Waterproof camera recommendation?

[Tinkerbellie16]

I've searched the threads and checked out some online reviews about waterproof cameras but everyone's opinion is all over the place. Can anyone recommend a waterproof digital camera that I can take to the waterparks and the pool? Here is what I am looking for:
- Not spending a LOT of money (preferably not more than $200)
- Able to use it in pools, fresh water lakes, and possibly the ocean to depths of 10 feet (15 - 16 feet would be great too but not necessary)
- EASY TO USE
- Decent pictures (nothing fancy, but not a blurry mess either!)
- Prefer nothing too 'slow'

Extra bonus would be to have a video camera with sound on it but it is not a deal breaker.

Any help is appreciated.
Thank you!

 

[princesszelda]

I have a friend who swears by this camera Canon PowerShot D10. It will be my next purchase before we go camping next spring/summer. I know they use it a lot of the beach as well as her husband who goes kayaking with it. I would check around and see where you can get it the cheapest. HTH

 

[Gianna'sPapa]

Dpreview.com just posted a review of compact waterproof cameras. I've found their evaluations to be fairly accurate.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11081610waterproofcompacts.asp

 

[scootch]

I have a sony tx5 and LOVE IT. It has become my everyday camera too. Touch screen, so easy to switch from video to pictures. Paid about $279 for it.

 

[webshark3]

Dpreview.com just posted a review of compact waterproof cameras. I've found their evaluations to be fairly accurate.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11081610waterproofcompacts.asp

Great timing for that review. And I agree with it. I'd probably go Fuji for super-cheap, but Panasonic if I want quality.

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Dpreview.com just posted a review of compact waterproof cameras. I've found their evaluations to be fairly accurate.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/1108/11081610waterproofcompacts.asp

I actually found this article before I posted the question but then I realized they actually REVIEWED the cameras but I had to click on the links But wow, what detailed reviews! After reading this, I'm thinking about the Panasonic. But they only reviewed 6 cameras so I would love any other input or recommendations.

Thank you!

 

[Tiger926]

I was going to post this exact same question!

The DP review is great!

We like the Panasonic, so we'll have to go search that out in camera stores and get a feel for it.

Thanks for posting, Tiger

 

[pgowder]

First read this:
http://www.wdwphotography.com/dont-let-the-water-hold-you-back/

You don't have to get a waterproof camera. We used this method for several years.

On a recent WDW trip the camera died and unexpected death--not related to water. It turned on, extended the lens and hasn't done anything else since!

Anyways, we just bought DD the Olympus - TG610.

She's 7 and it is a great camera for her!

The underwater shots from it our much better than I expected!


Pool Party by Paul Gowder, on Flickr

She used it last week at a photography camp. She shot with is for about 4 hours each day. And when she shooting that means the lcd is always on and she reviews the photos dozens of times! And the battery lasted the whole day each day.

I'm happily surprised by it's performance.

 

[Tiger926]

First read this:
http://www.wdwphotography.com/dont-let-the-water-hold-you-back/

You don't have to get a waterproof camera. We used this method for several years.

On a recent WDW trip the camera died and unexpected death--not related to water. It turned on, extended the lens and hasn't done anything else since!

Anyways, we just bought DD the Olympus - TG610.

She's 7 and it is a great camera for her!

The underwater shots from it our much better than I expected!


Pool Party by Paul Gowder, on Flickr

She used it last week at a photography camp. She shot with is for about 4 hours each day. And when she shooting that means the lcd is always on and she reviews the photos dozens of times! And the battery lasted the whole day each day.

I'm happily surprised by it's performance.

I have read conflicting reviews about these bags. And for us, we'd need multiple bags, as we use multiple cameras. I would rather spend a little more money and get a new camera, as the DSLR bags are costly.

Could be a good solution if it always worked! Thanks for sharing, Tiger

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

First read this:
http://www.wdwphotography.com/dont-let-the-water-hold-you-back/

You don't have to get a waterproof camera. We used this method for several years.

On a recent WDW trip the camera died and unexpected death--not related to water. It turned on, extended the lens and hasn't done anything else since!

Anyways, we just bought DD the Olympus - TG610.

She's 7 and it is a great camera for her!

The underwater shots from it our much better than I expected!


Pool Party by Paul Gowder, on Flickr

She used it last week at a photography camp. She shot with is for about 4 hours each day. And when she shooting that means the lcd is always on and she reviews the photos dozens of times! And the battery lasted the whole day each day.

I'm happily surprised by it's performance.

Thanks for the info! I definitely want a new camera though because we only have ONE camera for the 4 of us so I want a new waterproof one so we at least have two cameras. I could get another non-waterproof camera and do this but since I'm going to get a camera anyway, I am ok with getting the waterproof camera. Thanks again!

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

After thinking about this (too much!), I started to think the Sony would be better than the Panasonic. Then I started to wonder if I should just buy the cheap Kodak one out there since my waterproof cameras up to this point have been the disposable ones so maybe I don't need to spend a bunch of money on one (The Kodak is coming in at about $65 where the Panasonic & Sony run ~$300). But I'm just not sure! I'm not a photographer by any means, but I don't want a camera that does not take decent shots or ends up leaking or whatever (I've seen mixed reviews on the Kodak - some on the boards LOVE it and on other sites I've seen horror stories). So anyone have the Kodak and have any feedback on it?

Thanks!

 

[Tiger926]

After thinking about this (too much!), I started to think the Sony would be better than the Panasonic. Then I started to wonder if I should just buy the cheap Kodak one out there since my waterproof cameras up to this point have been the disposable ones so maybe I don't need to spend a bunch of money on one (The Kodak is coming in at about $65 where the Panasonic & Sony run ~$300). But I'm just not sure! I'm not a photographer by any means, but I don't want a camera that does not take decent shots or ends up leaking or whatever (I've seen mixed reviews on the Kodak - some on the boards LOVE it and on other sites I've seen horror stories). So anyone have the Kodak and have any feedback on it?

Thanks!

What Kodak is it?

I don't buy any Kodak products, as I don't find they are good at all, but maybe for my daughter to use underwater, as it's only $65.00. Boy, that's cheap!

Tiger

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

What Kodak is it?

I don't buy any Kodak products, as I don't find they are good at all, but maybe for my daughter to use underwater, as it's only $65.00. Boy, that's cheap!

Tiger

I found it on Amazon for that cheap and it is called the Kodak EasyShare. The Amazon reviews are mixed (of course) but I did a search on the DIS and found several happy DISers that bought the camera. I end up paying $12 each for a disposable camera and then end up paying $20 to get them developed with a photo CD because there are so few places that will process film!! So if I buy two waterproof cameras and get them developed, it would pay for one of the Kodak cameras. I think I'm convincing myself to get one

 

[Tinkerbellie16]

Ok, after replying to that post, I realized that I should buy the Kodak EasyShare FOR NOW. Since we have 4 people in our family and 1 camera, it is worth it to buy this camera even if it ends up being the kids' camera. I will probably want to buy a better waterproof camera for myself but at the very least, I realized I would be spending as much on the disposable cameras and development than I would on this camera for the kids. Amazon has this camera with a orange float strap for new and free shipping for $66.28.

 

[Tiger926]

Ok, after replying to that post, I realized that I should buy the Kodak EasyShare FOR NOW. Since we have 4 people in our family and 1 camera, it is worth it to buy this camera even if it ends up being the kids' camera. I will probably want to buy a better waterproof camera for myself but at the very least, I realized I would be spending as much on the disposable cameras and development than I would on this camera for the kids. Amazon has this camera with a orange float strap for new and free shipping for $66.28.

Thanks for the link - it does look interesting for the kids, but it only goes to 10ft, so that won't be enough for snorkeling.

Happy shooting, Tiger

 

[dioxide45]

Last year we bought a Canon D10. We got the dreaded lens error about a month before a cruise. We sent it off and they fixed it. Not long after that we got the lens error again. This time I figured since it was shock proof I would just drop it hard on to a carpeted floor. Voilà, fixed the problem. The lens mechanism seems to get jammed when the camera is turning off or on as you can hear the lens move when powered up/down. On the next trip, got the lens error again while in the water snorkeling off of Puerto Morelos in Mexico. So I smacked the camera against my hand hard and it started working again.

Needless to say, we have just bought a new Olympus TG-610. We will see how it goes. So far the battery life doesn't' seem to be as long as the D10 is. It does have some other cool features though that the D10 doesn't have. We have had a couple card errors with it that required us to remove the SD card and reinsert it. I hope that isn't a sign of things to come.

 

[pgowder]

. We have had a couple card errors with it that required us to remove the SD card and reinsert it. I hope that isn't a sign of things to come.

Make sure you format the card with that camera. That helps with read errors.

 

[dioxide45]

Thanks for the link - it does look interesting for the kids, but it only goes to 10ft, so that won't be enough for snorkeling.

Happy shooting, Tiger

I guess it depends on how deep you dive. If you are just a top floater, then 10 feet is more than enough. Many snorkel excursion one would take on a cruise require you to wear a vest, so diving isn't usually an option unless you are on your own.

 

[dioxide45]

Make sure you format the card with that camera. That helps with read errors.

Thanks, I think I did do that as we bought a new chip when we bought the camera, but I will give it another go anyway. Removing the card and reinserting it fixed the problem, so it seems like it may have something to do with making proper contact inside the camera. We bought a 2yr extended warranty just for the convenience of being able to walk it in to a store. So I do have a little peace of mind there. Of course that doesn't help if it goes haywire while on a trip.

 

[Tiger926]

I guess it depends on how deep you dive. If you are just a top floater, then 10 feet is more than enough. Many snorkel excursion one would take on a cruise require you to wear a vest, so diving isn't usually an option unless you are on your own.

Yes, you are right. I just asked my hubby, and he said that would be fine as well. Thanks so much!

We are looking at the Olympus TG-310 and 610.

Panasonic looks good, but too expensive, and not that enamored with the Sony.

We have several other digitals, so no need to spend $400.00 on Panasonic for use as strictly a water camera, as we will only be using it for water activities.

This thread has helped us in our research! Tiger