Waterproof Digital Camera Recommendations

Anyone got any reccomendations for the above?

Jono

Anyone got any reccomendations for the above?

Jono

You wont go wrong with an Olympus 850 sw Jono,bought one last year and very pleased,use it all the time now...even on dry land.Got one of those 'water bouys' for when we use it on the RIB[auto inflates] and job done.Good price too.

There are only two makes of waterproof digital cameras which do not require an additional housing.

Pentax and Olympus.

The basic summery of which are the Pentax cameras take slightly better pictures but the Olympus cameras are much tougher. The Olympus 1030 is the only 10 meter depth rated camera I know of.


Mike

Got to agree, have used the little Oly 850 and it's not bad. But not totally water proof if your after taking it for a swim.
You can get housings for small compacts but they are expensive.
One example is This (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1028301) with This housing (http://www.warehouseexpress.com/product/default.aspx?sku=1028707)
All depends how dunkable you want them.

Jono, I keep banging on about this but we have one of the Sanyo XACTI cameras which is both stills and movie.

http://uk.sanyo.com/Products/View/VPC-CA8%20Orange

it is 8.1 Megapixels which is fine for most people. Although Perhaps not the likes of JSP or SlimTim.

Jono

I have to agree with a number of the others re: Olympus

I have an older 770 sw and its superb. Unlike John I've not had a problem with underwater usage, but I only used it whilst snorkelling - not to any depth. And the sw range can really take some backing around without suffering any degradation of performance. Certainly when I buy another compact it will be an Olympus sw again

If you've got some more pennies to spend and fancy a DSLR, take a look at the Olympus E410, 14-54mm lens and the water proof housing to suit. Great compact DSLR (smallest on the market) and would be ready to dive.

All depends what level of photography you want to do. Holiday snaps or just quick fun snaps then any "waterproof" compact will do. If you want quick auto focus, more frames per second, better low noise at high ISO etc...then go down the DSLR route. You wont regret it :thumbs:

The waterproof housing in the photo is for thw olypus 7-14mm wide angle.

Cheers guys:thumbs:

Jono

Anyone got any reccomendations for the above?

Jono

2 new ones out soon....look fantastic!!!
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/-/253/333/-/9037921/Sanyo-Xacti-VPC-CA9-Waterproof-HD-Camcorder-Digital-Camera/Product.html?searchtype=genre
http://www.play.com/Electronics/Electronics/4-/9037943/Sanyo-Xacti-VPC-WH1-Waterproof-HD-Camcorder/Product.html

Tony

You wont go wrong with an Olympus 850 sw Jono,bought one last year and very pleased,use it all the time now...even on dry land.Got one of those 'water bouys' for when we use it on the RIB[auto inflates] and job done.Good price too.

I have the same - works well enough for me - but I find you need to get pretty 'close' to stuff to be able to get a decent pic & I cant see the display in any sort of light when on the boat - I just point & take a load & see what comes out .....

Last 2 camaeras have Olympus

I wish people wouldn't keep going on about the number of megapixels. In most cases it means nothing - just another example of things being sold by numbers because that is all people understand.

I used to have a Fuji Finepix - sold it to a mate. He is in a photography club and the results from the fuji are amazing - it is only 2 mega pixels. It beats many 6 or 7mp cameras. It hase an amazing elns and a brilliant sensor. Wish I had.t sold it.

His girlfriend bought him a 7mp camera - not sure what but it was about £200 - the Fuji still beats it.

If you look in the Argos catalogure these days you will see that most of the binoculars they sell have silly numbers - they have one pair which are 18-100 x30. Things like this should not be allowed - with 30mm you shouldn't go over 6 or 7 - even on it's lowest power it's crap and you could never hold it.

So don't just buy on numbers please!!!

I have a Pentax Optio - don't like it much because there isn't much to do - just point and shoot - but it's certainly waterproof.

I have a Pentax Optio - don't like it much because there isn't much to do - just point and shoot - but it's certainly waterproof.

Have the same camera for on board use and it is great bit of simple kit, waterproof and easy to download etc

I wish people wouldn't keep going on about the number of megapixels. In most cases it means nothing - just another example of things being sold by numbers because that is all people understand.



It's nothing to do with the number of megapixels, more to do with the space around each pixel.
All compact including prosumer cameras suffer from small sensors with too many pixels crammed in. Each pixel effectively courses electrical interference with the pixel around it.
Olympus DSLR's wail good, suffer the same as they are on a four thirds sized sensor.
If you have a compact at 10mp it will be worse (in theory all though some manufacturers have started to over come this) than an four thirds DSLR which is then worse than an CMOS sensor in such as Canon's mid range DSLR's. You really begin to see the quality when you go to full frame sensors (same size as old 35mm film) in cameras Like the Canon 5D MKII, Nikon D700, Canon 1Ds MKIII, Nikon D3x.

It also comes down to the software in side. Noise reduction software in any camera should be turned off. Also some manufactures produce better filters in front of the sensor than others.

I've taken picture with a Canon 1Ds at 21.1 mega pixels that have less noise at ISO 1600 than a Canon 20D at 8 mega pixels. Fair enough the 1DS is newer tehcnology but it goes to show.

IMO the more quality pixels the better. Best for printing large, cropping and image alteration in photoshop.

Anyone in the market for cameras' should have a read through this site http://www.dpreview.com/ and find the camera your after in the camera data base.

Olympus 850 sw is looking like a good option.

Jono

Hi Jono,
If you are interested,I have a Vivitar 6.0mp waterproof digital camera for sale.I took it on holiday last year and thats the only time it has ever been used.It is very robust and is totaly encased in a yellow ruberised outer case,as I said used it once to go snorkeling.If you want it you can have it for £40.
I am located in north wales,not that far from you.

Regards
Howy

Where to find good stores for cameras in the south uk. Around Southampton or on the internet....

My latest camera cost me £120 and is 70mp - it's awesome!!!

Olympus 850 sw is looking like a good option.

Jono

I have an Olympus 850, and it's great, underwater & in the dry. I bought it from a company outside Exeter called Cameras Underwater. Google them & you'll find their website I'm sure.

my latest camera cost me £120 and is 70mp - it's awesome!!!

i wish people wouldn't keep going on about the number of megapixels.


:d

:d

Just illustrating a point. It's a Canon A1 - when I scan the slides in I get 70mp!!!

Just illustrating a point. It's a Canon A1 - when I scan the slides in I get 70mp!!!

Is it waterproof?

Just illustrating a point. It's a Canon A1 - when I scan the slides in I get 70mp!!!

Always fancied one of those built like the proverbial brick s******** and can operate without batteries I think:thumbs:

Just illustrating a point. It's a Canon A1 - when I scan the slides in I get 70mp!!!

Megapixels? Where do they come into it when scanning? More DPI ;)
Digital sensors have now surpassed 35mm film in rez. IF you want amazing quality get a medium or large format camera and a drum scanner.

Anyone got a Olympus mju 1050 SW ?

Jono

Got the Olympus 770 SW and it's great but the menus make my brain bleed compared to a Canon system ...........