I've got a Pentax W20 (last year's model). It takes really quality pictures and is totally waterproof. I keep mine looped around my pfd and inside a pocket in my drytop. The one thing that I've noticed is that on cold days when I pull the camera out intially since it's close to my body then exposed to the cold the lens fogs up.  However, this only makes a difference if I'm trying to take picture from my boat. Usually if I get out and try to get a good shot it comes out really well.  There's a newer version of the Pentax this year called the W30, my buddy has one and it takes really amazing shots.

 

I know Olympus also makes a waterproof camera you may want to check out. I've never used it though so I'm not sure how quality it is.  Whatever you get try putting rainex on the lens to fight off water dropplets.  I hear the W30 does a lot better at not collecting water on the lens.

 

Shot below is Ben Wartburg running Tunnel Chute on the MF American.

 

Paul

  The replacement camera was the W-30, the differences are subtle, but worth looking into.

  As far as brand, for picture and video quality I really prefer the Pentax, the downside of it compaired to the Olympus is the amount of frames taken in rapid shoot mode.

  I can only get mine to take a max of about 5 pictures, where as the Olympus will continue to take frames as long as the shutter is depressed.  I think it is an internal memory thing. If it is adjustable I dont know how to do it.

  I loop the strap of my camera through my helmet strap and tuck the camera in the gusset pocket of my drytop neck. It protects it well and is very easy to get out for the carnage shots.

  Hope this helps Peace

 

 

I have used it for two plus years now of kayaking and police work. It has been dropped, kicked, hit, stepped on, submersed, bounced around on rough roads at high speeds. It still works like a champ!

 

Mount Vernon PD started issuing 720's to their officers last spring. With over 40 camera's in the field everyday they have yet to replace or repair one camera.

 

The down side to this camera is that the auto focus is on the slow side, and the power button likes to turn itself on when it is in a pocket.

 

Battery life is good. Between work and kayaking I only need to charge it once every two or three weeks.

 

Kyle

 

Dan

 

p.s. I can't watch Tobin's video's because I need some special codec or something, so don't get the one he's got. 

  It's not rocket science if I can figure it out,  its a Divx codec, free and should be auto loaded when your vid doesn't play.