Camera Dilemma (Point + Shoot for GF): Waterproof or slightly better model.

[Hotrodguru]

Alright, so the GF's bday is coming up next week and she's also going to be taking a trip with the family to Hawaii leaving on Sunday.

While she's not a photo junkie, she does enjoy snapping some photos from time to time at events, parties, etc... A while back I started researching getting a waterproof camera for a trip to a waterpark. Anyway, we never jumped on it but here we are again.

I've already decided on going the Canon route, now the question is what model. I wanted to spend around $300. I found one waterproof one, a PowerShot D10 (overall winner on DP Review for waterproof group) and then stumbled upon a non-waterproof PowerShot SD4000 IS model with some impressive features such as HD vid, 28mm wide and a f/2 lens.

So question is, should I get her the waterproof one that she (and I :lol:) can use all over the place or the slightly better non-waterproof one that will probably have better image quality. Hell, the shot quality on the D10 doesn't look to shabby either...

PowerShot D10 - $299 - Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : PowerShot D10
Waterproof camera shootout on DP Review - 'Waterproof' Camera Group Test (Q2 2009) Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review



PowerShot SD4000 IS - $349 - Canon U.S.A. : Consumer & Home Office : PowerShot SD4000 IS
DP Review - Canon PowerShot SD4000IS/IXUS300HS Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

[slallen]

If there is ever a chance that she will use it in or near water the D10 is the way to go for the choices presented. In fact going to Hawaii it would be a sin not to at the very least go snorkeling.

I have the Pentax W80 and love it for snorkeling, water work (dunking in aquarium), in the pool with grandkids etc.

I also have the Olympus Stylus Tough (12mp). Video sucks but for water shots not bad. (Acquired it on a trip when main camera failed)

[Hotrodguru]

So I showed up at one of my trusty camera shops after work to check out both cameras. The D10 was really bulky, no one would want to carry one around. The SD 4000 IS had some nice image quality but the buttons sucked. All the same color, not intuitive and plain hard to find.

Buddy Reagan recommended a Sony DSC-TX5 ($349). He actually had one hanging from his neck strap and said it was his. Anyway, I was instantly sold. It does everything the two Canons do plus has some very cool features. Instant panoramic done via stitching, a creative HDR mode, big easy to navigate touch screen AND waterproof. Being available in pink was also nice :lol:.

I played with it for a bit while setting it up and it's pretty sweet. Anyway, just wanted to update this post.

Sony DSC-TX5 ($349) - Cyber-shot® Digital Cameras | Sony | Sony Style USA
On B & H - Sony DSC-TX5 Cyber-shot Still Digital Camera (Black) DSCTX5/B -

Model Highlights:

- Waterproof
- Dustproof
- Shockproof
- Freeze-proof
- 3.0" Touch Screen Display
- 4x Optical Zoom w/ 25mm Wide-Angle
- "Exmor R" sensor
- iSweep Panorama Mode
- 10fps at full 10.2 megapixels
- SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization

[Jake]

That Sony looks pretty sweet! Let us know how it works out.

[Shadow]

Canon S90?

This is the same sensor as the G11, which would likely be beyond what she would need, like, or want to carry.



http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerSho.../dp/B002LITT42

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons90/

http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum.../powershot_s90

[S-Man]

Dude, I bought a Panasonic TS-2 and it's awesome. HD Video, waterproof to 33 feet, shock proof to 6.6 feet, and it takes great photos. It's a 14 MP sensor, but it doesn't look great at full res. Bust it down to 7 MP and the photos are amazing. I took it to the Frio river last week and fell in love with it so much. I think it can be had for around $300 now too.
Amazon.com: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 14.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 4.6x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom with 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver): Electronics