Waterproof camera review

I have the Lumix they list there - very happy with it.

Used once underwater, while snorkelling to inspect the prop. The rest of the time it's just nice to have a camera that doesn't need to be carefully looked after in the cockpit in wet conditions. I got some odd looks the first time I casually picked it up and rinsed it under the galley tap to get the salt off :)

Pete
 
Blimey, they're not cheap are they?

My son was given a camera that he "repaired" enough to get the pictures off for a neighbour. The screen had a big black spot on it as a result of the original damage so he bought a cheap waterproof cover for it & uses it when swimming off the boat or messing in the dinghy. The camera is actually a pretty old & basic one but he gets some great pics with it both under water & in it. I think the cover cost about a fiver & has a flat plastic lens that fits over the camera lens for reasonable optical quality, the rest of the case is soft polythene so all controls can be used & the seal is a clip & roll fastening as used for sealing dry bags.

So anyone can have a waterproof camera for a fiver - simply use your old, redundant one in a cover.
 
I have an earlier version of the Pentax Optio, probably 5/6 years old now. Totally reliable, totally waterproof, takes reasonable pics. Waterproof cameras are a good idea for general holiday use, as they're not affected by sand (guess how my previous camera died!).
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Had a Sony cybershot DSC and the battery cover catch broke after 7 months.

Just replaced it with the Lumix and very pleased with it so far.

The only thing is I've not worked out how to format the SD card!
 
We've owned several waterproof cameras, the best by far is the Lumix.

The Olympus and Pentax didn't last long at all but the Lumix just keeps working. The only thing I dislike about it is the annoying warning message every time it's switched on.

Our cameras get a very hard life in, on, around and under the water. The clear silicone case that came with it soaks up the knocks and our care of the camera doesn't extend beyond rinsing it under the cold tap and drying it before opening any of the doors to charge it or remove the SD card.

I'll buy another the day after this one dies.

( you can format the SD card from the camera menu, I can do it so it must be simple!)
 
I have an Olympus mju (later re-branded as Tough) something or other with a 7MP sensor - a few years old now. It was expensive for its performance but it takes good pictures in good light and I've been able to take it on holiday on beaches, and when sailing I just stick it in the inside chest pocket of my oilies. I wouldn't want to do this with my Panasonic Lumix non-waterproof. Often I'm crewing when racing and there is no time to be careful with a camera, so although I have little need or desire to take photos underwater I find this camera perfect for it's shockproof and sand and dust-proof qualities. I'll admit the non-waterproof Lumix I also have is better in all other respects, but it is much more delicate. I'd get the FT3 waterproof Lumix if buying a waterproof camera now. Most of all I'd like the new Nikon waterproof camera but it's £950 and a bit bulky.

The Canon with the rounded edges is a pretty good waterproof camera too. A friend has one and it takes very good photos.
 
Searush said:
So anyone can have a waterproof camera for a fiver - simply use your old, redundant one in a cover.
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doug748 said:
The more I read about waterproof cameras, the more I think all of them should be used inside a waterproof bag.
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Nico said:
I'd get the FT3 waterproof Lumix if buying a waterproof camera now. Most of all I'd like the new Nikon waterproof camera but it's £950 and a bit bulky.
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The thing about this genre of camera is that they are TOUGH. I've killed four compact zoom cameras (Olympus, Canon and 2 Nikons). Each one died as a result of the zoom mechanism packing up. (So I'd be very wary of the Nikon in the review)

Can't see the issue with them not being waterproof. My FT3 doesn't leak. They can mist up on the inside as a result change of temperature. The fix is to leave it with the door open in a warm place. Then seal the door whilst the camera has dry air inside.

(I bought the FT3 in preference to the FT4, I haven't looked at the newer FT5)
 
I have the Olympus, very pleased with it.
Even found the GPS useful on a couple of occasions to pinpoint where the image was taken.
Bought a "eyefi" card as well so I could download files without opening the camera to remove the standard card. However only got that to work once!
 
Another vote for the Lumix - it is pretty robust hanging around in the cockpit despite getting knocked onto the floor or getting rained on and takes good pictures underwater. We've used it snorkeling in Oman and when swimming off a boat with friends kids who loved "posing" for pictures underwater. And it slips in the pocket easily for use ashore
 
I have a Canon D10, superseded by the D20. A dose of waterproofs reviewed here.
"here"
The Canon has been great. "What Digital Camera" hailed it as the best digital compact for over two years, but there are so many more to choose from now. My D10 has been fantastic, and I expect the D20 is too.

However, on paper the Lumix TS5 outguns it now. I'd be interested to see how the noise reduction does at ISO 6400. I'm suspicious of the "high sensitivity" designation as I can't see any reason to call it something different unless it's to tell you that there'll be more noise. Shame they didn't squeeze a bit more on the long end of the zoom, as that is where I use mine most.
 
The reason they don't do a long zoom is that the lens mechanism is inside the camera case and can't project. That's why I am suspisious of the toughness of the Nikon in the review.
 
Lakesailor said:
The reason they don't do a long zoom is that the lens mechanism is inside the camera case and can't project. That's why I am suspisious of the toughness of the Nikon in the review.
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Prolly the same principle as the dear dead Nikonos. The body is waterproof and so is the demountable lens. Just don't try and swap the lens underwater!
 
Amulet said:
There are others with more zoom and entirely encased.
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Perhaps so. However there are only so many ways you can fold light and retain a decent image. Perhaps the longe parts of the zoom ranges are digital. The Lumix has an extended digital zoom range, but I find it better to crop in in an image editing programme. That's all a digital zoom does.
 
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