OT: waterproof digital cameras

[jh_on_the_cape]

I want to get a little waterproof digital point and shoot for this summer. take it on rides, etc. The kind that claims to be shockproof, dustproof, and waterproof to about 10 feet.

If someone can post about nonstick cookware... then I can ask about cameras!

Like most things: I google and get overwhelmed.
I am looking to spend $100 or so, maybe $150. so no canon d10. Amazon has a number of options at this pricepoint.
We are happy with our Canon Digital Elph 8.0 MP camera. But my wife freaks out if I take it anywhere fun.

Any specific recommendations? I think more than a few people here are really into cameras.

Thanks!

[d_douglas]

I don't have it in front of me, but we own a P and S Olympus that might fit the bill. I think $100 is setting the bar too low, though. We bought this 3 years ago and paid $350cdn at the time.

Tecnhological advances will bring that quality down to cheaper prices, but not $100. Maybe $200?

Anyhoo, it is not a stellar camera (we have a big one for baby photos, safaris, etc), but it works decently and it is pretty cool when you can strap it on your wrist and swim out into the waves! It is also shockproof too - we have tested that maybe twice with short tumbles.

Good luck.

[benb]

Keep in mind light falls off quickly under water.. a small, inexpensive point and shoot is going to be even more handicapped underwater then it is on the surface.

OK, I'm a photo snob, but I don't get a chance to do underwater photography more often then once in a blue moon. I went to Hawaii in 2009 and I just barely got by with my Canon G9 P&S (around $500 at the time it came out) and the waterproof housing for it (Something like $200?).

You could spend a couple hundred bucks and not get any pictures that are any better then a waterproof disposable.. so you might want to decide how important it is..

This is one of my best underwater photos, I took this somewhere between 12-15ft below the surface, and I was pushing the camera pretty damn hard. I consider this a once in a lifetime moment for me.. I am not made of money but if I had known I was going to get this chance I might have said it was worth another $500 to be able to swim with my DSLR that day. I can print this 8x10 but not much beyond that. I'd be able to print it at least 16x20 if I'd had the DSLR. My $750 setup was really not much more capable that day then a $10 underwater disposable.

http://www.bsquared.net/Travel/Hawaii/Hawaii-Underwater/IMG1907/633380302_Fw7y3-S.jpg

If you are not actually going to go underwater then don't buy a camera that claims it can handle 10ft of submersion.. any decent camera is going to survive weather if you are just worried about it getting rained on.

[DRZRM]

I have the slightly more burly version of this camera, and I like it. I throw it in a jersey pocket and don't have to worry about sweat. I take it kiteboarding and don't worry about sand or surf. Takes OK pictures.

Panasonic (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TS10-Digital-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B003WJR680/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1305127024&sr=8-5)

[Likes2ridefar]

i have lumix's waterproof camera I purchased late last fall model ts10. it takes excellent quality photos and has been very reliable. I bought it so I would not have to worry about sweat or the occasional drop to pavement/sand, etc.

[GregL]

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_d10

If you shop around, you can get the D10 for ~$250. It's well worth the price. It is very rugged and is a true underwater camera (good to 10 meters). I gave my wife a D10 as a gift before a trip to Hawaii. It spent hours underwater with no problems whatsoever. Since it's rated for salt water, it holds up well in a sweaty jersey pocket.

- Greg

[jh_on_the_cape]

Thanks. I do like the Lumix but it's a tiny bit more than I wanted to spend.
My kids have started snorkeling and we live at the beach. We are going on a long trip this summer and will be spending lots of time in and and on the water. The water is very clear where we are going.

So it's not necessary, but I think it would be fun. Hence the low price point. My kids love taking pictures and I think an inexpensive 'shock proof' camera would be cool for them to use. and me to use also!

So is the step up to the panasonic (http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TS10-Digital-Stabilized-2-7-Inch/dp/B003WJR680/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1305127024&sr=8-5) from this cheap kodak easyshare (http://www.amazon.com/Kodak-EasyShare-Waterproof-Digital-2-4-Inch/dp/B004FLL5C2/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1305133007&sr=1-2) worth it?

There is a fuji at $120, olympus at $180, and the olympus comes in a few different models at different price points.

I am not a photo person, but I like having the pictures. I rarely use the features. I once borrowed a big Nikon DSLR for a trip. Never used it. I find it gets in between myself and my experience.

And I have once in a lifetime stuff happen to me all the time!!!

[johnjoe]

There are a couple of cameras recommended in the Outside Magazine Summer Gear Guide. I don't have it with me. But I believe one was an Olympus and the other a Fujifilm.

[Likes2ridefar]

Try bhphoto or adorama and you can get a package deal for probably less than the link you provided. i bought mine at adorama direct from the store with an 8gb ultra fast card for about what amazon wants.

[xjoex]

I have a Pentax Optio W60, the current model is a WG-1 and is about $280.
http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Adventure-Waterproof-Digital-Wide-Angle/dp/B004MKNJEI/ref=sr_du_3_map?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1305142922&sr=1-3

I use it for scuba, snorkel and kayaking.
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h85/boulderjoe/IMGP1500.jpg

The problem is it has terrible shutter lag. Maybe the new one has fixed that.

But I regularly ride with my Canon S90 in my jersey pocket (in a soulrun (http://www.etsy.com/shop/soulrun?section_id=6992130) phone sleeve*) . I sweat... a lot... and I mtn bike with it too, no problems. I even slammed it in to a rock when I slipped hiking and it is still taking fine pics.
From the bars:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h85/boulderjoe/IMG_4732.jpg

From the ground when I smashed it in to a rock:
http://i62.photobucket.com/albums/h85/boulderjoe/IMG_2506.jpg

So I say, unless you are doing watersports, don't worry about a waterproof camera.

Sorry if I went on too long!

-Joe

* I make these, feel free to delete this post if this violates forum policy.

[jghall]

I have the Olympus. Though I'd have to check which model number it is. I'd day average to very good pictures. Maybe not on par to the Canon and Panny, but certainly good enough. Maybe I was lucky, but I get mine for quite a bit less than the others.

[that guy]

I have an Olympus Stylus Tough 6020 14 Megapixel

It's awesome in that it is pretty indestructible and can go underwater in the pool. On rides I don't worry about it at all, just stick it in the jersey pocket.

It's a year old and there's probably a newer version out there, but it takes pretty lousy photos.

Then again, lousy photos are better than leaving your camera at home and having none.

[djg21]

I have an Olympus Stylus 1030 SW. (http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_archived_product_details.asp?id=1363&fl=2). The model has been "archived" and there are a number of new models in the "Tough Series" (http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital.asp?section=tough) at varying price points.

I love my 1030 and you might look for one on Ebay. It is shock resistant and waterproof to 33 ft without an underwater casing.