Waterproof camera

B

Bedford

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Afternoon,

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a small waterproof camera.

This one looked wonderful, for all sorts of reasons, but is very expensive, and I'm not sure it even floats.

http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/cyber-shot/latest/tx5?campaignId=12003904&s_kwcid=sony tx5|4624941185

I don't need it to go underwater, but I do need it to survive splashing and possible light submersion by salt water while dinghy sailing and then, later in the year, a flotilla.

Thanks
 
Bedford said:
Afternoon,

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a small waterproof camera.

This one looked wonderful, for all sorts of reasons, but is very expensive, and I'm not sure it even floats.

http://www.sony.co.uk/hub/cyber-shot/latest/tx5?campaignId=12003904&s_kwcid=sony tx5|4624941185

I don't need it to go underwater, but I do need it to survive splashing and possible light submersion by salt water while dinghy sailing and then, later in the year, a flotilla.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Seeing as you can get this I'd suggest it doesn't...
 
Have a Pentax Optio from about 3 years back. Cheap enough. 7.1 mega pixies. Used it on the beach and in the sea and down to 3 or 4 metres (at least the kids do, I don't).

The best thing about waterproof cameras turns out to be that you can run them under the tap to get the sand and barbecue finger marks off!

<edit> Very much doesn't float!</edit>
 
I've got a Vivitar 6200 it's cheap, it works, and I'd buy another. However picture quality is not always terrific so it's mainly used underwater and in rain & spray - I have another compact for dry compact use.

If you want waterproof with better quality the Canon D10 is worth a look.

Also check out:

Lumix FT1
Fuji Z33WP
Olympus 550WP

Of these the Lumix FT is supposed to have best image quality *but* IIRC it's only waterproof down to 3m - if you're going somewhere hot you may be swimming deeper than that with the camera, even if you don't think you will now!

I'm sure other people will be along with better suggestions, but I hope that helps a bit.
 
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Thanks - I'm going through Heathrow tonight and will see if any of these are available Duty Free
 
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Water+Sand+camera= bad news.


Buy the cheapest waterproof thing you can get... then throw it away.
 
We have the Pentax Optio too ... video quality isn't as good as the Panasonic - but it is certainly waterproof for swimming. As said above - you can almost forget about it - just chuck it in ...
Quality& Speed isn't as good as SLRs ... but not expected to be!
 
I have the Panasonic Lumix FT1. The picture quality is outstanding and the HD video recording is mind bogglingly good! (Got it for £299 on-line last year)

It has transformed my holiday and sailing "snaps". Have some awesome footage taken whilst trapeezing on a dinghy in 25+ knots in Turkey last summer! :cool:
 
emsworthy said:
I have the Panasonic Lumix FT1. The picture quality is outstanding and the HD video recording is mind bogglingly good! (Got it for £299 on-line last year)

It has transformed my holiday and sailing "snaps". Have some awesome footage taken whilst trapeezing on a dinghy in 25+ knots in Turkey last summer! :cool:
Click to expand...

Is it waterproof to 10 or 3 metres?
 
MarkieMarkMark said:
Is it waterproof to 10 or 3 metres?
Click to expand...

3 metres but shockproof and keeps sand and mud out too. TBH I didn't buy it with diving in mind, although got some nice footage snorkeling, more for use on the beach and just generally messing about in the water.

I often just clip the lanyard to my buoyancy vest and take it with me dinghy sailing. Thought it would also be useful strapped to the boathook for videoing below the waterline on the big boat too.
 
emsworthy said:
3 metres but shockproof and keeps sand and mud out too. TBH I didn't buy it with diving in mind, although got some nice footage snorkeling, more for use on the beach and just generally messing about in the water.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I read about the Lumix in a photography mag and it claimed 10m. Everywhere else it says 3m hence my question.

Shame, because I do find I regularly swim down to 10m with the Vivitar and an underwater cam with 3x zoom and excellent (for a compact) pic quality would allow me to carry one less camera! :)
 
I used to have the Olympus 1030. It leaked!

I now use a Fujifilm XP. Much cheaper, simple to use with okay features. I have only had it for a few months, but so far so good...
 
Another vote for Fuji...

I bought a Fuji FinePix Z33WP last year, and have been very pleased with it. It is at the cheaper end of the price spectrum (I think I paid about £120 ish but they have come down a bit since then), but does all that we need. Picture quality is pretty good, and the video is surprisingly OK as well. And it is definitely waterproof – son has taken it snorkelling!
 
Look for the Pentax Optio W80 or W90. The W80 is around £124 at Dixons terminal 5, the W90 is about £196.

I originally bought a W60 after most reviews I found pointed that way. Sadly, it dropped overboard so I recently went for the new W90 model.

It has one problem, which is noise when taking pictures in poor light. I was told this is an issue with the other brands too, given that the zoom lens is all inside.

If anyone finds a W60 in the Chichester area, please let me know!
 
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