Waterproof Digitals

[Scott Brady]

My little sony waterproof (my first ever digital actually) died, so I am looking for a rugged camera to toss in a bag, take spearfishing, etc.

Light and rugged and at least 4mp. Don't care about much else.

A couple I am looking at:

Olympus Stylus 720 SW, 7.1 Megapixel, 3x Optical/5x Digital Zoom, Shock Resistant & Waterproof, Digital Camera (Blue)

Sealife ReefMaster DC600, 6.1 Mega-Pixel, 3X Optical Zoom Plus 4x Digital Zoom, Underwater Digital Camera - Rated up to 200'

Anyone have other suggestions they like?

[jeffryscott]

The Canon elph's nearly all have underwater housings available for about $150. A little bulkier, but the cameras are very well built and the housings are bullet proof. Gives you all access to every function too.

Given the quality of the images the little Canon's produce, I think this setup is excellent (magazine quality images can come from these little guys (I had a cover of LR Monthly with my 3.2 megapixel Elph and it looked great).

My two cents ...

[pwc]

I second the Canon SD series with a cover. it is bulkier though, but not a lot.
I used one for a week on vacation in Mazatlan and it saw use everyday at the pool and in the ocean/sand (which is more of what I got it for). Then a rafting trip in Costa Rica with no ill affects. It's been great.

Hmmm...the Reefmaster is actually about the same bulk, but I'd bet the Canon has more options. BTW, video with audio works fine with the case on.

I think it's good to 50'? So it has more depth than that Olympus.

[mountainpete]

x3 for the Canon with the waterproof case. Much more versatility and it takes great pics.

I like Olympus cameras too, but they have one major flaw in my opinion = the data card. They use that darn Olympus card instead of a standard SD or CF. It is a max 10 feet though. Anytning deeper then that requires an external case anyways. You might want to read this review: http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_reviews/stylus720_pg5.html

Sorry - don't know anything about the Reefmaster.

[mountainpete]

Anyway, the P&S camera that people seem to be using in outdoor circles is the Pentax Optio S6 or the newer replacements, W10 and W20. Supposed to be the gnat's behind for mountaineering and kayaking, so it'll probably do what you want.

FYI: I had a very poor experience with the Optio S7. Strongly suggest avoiding it.

[DaveInDenver]

FYI: I had a very poor experience with the Optio S7. Strongly suggest avoiding it.
Good thing Scott asked, I was considering one because people seem to have pretty good luck with them. A guy here in Denver, Marek Uliasz, straps them to his kayaks and I guess they hold up to that.

[Scott Brady]

Canon with case it is then.

I know Chris takes great images with his A70(?)

[pwc]

I've known people to have short battery life's with the A series (AA batteries I think). The SD line has always done me well, although my wife experienced a lens ailure (fixed under warranty) while she was on a trek, which was unfortunate. That was with the SD 700IS. Our SD630 has never given us a problem, but this is one person's experience.

It doesn't look like you can get a case for the newer SD 800 or 900 yet.

And for a charger, I've found this one (http://www.merkuryinnovations.com/camera_products/camera_lcca_lcc.html)to be handy.
http://www.merkuryinnovations.com/camera_products/images/lcc_d.gif

It says it'll do a 915 which I think the GL1 takes. It'll do a BP511 as well as up to the NB4L, which is up to the SD630. the 700,800 and 900 all take a NB5L, which requires another charger.
I'm just trying to point out you might be able to simplify things with one charger. My wife used this one on the 3 week trek to power her camera and 3 other Canons (mostly all BP511) with a 20W solar panel and it never failed them.

Just some thoughts. I see you're getting a Burton solar panel? which model?

[ducktapeguy]

FYI: I had a very poor experience with the Optio S7. Strongly suggest avoiding it.

I have the Pentax Optio WP series that I think Dave is talking about, which I think is different than the S7. It is popular with the outdoor crowd, it's small and waterproof to only 8? ft, and no retracting lens mechanism makes it fairly durable. Picture quality suffers because of that, lots of lens flares and ghost spots when using the flash at night, and not as sharp as the Canons. I thought I could sacrifice the picture quality for the robustness, but now I'm regretting that decision. I do like the fact that I feel like I don't have to baby it as much, it is something that you could throw into a bag and not worry about it. I think Casio? or Sony? came out with a similar camera with the same specs.

The Canon's take pretty decent pictures, but before you purchase be sure to search for the "Canon E18" error. I've already had two cameras (S330 and S400) fail within 18 months because of that, and know a few friends with the same problems. It seems to be a common problem across their whole line of cameras, and you're SOL if it happens, because Canon will not warranty it, even if it shows no sign of abuse.

[pwc]

And to counter that, I got a camera fixed with that error under warranty from Canon, so I doubt the SOL comment. Although at the time you might be SOL.

My daughter dropped another (yes, I have too many cameras) and all you had to do was push on the lens to get it back in. There's also instructions for taking the camera apart and fixing it yourself, if it's out of warranty.

[Nullifier]

Scott I have the Olympus that you reffered to. I use it for all my paddling and snorkeling trips. Great camera I love mine.

[ducktapeguy]

And to counter that, I got a camera fixed with that error under warranty from Canon, so I doubt the SOL comment. Although at the time you might be SOL.


That's pretty good for you, I don't think I've heard of anyone else getting it fixed under warranty, but i suppose the success stories aren't posted as often. I tried for 3 days with no success, they basically told me all they could do was charge me $200+ and they'd give me a refurbished camera. This is just one of the sites I ran across when researching the error.

http://e18.bitnet.cx/comments.php?full=1

I've tried the self-fix on one of the cameras, but didn't work, and I didn't bother trying it on the other.

I still like Canon cameras, I'm still debating whether I want to risk my money on the S3 IS, but let's just say I'm a lot more cautious now when buying them. I'm going to wait to see whether the problems have been fixed yet if i decide to purchase.

[jeff@work]

I have the olympus 720 sw and I'm really happy with it. I really like the fact that it is water AND shock proof (also supposed to be dust proof i believe) without the need of an extra case. Mine has been through more than it's fair share of crashes and rain storms while attached to the handlebars of my mountain bike plus a few kayaking trips without any problems (knock on wood!).

A few of the things i don't like are...

the usb cable is a special olympus one so you can't just use any usb cable you have lying around.

the video on it only records at 15 frames per sec as opposed to 30 most cameras shoot at.

it won't shoot the rapid repeat at the full 7.1 mp...i can't remember what it reduces it to but it's at least half that.

doesn't have optical image stabilization.

Other than that i really like it!

[cshontz]

I use an S80, which I think has been discontinued. Same general setup of a Canon compact in a waterproof housing though. It works really well.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/64/158842706_fe8df1638a.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/53/168304815_14115f90d1_b.jpg

[pwc]

I got back a repair quote on the camera my wife dropped off the counter (broke the LCD and control wheeL). $137 includes tax and shipping. Cheaper than a new camera.

And maybe I talked about the lens error too much!! I used the camera this weekend on a day of wheeling and it died after the last movie I wanted to shoot. Lens makes a click but doesn't extend and gives a general "Lens error, restart camera". I've tried the normal battery out stuff, but it sounds like a gear is missing its catch point.

Soooooo....we'll see if Canon repairs this under warranty or not.

[Scott Brady]

I like this one :)

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/64/158842706_fe8df1638a.jpg

[SOAZ]

of the "under $200 canons" what do you think is best. I was looking at the sd600 or 630. Is there any advantage to go with the more expensive 630 or 700 over the 600??

[pwc]

This might help, or maybe not
Canon Compare (http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare_post.asp?method=sidebyside&cameras=canon_sd600%2Ccanon_sd630%2Ccanon_sd700is% 2Ccanon_sd900%2Ccanon_s80&show=all)

THe 630 has the larger LCD and no view finder. otherwise it is pretty much the 600. The 700 has image stabilization as does the 800. The 700 has 4X zoom. The 900 and S80 offer 1024x768 video at 15fps. The 900 has twice the pixels on the LCD than the 900. The S80 is pretty bulky but offers a time lapse mode??? The S80 uses the NB-2L battery while the the 5L is about 75% more milliamp hours, thus longer time between charges.

just some thoughts.

[SOAZ]

sounds like you know what your talking about!! Yikes!
I think the sd600 will be good for what I want. I just wanted a tiny camera to put in my camelback for hiking, biking, dirt biking or walking around town with it in my pocket!
If I ever want to get into photos more I'll get a digital rebel or something.
Thank you!
BTW: check out www.fatwallet.com The best price I've found so far for the 600 is 189.00

[cshontz]

We have the S80 (mine) and the 630 (hers). I like my display better - brighter and better frame rate. Although hers is bigger and nicer for playback. I like the construction and portability of hers a little better than mine. Mine seems to have much better battery life than hers - although she does walk around with it on at events. Mine has wider angle lens, more manual controls. Image quality is great on both. Tennis balls don't follow us.

[robert]

I've got a Pentax Optio 33WR that I bought when they came out. I figured it ought to hold up to the dust where I was heading as well as be usable on my kayak when I got back. So far it's survived a year and a half in Iraq, getting bumped around in the truck and while mountain biking and numerous splashings while kayaking (including being dunked on more than one occasion). The picture quality is decent enough but certainly not pro quality. The downside is terrible movie quality, short battery life (luckily is uses AAs), limited actual zoom (I pretty much refuse to use digital zoom), and only 3.2 megapixels. I'd say I've gotten my money out of it though.

I've also got an Olympus C5050 with the Olympus waterproof housing for it. It takes good photos but it is very bulky when it is in the housing. It's also not super durable, I had to send it back for repair after I dropped it and the lens refused to come out. They had good warranty work though and I got it back quickly.

[Beowulf]

I will add to this thread as well. Just saw it after replying to another thread. The new Pentax W30 seems nice. They upped the depth rating. I had found that the W20 had a 40M housing made by seatool.net. Hopefully the W30 will also have a housing made. That way I could use it for a tough land and surf camera and then use the housing for Snorkeling (I tend to do lots of deep freedives) and Scuba Diving.

The Olympus 720 SW (I think) was just updated to a depth of 30 feet.\


popphoto just did a camera shoot out where the Pentax Otpio W20 won over the olympus.

http://www.popphoto.com/popularphotographyfeatures/3552/underwater-camera-shootout.html

[paulj]

I've got a Pentax Optio 33WR ..., short battery life (luckily is uses AAs), limited actual zoom .....

AA lithium batteries should give you good battery life. I use them in my 43 while traveling, reserving rechargeable metal hydrides for use around home.

paulj