Best waterproof camera with image stabiliser to use

yellowmitch · 03 July 2007, 15:20

Hi there,

I wanna record my antics on the rib with a waterproof camera, such as the pentax optio w30. Thing is, I want most optical zoom possible.

Any suggestions at a cheap price?

Alan

timboli · 04 July 2007, 05:19

Still only 3 x zoom but can be dropped from 1.5 metres? and waterproof too 5 meters,the olympus mju 725,around £146 from ebuyer.
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/127938

Paul Beaurain · 04 July 2007, 05:43

Our experieances with the Opti.
very waterproof and slim.
Main frustrations are no viewfinder, have to see image on LCD panel. In bright conditions this is not possible - you just have to pount and hope!
The second frustration is the delay between shooting and the shoot being taken, this has meant many missed moments.
I am now looking for a better waterproof compact - any ideas....
paul

codprawn · 04 July 2007, 11:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by yellowmitch

Hi there,

I wanna record my antics on the rib with a waterproof camera, such as the pentax optio w30. Thing is, I want most optical zoom possible.

Any suggestions at a cheap price?

Alan

It is very very difficult to get a big optical zoom into a digital camera that is waterproof as the lens needs to hide behind a panel.

http://www.steves-digicams.com/2006_...stylus750.html

This is about the closet you will get but do NOT expect it to be as waterproof as the Optio - it is basically showerproof only.

The real solution is to buy a waterproof caqsing of some sort.

the other option is to do what I did. An optio WP for use when it's wet and a stuunning Panasonic Lumix FZ50 with a 12x image stabilised optical zoom kept in a waterproof case and used when it's not likely to get wet. Best of both worlds.

jonmitch · 05 July 2007, 17:51

I've used a lot of waterproof cameras whilst diving and se-kayaking.

Your best option is to choose a good compact digital with maximum optical zoom and then buy an underwater casing. There are loads of sites that will tell you about the availability of casings for different cameras. I use a Sony Cybershot p series with Sony's in house casing.

Hope this helps.

jon

jonmitch · 05 July 2007, 17:54

http://www.egears.co.uk/pd_sony_marine.cfm

Milo72 · 05 July 2007, 18:24

I recently bought a Olympus mju 770 from ebay. [7meg, stabilizer and digital zoom]
it's waterproof to 10m, crush proof to 100kg, shock proof for a fall of 5' and freeze proof to -15... It's Milo proof!

I took it to the pub, and dropped it in a mates cider with the self timer on....

then my missus dropped it on the floor...
it still works!

it's small enough to fit in a pocket and with a 1gig card at highest quality will still hold over 200 pics.

I love it.

here is my mate thru a pint of Blackthorn

codprawn · 05 July 2007, 21:37

Yes but it's still only 3x zoom!!!

ian parkes · 05 July 2007, 22:14

I have been using mine for over a year now . iam well pleased with it . There are settings where there is no delay after pressing the button .

There is virtually nothing else to choose from in its class that i could find . Casings may work well but are expensive and bulky. The main advantage of the Optio is its small and easy to use one handed , I just tie it to me and slip it inside my lifejacket .

Cookee · 06 July 2007, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by timboli

Still only 3 x zoom but can be dropped from 1.5 metres? and waterproof too 5 meters,the olympus mju 725,around £146 from ebuyer.
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/127938

Got one - the menus aren't the best, but otherwise I love it!

Stoo · 06 July 2007, 11:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Milo72

here is my mate thru a pint of Blackthorn

That's frickin hilarious... Kinda one up on Homer Simpson's Beer Goggles!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tlb2onXnbzk

Milo72 · 06 July 2007, 13:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by codprawn

Yes but it's still only 3x zoom!!!

to be fair, yes, however, there is a digital zoom which you can sub-select which is excellent, but as with all of these things unless you hold the damn thing dead still it's never going to be perfick, which on the rib is tricky!

As with most things it's a compromise... yes, the zoom could be seen as limited, there is no view finder its all display, however, its waterproof to 10m! crush and shock proof and if you hunt, sub £200! ideal for boating, holidays and... er, the hot tub... [apparently??!?!]

[oh and comes in pretty colours]

AndrewH · 06 July 2007, 14:24

I'm with Cookee and Milo ... the olympus is top banana

Comes complete with underwater video, shoot and select, loads of other features. Many of the others may have better zoom but believe me the first time it gets smacked against the console as you are bounced around at 30 knots you'll be pleased you bought the Olympus

In my mind- no contest

Paul Beaurain · 06 July 2007, 15:24

Hi
Olymus users
Does the olymus have a viwfinder? and a rear lcd panel?

Ian Parkes.
Thanks for Opti comments- which setting have you found to give no 'lag'
paul

AndrewH · 06 July 2007, 17:27

Paul

The 720/725 only has a 2.5" LCD (no view finder), but this is more than good enough for our usage. Anyway always find snorkel mask gets in the way when I try to use a viewfinder underwater

ian parkes · 06 July 2007, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Beaurain

Hi
Olymus users
Does the olymus have a viwfinder? and a rear lcd panel?

Ian Parkes.
Thanks for Opti comments- which setting have you found to give no 'lag'
paul

Pretty sure its the sports / moving object setting that has no delay .
I must say I haven't really noticed the delay outdoors in good light when the flash isn't used . There is a short wait on some settings while the pic is stored . I just switch it on and click as often as I can , then sort out the crap when i download the pics .
Having no viewfinder is no problem at all on a moving boat , bit like a sawn off shotgun , just pointing and shooting in the general direction seems to get the pics I would miss with other cameras .

The Olympus sounds very good too , don't think it was out when i bought my Optio

timboli · 09 July 2007, 05:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

Got one - the menus aren't the best, but otherwise I love it!

I have got one now also,very pleased with it,it has got an image stabilisation mode which may help a little on a boat,no view finder and although you can brighten the backlight on the lcd,it can still be difficult to see in bright sunlight.
I,ll have to try out the underwater mode before I,m much older!

codprawn · 09 July 2007, 11:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by timboli

I have got one now also,very pleased with it,it has got an image stabilisation mode which may help a little on a boat,no view finder and although you can brighten the backlight on the lcd,it can still be difficult to see in bright sunlight.
I,ll have to try out the underwater mode before I,m much older!

Beware of the so called image stabilisation mode. Many cameras these days are advertising this feature but all they do is increase the ISO setting(film speed) so you can use higher shutter speeds - of course image quality suffers considerably. It's false advertising!!!

In cameras like the Panasonic Lumix FZ50 with it's Leica 12x optical zoom the lens actually moves around to compensate so you don't change the ISO settings. Obviously this adds to cost quite a bit...........