Waterproof Digital Camera?

[Chris Dodkin]

Thinking of asking Santa to look at a waterproof snappy cam for pool/beach use - especially with the grandkids getting to the age where they'll be swimming etc - and not wanting to risk my Fuji or Canon kit.

Anyone any experience of this market segment?

Amazon's top ranked models in the US seem to be the Panasonic Lumix TS20, Nikon COOLPIX AW100, and Olympus TG-1iHS.

The Nikon is their first waterproof since the legendary Nikonos range was dropped at the start of this millennia - it shares the same orange color as the Nikonos, but that's about all.

The lens is that odd rectangle that looks more like a viewfinder - it's a f/3.9 to f/4.8,Lens Focal Length : 28-140mm equiv.

The Panny has an F3.9 - 5.7 : 25 - 100mm equiv - and is the cheapest of the bunch - I get the feeling it's more of a budget model that's #1 because it's less expensive.

The Oly is the most expensive of the bunch, but has a F/2 lens : 25 – 100 mm equiv.

It seems to be a more well though out camera for underwater use, rather than a rugged snappy cam - Oly do additional lenses that screw on the front for Tele and Fisheye for example.

So, anyone any thoughts or other ideas?

 

[Rob MacKillop]

Just take your X-Pro1 in the water - you'll be fine [devil]

 

[Hamish Gill]

Yeah, buy the Oly, they have been doing it for longest, and that new one looks ace!

 

[Chris Dodkin]

Just take your X-Pro1 in the water - you'll be fine [devil]

Thanks Rob - I'll be sending you the repair bill then!

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Yeah, buy the Oly, they have been doing it for longest, and that new one looks ace!

It does look the dogs doesn't it - pricey though - I could buy a real Nikonos for less....

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How sexy does this tank look!

 

[David Mitchell]

Just take your X-Pro1 in the water - you'll be fine [devil]

Or just give it to me to hold onto, wouldn't want it to get damaged now

 

[Pat Reehal]

Chris
Exactly the same requirements, bought a Fuji XP 30 which lasted all of 30 seconds of the "dunk in the kitchen sink to check its U Boat qualities" test. Fail

Next Olympus Tough, passed U Boat test but battery door opened on the drop off table onto carpet test. Fail.

Next Lumix TS3 ( US model from PX in Germany ), U Boat test pass, carpet drop test pass. Joined the camera fleets and has performed with solid and reliable service since.

None of these cameras will give top quality, pixel peeping photos. But for capturing an incoming ice cream cone thrown by an 18 month old, or attempting to take pics dangled over the side of a dinghy or canoe they are rather good. The Lumix is an excellent compromise; is tough, keeps the H2O out and tells me where I have taken the photo. Plus it has a dinky altimeter which accurately measures from ground zero to the top of the bar in my local.

Mine is in a fetching shade of metallic blue and is built like the proverbial brick excrement house. The video on it is surprisingly good and I must admit to liking it very much. I left it in the freezer overnight to check whether it would be suitable to take on my next ( poetic license warning) expedition to Antartica.

The Lumix is a great camera, it has shrugged off my four grandsons, been hosed down after being dropped in spaghetti bolognese and has continued to perform with a rugged nonchalance which earns it a "Pat's Pick".

Check out the Nikon, go careful with the Olympus and steer clear of the Pentax wassergepruft range. They are as ugly as a rear ended Pinto which refuses to combust gracefully.

 

[Hamish Gill]

Well buy a ****ing nikonos then, geeze...



I know what you mean... The Panasonic would be second I reckon

 

[Chris Dodkin]

So it's chew proof as well?

Thanks for the info Pat - hand't thought about the drop-test idea

Bit lame of the Fuji to not even be waterproof!!!! [doh]

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Well buy a ****ing nikonos then, geeze...



I know what you mean... The Panasonic would be second I reckon

How do you go about changing film underwater then? - 36 frames seems a bit limiting

 

[Hamish Gill]

Buy two nikonos [doh]

 

[Andy Boardman]

I have one of those proper Nikons V in orange myself & must get it out again & see if all is working OK, used to give brilliant results & was very very sharp.
I would sway towards Olympus myself as they are very good at that type of camera & we have not had a problem ourselves, there is also a Pentax version as well, the WG-2 worth a look at also a version with GPS as well.
Hope it helps you make a choice.