Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

cpiefer · **Underwater -** 07-10-2011, 08:38 AM

Hi All - I'm back on here again for some equipment help. I'm not a professional, but am looking for a good point and shoot type digital with video capability to take on the boat on not worry about it getting wet, maybe taking underwater in pool with granddaughter or in that occasional clear saltwater. I find on the boat that I always miss out because I keep the camera in the dry bag for fear of those random drops of water and by the time I get my camera, whatever was going on is long over. Leaning toward the Olympus Tough but is there any real advantage to the 810 over the 610? Also open to suggestions. Thanks again.

ualymerej · 07-12-2011, 09:47 AM

i always recommend a canon point & shoot with their respective underwater housing. It's the best bang for the buck. I'm not much of a fan of the "rugged" cameras mostly because you're usually sacrificing image quality. Unless you really need something tough and compact, canon p&s + underwater housing is the way to go. You get a camera with much better image quality that can still be used as a regular walkaround p&s while having the capability to throw on the underwater housing for days out on the boat or in the pool.

crbeveri · 07-12-2011, 10:29 AM

if you can I recommend getting one of the Canon G series P&S. Although they are a little more costly the fact that you can shoot raw helps a lot when doing underwater as you can color correct and manipulate the files much easier in post. Raw really does make a work of difference when it comes to underwater photo exp if you're not gonna be using powerful enough strobes to compensate for the light/ color loss at depths.

MHampton · 07-12-2011, 11:57 AM

I'm using a Canon S95 with the underwater housing. Just tried it out in the pool with the grandkids this past 4th and at least they thought it was "the coolest camera ever". Who am I to argue with my 13 year old grandson. :)

Here are some shots.

cpiefer · 07-12-2011, 01:37 PM

Thanks guys. A good idea I never considered. However, my canon SX110 IS is one of the few canon p&s cameras that they don't make a waterproof housing for. Just my luck. So if I were to upgrade the old canon - what would be the best model to replace it with? Also considering purchasing a Sony nex 5 later this year. Can one camera do it all? Size and weight do matter as we will carry this into the field hunting, hiking, etc. and I'm small.

rfortson · 07-12-2011, 02:17 PM

For a P&S, I'd go with any of the rugged cameras from Olympus, Canon, Pentax, Fuji, Panasonic. I have an old Pentax waterproof that I found when Ritz was closing. I use it at the pool and beach, and it's great for things like that. Plus, I don't have to worry about $500 being lost by a hair stuck in the seal.

ualymerej · 07-12-2011, 02:27 PM

if you're already planning on getting a NEX-5, then I wouldn't spend too much on another canon p&s. the canon numbering system is all over the place now with their elph series, so i'm not too familiar with their latest offerings, but this looks to be the low end offering:

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot ELPH 100 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Optical Zoom (Silver): Camera & Photo

Amazon.com: Canon WP-DC39 Waterproof Underwater Housing Case for PowerShot Elph 100 HS Digital Camera: Electronics

but if you still want to get a good quality p&s, you can't go wrong with the s95. I don't personally have one, but it's the smallest p&s with manual functions that canon offers.

Patti Edens · 04:13 PM

I've been looking for a waterproof P&S too. I thought about the new Canon one (Powershot D10), but it is still not available.

I do like the P&S + UW housing idea.

This one, Canon Powershot SX230 IS looks interesting because it has 14x zoom and GPS recording capability. Total for cam and Canon housing about $520. But, I don't think it has manual settings? It has an Ikelite housing but also a Canon housing for a lot less $$$. The Ikelite has ability to attach a strobe, so maybe that makes the difference? Or maybe it is just a better housing? I need to read more.

I read more. It does have full manual setting. Sounds pretty good.

haring · 07-13-2011, 10:25 AM

get an used DSLR camera and the used DSLR housing on ebay. They are really cheap nowadays....!

cpiefer · 07-13-2011, 12:59 PM

I am not very good with camera lingo, can anyone give me a down and dirty explanation of why one model might be better than another. If I do this and replace the old canon sx110 IS (10 megapixel, 10x optical zoom - but no underwater housing), then it will be our main travel/run around camera for stills and video. Would like to feel like I was getting some bang for my buck for replacing this one. -- Looking at (but open to other options) -

Canon G12
Canon SX230 HS
Nikon S9100 (wasn't suggested here but shows up on a lot of reviews of these type cameras)

Patti Edens · 07-13-2011, 01:18 PM

Hopefully this link will work. It compares them. If it doesn't work, you can go to dpreview.com and click on the Camera & Lenses and then the Side-by-Side Camera comparison. Search the names, double click to get them in the right col and do the comparison.

Side by Side Comparison: Digital Photography Review

I'll try to look through and summarize, but a lot of the features I might like, you might not like. It depends on what you want.