Waterproof camera

[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

Hi all. Im in the market for a waterproof point and shoot camera with at least 4 or 5 times optical zoom. Any ideas? What have others got? Pros and cons?

[hdtdamo5 Member Find all posts View Profile Close hdtdamo5]

How deep do you need it to do? Panasonic make some great waterproof cameras. My missus has one (FT1) and a friend of mine has the FT2 & FT3. Not sure of zoom. http://panasonic.com.au/Products/Lum...roduct+listing

I do heaps of diving, and a bit of UW photography, and I think for point & shoot, the panasonics are great. I have a panasonic camera, TZ7 or something, not waterproof, but has a 12x Optical zoom.

I think the FT3 (the current model) is waterproof down to 12m. If you need it deeper than that, ie for diving, go the waterproof panasonic case. They are rated to 40m, but I can say that at 65m the FT2 case still works and doesnt leak. FT3 aslo has full HD video

I can also say that a mates GF has a canon one, WP to 10m, and it went to 38m down in Mount Gambier, and although it didint work at that depth (water pressure casued the buttons to stay depressed), once we got it to the surface, it worked fine, didnt flood, and is still going strong!

I have used the Olympus 10m WP one, but i found the images were as clear as the FT1 I borrowed off the missus at the time to compare.

Here are two Albums http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...3&l=bac3a65dba and http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?s...3&l=c88d5b9db9 All the phots were taken with either an FT2 or FT3 (Panasonic)

After all that, I would recommend the FT3 form Panasonic. I Had a look, optical zoom is 4.6x, its droppable, WP to 12m, dust proof, and takes some really good photos. The reallf good thing is its small and compact, even in the WP case, if you need it.

Good Luck!

[chappy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chappy]

I use an Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT10 as a second camera,I get great photo's and good video and I've dropped it a couple of times with no problems afterwards.
I also use it at work,because of the crappy work enviroment my others wouldn't last long besides the Nikon D60 is hard to carry in my shirt pocket!.lol.

cheers
chappy.

[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

Well we ended up going for a Lumix FT 10 as it was a good value with a spare battery, floatie strap and silicon cover for $230. Seems good so far. Only 3 m waterproof though but thats good enough for snorkling and swimming.

[VeeZeeSS Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close VeeZeeSS]

I have the Sony DSC-TX5 Cyber shot (only rated to 3 m too) but has been great for photo's/videos in the surf/lakes/rivers etc and just keeps going. Always make sure you give it a good wash under the tap after a swim in the salt water though.

[Brains Find all posts View Profile Close Brains]

I have a Panasonic FT-1 and an FT-3. I rate them take great photos and video.

Paul

[Fozzy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Fozzy]

We have two Nikonos III film cameras, they were great kit for their day! Film, manual focus, needed a separate light meter, oh the memories...

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/nikonos

Cheers,

Dave

[krypto Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close krypto]

I have a bunch of compact cameras that I seem to have a collected including panasonic, canon and sony. I think my sony Tx10 is a better camera than my panasonic ft1, it takes better pics and videos and is smaller. It doesn't look as rugged as the panasonic but so far has survived heaps of use. My ft1 started to leak after about 12 months as did my mates ft3.

[SGS Member Find all posts View Profile Close SGS]

I have an FT3 which was a fabulous camera (until it started to leak on first use in water) so now will upgrade to the new FT4 and see what happens. But for a person who hates compact cameras (I prefer my SLR) I thought the FT3 gave good results.

[chappy Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close chappy]

Last break myself,my mate,our missus's and godsod spent the day out at karijini nat pk and swam in Kalimina gorge as it's the easiest to get into with a 4yr old in tow and took down my FT-10 and it performed brilliantly,no leaking as it spent a bit of time in my shorts pocket as we spent most of the time in the water.

[Whitey1 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Whitey1]

Karajini, thats where we decided that we needed a waterproof camera. Trying to swim while holding the camera above your head is hard work! So far the Panasonic FT 10 that we bought is doing well. I've already taken it swimming lots in the gorges at El Questro and the water holes around Kununurra. :-)

[alternative Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close alternative]

Ive had an Lumix FT1 since they came out and still using it 23000 pictures and numerous videos later, its been used underwater at Port Lincoln for 45mins doing the shark cage dive, been in my pocket swimming, wakeboarding and more so mountain bike riding with dirt, wet and crashes to contend with. Its scratched, dented and been dropped many times.... still taking pictures the same as it did 3-4 years ago.

If it ever dies i will definately replace it with another one.

[Mule Member Find all posts View Profile Close Mule]

Go pro hero2

It is a bit manual with a steep learning curve and no viewfinder but getting interesting photos and very waterproof. Load of possibilities and attachments. I like the fact that you do not have to worry if you are snorkelling too deep with it. From memory rated to 60m. My wife has an olympus waterproof to 10m and given that I frequently will snorkel to 20m I was always watching myself and worrying that I was going to over cook it.

[berniebgf Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close berniebgf]

Mule,

It has a screen you can attach onto the back. there are allot of other accessories you can add on the back as well....

Battery expansion, Wireless to have remove view...to iPhone, remote control...

Have a look at the Gopro Website.

Bernie.