Underwater camera

I have been trying to do a search on this site for past threads about underwater/waterproof digital cameras with no luck.

I know it has been covered before but I can't find anything on it and I want to get myself one for Christmas.

Could you photo guru's out there point me in the right direction for taking shots of fish underwater?

Thanks.

Pearls,

I like my Pentax Optio W10. Not the most expensive one out there now and heck its even a few years old now but it my opinion its easy to use, economical and takes pretty cool underwater video.

http://s128.photobucket.com/albums/p171/gustyop/Snake%20River%20Grand%20Ronde/

The website above has some of the videos I have shot with the camera. They were taken when the camera was new and I was just learning how to use it so the quality is hit and miss. Its amazing how bubbles mess up the shots!!

Gusty

+1

I also use a Pentax Optio w10. This camera misses sometimes with regular pictures, which can be a real bummer, but when it hits it hits pretty good. Video from this little camera is excellent...I have a few samples I will PM you if interested.


I have taken a few underwater photos, and when the conditions are good in the water the camera works fine.

First off, bookmark this site. It's really all you need to know if you want to research cameras:

http://www.dpreview.com/

Next, in the point-n-shoot market, the two top competitors seem to be the Pentax Optio W* series and the Olympus Stylus *SW series.

I see the two latest cameras are the Pentax Optio W60 and the the Olympus Stylus 1050 SW. I'd use the above website to do a full comparison and review of both those cameras and choose the one that fits your needs.

The last option, for those with the need or want for a better shooting underwater camera is to buy a bigger SLR type camera and stick it in a waterproof housing. Much more expensive, much more bulkier, much faster, but will take a much better photo than the point-n-shoots.

I personally have had both the Pentax and the Olympus cameras. (WPi and the 770SW) Of the two brands, I didn't like the Pentax camera. So far, the Olmypus camera is OK. I think they are both pretty mediocre cameras, as point-n-shoot digital cameras go. But, if you really need/want the waterproofing, your choices are very limited.

Note that you will lack in *some* features if you go the waterproof/water resistant route. These cameras usually lack in speed, memory, focus speed, etc.

Since I am prone to taking a really crappy photo, to get around this I carry my waterproof camera and a much faster FujiFilm in a waterproof type case. On the days it's not wet outside, I'll use the Fuji. On the days that I'm wet, or will get wet, I just suck it up and use the waterproof Olympus.

Since I have drowned two digital cameras, I'm on "camera probation" for pretty much EVER.

I have a nice Canon D10 SLR at home that takes a flawless photo, but I'm not willing to hump that along in a big old bulky Pelican case while on the river.

Oregon Scientific helmet cam. Waterproof to 10 ft, 2 hrs of contin. video on a 4 gig SD card, 4" long 1.25 dia. no wires and on sale at Joes for $89

My daughter Marci has the Olympus SSW 850 at 8 megapixels. It takes nice pics and has a much more reliable auto-focus than the Pentax W30 (7 megapixels) that I bought my older daughter a couple years ago. But the display on the SSW went out in the first week of use. It's currently out on a warranty repair/replacement.

Got a buddy (Charholio) who took awesome shots of some of our Kenai fish this past summer with the Olympus SSW 1030.... these were some of the best shots of the trip.









The 1030 is 10 megapixels as is the newer 1050. Not sure what the performance differences are between the two, but the 1030 is a slightly bulkier tougher looking guy cam, while the 1050 is a slimmer, sleeker girly looking device. Could just be a marketing ploy to pitch what's basically the same camera out to a different demographic.

Prices are nearly identical for both cams.

My optio 10 has worked great for the 4 years I have owned it.

Forget the camera, look at those hogs.... damn where is this place of hogness???? Nice Fish.

With my Olympus 770SW it seems as if you have to have some clear water to get a good photo....

Keith

another optio owner

i have the Olympus Stylius 790SW...is ok...i agree you need some clear water to take a good pic...still trying to get it together...i think my 3 year of Sony Cybershot took better all around pics, but was not waterproof...most of my pics are out of the water, but you do have to think about air bubbles, and centering...its ok, but most of the fish are kicking up dirt when you are trying to take a pic...not sure about the others, i am happy with it, but make sure you get a second battery if you take a lot of pics...c

I have the Olympus 790 SW and it seems to be pretty good. I swam around with it for 2 hours at "the aquarium" when we were on Maui this summer. That killed it. I took it back and put it in a bag of desiccates and used it the next day.

I haven't tried taking underwater pics locally yet.

I like my Optio 10, I especially like the wrist strap, very helpfull while leaning over a boat. Good luck in finding the right one for you..Jim Sr

Looks like the Optio and the Olympus are the front runners. Thanks Parker for the link.

I would love to see some more underwater pics if anyone has some good ones.

I tried and FAILED to get any really good UW shots. Really dang hard for me to frame the subject the way I'd like to. It's really more of a guess-n-shoot type of application. Moving river water, clarity, bubbles, and frisky wild steelhead make this type of shooting tough!

I know Gilly has some good UW shots. I think ABU might, too.

This is about the best I could do: I haven't taken an UW shot since.

Yeah, that is what I am talking about. I could look at those type of pics all day. Were those taken with the Olympus?

Keep them coming.

No. Optio WPi. For every "good" UW photo, I have 10 real crappy ones. When the Pentax took a good photo, it was generally a good photo. Problem was that it never consistently took a good photo. I'd take 4 or 5 shots, in the HOPES of getting 1 good one. And, that was ABOVE water. That all goes out the door under water.

I have never dunked my 770SW under the water yet. Never had the correct conditions to use it last year UW. If the conditions are right, I'd give it a shot this year.

Just ran over to Costco for a healthy $1.50 lunch and they have the 1050SW for $230. Seems pretty reasonable.... I might need to get started on my Christmas shopping.

Do a side-by-side of the 1030 and the 1050. The 1030 is a little nicer camera, especially if you do macros stuff, or want a faster shutter speed.

Hard for me to know which is the better lenz: The 28-102 or the 38-114

I'd think you'd want to try out both before buying one.

I almost get the impression that your going to sacrifice some performance out of the 1050 in exchange for a lighter, more compact camera. The review(s) for the 1050 are not good.

The Olympus 1030 is waterproof to 10' and the 1050 is waterproof to 33'. I used the 1050 in Hawaii also this summer while snorkling, also at the "aquarium" (which is now closed for at least 2 years) and diving. It did great. You can also get a housing for it that will allow you to use it diving past the 33' depth that the camera is rated for. It's good to 133'. Worked great.

You have that reversed... the 1030 is definitely the more rugged of the two, including the ability to withstand greater depths underwater.

The 1050 is the slimmer sleeker gimmicky version.... "chic new design". Now that I've read the info on their website, the unique feature on the 1050 is the TAP system where you can perform key functions by grossly tapping the sides of the camera instead having to precisely press a button with a fingertip... makes it easier to take pics without having to remove bulky gloves, say on the ski slopes.

You are correct, my bad, I didn't look at the model number on the camera.

1030 is where I think I'll spend my money. Thanks for the helpful info. I might've jumped on the 1050 had I not read the rest of this thread.

I was down there earlier today (I guess that's officially y'day now) and could NOT pass up the price of $230 for the cam, free 1GB memory card, plus carrying case. I paid about twice that for my old cam/card(s).

The sensor on my Pentax OPTIO 43WR is finally giving me fits, so I picked up the Olympus 1050SW at Costco out of impulse as much as need. Besides I got a great first subject to give it a test drive.

Hope that doesn't sound hypocritical if I steered you away from this camera, Jack. I just figured with Costco's bullet-proof return policy, I've got nothing to lose over the next 90-days except a quick trip back to the customer service line.

We shall see.....

Lemme know how you like it.

So far the only downsides that are apparent to me are:

1) Size/shape - Pretty small... just feels a little awkward in my hands compared to my old Klondike bar. I got small hands... must be tougher for dudes with big paws.

2) Speed - Noticeably more delay from when I press the shutter button vs when the thing actually takes the pic.

Will post some pics tonight.