Waterproof camera - Low budget

[Nilsifjel]

Edit: Thank you all for your help, I'm sorted with a Fuji XP90. An early birthday present well received. <3

Hi everyone! I've been considering getting a waterproof camera for my upcoming trip, particularly for the water parks (13 days from now!) I've been so indecisive about it though. In the past I've used disposable ones but wanted to move on to a digital waterproof but don't have a particularly large budget to do this. I'm not expecting the world from a cheaper camera, I know you have to pay for quality.

I have found the Polaroid iE090 Dual-Screen Waterproof Camera and can get it for £49. I've seen such mixed reviews though. Some say, you get what you pay for and it's adequate, others say it's terrible. Does anyone have any experience of this camera or something similar?

I did look at waterproof 'bags' for my current little camera but they cost almost as much as the polaroid! (My big camera probably isn't coming with us because I'll have my phone and we've got free memory maker)

Do I be brave and give it a go, or stick with the familiar? Any thoughts on this are greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

[hakepb]

I think Polaroid is just a name owned by a Chineese company (or is used mostly to sell cheap Chineese electronics)

I know it's a bit more, but my Fuji XP90 is responsive and fun for a bargain name brand camer.

 

[Jennasis]

Dh bought a super cheap water proof camera that took great video of our pool time at BWV (underwater/on the slide). It was around $30. Be warned, there is zero sound quality though. Hold on, lemme ask him the name of it...

 

[Nilsifjel]

I think Polaroid is just a name owned by a Chineese company (or is used mostly to sell cheap Chineese electronics)

I know it's a bit more, but my Fuji XP90 is responsive and fun for a bargain name brand camer.

Both of my current cameras are Fuji and they're great! I like the look of the XP90. It is a bit ore than I was hoping to pay as the cheapest I can get it is £139. I might be cheeky and ask for an early birthday present

 

[Nilsifjel]

Dh bought a super cheap water proof camera that took great video of our pool time at BWV (underwater/on the slide). It was around $30. Be warned, there is zero sound quality though. Hold on, lemme ask him the name of it...

Ooo, please! Sound quality doesn't matter, I'm just looking for pictures rather than video.

I never thought trying to make a simple decision would be so stressful! It's probably because my trip to Disneyland Paris this weekend is in possible peril!

 

[Jennasis]

Ooo, please! Sound quality doesn't matter, I'm just looking for pictures rather than video.

I never thought trying to make a simple decision would be so stressful! It's probably because my trip to Disneyland Paris this weekend is in possible peril!

it's definitely a video camera. Don't think it does still pics...as soon as he gets out of the shower I'll ask him.

 

[hakepb]

Both of my current cameras are Fuji and they're great! I like the look of the XP90. It is a bit ore than I was hoping to pay as the cheapest I can get it is £139. I might be cheeky and ask for an early birthday present

Ironically, I thought I was buying a clearance XP80 at half price, but the store gave us the XP90

 

[Jennasis]

DH says the CoolCam S3000? He found it on Amazon.

 

[Nilsifjel]

DH says the CoolCam S3000? He found it on Amazon.

Thanks! Looks like a cool little camera but I haven't been able to find it in the UK. I'm going to have a look at a few places today and see if there's anything that inspires me

 

[jerzeystar09]

I have a Kodak waterproof camera that I got for $100 a few years ago that's great. I just did a search on Amazon and they have similar ones for $60. Not sure how that would translate to the UK, but do a general search there and I'm sure you will get some good options.

 

[DisneyFive]

Check these out: (I have the LD6000 version, but the LD4000 should work just as well but doesn't include wifi). Comes with a waterproof case, second battery, and a bunch of accessories.

1080P video, 12 mega Pixel stills. I bought mine specifically to video/photo our family in the huge waves at Typhoon Lagoon.

$43
Lightdow LD4000
https://www.amazon.com/Lightdow-LD4...?srs=9856108011&ie=UTF8&qid=1469725326&sr=8-1

$53
Lightdow LD6000
https://www.amazon.com/Lightdow-LD6...?srs=9856108011&ie=UTF8&qid=1469725326&sr=8-4

Dan

 

[alliecat523]

I bought a Panasonic LUMIX on Amazon a few years ago and it's worked great. Takes videos and still photos. I paid $100 for it.

 

[2Tiggies]

I bought a waterproof, triple seal pouch for my iPhone the last few times we hit the waterparks and used my phone for photos. Just make sure you get one that is clear on both sides so you can see the screen and have the lens free of obstruction at the same time. It worked great and meant I didn't have to carry anything, but also was able to keep my phone on me all the time. The touch screen works fine through the plastic. I think I paid under $10 for it on amazon.com with free shipping.

 

[ktlm]

We bought the Fuji a couple of weeks ago right before our trip to Aulani. If you can swing it, it is a great camera. It was really nice to be able to take it with us into the pools and ocean and get pictures. It comes with a wrist float strap too. We saw lots of people using waterproof cases over their cell phones, but I would be too scared it would leak or have issues and ruin my phone. Replacing the camera if it had a problem would be a lot less than replacing an iphone!

 

[Jadyreen1282]

We use an Olympus Tough

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

I have a Fuji XP from at least 4 yrs ago. Still works great. We use it in our pool, snorkling,beach, cruises, any where wet. Good pics and video, esasy to use, 5x zoom. It has taken a lot of abuse and just keeps going. I have a pocket canon and Canon dslr on tripd but this is what goes for everywhere wet.

I will say to get an extra battery though. It goes thru it at a good rate with zoom and all. I got generic battery and speed charger on amazon.

 

[bobbyshawatl]

If you already have a camera, this is what I bought many years ago. It's kind of clunky operating the controls through the plastic, but for a poor-mans waterproof camera, it's worked great! I HAVE used it for some underwater snorkeling and some kayak trips. I've had no problems with my camera getting wet: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002132LEM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[brownhaired_girl]

I bought a waterproof, triple seal pouch for my iPhone the last few times we hit the waterparks and used my phone for photos. Just make sure you get one that is clear on both sides so you can see the screen and have the lens free of obstruction at the same time. It worked great and meant I didn't have to carry anything, but also was able to keep my phone on me all the time. The touch screen works fine through the plastic. I think I paid under $10 for it on amazon.com with free shipping.

I have used this waterproof container for my cell. We got some great underwater video at the waterpark a couple weeks ago.
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Waterproof-JOTO-Motorola-diagonal/dp/B00QWRLFXQ

 

[Nilsifjel]

Thank you for all of your replies and advice! Sorry for my late response, I was lucky enough to be spending time with Mickey in Paris! I considered a waterproof case for my phone (existing camera is a bridge and wont fit in any of the pouches etc and is big to be carrying around all the time) but the idea of accidental leaks is horrifying. I was very kindly bought a fuji xp90 for an early birthday present and it's lovely! Very excited. Less than a week to go now.

 

[BridgeBuilder]

What about a Lifeproof (https://www.lifeproof.com/) case for your phone? If you have a fairly new smartphone, its going to take much better photos than any "cheap" waterproof camera. It'll be one less thing to carry. Plus, in the very very rare case of any accidental leak (which you should test the case before putting it on the phone), Lifeproof has a warranty that will pay for the cost of a new phone.