Waterproof Digital Camera Advice

[StephC1217]

Hi

i am looking for advice on a waterproof camera. I currently have a Panasonic Lumix that I bought at Xmas time and really like, especially the 8x zoom. I am now looking for another camera to use at the beach/waterparks/etc. I would like something that takes good quality photos above water and underwater. After lots of research, I thought I had decided on the CanonD10. My boyfriend doesnt like it because he thinks it is too bulky looking, but it seems like it takes the best quality photos. However, after doing some research and reading reviews on Amazon, it seems that a lot of people have complained about getting "error-messages" and it stops working. So now I am having second thoughts. I am currently deciding between giving the CanonD10 a chance, the Pansonic waterproof camera (since i like my Panasonic) and Fuji Finepix waterproof. I can't afford anything terribly expensive- no more than $300 ideally. Anyone have any input on any of these cameras? Anyone ever have a problem with one of these? TIA!

 

[cmwade77]

Ok, I feel like I am a broken record on this one (my apologies to those that read most of my posts about camera).

I recently got the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3. It extremely compact, waterproof up to a depth on 40 ft for 1 hour. The zoom is 4.7x Optical and 24x? Digital, so it is not as high of a zoom as your current camera; however, it is extremely good for a digital camera.

It does take great low light pictures out of the water and the few photos I have done under water have been good too. I tend to use the camera more for when I am going on water rides or swimming than underwater pictures.

Another cool thing is it takes true HD video.

It is about $15 higher than what you suggested on Amazon, at least with free shipping, but there are cheaper options there as well:
http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC...Z0JM/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1309208134&sr=8-3

For some reason the Blue is the cheapest color, it's the color I have and it looks nice.

Here are some pictures that I have taken recently:
http://wades4ever.smugmug.com/Other/2011-06-18-by-Eye-Fi/17620146_DfjjPW
http://wades4ever.smugmug.com/Other/2011-06-16-by-Eye-Fi/17595078_WCJWvp
http://wades4ever.smugmug.com/Theater/The-All-American-Melodrama-My/17514560_Fk2zQd
The following gallery is from Little Mermaid at DCA - NOTE: This was my first time of using the camera, so please keep that in mind:
http://wades4ever.smugmug.com/Disneyland-Resort/DCA-1/17363220_Rt8TqF

 

[ssanders79]

We have a Fuji FinePix XP10. It is small and durable.. Just dropped it on concrete at Typhoon Lagoon last week. We use it soley at the beach, pool and waterparks. It is around $130 now. We own the green version which turned out to be a great choice when it fell out of my pocket at the bottom of a waterslide making it quick and easy to find in the pool.

 

[Kate3456]

I have the Olympus TG-310 (orange) it is waterproof, shockproof and freezeproof. I think it is about $150-175 depending where/when you purchase. My DD has it in blue. We have had zero problems - and it is perfect to throw in the purse or backpack when traveling/hiking/skiing because I don't worry about damaging with condensation or any other moisture. I recommend at least giving a look.

 

[alloyd1170]

Have you looked into underwater housings? I picked up one for my Canon G11 for a trip to the Galapagos. Worked pretty well. Would've loved a housing for my Canon 7D!

 

[GoofyDuck32]

We have a Fuji FinePix XP10. It is small and durable.. Just dropped it on concrete at Typhoon Lagoon last week. We use it soley at the beach, pool and waterparks. It is around $130 now. We own the green version which turned out to be a great choice when it fell out of my pocket at the bottom of a waterslide making it quick and easy to find in the pool.

I have this same camera also, and it takes great pictures, and video, i have used it many times in Hawaii, and the Caribbean doing snorkling and beach activities, my friend and i both got the same camera before our first trip to Hawaii, and his ended up getting water in it some how on our second trip the the Islands and stopped working, but he loved the camera so much and it is such a great price he replaced it with the exact same camera, mine has never had a problem, but i also got the accessory kit along with it, which comes with a floatie thing, a case, and a rubber cover for the camera, so im not sure if having the extra stuff has saved my camera or if my friend just was careless and dropped the camera somewhere he shouldnt have.

 

[StephC1217]

Thanks everyone for the thoughts so far. My camera would also be mostly for water parks, beach, poolside, rain, etc. so i dont have to worry about m camera getting wet- but hopefully some day i will go someplace nice enough to take underwater photos! I did originally look at the Olympus Tough but had heard some negative things about picture quality...but if you havent had problems then maybe i will give it another look! Funny thing is my b/f gave me a fuji for mothers day but i didnt think it would have good quality photos so i returned it...now i hear all these great things about it!