Looking for suggestions for point-shoot waterproof camera (not helmet cam). (I searched the archive and didn't see anything current- if I overlooked this topic, sorry...)

The Canon D-10 gets some good reports, but it is thick and a bit bulky it seems. I don't have a sizable pocket on my pfd...Any ideas about what has and hasn't worked for you all are welcome.

I've had 2 Olympus waterproof cameras and they've been pretty good. The first one was a stylus 720 and it did OK but the shutter broke after a couple years... they have a trade-in program so I was able to send it in for some credit towards a new camera. I now have a 850SW... which is probably been replaced by a newer model by now.

It has been down rivers with me for about 2 or 3 years now with no problems. I just hook the strap into a d-ring in my PFD pocket and pull it out when I need. It's been a pretty tough little camera for me. Photo quality is OK.... from what I've seen it's pretty well on par with Pentax's similar offerings. In general, for a waterproof camera, you aren't going to get the same quality as you would with a top of the line non-waterproof point and shoot... so keeping that in mind, the quality has been fine. If you want really sharp, hi-quality shots, you probably need to get an SLR or a really top notch point and shoot and keep it in a peli case or padded out watershed bag.

I see that several other companies have decided to get into the game, so there's more offerings now than there were five years ago or so, when it was pretty much just Pentax and Olympus... but they're the two that have been making them the longest, so I'd give them the strongest consideration.

On my second Olympus, only because the first one didnt float. It's been great. I have the more durable version (2 versions when I bought mine) and it's been a great camera. I take it everywhere and it has taken the abuse that would have killed any other camera in a heartbeat. The video quality on my older model is poor but the pictures are fine for all my needs. The newer versions have better quality. I managed to break the display inside the case (so its still waterproof) and also melt the charger so I'll be in the market for a new one soon as well. Keep us posted on what you get and how you like it if you wouldnt mind.

Get a dry box, and don't worry about the waterproof camera route.  Worth getting out of the boat for good pictures.

My 2 cents.

Owen

I agree with Monk your options for cameras open up significantly when you don't have to choose from the waterproof designs. Plus you will always get better shots from shore than you will from your boat, I worked as a video boater and photographer in the SE for awhile and the industry rule was "no shooting from your boat". Something to consider.

I've got an Olympus Stylus Tough 6000. What Wiggins said about the megapixels and the camera processor may be true but I seem to get great pictures out of it. Its an amazing little camera. It is waterproof, I've snorkelled with it once and taken quite a few swims with it and it seems to hold up just fine. Works good in the cold too. It has some cool functions like a really easy panorama setting (you don't even need a tripod to get near perfect panoramas).

Only things I don't like about it is that it only has 3.6x optical zoom.
I am usually against battery pack cameras because I like the option of putting in AA's when I don't have a wall outlet to charge my camera, but the lithium ion batter pack lasts quite awhile, I've taken 150ish shots plus some video on a three day winter camping trip and the battery lasted fine, and last time I looked you can get replacement batteries on ebay for $3 (so for longer trips I have a couple extra).
I have a little float that clips onto the camera so I can use it around the water without worrying about it sinking.

Great Camera, my dad, sister and friend all have similar models and they have had good luck too.

Thanks- tried the dry bag thing and wasn't real happy with that because the camera slides around in there and it is tricky getting everything lined up with view finder/screen, shutter, etc., especially since (in Winter) I wear glacier gloves instead of poggies. And the bags can fog inside.

Keep the comments coming; looks like I'll have more research to do...

 None of us really care what you want. Its all about what we want, and We all want to see calendar worthy pics!!!


Edited by James - 21 Jan 2011 at 8:45am

Ha!  Well played good sir.

Its actually an Olympus Stylus Tough 8010