Best Underwater Cameras

Not sure what section this should be in, so please move if needed.

For anyone who has experience with underwater/waterproof cameras, which ones do you think are the best and why.

The Powershot D10looks nice....but kind of bulky and odd shaped.

The Casio Exilim EX-G1 looks more pratical, slimer so it could be used everyday.

Personally, I really don't like point and shoot cameras, there usually not sharp enough for me, lack a good dynamic range, can not take photos in low-light, and don't have lenses with the ability to shoot a shallow enough DOF for my liking.

With that being said, I would like to pick up an underwater camera before going to FL this summer, and I'm not willing to put my 50D in a housing. So, I suppose I'm stuck with a P&S then.

So, any recommendations on underwater cameras, for the dSLR shooter, would be appreciated.

Keep in mind I don't want to spend a lot of money....the D10 is pushing my budget.

Thanks.

I would love to be able to have a housing for one of my dSLR's but they are just too much money for a person that lives in a land locked area. If I lived near the water I would probably invest in one of these.

I invested in the underwater housing for my Canon G9 and have only used it once and was pleasantly surprised at the results that I got. It does take some getting used to the framing of your subject and the bulky controls. With a little more practice I am sure that one could get results that are quite acceptable but will not rival those that you could get from a dSLR with a housing. I am off to Maui on Saturday for a couple of weeks and have invested in Liquid Image Underwater Camera Mask. Will see how this works out. Neither of these come cheap.


A couple of samples from the G9.

I have a Sanyo Xacti. it looks more like a video cam but the photo looks good as well. but there is more shutter lag and no control over AV/TV like more photo oriented cameras.

I used a Canon SD550 with a underwater housing ($160) and it worked beautifully. It has gone to 80ft underwater with no problem. I sold the combo to a scuba diving friend and from what I know she loves it for its small profile and I sold the package to her for a low price that she would not cry if it gets flooded.

If you already have a point and shoot then look into getting a housing for it. As far as the submersible point and shoots, I'd just get one the fits your budget and has styling or ergonomics that appeals to you. I doubt that there's all that much difference between the brands at any given price point.

I use G10 with underwater casing, works really well.

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I love my G7 for my diving.

Mchu86 wrote in post #9691569
I love my G7 for my diving.

Wow! That is stunning, absolutely amazing!

What is your setup, G7 with what underwater housing, and any lighting used....they're very bright for being underwater.

To everyone, no I do not have a P&S camera currently....I don't really like them compared to a dSLR.

A used G7, is not to bad cost-wise, but it makes me a little nervous to put underwater vs. a dedicated underwater camera. Then again, the quality is probably better.

Thanks, MG30D!

I use a G7-dedicated housing from Ikelite, along with a pair of underwater strobes. Not cheap, but strobes are a necessity for underwater photos past 3-4m (15-20ft) deep. They bring back the colours that are lost. Those two photos were taken around 15-25m (45-75ft).

I'm assuming you'll be snorkeling, not diving, based on your camera choices. If that's the case, I'd still recommend the G7 + housing. The camera takes great images and has a decently wide angle lens (a plus for underwater). The factory Canon housing works great as well.

Housing vs Dedicated Underwater Camera:
It can be nerve-wrecking to use a housing, but as long as you take proper precautions, it is safe. This is my normal checklist always performed the night before use:
1. Always keep the oil ring properly lubed (lube usually comes with the housing).
2. Check the O-ring in detail to look for signs of cracks before use.
3. Perform a test in the bath for leakages (without camera inside housing).
4. Pass the test? Open up the housing, place camera inside, and repeat steps 2-3.
5. Once done, leave it in a room temperature area with towel draped over the housing. Avoid direct air conditioning.
6. MOST IMPORTANT: After use, rinse/soak in fresh water as soon as you can. If you don't have immediate access to fresh water, drape a towel over the housing and keep in a shaded area. DO NOT LEAVE IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT. Salt water leaves residue that can deteriorate your only protection of the camera: the O-ring. When soak, be sure to press all the buttons of the housing to ensure everything is cleaned out.

Lastly, underwater technique, IMO, is more important than type of camera used. External lighting or use of underwater filters (whether in-camera or preferred external red filter) brings the true colours of sea life out. And a general rule of thumb, get as close as you can (which is why a wider angle is beneficial). Remember, you're shooting through water which is much denser than air, with the addition of misc. sea particles clouding up visibility.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Michael

bought a d10 and it sucks!
pics are ok at best but it is nothing more than a point and shoot you can get wet.