Recommendations on waterproof cameras

[maggiepowell]

Anyone have some insight into digital waterproof cameras?

I don't need one with a lot of features, but do want a decent one that takes good pics and video fairly easily. And, it really does need to be waterproof since I have a tendency to flip over; sometimes I roll up, other times I swim. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Maggie

[JBL1026]

I use an Olympus stylus tough. It's water proof to 15 ft and impact resistant but there is a new one that can go even deeper. I've had it for well over a year and been pretty hard on it and have had no problems with it. It takes great pics and videos and is easy to use for the most part. Only complaint is when its turned off all settings reset which is why I always put it on "auto". Picture quality is still great.

[Crane]

Maggie,
I've used an Olympus for several years with pretty good results. Not long ago, we got Pat a Fugi Finepix that is pretty highly rated, but ewe don't have a lot of experience with it... yet. I'll update you on it after next week, when we'll have lots of chances to see how it does in a true river setting:) I think there's one of the Finepix line that uses AA batteries, but not the one we bought... That might be a better fit for week-long trips... Crane

[GN YAKN]

Olympus!!!!

I have a three year old Olympus Stylus 850 SW that takes great video and stills.

Have worn the numbers and letters off of the buttons. It is TOUGH. Waterproof and Shockproof.

The Olympus software is also very user friendly and makes it super easy to upload pictures to your PC for editing! I use the crop and brightness/contrast features frequently. Mixed resulst with the red-eye reduction.

I understand they have come out with a HiDef version but I haven't worn out this one so I'm holding out. Seems like the cost was around $250 - $300.

See some shots here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/gnyakn/set ... 562544849/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I loop the camera lanyard through my pfd zipper and then tuck the camera inside my pfd so I've got it handy all of the time.

Absolutely love this camera and wish everything I purchased brought as much customer satisfaction!

Dave

[RomanLA]

I'm an Olympus lover too. I have one of the older ones and it's still going strong. I can't wait to upgrade to one of the new ones with HD video. I got a Kodak PlaySport as a wedding gift and it has done well so far. The pictures aren't the greatest, but the HD video is outstanding. They make a mount for it, so I've been playing around with it on the bow of my playboat. I doubt it would survive a good hit though.

[mtnmanyaker]

I have the olympus 8010 and have absolutely no problems with it. It takes great pictures and great hi-def video.

[Shep]

Maggie, I have had no problems with my Pentax Optio, and my dad bought a newer version of it. That said, It's old, and doesn't do very good video. I am seriously eyeballing this one for the holiday season next year:
http://www.jr.com/sony/pe/SON_DSCTX10/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

HTH,
Shep

[panicman]

I also have one of the olympus cameras. Tough and has a lot of features but my only complaint is like mentioned above when you turn it off it resets the settings and takes a bit to work through all the different settings that you can do. Also, my battery life seems to be way below par for it.

[SteveGabbard]

Olympus tough as others have said. Mine has been good to me.

Wonder about a go pro? Can't you take pictures with them as well? You wouldn't have to use it as a helmet camera. Aren't they really simple to operate? I've never messed with one and since it is designed to be a helmet cam it may not be a good video camera when filming from a distance.

[Wildwood]

I love my GoPro Hero. It takes stills and video. Can be set to manual for stills, or set to take shots every 5 seconds. Seems to do fine on distant shots. It gets some rough wear and keeps on going.

I'm also an Olympus fan. Mine is only waterproof to 10 feet but I like it just fine. I don't plan to be that deep anyway. It's a model X-560WP. Got it at WalMart for under $200, I think.

Good luck on your search.
Jan

[Shep]

I don't think the go-pros are a good replacement for a regular camera. No zoom, and the view-finder is an extra $80 add-on.

Shep

[Marlo Krueger]

I have an older Olympus 650?SW and Jim has an Olympus 8000 Tough. Both serve us well for snaps on the river, but neither have enough optical zoom to really get those good shots unless you are very close to your subject. Video is as good as any still camera with limited zoom. Audio works pretty well. We have been shooting video of folks coming down a rapid or over a drop and get home to have clear recordings of the things they say in the video. :roll: Try to get a camera with a vew finder. Neither of us can see much on our screens in the bright light of the river.

[DMG]

I have the Olympus Stylus 850SW and love it for still photos. I have not had great luck with the video, particularly in low light. I'd go for a newer model with the 720p HD video. I'll definitely replace mine with another Olympus someday but not until my current one breaks, which may be a while because the thing is tough as a boot!

Hope this helps.

~Dave

[gannon311]

check out the sanyo Xacti line. we have one and love it

[fryingsquirrel]

I'm also an Olympus fan. Mine is only waterproof to 10 feet but I like it just fine. I don't plan to be that deep anyway. It's a model X-560WP. Got it at WalMart for under $200, I think.

Good luck on your search.
Jan

I bought the Olympus X-560WP last june, and have literally spent hours with it submersed and it works great. Of course the optical zoom is limited, but it takes very good pics and decent video. I'm still learning some of the tricks and features it has, but it seems like it is more capable than most average 10MP point and shoots. It retails around 150 at walmart. If you saw me at roll sessions last week, I had it in my pocket (underwater) the whole time. I'll gladly bring it this week if you want to take a look at it, just call me at five oh 1 five five 1 three 6 6 two tomorrow because I won't have time to check the board before I leave for UALR.