waterproof camera or phone case

[prodis5]

I am wanting to take photos on our cruise of our dolphin excursion, snorkeling in Grand Cayman (along with Starfish Point), swimming on the beach, etc. Does anyone have a reasonably priced waterproof camera they can recommend? Or would a waterproof phone case be the better option? I have an iPhone 6plus. Thanks!

 

[Amanda129]

I bought a DiCAPac case for my camera a few years ago, and as long as you follow the directions exactly, they work great. It'll depend on what you're purchasing it for, but for the little Kodak point and shoot camera I had at the time, the case was about $20.

A friend of mine has the Nikon Coolpix AW120 (They've discontinued this one since they have a newer model now, the AW130, which runs about $280. You might be able to find the AW120 used though), and it takes awesome photos. It's been snorkeling in Hawaii, drug through several mud runs and color runs, it's been dropped while hiking countless times, and it's still going strong.

 

[LizGirl]

I purchased the Nikon AW130 from Amazon last year and have been really happy with it! It is nice to have a camera that I don't have to worry about near sand and water. It doesn't perform as well as my Canon in low light but it does great in sunny conditions, which is where you would be using it anyways. I purchased a huge memory card for it and I can take nearly unlimited photos and videos.

 

[Msidescooter]

For our last cruise we bought a cheap water proof case on amazon for $20. The case worked well, but beyond about 10 meters it started to compress onto the camera, preventing it from taking any photos. But that's what you get for 20 bucks!!

http://www.amazon.com/Polaroid-PLWP...&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00

 

[cyclenut]

I had the Nikon and really liked it but it leaked after a few uses and doesn't work anymore. I now have the Fuji XP 70 that I picked up at Costco and it works great. I used it snorkeling and it took very good pictures and video. I just don't trust the cases as well as I probably should. I know a few that purchased the case for their Digital SLR, but that seems too bulky for me.

I know it probably goes without saying, but the real problem you have to watch out for with the waterproof cameras is the battery door. That seal needs to be in good condition and you have to check the door before taking it underwater.

 

[cheermom2four]

I have the Nikon Coolpix and love it! Will be taking it again this summer on our next cruise. Bought it on amazon. Like PP stated, just need to make sure the battery door is sealed good.

 

[Floridatinaherb]

I purchased the Nikon AW130 from Amazon last year and have been really happy with it! It is nice to have a camera that I don't have to worry about near sand and water. It doesn't perform as well as my Canon in low light but it does great in sunny conditions, which is where you would be using it anyways. I purchased a huge memory card for it and I can take nearly unlimited photos and videos.

That's the same one that I have...loved it and it took really good pictures underwater once I figured out what I was doing with it! LOL

 

[Flossbolna]

I would be far too scared that waterproof case is not as waterproof as it is supposed to be, or that I make a mistake and then my expensive IPhone is gone... I got a waterproof cover for an old point and shoot once though and found that trying to take underwater pictures was far too much hassle for me. The one that I got was from DiCaPac and it worked quite well.

 

[ludari]

I'm a scuba diver so I have several underwater cameras but for your situation I would recommend one of those Olympus Tough or GoPro cameras. Personally I would never use my cell phone to take pictures around water even with a case.

 

[wcw57]

my dgd bought an expensive waterproof case for her i-phone instead of an underwater camera. She really enjoys the new phone she had to get immediately after that because of the water damage to the original phone................jus sayin'

 

[hoffman1]

We bought a Go Pro for our last cruise.
I don't think I could trust a waterproof case.

 

[Capt_BJ]

my dgd bought an expensive waterproof case for her i-phone instead of an underwater camera. She really enjoys the new phone she had to get immediately after that because of the water damage to the original phone................jus sayin'

my LIFEPROOF case for my iPhone came with a 1 year warranty against leaks - they replace the phone . . . . steps to register were a bit cumbersome but .... good for 2 meters for 1 hour .... I trust mine for surface use and at the beach 110%

As a previous post mentioned cuz he was a diver ... there is a difference 'tween a 'waterproof camera' and a water resistant camera so you may want to be more specific in your shopping search. For most folks a camera good to 30 feet is WAY more than what they need while a diver's real underwater camera is typically good to 100 feet or more. This does not sound like a big deal to a non diver, but in the physics of diving and pressure at depth it is a BIG deal!!

WHICH EVER WAY YOU GO ... the MOST important thing is maintaining the integrity of the seals at the openings of the camera body: battery, charger and memory card. These are typically serves by a small rubber o-ring seal and the slightest dirt or grain on sand can provide a path for water to enter and DESTROY. Do NOT open one of these compartments unless you are in an unquestioned clean and dry and windless environment . . .

want an entry level 'real' u/w camera?

http://www.sealife-cameras.com/micro-2-64gb

Features a 16MP SONY® CMOS Image Sensor for stunning still images, full 1080p HD video and a built-in 130-degree Fisheye Lens, the Micro 2.0 provides everything needed to capture and share your underwater encounters down to 200 feet/60 meters. The Micro 2.0 has no doors or openings that could possibly leak. With 64GB of onboard memory, high capacity internal battery and WiFi, there's no need for memory cards, batteries, O-rings, or maintenance.

but it does cost a bit more than most 'water resistant' cameras .... in the $500 neighborhood . . .

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I got a Panasonic Lumix waterproof camera, once I figured out that I should. Previously I'd been buying the disposable Fuji cameras. They were fine, but I wanted a better one.

 

[truck1]

We bought a Go Pro for our last cruise.
I don't think I could trust a waterproof case.

You can trust a waterproof case, as long as you do a few things. First and foremost is pay attention. Whether its my GoPro, Olympus Tough, or my Sea Life DC1400, I do the same thing to them each time. (in 1 case I learned the hardway not following my own advice)
First, before you do anything, pay attention. Look at the seals. Does it appear to be distorted or have chips or nicks in it or is there dirt on it. If its questionable, change it. (I keep spares jic)
If the camera, like a GoPro goes into a case, put a small piece of papertowel,(without the camera) preferably blue, or colored (water shows up better on colored towels) into the case. Then close it up. Put it into a container of water and let it sit for an hour or so. Take the housing out, and dry it off, then open it up. If the towel is dry, put the camera in, and go have fun. If the towel has water on it, don't use it. Replace or clean the seal.

 

[truck1]

I'm a scuba diver so I have several underwater cameras but for your situation I would recommend one of those Olympus Tough or GoPro cameras. Personally I would never use my cell phone to take pictures around water even with a case.

I have a Olympus TG1 and use it for snorkeling and the pools. Works great in that respect. I have a GoPro also and though it has some limitations I still love using it for video on a 7' pole.

Working where I do, and having learned from different reps, I cant think of a reason to use my cell phone or Ipad, tablet etc, for picture taking. If its all I have, that's one thing, even the basoc point and shoots will out perform phone cameras any day.

 

[prodis5]

Thanks so much to everyone for their advice. I really appreciate it- I am a terrible decision maker so it helped a lot!

 

[TeaBee]

I am wanting to take photos on our cruise of our dolphin excursion, snorkeling in Grand Cayman (along with Starfish Point), swimming on the beach, etc. Does anyone have a reasonably priced waterproof camera they can recommend? Or would a waterproof phone case be the better option? I have an iPhone 6plus. Thanks!

Well, I can tell you what I don't recommend! We used waterproof phone bags (something like this) and they were terrible. They were reasonably good about keeping water out, but all of our pictures were terrible and one phone (out of four) died a slow a tragic death after the trip. We're planning on a waterproof camera next time.

 

[turtle27]

If you want to test it out first, you can always go with the cheaper disposable water proof cameras. I know the quality is not as good, but they are not pricey and so very little commitment.