera, and miss the ability to walk around in pouring rain snapping pics, or jumping in the ocean or pool with the camera. Personally, I kind of like the Fuji - it's very small and thin, fits in a pocket well, and is a good bargain...but that's for someone who has 2 cameras and is just looking for a cheap third one to abuse!

 

[missmary]

Just FYI, I took my not quite 1-year-old Olympus Stylus 1030 SW (precursor to the new 1050) to WDW in early June. Took it to the pool on day 3 of an 8 day vacation. Got it wet, not even submerged, for the first time. It waterlogged and stopped working for two weeks. Consequently, I had no camera for my family's first and only day at Hollywood Studios, during Star Wars weekend.

The camera eventually dried out and, more than two weeks later, seems to work fine. However, I would never recommend this line of cameras to anyone for underwater pictures. Plus dealing with Olympus customer service has been a nightmare. (Disney, on the other hand, had amazing customer service and paid for taxi to take me to Wal-Mart to buy a new camera.)

Good luck finding one to meet your needs.

 

[disneygirlinnj]

I have a pentax optio w60 and I love it outdoors. at night and indoors it can get a little iffy but underwater and outdoors it's amazing! I haven't had any problems with it and I've had it for about a year now. I used to own the pentax optio w10 (their first underwater camera) and was happy with that too.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

The best waterproof cameras are the best normal cameras in waterproof shells. That can range from $5,000 shells for DSLRs to $150 shells for cameras like Canon's G10. Our primary underwater camera is our Canon G9 with a waterproof shell.

We did have a Pentax W30. It was reasonably competent for its class of cameras. Our particular one had electrical problems from the start. We sent it in to be repaired and it worked well for a while. It died again on our last outing, so we are scrapping it.

If I were to buy a waterproof camera today, I'd probably opt for the Olympus Tough-8000 or the new Pentax W80. More likely, though, I'd buy something like the Canon G10 and waterproof shell. Because the shell has fewer openings to secure, it will be more waterproof. It won't be as easy to use as a dedicated underwater camera, but it will work well enough.

I would avoid the zip-lock bag type enclosures like the Ewa-Marine bags for underwater use. I've used them for DSLRs in pools and other controlled situations, but they don't inspire confidence. They are more appropriate when you want pictures in a rain/splash zone rather than spending any significant time underwater.

 

[zackiedawg]

FYI - With all waterproof cameras (and cases), they are extremely sensitive to exact and proper closure procedure, and to regular maintenance of the rubber seal (also replacement of the seal, if you keep the camera more than a year or two).

Because the camera has to have an opening door, for accessing battery and memory card, it has a very obvious weak spot in its armor against water intrusion. The doors or latches on these cameras are usually quite a bit heftier, and usually have some form of clamping or tightening latch to help keep the door closed tightly. Inside the door, around where it meets the camera body, is a gasket (or multiple gaskets) which seat into a channel or groove, which when compressed creates the seal to keep the water out. This gasket is the reason 90% or more of the waterproof cameras or cases end up letting water in - it must be seated exactly, precisely, and with absolutely no foreign objects on it or in the groove it slots into. Foreign objects for a precision piece like this doesn't mean a chunk of food from your hamburger...it means even a tiny speck of dirt or a fine hair. So whenever opening or closing those doors on these cameras, the gasket should be thoroughly checked, cleaned, and the groove checked too, then carefully and slowly closed ensuring a proper seal before cinching the latch to lock it down.

Maintenance-wise, the gasket should be occasionally 'lubed' - there are several waterproof greases that are designed for these types of gaskets, and some cameras even come with them.

I'm not saying the poster above had this issue - it may well have been a faulty camera - but I've heard many many instances of waterproof cameras failing and most ended up being improperly sealed at that door. Just an FYI, so anyone buying a waterproof camera doesn't end up losing it on the first day because there was a small lint hair in the door gasket when they closed it and it filled with water the first time they took it under!