waterproof point and shoot?

aktse · October 8, 2007

It turns out that I'm taking another trip in about three weeks to a resort in Great Exuma, Bahamas. I'm more partial to the active type of vacation or ones in which I can absorb the culture around me, but this time, I'll be will stuck on an exclusive resort and participating from a specific list of set activities. I will be doing some sea kayaking, some sea snorkeling, etc.

After the glacier shootout, I now know what to take (fewer lenses, etc.) and what I need to buy (ND, grad ND filters). I do have a point and shoot, but it won't work in the water.

Basically, I think I will need a water proof P&S. From searches on-line, I think I should go with the Pentax Optio W30 or the Olympus Stylus 770SW. Or, are they're better options? Or, should I just forget about underwater shots and just stick with landscapes? :dunno I heard the disposable things aren’t that great, but that’s another possible route that I can take. In general, I’m live an active lifestyle (snowboarding, etc) and a weather proof P&S would be a nice to have.

I'm probably willing to spend max about $350, but cheaper is better.

help. :ear please.

swintonphoto · October 8, 2007

Here are a lot of cool underwater options:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/oima_underwater.asp
You could get an underwater housing for your slr. They make an underwater housing for the new E-410 - it has live view so it would be an underwater SLR.
In terms of point and shoot - here are the Oly models:
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_digital_sw.asp
They are all waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof etc. (can drop it and its not supposed to break). Looks like there are 3 models that have slightly different capabilities - different depth abilities, etc.
I think they would be a neat camera to have if I lived near water. But, alas, I live in Kansas... Doesn't get further from water than that.

Airedrifter · October 8, 2007

aktse wrote:

It turns out that I'm taking another trip in about three weeks to a resort in Great Exuma, Bahamas. I'm more partial to the active type of vacation or ones in which I can absorb the culture around me, but this time, I'll be will stuck on an exclusive resort and participating from a specific list of set activities. I will be doing some sea kayaking, some sea snorkeling, etc.

After the glacier shootout, I now know what to take (fewer lenses, etc.) and what I need to buy (ND, grad ND filters). I do have a point and shoot, but it won't work in the water.

Basically, I think I will need a water proof P&S. From searches on-line, I think I should go with the Pentax Optio W30 or the Olympus Stylus 770SW. Or, are they're better options? Or, should I just forget about underwater shots and just stick with landscapes? I heard the disposable things aren’t that great, but that’s another possible route that I can take. In general, I’m live an active lifestyle (snowboarding, etc) and a weather proof P&S would be a nice to have.

I'm probably willing to spend max about $350, but cheaper is better.

help. please.

g

I haven't used the Olympus but I have the Pentax W30. I abuse it and love it.

FWIW

ziggy53 · October 8, 2007

My son stationed at San Diego is heading to Iraq and wanted a camera with protection from blowing sand and the occasional rain storm.

This is what I am recommending for him (the camera is on its way):

FinePix F40fd
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/f/finepix_f40fd/index.html

Waterproof Case for FinePix F40fd
WP-FXF40
http://www.fujifilm.com/products/digital_cameras/accessories/protector/index.html

With 40 Meters of water depth protection and the low light capabilities of the camera, I think this combination should work fairly well for snorkel depth almost anywhere and a bit deeper for really clear water.

The combined cost for brand new in both camera and case is around $360.

ziggy53 · October 8, 2007

I see happy users of the Fuji camera and housing here:

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-WP-FXF40-Underwater-Housing-Fuji/dp/B000MSBPV8/ref=sr_1_1/104-8308774-8833533?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1191881693&sr=1-1

DoctorIt · October 8, 2007

I've had two of the Pentax W's (original WP and W30) and would buy another one in a heartbeat.

Unless you're really going to be an underwater shooter, I think the housings are too pricey and too specific. Get a little Pentax W and stuff it in your pocket all the time.

I've gotten great shots both in and out of the water with this little pocket cam. Most of them thanks to just having it on me. I do a lot of motorcycle riding and I love that I can just have this camera in one of my exterior pockets for immediate access.

Martyn · October 9, 2007

Have a look at the DiCAPac cases

http://dicapac.co.kr/eng/info-01.htm

They do a range of covers for most PS cameras.

I have a couple of the WP-100's which I use with a pentax optio S4i and a casio Z4 for snorkling and shallow scuba diving.

ziggy53 · October 9, 2007

Martyn wrote:

Have a look at the DiCAPac cases

http://dicapac.co.kr/eng/info-01.htm

They do a range of covers for most PS cameras.

I have a couple of the WP-100's which I use with a pentax optio S4i and a casio Z4 for snorkling and shallow scuba diving.

Wow! Very reasonable!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16830998078

Thanks for the heads up.

aktse · October 9, 2007

For that price, the DiCAPac wins.

I'll let people know how it handles in the field... Thanks! You have been very helpful!

ziggy53 · October 9, 2007

I will be getting a DiCAPac for my son and probably for myself (FinePix F30). It's not a perfect solution, but I plan on adapting both the camera and the DiCAPac slightly.

For the DiCAPac, I will make a centering device to help keep the lens centered in the "optical port". Some folks say this is a problem.

Since the DiCAPac has a seam directly atop the camera, which folks say makes the camera difficult to turn on and to "feel" the shutter button, I'll also rig a different mechanism to access those functions.

The DiCAPac also has a thick ring around the port which impairs flash use, so I plan on creating a diverter for the flash so that the light can emerge through the DiCAPac in a transparent area.

Martyn · October 9, 2007

On land the camera can be operated OK. Underwater I did have problems with the small buttons on the cameras, especially the Pentax where the on/off button is very close to the shutter release button.
I stick a small plastic bead to the buttons using double sided sticky foam tabs (cut to size) and this makes the camera much easier to to use.
I have never had a problem with the lens moving from the optical support. The camera always sits in the correct position and so I've never thought about securing the camera's position inside the case.

ziggy53 · October 9, 2007

Martyn wrote:

... I stick a small plastic bead to the buttons using double sided sticky foam tabs (cut to size) and this makes the camera much easier to to use. ...

Great idea!

Thanks,

Phyxius · October 9, 2007

Hey April,

Did you see my point and shoot while we were in Glacier (I took a picture of you with it, so I'm sure you saw it, but do you remember it?)

It's the Olympus Stylus 725. I kick it's butt and it keeps on working. It goes on trail rides with me and preforms really well. I'm a fan of olympus though, my first two digital cameras were by them.

(I just looked them up again..whew wee! D-490 2MP camera in 2000 for $500 and the C-2040 in 2001 for $700. The 490 got stolen when a roommate of mine hosted a party while I was out of town and I bought the 2040 to replace it.)

Ann McRae · December 8, 2007

Oh, April

Did you buy one? Which? and how did it perform?

We are going to a resort for New Years - Mayan Riviera and so the snorkelling should be great.

We had a Sony U60 - lovely camera although taking photos while snorkelling is really challenging. Anyway, the boy took it to Brazil, swears he brought it home, but we can't find it.

Last yr for Christmas I gave the younger boy a nice Sony P&S - the W50 maybe - I can't really remember- anyway, he killed it within 3 months - dropped, abused, carried in his school backpack - and unreapirable.

I guess I am looking for a multipurpose P&S, with underwater capabilities, and tough enough to take the beating we are likely to give, and capable of snorkelling, or beach or boat ride photos.

ann

Phyxius · December 9, 2007

Ann, check out the Olympus waterproof and shockproof cameras.

I love to throw mine to other people and see them cringe. They KNOW it's shockproof before I throw it to them, but it's hard to believe they could let it drop and it'd be okay.

Olympus

MooreDriven · December 9, 2007

I have the Fuji FinePix F30 with underwater case. I've only used on a snorkling trip, around beach, etc., (not scuba yet), and it worked great. I doubt the F30 is still available, but the replacement unit will be fine. I've used the disposable camera's in the past and hated the results. The Fuji produced some good images.

Here's a shot of the camera and case (I took this for a recent assignment)

Here's a few sample images:

Dale

keepright · December 11, 2007

I'm going to add another vote for the Olympus SW series. I have the 770SW, and have used it in conditions that I wouldn't put another camera in. I have plenty of photos from inside waves on the beach, but my favourite use for it was when I was remodeling the kitchen. I needed to be able to see inside walls, and the 770SW was small enough that I could squeeze it into corners and stud spaces. When the day was finished and the camera was covered with plaster dust, I just rinsed it off in a bucket of water.

Over christmas, I plan on handing it off to a four-year-old to use. (I'm not a complete fool, it'll be in fully auto mode.) I'm looking forward to seeing what she captures.

Diving cases are still needed for serious underwater work (they're available for the 770SW as well) but they add a lot of bulk. The SW can fit in any pocket designed for a GPS or cell phone that you may find on backpacks or PFDs.

The one caveat is that it's still just a pocket P&S, and doesn't produce stellar images. They're pretty good, but you can get "pretty good" for less money if you want Just Another P&S Camera.

waterproof point and shoot?

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