Any good, affordable underwater cams?

by Michi702 Apr 23, 2006 2:15AM PDT

I have been looking for a digital camera for a while and just recently came across the Pentax Optio W10. I saw that it was water proof up to 1.5 meters/5 feet with 30 mins of continual use. Sounds good to me. However, the price was a little less than desireable.

So does anyone have any good digital camera reccomendations? I want something:
- under $300 but preferably even cheaper;(it will be a present from my parents for my 17th birthday)
- at least 5 megapixels (I like my picture quality to be sharp, clear, and maybe a little professional looking. I only have limited skills with photoshop so I prefer my pictures to need little to no editing.)
- from a well known manufacturer (Sony, Pentax, Nikon, Casio, Fuji..etc)
- I do not like cameras with little 'wheel' buttons on them (you can rotate the wheel to get to different menus or to change options, etc). They tend to look tacky to me.

Also, I am open to reccomendations for cameras that aren't waterproof, but the manufacturer has an affordable water proof case or 'zip lock' bag to house the camera in. I would be willing to spend about $50 more or less for this extra housing.

Thanks

Discussion is locked

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Underwater Cameras

by snapshot2 Forum moderator Apr 23, 2006 5:17AM PDT

There are very few underwater cameras.
The only other one that I know of if the Olympus Stylus 720SW.
It sells for about $366 and it's rated for 3 meters (about 10 feet).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EA0EDO/sr=8-1/qid=1145818548/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-9097572-1164751?%5Fencoding=UTF8

Canon is the largest maker of underwater housings, but these housings cost from $190 to $240.

http://consumer.usa.canon.com/ir/controller?act=StandardDisplayAct&fcategoryid=145&modelid=12914&keycode=underwater_photo

Using a ZipLock bag for underwater photos is a very bad idea. It is OK for a camera in the rain, but not underwater.

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Canon underwater housings

by speleofool May 8, 2006 3:19AM PDT

Howdy.

I'm a scuba diver and own one of the Canon Digital Elph point-n-shoot cameras with a Canon underwater housing. I have taken my camera to 109ft on a wreck dive (which is slightly beyond the rated depth for the case) and have had nothing but flawless performance. It may be more than you're looking to spend, but the Canon cases offer superb protection.

Be wary of cameras & housings rated to 3m (10ft). The ratings are based on water pressure at depth, and at that depth there really isn't much pressure. A 3m rating might be fine for leisurely diving in a swimming pool, but if you're going to play at the beach then I'd be worried about strong waves or diving / swimming / moving the camera around quickly underwater breaking such a weak seal. Since even a little moisture can ruin a digital camera, it's better to be safe & protect your investment.

I'll second the comment on ziploc bags--they're better for holding water in, against your camera, than for keeping water out when submerged.

Cheers!
Speleo.

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Underwater camera

by tasuray Apr 23, 2006 2:46PM PDT

Sony Cybershot DSC U60 is another option.
Specification :2.0 megapixels (effective), no zoom, auto and 4-step manual focus, program exposure only, JPEG file format only, auto ISO, 2 AAA batteries, movie mode (no sound), waterproof to 5 feet.