Hey all,

I'm in the market for a waterproof P&S camera to compliment my DSLR gear. My wife and I do a lot of travelling. We are pretty active during our trips and I need a waterproof P&S to go places I don't dare take my DSLR.

Honestly, I don't care so much about the picture quality of underwater shots as much as I do of the photos taken above water. This will be my wife's primary camera. She kind of serves as our "2nd shooter" during out trips so it's important that the camera take good photos. My main priority is that the camera have good low light performance and a decent zoom range but nothing ridiculous. A plus would be the ability to shoot in RAW format and also in manual or at least aperture/shutter priority. Neither is a deal breaker though. Oh... and price is really not a consideration. I'm willing to pay for a good camera.

Thanks in advance for you help. Let me know if there is any additional specs you need.

- Alex

No experience with waterproof cameras, sorry, but I did find this recent survey of some: http://www.lenstip.com/134.1-article..._-_part_I.html

I'm in the same "boat" as you... I don't really care about bells and whistles, or even image quality for that matter, but one thing that I *DO* care about as a DSLR owner and photography lover is, the wide angle. It seems like all P&S cameras are either 36mm or 28mm, barely any go wider than that! I found the Panasonic TS20 that has a decently wide 25mm angle, although it is f/3.9 or something lame. Good stabilization though and decent image quallity up to ISO 800 / 1600. The best part is, it's $139 these days so I got that and an insurance add-on for $160 or so. Not bad! So far the images seem to be pretty nice too. Haven't put it to the torture test yet though.

As a DSLR-loving photographer, you may also be interested in another one of the "indestructible" cameras out there, I forget which one it is but it's got an f/2.0 wide end, which is awesome. Depends on what is important to you, I guess.

=Matt=

Some time ago I bought my son a FinePix P&S and a DiCAPac case, based on a tip from a DGrinner (Martyn). While it was not optimal for underwater, it did work, and out of the DiCAPac it was a normal camera.

For occasional use I feel that its a workable solution.

http://www.dicapac.com/products/prod...cate=3&tcate=0

http://www.dicapac.com/gallery/pictures.asp

Originally Posted by MarkR No experience with waterproof cameras, sorry, but I did find this recent survey of some: http://www.lenstip.com/134.1-article..._-_part_I.html

Thanks. I give that link a look.

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville I'm in the same "boat" as you... I don't really care about bells and whistles, or even image quality for that matter, but one thing that I *DO* care about as a DSLR owner and photography lover is, the wide angle. It seems like all P&S cameras are either 36mm or 28mm, barely any go wider than that! I found the Panasonic TS20 that has a decently wide 25mm angle, although it is f/3.9 or something lame. Good stabilization though and decent image quallity up to ISO 800 / 1600. The best part is, it's $139 these days so I got that and an insurance add-on for $160 or so. Not bad! So far the images seem to be pretty nice too. Haven't put it to the torture test yet though. As a DSLR-loving photographer, you may also be interested in another one of the "indestructible" cameras out there, I forget which one it is but it's got an f/2.0 wide end, which is awesome. Depends on what is important to you, I guess. =Matt=

Matt,

We're on the same page. I do want it to be water proof since we do a lot of water activities while on vacation and I always like have a camera with me and I don't want to have to fuss with a WP case. I do agree on the need for a wide angle. I want to be able to use this camera for candid lifestyle shots but also for the quick landscape or creative shot where going wide is needed.

I've considered getting a cheaper camera with insurance so if it gets damaged, no biggie but that won't really help if it gets hosed early on in my trip. I experienced this when we went for a 5 week trip to Asia. I dropped my only DSLR down a flight of stairs on the 2nd day. The lens mount got bent on both the body and a the lens that was mounted. Both were repaired but it took 4 of the 5 weeks. What a heartbreak. I ended up buying a D700 a couple days later so I was covered but I don't want it to happen again. Mind you, this will be a secondary camera but still, would rather buy something I can take in the water without to much risk of it breaking.

Originally Posted by ziggy53 Some time ago I bought my son a FinePix P&S and a DiCAPac case, based on a tip from a DGrinner (Martyn). While it was not optimal for underwater, it did work, and out of the DiCAPac it was a normal camera. For occasional use I feel that its a workable solution. http://www.dicapac.com/products/prod...cate=3&tcate=0 http://www.dicapac.com/gallery/pictures.asp

Will check this out Zig.

Thanks guys.

There are many that fall into the $350 price range. The Nikon AW100 is one. Canon has a similar, the Dsomething. Olympus has several models.

Originally, I'd looked at the Nikon. However a friend of mine bought a Sony and is pretty happy with it. The Canon has nice ergo feel but kinda sucks picture quality wise I need to look at the Sony as the picture quality is pretty good-not sure what the model is.

How about a GoPro HD2?
I've been at one of those, for just about everything from swimming, cycling and motorsports.. Granted, there's not even a viewfinder (which may steer you away).

The GoPro, while waterproof, isn't really all that easy to use. It's meant more for set and forget use-plus, no easy way to frame the image without getting the back-pack for it.

Sony TX200V.
Nikon AW100.
Canon D20.
Olympus TG 820.
Olympus TG 1 iHS.

The TG1 is the f/2.0.


Not a huge fan of housings for everyday carry. A housing also requires diligence with regard to the seal or you risk flooding the camera. The same holds true for any P&S that goes below it's threshold.

Have a GoPro already. I agree with Ian on it's use. Had it for our last vacation to Hawaii. Took quite a bit of video. Have yet to watch one second of it. LOL. My wife insists on taking video though. I guess it gives her the warm and fuzzies just knowing we have the video because she hasn't watched it either.

Ian... I found a consolidated list of the latest waterproof/rugged camera with links to reviews on CNET. I think all of the ones you have listed are on there. Reading through the reviews now. So far, the TG1 is in the lead.

Here is the link for those interested

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-6501_7-...ders-compared/

Those (the exception of the TG1) are the cameras I've been looking at. I just saw the TG1 this weekend. Interesting camera.

Thanks for the CNET link. I hadn't seen that before.

I just ordered a TG1 from Bestbuy yesterday (that camera is hard to find right now and even back ordered at Olympus.com). It's supposed to be shipped to my local store in the next day or two. I'll be sure to do a mini review as soon as I get it. I bought it for use in Hawaii as a goof off camera so I don't have to worry about my DSLR all the time. I thought the F2.0 was intriguing and initial reviews have said the pics are some of the better that they've seen on an underwater P&S.

Originally Posted by anonymouscuban Matt, We're on the same page. I do want it to be water proof since we do a lot of water activities while on vacation and I always like have a camera with me and I don't want to have to fuss with a WP case. I do agree on the need for a wide angle. I want to be able to use this camera for candid lifestyle shots but also for the quick landscape or creative shot where going wide is needed. I've considered getting a cheaper camera with insurance so if it gets damaged, no biggie but that won't really help if it gets hosed early on in my trip. I experienced this when we went for a 5 week trip to Asia. I dropped my only DSLR down a flight of stairs on the 2nd day. The lens mount got bent on both the body and a the lens that was mounted. Both were repaired but it took 4 of the 5 weeks. What a heartbreak. I ended up buying a D700 a couple days later so I was covered but I don't want it to happen again. Mind you, this will be a secondary camera but still, would rather buy something I can take in the water without to much risk of it breaking.

I guess I wasn't clear- the Panasonic TS20 that I spoke of is indeed a waterproof, "indestructible" model. For only $139.

However if your budget can stretch further, towards $300-400, then I'd consider that other one I mentioned with the f/2 lens... I went ahead and looked it up for ya...

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/05...compact-camera

=Matt=

Originally Posted by Matthew Saville I guess I wasn't clear- the Panasonic TS20 that I spoke of is indeed a waterproof, "indestructible" model. For only $139. However if your budget can stretch further, towards $300-400, then I'd consider that other one I mentioned with the f/2 lens... I went ahead and looked it up for ya... http://www.dpreview.com/news/2012/05...compact-camera =Matt=

Thanks for the follow up Matt. I read through a bunch of reviews yesterday and at this point, I think it's going to be the TG1-iHS. I'll probably pick it in the next couple weeks so I will let you guys know what I think.

Originally Posted by anonymouscuban ...always like have a camera with me and I don't want to have to fuss with a WP case ...

I looked at getting a wp cam about a year ago but ended up getting a used Ixus 65 + proper (Canon wp) housing off ebay.

Whilst I can appreciate the 'fuss' aspect, the case is superbly built (imo) and inspires confidence in use ... and when not needed, mrs pp has a perfectly acceptable handbag cam (which she's used a fair bit since)

pp

I went throught this a few years ago when I wanted to buy a waterproof camera for my son. After much research, I wound up buying the Panisonic Lumix DMC-TS2 . A sweet little camera which takes surprisingly good photos. The only problem is that after just one year, it had a problem with leakage through one of the door seals. Turns out this is a known problem with this camera with multiple reports on the internet. When I suggested to Panasonic that this was a design flaw, their only response was that I should have replaced the door seals annually.

I was able to dry out his camera and it now functions normally. It still takes great photos, but it is no longer waterproof. Do not buy.

Interesting info Mitchell. As I mentioned, I'm currently about to pull the trigger on the Olympus TG1-iHS. I've read all the reviews available online and it's seems to be the best "Rugged" camera on the market right now. My wife currently has a WP Olympus. I don't recall the model but we've had it for about 4-5 years. Never had any issues with leaks. It still works great, it just kind of sucks in the PQ area, really slow lens and suffers from shutter lag.

I feel pretty good with my decision to go with another Olympus.

When I was looking, the olympus WP camera was noted to have poor IQ and was due for an overhaul. Sounds like they finally got around to it.

A waterproof camera can be quite handy. My son's has surprisingly good IQ. Here's a shot of my family climbing a waterfall in Jamaica during a torrential downpour. Definitely not a DSLR activity or weather!

I've got 2 Panasonics.
TS4, which I took down to 40'. Took a bunch of shots and video.
Also TS20, which is rated to around 15'.
IQ is decent, not great.
Only issue above water is the small lens can get finger prints which will distort shots.
Nothing to clean it off with in the water.

We bought the Panasonic TS3 for sports related snapshots with no intentions on any serious photography. I had to send it back to Panasonic three times due to warranty issues. This camera was ostensibly shock resistant and waterproof, but multiple versions have had many problems. I honestly just prefer using a good quality Canon P&S like the S90 or S100 or G12 and a nice Canon waterproof housing. I have gotten used to the slight inconvenience of using the housing and the camera's are better.

Thought I'd update you guys. I received the Olympus TG 1 iHS today in the mail. It's charging as I type so I haven't really done much with it. I did handle it and my initial impression is that it's well built. One thing I was surprised to see is that the lens doesn't have a retractable cover like other P&S I've owned. It does appear to have a clear "filter" over the front lens element though.

I plan on playing around with it tomorrow in the pool. Maybe I'll do a mini review of it.