Waterproof Camera Recommendations - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

old-fart · 10-25-2011, 11:01 AM

Not sure if this should go in "tech talk" or not - if so mods please move as appropriate.

The family and I are taking a trip to the Dominican Republic in December and, of course, will be playing in the ocean and pool etc. I'd like to buy a camera that is waterproof and will take reasonable pictures underwater, but I don't anticipate we are going to be scuba diving or the like - more like snorkling at the most.

This is the current one that seems to balance price, toughness and features.

Nikon Coolpix AW100

I know there are many excellent photographers that frequent CalgaryPuck and was hoping some might have some experience in this. I'm not looking to become an outdoor adventure photographer, but would like something that takes a decent picture, and that the kids can figure out how to use without a university course.

Thanks for any input / recommendations.

10-25-2011, 11:12 AM

I wouldnt spend too much on a camera for the DR. They don't protect their reefs and in turn almost all of them are dead. Not much fun taking pics of grey rock....
The animal life isn't too bad, but don't think that you're going there and getting pics like this:

We took a trip to swim with the sharks and rays and this is a pic that I took of the water... like I said: all gray.

afc wimbledon · 10-25-2011, 03:42 PM

see if you can find a 2nd hand waterproof aps camera on craigslist

Teh_Bandwagoner · 10-25-2011, 03:45 PM

http://gopro.com/
http://www.contour.com/

These seems to be the in thing for any outdoor extremist. For what they do, the price is quite reasonable.

No preview screen, but both have goggle mounts (which would work well for underwater I would think) as well as sticky mounts for helmets if you ever go snowboarding.

GoPro is waterproof as is. The contour needs a special case, but the cool thing about that one is the built-in GPS function.

Both are available at a lot of electronics and camera stores I believe.

Edit: Whoops these are video cameras actually, but still pretty nice!

Titan · 10-25-2011, 04:02 PM

Man that gopro is sweet. that is the way I would go. and i want my 2 cents back!

Jake · 10-25-2011, 04:38 PM

I've seen the GoPro in action. For the $200 price tag, I can't think of a camera that can beat it.

There is decent diving in the Dominican Republic, it isn't all like Puxlut says.

I prefer the camera + housing options to just using a water proof camera. Housings are more reliable and help take better pictures, but for a point and shoot camera it would add on about $200 to the price.

Canon, Olympus and Sony all make housings. Olympus makes the nicest housings, but they are more expensive.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search...223+4291215468

GrrlGoalie33 · 10-25-2011, 04:42 PM

I have Olympus Stylus Tough cameras. We each have one, and I am really happy with both the camera and quality of the pictures.

SebC · 10-25-2011, 06:25 PM

This might help:

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q311...pactgrouptest/

From the same site as your link even!

Doesn't include that Nikon, so you might want to find a review to compare them. I find point and shoots to be hit and miss... even an "upgraded" version of certain cameras is sometimes a downgrade depending on the image processing and what compromises were made. Try to find a review, ideally from a site that reviews both the Nikon and the Panasonic DMC-TS3, to make sure you're not just comparing a gushy reviewer with a carmudgeony one.

Bownesian · 10-25-2011, 06:42 PM

We bought a dive housing for our regular canon digital camera. It works great.

Neeper · 10-25-2011, 06:44 PM

Do you own an iphone 4 or 4s?

http://www.lifeproof.com

Titan · 10-25-2011, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neeper

Do you own an iphone 4 or 4s?

http://www.lifeproof.com

Since you know a thing or two about photos

...

What do you think of the video? Does it look comparable to an "unhoused" camera?

I just watched the Dutsty's iphone video and wish they had used a lifeprook iphone to film the video.

ken0042 · 10-25-2011, 10:02 PM

If you want price- there is this one:
http://accessories.dell.com/sna/prod...ynote_irrank=0

I just bought it so I haven't had much of a chance to play around with it. Seems decent enough for just playing around and getting a few pictures. The one you linked to will obviously be better; as it should at 6X the price.

Biggest downside of the Kodak is that it takes AA batteries. I have plenty of rechargables so it wasn't a factor. And there have been times on a trip when the camera gets left on accidentally; it would be nice to pop into 7-11 and pay $5 for batteries for my camera.

edslunch · 12-10-2012, 10:59 AM

Bump

My son wants a GoPro for skiing, I want a camera for snorkelling. GoPro looks like a good option, not sure if I need the special diving add on to get decent pictures underwater. Hero 3 is now out - is it much better that a hero 2 if I could find one cheap?

Other suggestion from those who may have tried out any of the other products mentioned in the thread above?

Discoste · 12-10-2012, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edslunch

Bump

My son wants a GoPro for skiing, I want a camera for snorkelling. GoPro looks like a good option, not sure if I need the special diving add on to get decent pictures underwater. Hero 3 is now out - is it much better that a hero 2 if I could find one cheap?

Other suggestion from those who may have tried out any of the other products mentioned in the thread above?

If you get the Hero2, you need a diving flat lens housing. Due to refraction, with the curved lens, it will be very blurry.

Hero 3 housing is already flat so you do not need to buy another housing.

From what I've read, the Hero3 has much better low-light performance. Plus some of the new features like "picture in video", which allows you to simultaneously capture video and photos would be handy.

Shaggin Wagon · 12-10-2012, 02:41 PM

I think I am getting an Nikon AW 100 for Christmas. We are going to the Galapagos in Feb. It got some bad reviews but I think the warranty would cover most of the complaints. If I get it I'll be testing it out in PV for NYE. I'm not planning on scuba diving, just snorkeling so it should be good enough for me.

Go pro is video only (probably can take screenshots of the paused video)? And you can't see what you've shot until you plug it into a computer. Those are the two reasons why I asked for the AW 100.

DownInFlames · 12-10-2012, 03:05 PM

Gopros will do stills as well. They're great for time lapses.

You can get an LCD addon for them if you want a screen.

GreenLantern · 12-10-2012, 03:20 PM

Interesting, I am not in the market for this today but will be in the near future and that GoPro seems like a very neat camera.

Ace · 12-10-2012, 03:36 PM

I have this one,

http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSho.../dp/B001SER460

3 or 4 trips with it in salt water and no problems yet.

When I was looking for this one, some of the cheaper ones seemed to have reviews that stated they failed after going in salt water.

I'd recommend the D10 for sure.

Edit: Canon seems to have a newer model out, the D20, looks like a better price point for what you get.

Maritime Q-Scout · 12-10-2012, 03:55 PM

I went with the Panasonic and love it

username · 12-10-2012, 04:32 PM

I have a gopro that I have used for both snowboarding and wake surfing. The thing is incredible. It just sux that there's no way to know what you're filming but then again, when you're riding a wave you or charging down a mountain you really shouldn't be looking at a camera.

I'd recommend it to anyone.