Does anyone own a waterproof camera?

clevebride2006 · January 2012

We're going to the E. Caribbean this December for a cruise and plan on doing some snorkeling. We've used the disposable underwater camera and while the concept is great, the picture quality just... isn't.

We are contemplating buying this Canon D10 waterproof camera- seems to get really solid reviews and I've seen the pictures from people's blog when they use it underwater- so clear and pretty.

We're not avid snorkelers, and most likely won't use it all the time. From what I've read, it's a great camera both for land and sea. We do already have a great Canon point and shoot, and a Nikon D60 SLR. Having another point & shoot camera wouldn't be a bad thing as it's much easier traveling with a portable one and it seems like DH and I are constantly wanting to use the camera and take pictures simultaneously.

We don't foresee another water trip for a few more years (maybe in 2015 when we go to Honduras or Costa Rica), but I guess we could use it for land pictures?

Thus- do you think we should purchase this D10? Or, just save our money?

eta: Here is the Canon D10 link: http://www.amazon.com/Canon-PowerShot-D10-Waterproof-Stabilized/dp/B001SER460/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1327449184&sr=8-1

sunshine_day_dreams · January 2012

If you're not going to be going on another water trip for a while, what about just getting a waterproof case?

I was going to suggest this one, but it's not much cheaper than the camera. I swear, I bought this exact one on Amazon last summer for $75. Not sure why it's so expensive now, but maybe if you watch for a bit it'll go back down...?

When I was posting about buying a waterproof camera/case last summer, a lot of people recommended this case.

CnJ-July9 · January 2012

we bought a waterproof case. back then it was $100. i like having it for the beach and the pool and not only for underwater activities. we do use it every year though. if i was buying a new camera i'd look in to a waterproof one but i'd have to weigh out the cost vs use.

anelms · January 2012

I bought this for our cruise and it worked perfectly. I don't think spending the money on a waterproof camera is worth it.

bringjoy2theworld · January 2012

We bought one for our trip to Australia as we figured the Great Barrier Reef might be a once in a lifetime experience, so, for us it was worth it. We looked at the canons, but ended up going with a Panasonic Lumix based on reviews. There are a few pictures on the blog link in my signature that we took with the camera. They came out super clear. Would I invest the $300 for a Caribbean trip? I'm not sure, but now that we have it, we will use it.

=Jewel= · January 2012

anelms:
I bought this for our cruise and it worked perfectly. I don't think spending the money on a waterproof camera is worth it.

I bought exactly that for a trip to Hawaii. It was cheap, and worked perfectly with a camera I already owned. I'd recommend it.

NDSUGirl · January 2012

This is what we have, it takes AMAZING outdoor pictures but horrible indoor. But for waterproof & outdoor stuff we love it.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Olympus+-+TG610+14.0-Megapixel+Digital+Camera/2207078.p?id=1218314734563&skuId=2207078

spikeinc · January 2012

CnJ-July9:
we bought a waterproof case. back then it was $100. i like having it for the beach and the pool and not only for underwater activities. we do use it every year though. if i was buying a new camera i'd look in to a waterproof one but i'd have to weigh out the cost vs use.

I have a Canon point and shoot and bought the underwater housing as well ( aka waterproof case). I also like it for the beach and have taken it into the pool. I have used it on every vacation we go on so it was definitely worth the $100 or so that it cost. I also like that I can take it off anytime I want and just have the small camera again. I have taken loads of underwater snorkeling pics with it.

uk2usa · January 2012

I have a lumix and it takes surprisingly decent pictures, even as a regular camera (though the 100% digital zoom is not the best). It was great for when we went to Costa Rica and it rained ALL the time - we'd never have taken any pictures if we hadn't had the waterproof one! We also used it underwater in a pool, but haven't tried it for snorkeling yet. It was expensive but I like it.

monkeygirl18 · January 2012

We have TWO Olympus Stylus Tough. That being said, I DO NOT recommend it. Both of them broke (leaked).

The first one was just out of warranty (only used twice in the water * second time is when it broke*). I have managed to save it but can't ever trust it in the water again.

The second one ( newer model with a lock feature on the battery compartment) leaked ( like the first ) the second time I took it in the water. This time it was still under warranty so I had it fixed. I haven't had it in the water but for a few minuts since then. We shall see what happens on our up coming trip. I do however plan to take disposables just in case.

Should this one break again I'm not sure what one to try next. I just figured I'd give ya a heads up on Olympus. Plus the fact my SIL worked for them and informed me ( after I bought both of these of course) that they are notorious for what mine did.

clevebride2006 · January 2012

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

I am still torn. Now that I'm reading more about waterproof cameras, it would be really nice to use in non-underwater scenarios- in the rain, on boating excursions, near water, on the beach... so I am leaning more towards purchasing a waterproof camera.

Just not sure which one... I will look into the Panasonic Lumix though. Thanks for the feedback on the Olympus Tough. They are consistently rated well too- interesting.

I wanted to buy on Amazon, but I think I am going to find it elsewhere and buy a warranty protection program so I know it'll be fixed (I don't think Amazon has a warranty program). Maybe Best Buy? I hate paying more at Best Buy, but I know they have a protection program and I'd feel more comfortable knowing it's got a plan.

We travel quite a bit and I want to take great pictures to capture the trips!

alithebride · January 2012

can you buy a waterproof cover for the ones you already own? i havve an olympus and bought an olympus waterproof case for it and it's fantastic!

PitaBread · January 2012

The Olympus stylus tough is the worst "waterproof" camera there is. Both of ours leaked, so they replaced it with a 3rd that we sold cause we've had enough. Nikon just came out with one and given their reputation in the camera world, I'd be more than willing to try it!

Mrs.GinTN · January 2012

I have a D10. I really like it, but I have had some problems with it. On my trip through the FL Keys, it died on our first snorkeling spot. Canon replaced it immediately, and I have had no problems with the new one. We use it for winter and summer because it is supposedly frost and shockproof as well as waterproof. I really haven't had any problems since the first one, and we've used it in the ocean several times now.

clevebride2006 · January 2012

Mrs.GinTN:
I have a D10. I really like it, but I have had some problems with it. On my trip through the FL Keys, it died on our first snorkeling spot. Canon replaced it immediately, and I have had no problems with the new one. We use it for winter and summer because it is supposedly frost and shockproof as well as waterproof. I really haven't had any problems since the first one, and we've used it in the ocean several times now.

How was the picture quality? Did you buy it online? Did you get a protection plan with it? It's highly rated on Amazon, but I've heard of people saying it went dead (for whatever reason).

SSM&JLM · January 2012

We have had the Fuji Finepix waterproof camera for a couple years now. We did have to get the zoom fixed, but it was under warranty and no issues since.

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-Z33WP-Digital-Green/dp/B001QENO6Q

Here are some photos from our cruise last April:

KirstinB · January 2012

Ditto on the Olympus Stylus tough. Ours leaked and broke AND SPARKED the first time we used it. We bought two of them, and the other leaked as well. I'm in the market for another as well!

clevebride2006 · January 2012

alithebride:
can you buy a waterproof cover for the ones you already own? i havve an olympus and bought an olympus waterproof case for it and it's fantastic!

I'm trying to find a case and I can't find one I have a Canon IX 860IS. The ones being sold on Amazon are for the ELPH cameras and seem slimmer than what I own...

KimberlyS530 · January 2012

I bought a waterproof case for my digital camera (which is a Canon something - it's about a year old), and I *love* it. Absolutely love having it to take along for any event where the camera might have issues - whether it's snorkeling, a catamaran sail, just down at the beach (keeps sand out of it as well), white water rafting, anything... but the case was pretty expensive ($150). That being said, I get the same quality pictures as I got from the Canon camera without the case so, in my mind, it's worth it. If I knew how to PIP I could post examples of photos I've taken. Also note we go on beach vacations 2-3 times a year (for example, since July we've done Hawaii, Tahiti, the Dominican Republic, and are slated to do Hawaii again in March). If you think you'll get your use out of it, it's definitely worth the investment.

clevebride2006 · January 2012

KimberlyS530:
I bought a waterproof case for my digital camera (which is a Canon something - it's about a year old), and I *love* it. Absolutely love having it to take along for any event where the camera might have issues - whether it's snorkeling, a catamaran sail, just down at the beach (keeps sand out of it as well), white water rafting, anything... but the case was pretty expensive ($150). That being said, I get the same quality pictures as I got from the Canon camera without the case so, in my mind, it's worth it. If I knew how to PIP I could post examples of photos I've taken. Also note we go on beach vacations 2-3 times a year (for example, since July we've done Hawaii, Tahiti, the Dominican Republic, and are slated to do Hawaii again in March). If you think you'll get your use out of it, it's definitely worth the investment.

Can you tell me where you got it? Or, post a link?

Does anyone own a waterproof camera?

Re: Does anyone own a waterproof camera?

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