waterproof cameras

[trouter203]

i have been kicking around the idea of buying a waterproof camera but the online reviews i have seen for the 5 or 6 cameras that i am interested in are just not consistent. i am hesitant to pull the trigger on a $300 camera when i am not overly confidant that i will be happy with it. does anyone have experience with water proof cameras?

[Andrew]

I have a Pentax Optio W30 and I think it's a perfect fishing camera. It's waterproof - even takes underwater photos and underwater movies - but it's also small enough to fit in a pocket.

I have a digital SLR that I would use for really "serious" photography, but the Pentax is my everyday camera, both for fishing and for other things. Haven't had any problems with it at all so far. I've had it a couple years.

[trouter203]

i am leaning towards a w80, but one web site liked it and another didn't. i think it is 12 mp which is better than my slr.
have you really submerged it?

[Andrew]

have you really submerged it?

Many times. I've posted videos and underwater photos of bait here on the site that I took with the camera. For example:

http://www.vimeo.com/1038761

I think I read somewhere that some people have complained that the gaskets eventually failed, but so far I've had no problems. It might be that you could get them replaced now and then as a preventive measure, but I'm not sure. All I know is that with my camera, so far, so good. I've never head it submerged for extended periods, but I've had it underwater for short movies. Mainly, I just wanted one that wouldn't get ruined if it got wet. I do take pretty good care of it, as well (wipe the saltwater off when I'm done, open the covers and let it air dry at home if it's been submerged, etc.)

[sickb4st4rd]

i am hesitant to pull the trigger on a $300 camera

Me too, so I just got the Sanyo Xacti VPC-E2 ($170) instead of the Xacti CA9 for $300. I wanted a video camera, and this take 8MP stills too even while shooting video.

There are some very bad design features (awkward button placement, low battery life, no USB charging, hard to navigate menus), but these are relatively minor for the price and versatility.. waterproof to 5ft or so. You do have to buy an SD card, but those are cheap.

Waterproof video and stills for under $200, not bad.

[trouter203]

Many times. I've posted videos and underwater photos of bait here on the site that I took with the camera. For example:

http://www.vimeo.com/1038761



i was expecting to see someone wet wading with herman's survivors on poaching those little guys.

[jpnymphfisherman]

I really love my Olympus Stylus S80. Great camera.

[French_Nympher]

I used the Pentax Optio for a year and it was great, until I lost it, in the Farmington River thorns somewhere.

I currently use a non-waterproof Canon Powershot SX110 IS. While not waterproof, this camera has a phenomenal 10X optical zoom, and with image stabilization, you can get clear imagery down to 40X with digital zoom. The IS makes a huge difference, let me give you an example. Driving through Collinsville one early morning, I spotted an adult bald eagle sitting in the dead tree on the far side of the pond. The eagle's silhouette against the sky was striking. I pulled over and rolled down the car window. From about a quarter mile out I was able to get a zoom shot of the bird that was at least 2000 pixels wide and CLEAR. I am a big fan of this camera.

The reason I mention this is because I don't believe the waterproof cameras always take good traditional photos. This is because of the pressure mounting glass in front of the lens. Regular cameras with the lens that extends outside the camera body simply take better pictures.

Try a couple of cameras before you buy.

[Kierran]

I have the Pentax Optio w20. It is still taking solid photos two + years later. I've taken multiple underwater shots and video with it too, although it took a while to gain the stones to do it. It certainly does what I need it to do. The w80 is basically the same camera with improved zoom, etc. They keep updating and will be at w120 before we know it.

[Todd K]

Canon also has an underwater now. I use a Canon with an underwater housing but it is clunky. Time to upgrade and skip on the housing. I dont think you will be disappointed in any of the cameras suggested. Most have good Macros and they have underwater settings to correct the lighting.

[Tidal]

The box said it is waterproof down to 10' and shock/drop proof from 5'. I haven't actually dunked it yet but I have gotten it muddy, used it in the rain and dropped it from about waist high to a linoleum over concrete floor and it still works fine. I bought it because of the implied waterproof and, most of all, for the "super macro" feature(it is bizarre too hold a camera so close to your subject.) It has a macro, super macro, and LED macro for low light close stuff. The panorama feature is pretty cool too. COS**O has it on sale now.

[Escapepod]

I to bought one of the olympus Stylus 1030SW...and it has weather quite a bit. The only drawback has been the propietary connector cable and the proprietary memory disk. It a 10 MP with all the bells and whistles including a panaramic mode.

I was able to pick this one up online and it wasn't as costly as you might expect. I figured it was worth the investment, especially as fishermane are in the water a fair amount of time.

[MuddlerMinnow]

I've been looking at several models of camera and found this review helpful.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/q209waterproofgroup/

MM

[trouter203]

i did read that one. i also subscribe to consumer reports and they happened to rate a couple of the ones i was interested in......however, they did not mention that they are weatherproof.
my final list was:
olympus tough 8000
pentax optio w80
panasonic lumix dmc-ts1
i went with the panasonic. it seemed to have the best overall rating for pic quality. i got what i believe to be a decent deal on amazon. i think i got it for $270 plus free memory card plus free shipping. it also seems the the optio has slipped over the past couple of years. i forgot what dissuaded me from the tough 8000. i believe someone said that they owned 2 of them and they both leaked. it may have been noisy too. anyway, my panasonic should be delivered today or monday and i look forward to not having to carry disposable cameras anymore or worrying about the family camera.

[MuddlerMinnow]

Trouter, I'd love to hear about your experience with the Panasonic after you've played with it a bit. Of the camera's discussed, it's at the top of my list right now.

[trouter203]

so far i like it. one annoying aspect though is that the software for hd video is only for windows. i can watch hd video directly on my tv, but i cannot put it on my mac. i have been experimenting with the video feature today as todd's video has inspired me to learn to create movies and imovie looks to be a powerful tool.
operationally speaking, it is pretty easy to learn. it takes very decent pics for a point and shoot. i haven't submerged it yet....just cannot bring myself to do it. i hope to get some shots this coming weekend in pulaski.

[Jon]

Bill - I'm about to push go on a new one also. Glad you reported the compatibility issue with iMac as editing video in this format is an essential criterion for me.

Todd, Steve, others with the Optio W90 - can you chime in about picture quality? Others are underwhelmed - what say your discerning eyes? Really would appreciate your feedback before I push go. I know the underwater vid is excellent, but it need to to take quality stills also.

Thanks -- Jon

[Todd K]

I'm not loving the picture quality. I really loved my Canon picture quality. Not to say I cant get a good picture out of it, but I don't find it does well in low light...but not many point and shoots do well in low light. I'm really disappointed that Canon has not jumped on the waterproof camera. They have one but I haven't read great things about it. The HD on the W90 is another plus, but again quality is so so unless you have good light. Not sure there is that perfect camera out yet.

This probably doesn't help you decide.

[Jon]

Todd - actually it does, because I rate picture quality first and foremost. So many $200 cameras take v good pictures these days that I won't buy the W90 if not up to scratch. Both you and Z fisher have commented on this, and you both have a photographers eye, so very helpful.

Is there a camera out there, Mac compatible, that takes good quality stills, video, and has the same robust casing as the W90? This last thing is arguably more important to me than water resistance. I need a camera that will withstand my fishing vest.

Thanks -- Jon

[trouter203]

Bill - I'm about to push go on a new one also. Glad you reported the compatibility issue with iMac as editing video in this format is an essential criterion for me.

Todd, Steve, others with the Optio W90 - can you chime in about picture quality? Others are underwhelmed - what say your discerning eyes? Really would appreciate your feedback before I push go. I know the underwater vid is excellent, but it need to to take quality stills also.

Thanks -- Jon

jon, it is now compatible. i believe when i upgraded to imovie last year, i no longer had the issue. you can also go to apple's site to see what cameras are compatible with imovie. i would tell people to look at the panasonics. leica lens, slim body. nice camera. i believe consumer reports liked them too when they reviewed them within the past year.

[Jon]

I've gone for the Olympus Stylus Tough. What Todd said about none of these cameras being all things made a lot of sense (none of the waterproofs seem to fair well in low light), so for $180 this seemed like the right deal for the features (14 MP, HD video, drop protection etc). I'll let you know how it goes.

I hope the carp like it.

Thanks all for the advice.

Jon