Waterproof P&S Digital Cameras -- your input appreciated

[John Rhoades]

Why do you keep a waterproof camera in a waterproof case?

Because I don't want it to get wet!

No, seriously, these Pelican cases are nearly indestructable, and keep my canmera clean, dry and ready whenever I need it. I also keep my cell phone and Swarovsky binoculars in separate Pelican cases whenever I'm in my driftboat. They are an extra weight that I probably wouldn't want to lug around if I'm wakling and wading, but the extra weight is more that offset by peace of mind when I have these items in my boat. Plus, the case is virtually soundproof, so no one is distracted if my phone should happen to ring.

John

[Joel D. Popham]

Cold... WOW! Thanks for sharing. Best Regards.... Kelly & John, absolutely great photos as well. Thank you!

[billhouk]

I have a Fuji Z33 WP, it is very light weight, appears to be rugged and while I have not dunked it yet I assune it should survive a quick dunking. The video is pretty good too. This picture was resized from 2.15 MB to 200 KB an dthe resolution is still pretty good. It can be found for less than $160.
Z33 Sample.jpg

[JohnScott]

This picture was taken to create scale, for future reference in tying Yellow Sallys.


This picture is a clean one showing only the Yellow Sally ( and the reflection of the lens on the window ).


This picture was "managed" with "ZoomBrowser" software to crop and enlarge another shot, to provide details for tying the fly.


You don't have to rely only on the macro feature of a camera to get a macro effect. Digital cameras and computers combine to do some really interesting stuff.

John

[Ron Eagle Elk]

My wife and I have been using an older Pentax Optio WP1. It works just great but has been surpassed by leaps and bounds since we bought it. On our way to the Idaho Fish-In we discovered that the one item we forgot was the battery charger for the Pentax. Unable to find a new charger, we bought a new camera, not a Pentax. Very high tech, face recognition, drop/freeze/waterproof, huge megapixels compared to the old camera. I prefer the old camera. The controls are where I expect them to be on the old camera. When holding the new camera in a logical way, your fingers cover half the lens. Very uncomfortable for me to use.

I should have remembered what every pro photographer I've ever known told me. Pick a camera that feels right in your hands, everything else will fall into place.

REE

[gianan]

Thank you so much everybody!

I really appreciate your taking the time and found the discussion interesting, enjoyable and instructive. And I also enjoyed the beautiful pictures very much!

John Rhoades shares my concern that one has to look at the LCD screen to take pictures; using others' cameras I have at times found it difficult to see the screen on a sunny day.

Have you seen this very thorough, though a little bit dated review of waterproof cameras? http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/ The joint test winners were: Canon PowerShot D10 and Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1. The Pentax Optio W60 got second place, beating its brother, the W80. (As to the Canon, unfortunately it looks a bit bulky.) The Amazon.com reviews mirror the dpreview.com scores, showing a higher user satisfaction with the Canon and the Panasonic vs the Optio W60. But the Optio is more affordable.

Thanks again.

Tight lines,

John

[nighthawk]

the Pentax cameras you mentioned above are all older models. Did you see the link I posted for the W90? Latest model for $189 brand new is hard to beat. Also the LCD is designed to be readable in bright sunlight. Most cameras like this one allow you to adjust the LCD brightness too. I can understand those that are visually challenged may want a view finder but for the most part IMHO they are just an additional expense on these cameras due to the fact that they restrict your field of view. They also provide an additional part that can become compromised and allow water into the camera.

You should go to the local Wal-Mart or other big box and handle a few point and shoot types to get the feel of using just the LCD display. I think you will find out that using the viewfinder is actually a handicap. I sure wish my Pentax K-10D DSLR had a live view LCD. That is the only thing that the other brands have that I like versus my Pentax. But that is just me. Sorry that I tended to ramble here. One draw back to Pentax is it is hard to find them in a store to check them out before buying. However lots of their dealers are 100% money back satisfaction guaranteed. I have tried the others and there is a reason I keep going back to Pentax. Great pictures, easy to use, darned near bullet proof without having pay a lot for it.

I am certain that you will be happy with the camera you pick regardless of the brand.

[smallmouthfever]

I used an Olympus Stylus Tough 850 for a couple of years with no complaints. Unfortunately while it could handle falls and dunks with no problems, I somehow lost it while fishing recently. However with Christmas upon us I did my research and the next generation of the Tough line is available at Sam's for $149.00! 12MP, and 1080 HD video. That's what I asked Santa for.

[Brad Williamson]

Here's a long answer (plus some samples) that is compiled from a number of discussions that took place on the Freestateflyfishers.org discussion board (one of our local clubs.) I put this together to answer a similar question on another forum:


I've been shooting for about 4 years with a small Canon point and shoot with a waterproof underwater housing. Worked--great images but clumsy for fishing by myself. I had been waiting for a water resistant point and shoot that I thought would deliver decent images.

I moved away from my Canon infatuation---the data convinced me. Panasonic point and shoots have really been competing well against the Canon's--in some cases surpassing Canon.

I chose the Panasonic DMC-TS2




The earlier model Panasonic TS1 went head to head with the Canon D10 in dpreviews waterproof camera review last year for image quality but not for water depth or shock resistance....this model (just out in April, I think) goes down to 10 Meters and can be dropped (allegedly from 2). Image quality is pretty good for a waterproof camera. I was down to two choices earlier this summer, this one or the new Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-TX5...the new Sony is thinner, takes a bit better image according to some reviews but is not as rugged---only down to 3 M and not a good idea to drop it....



The Panasonic was about $75 cheaper than the Sony when I bought mine earlier this summer. Looks like they are about the same, now. The Panasonic doesn't have a lens cover which is somewhat problematic but it is built like a small tank and yet small enough to keep in my pocket. The Sony would be nicer to carry around all the time since it is thinner and has a lens cover. It also has some neat panoramic modes that are pretty unique. (It has a black background sensor that I'm real intrigued with.) But the Panasonic is still small enough that I literally carry it with me all the time. It does have a macro focus as well.

I'm not going to rave on the macro---I don't think it is as good as many of the point and shoot canon's I've used--for one it doesn't focus quite so close. I haven't worked much with it but here's a shot of one of Roy Chrisie's Reversed Paradun's, taken on the window sill of my office.



Go here for the full size image:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4075/...fa113b80_o.jpg

Oh....and HD video which is real nice. I still can't quite get over having HD video capabilities in my pocket.

I'm no photo expert, just want to have along a camera to record things to share. I think that will be obvious when you look at these images and videos below but also keep in mind that there likewise is no image processing (beyond what the camera does) nor video editing.

Here are some photos from this summer to give you an idea of the capabilities/limitations of the camera as well as a quick video test. I simply took a quick video of my buddy fishing to demonstrate the capabilities--no editing.




The hike in.


The creek.





The next three are of the same fish:








Next report with my first HD video attempts:

The discussion of an earlier trip report moved to talking about the camera I was using--a Panasonic DMC-TS2. I indicated that the camera also takes HD video and that perhaps I'd take some video over the weekend. I spent Sunday at Roaring River with Randy trying out the camera and fishing dries all day long. Beetles drew consistent attention.

The bright, mid-day sun created less than ideal conditions for fish and video but overall I'm pretty pleased. I'll need to work on strategies for taking video, now. Here's three samples for your perusal--unedited just as they come out of the camera. BTW, these are shot in one of two formats. This format is best for web-sharing--the other is better for playing on you widescreen TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peTo0j5v8gM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDuxJ2mSrfA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goevJhMqcgo

Oh, and here's a link to a flyfishing blog that features a guy that can really take pictures with this same little camera:

http://www.winonaflyfactory.com/


BW