What waterproof camera to buy?

[DiverDude]

In the end, if you want a point-and-shoot camera predominantly for land use and just the occasional underwater use then you have to understand that the photo quality of the underwater shots is going to suffer a bit.

If you plan on doing a fair amount of underwater, then I'd suggest you look at Cannon land-based cameras and a separate underwater housing. Be careful though, not all Canon models have a housing available. The ones that do usually have underwater settings that compensate on colours and white balance for underwater.

The Canon underwater housings are well made and are very inexpensive compared to 3rd party housings. They're rated to about 150' too.

[PoonTang]

where is the best place to get them? I would like to take a few pictures when I go to Bahamas and do a few dives.

[DiverDude]

I got mine from The Camera Store here in Calgary (http://www.thecamerastore.com/search...lts/underwater). There are actually a few enclosures for a few Panasonics and a Fiji too, it would seem.

Prices are hard to beat and they carry all the wacky stuff like this.

[milkton]

im kinda deciding on whether to get the olympic stylus 8000 or the canon d10, or any other waterproof camera. I hear better things about the canon d10, but i dont like its odd shape and color. Anyone out there that can simplify the choices for me (us)??

[vaporize]

I have one Olympus Stylus and another Olympus W560 (on sale at $89.99 at SIG - http://www.sigelectronics.com/SIG/Ol...4Pa38Ta38Oa3n0) .

The Stylus takes much nicer pictures and with macro shots functions on some. The $89.99 is exactly what it is, a cheaper POS camera with underwater function, useful but the quality definitely degrades alot comparing to the Stylus (but it's cheap at $89.99).

I think comparing to my Canon normal A720 POS, the Canon is by far much much better auto-focus and takes nicer pictures (even the Canon is like 2 years older I think). This one is not water proof or anything, just speaking about picture quality.

[Delphinus]

I looked at those exact 2 myself. I can't remember what specifically pushed me to the D10, it was either cost or maybe the 8000 hadn't been released quite yet when I was looking (and I sort of needed it right away as I was going on a trip a week later where I would be diving). Hard to go wrong with either Olympus or Canon in my opinion though so pick the one that feels nicer in your hand. I love my D10, I take it everywhere. The goofy shape doesn't bother me, it's still small enough to fit in my pocket.

The only thing I wish the D10 did is shoot HD video. I don't think the 8000 will either, though. If memory serves, specification-wise they are pretty equivalent cameras. I think..

Anyhow I doubt you can go wrong with either.

Originally Posted by milkton

im kinda deciding on whether to get the olympic stylus 8000 or the canon d10, or any other waterproof camera. I hear better things about the canon d10, but i dont like its odd shape and color. Anyone out there that can simplify the choices for me (us)??

[milkton]

alright thanks for the advice, and once again im still leaning towards the d10. fencer and gongshow brought up the panasonic lumix ts2 and i was kinda wondering about that camera as well, i'v heard it takes 14mp pics and has water, sand, shock, freeze, etc. proof as well. Although a bit more pricey than the d10 and stylus, anyone given that a try??

[fLshgear]

check out http://www.dpreview.com/news/0902/09021805canond10.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209...roup/page5.asp



dpreview is a great site for comparison and just general info on cameras and accessories

you can do side by side comparison under buying guide