5 replies to this topic

[james]

Phil just posted his comparison of 5 waterproof cameras, the Canon D10, the Fuji Z33, the Oly 6000 and Oly 8000, and the Pentax W60850:

http://www.dpreview....aterproofgroup/

What are your thoughts? Does this sway anyone one way or another?

Cheers
James

[TheRealDrew]

Phil just posted his comparison of 5 waterproof cameras, the Canon D10, the Fuji Z33, the Oly 6000 and Oly 8000, and the Pentax W60850:



What are your thoughts? Does this sway anyone one way or another?

Cheers
James

I am not a huge fan of snorkeling, but do some shallow sites from time to time, so the two cameras that go to 33' are something that are mildly interesting. Looks like the Canon is better in image and performance than the Oly from what they say, so perhaps more as a boat camera or toting around in bad weather. Still not sold yet on any of them though. I have taken shots on the boat with my housed cameras and do it more for fun than anything and they work for what I am looking for when shooting that way, and for walking around I throw my G9 in my pocket if I do not want to carry a dSLR. Would pick up a cheap Canon housing for that before getting any of these... yet.

When they start getting the performance a bit better and when they start getting waterproof a bit deeper (maybe because I go to places where the usual shallow dives hit 60 feet or so) then I would grab one I think. As we have seen, things are updated so often that perhaps that will be happening in the not too distant furture.

[ktwse]

I wouldn't trust just a single source for these tests... Imaging Resource places the Oly above the D10 (conclusion here: http://www.imaging-r.../FIS/FITSA9.HTM ) and the premier Swedish photo magazine arrived at the same conclusion, ending up recommending the Tough 8000.

Incidentally, the IR opinion on the Tough 6000 mirror my own experience as well, I found it excruciatingly slow to focus and get the shot, ending up selling it after just one trip.

Maybe it's because I still use compacts (the DX-2G right now), but I don't see any point in having a waterproof camera without a housing as a diver. I usually keep the compact in its housing during days and for snorkelling/freediving can just take the housing from the strobe arms and go with that. For having a rugged camera that can put up with a little bit of water and a bit of cold, my Pentax K-7 will certainly be enough (I don't tend to drop cameras...).

Given people's experiences with taking the predecessor to the Tough 8000 to about 130 ft maybe Oly should go ahead and rate a camera for that kind of depth, then it certainly would make a difference!

Thomas

[primus.3a]

Until now I had 7 UW compact cameras: 5 Pentax W cameras (WP,W10,W20,W30 and W60) and 2 Olympus SW (720 and 1030). At the moment I'am using Panasonic DMC-FT1, which (by my criteria) is the best. iA mode, UW mode and image stabilisation are simply the best in UW P&S camera segment, also AVCHD movies are awesome good.

FT1 pics: http://public.fotki....ves-meedhuppar/
FT1 movies: http://www.youtube.c...B4522D37F769971

[Beach Bum]

The depth rating severely limits the use of the cameras. They would be ok for snorkeling, or just kicking around in a pool, but I don't see any real valu for diving.

[Paul79UF]

Until now I had 7 UW compact cameras: 5 Pentax W cameras (WP,W10,W20,W30 and W60) and 2 Olympus SW (720 and 1030). At the moment I'am using Panasonic DMC-FT1, which (by my criteria) is the best. iA mode, UW mode and image stabilisation are simply the best in UW P&S camera segment, also AVCHD movies are awesome good.

I'm looking for one of these cameras now for snorkeling / beach / kayaking duty.

What do you think of the newer Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2?



Looks pretty sharp. I want to replace my really old Canon SD700 with bulky underwater case.