Waterproof Camera - Not GoPro

[NSS]

Hi all

Thinking of buying a new camera and wondering whether it's worth buying a waterproof one.

Need it to be multi-purpose, not just for out on (or in) the water, so am looking for something that offers good quality images in a variety of conditions, including indoors/low-light situations.

Does anyone use the Fuji XP200 or similar, and if so what are your thoughts, please?

[boristhebold]

Afully waterproof one of any quality would be costly, my advice would a compact weatherproof one (splash/water resistant) and a waterprrof action vid camera for mounting on rib. All depends what you might be taking pictures of I guess. I went through similar thoughts a few years ago. I purchases a weather proof compact one to take out most days and a drift action cam for video, plus a nice nikon SLR which sits in a nice camera bag and only goes out if its a good day and there is something I want to take good shots of (air shows etc)

[mal99]

This might help.....

Tough Decision? We round up the best rugged cameras of 2013: Digital Photography Review

[ollyit]

kodak playsport zx5 - I filmed this 12mile assault course with it in june

Tough Mudder - UK - 2013 - London South - SHM MIX 2 - OLLY - YouTube

and the earlier playsport zx3 attached to my windsurfer on the one below

Windsurf age 2011 - YouTube

the underwater quality is superb - any questions just ask, shock proof too

make sure you watch the videos in 720p HD otherwise it'll look naff

[GJ0KYZ]

Look no further:

]The best action camera under $100. The SJ1000 budget 1080p multi-purpose waterproof action cam. - YouTube

[NSS]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Afully waterproof one of any quality would be costly, my advice would a compact weatherproof one (splash/water resistant) and a waterprrof action vid camera for mounting on rib. All depends what you might be taking pictures of I guess. I went through similar thoughts a few years ago. I purchases a weather proof compact one to take out most days and a drift action cam for video, plus a nice nikon SLR which sits in a nice camera bag and only goes out if its a good day and there is something I want to take good shots of (air shows etc)

Thanks for that. I wish I could justify having more than one camera. Trouble is, I can't, and with a limited budget (of circa £200) I have to accept a 'jack of all trades' compromise, or concentrate on what is most important.

I've narrowed it down to one of these three.

The Fuji XP200 - gives me the waterproof (to 15m) that makes it usable afloat or on snorkeling trips in Sharm and the like, but has the worst image quality of the three and only 5x optical zoom. Has Wi-Fi capability but no GPS tagging.

The Canon S100 - offers by far the best image quality (particularly in low light) both for stills and HD video (full 1080p), but offers no weather-proofing and is again only 5x zoom. Also captures RAW and has GPS but no Wi-Fi.

The Canon SX260 HS - Sits between the other two in terms of image quality, but has 20x optical zoom, 1080p HD and GPS but no Wi-Fi and again not weather-proof.

If I have to sacrifice something then it will probably have to be the water-proofing, and hope that I can get a waterproof case at some point in the future.

[NSS]

Originally Posted by mal99

This might help.....

Tough Decision? We round up the best rugged cameras of 2013: Digital Photography Review

Thanks for the link

[NSS]

Originally Posted by GJ0KYZ

Look no further:

Neat. At £60 that may be an option.

[NSS]

Originally Posted by ollyit

kodak playsport zx5 - I filmed this 12mile assault course with it in june

and the earlier playsport zx3 attached to my windsurfer on the one below

the underwater quality is superb - any questions just ask, shock proof too

make sure you watch the videos in 720p HD otherwise it'll look naff

Nice videos. Six guys from HMS Collingwood ran the Tough Mudder for the charity I run. Can't believe there are so many people willing to put themselves through such tests of physical/mental endurance.

[mister p]

The Fuji and Olympus water and shockproof compacts are really good bits of kit. Try them at a store first.

[TomKat]

bought a Canon D10 a few years back and it has been superb, best camera ever, take it surfing, beach, sand etc. Been through 3 Lumix TZ's (which are brilliant) a fancy Canon Zoom thing and a fancy Nikon zoom thing in the same time period (Currys anything happens insurance is well worth for the the travel zooms!).

Think this is the new version

Buy CANON PowerShot D20 Waterproof Compact Digital Camera - Yellow | Free Delivery | Currys

Pricey but worth considering.

[John Kennett]

I've got a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3 that I'm very happy with. Properly waterproof and shock proof, but not a massive zoom. Don't know how the image quality stands up to enthusiastic scrutiny, but it's plenty good enough for me and it's great being able to take it in the SIB, kayaking, or even swimming. Amazon have then for under £200 now.

[TomKat]

Even a cheap one would be great - its not so much the quality of the pic but the fact that you can take it at all and the camera survives! Having said that my non water pics with the Canon almost always please but it does have a very limited zoom.

[mister p]

I wouldn't worry about the zoom issue too much. 5x optical is plenty.

[NSS]

Originally Posted by mister p

I wouldn't worry about the zoom issue too much. 5x optical is plenty.

I currently have a Fuji S8000 with 18x and fear I would miss it, though it still works so I could always keep it for times when it would still be useful (it's worth nothing second-hand anyway).

[Dhf]

I think all of the above mentioned cams will give satisfying picture results, and I quite like the look of the Sony action one, but Gopro seem to have the edge on mounting options and toughness, disapointing with no zoom though, but safe enough to take out just about anywhere, my missis was kind enough to hold mine and stand right in the firing line of this the other day, I think she got a bit of shock though.

Drenched at Oakwood - YouTube

[treerat]

There is aways a version such as this about too - Newest 5Mp 1080P HD DV DVR Camera 2" Screen 30M Waterproof Action Camcoder Black | eBay

[hadd]

Originally Posted by NSS

Hi all

Thinking of buying a new camera and wondering whether it's worth buying a waterproof one.

Need it to be multi-purpose, not just for out on (or in) the water, so am looking for something that offers good quality images in a variety of conditions, including indoors/low-light situations.

Does anyone use the Fuji XP200 or similar, and if so what are your thoughts, please?

I bought this one off Amazon great little camera for the boat 16mp waterproof to 3m & shockproof takes great pic's it had some good reviews & it was a great price

[NSS]

Thanks all. Have decided to go for the Canon SX260 HS. At £149.99 in Currys it is a bargain (certainly not worth paying another £90 for the replacement SX280 model) and will now see if I can get hold of one of those SJ1000 as mentioned by GJ0KYZ.

Cheers!

[coopsoz]

I have a canon D10 (see Rib Heaven 2). Good above and below water. Easy to hold with gloved hands. Good general camera but not the slimmest of compacts. Rated for a 1M drop.