Recommendations on a cheapish underwater camera

[tlgerdes]

For an upcoming Fiji holiday, sub $200 would be a good start ;)

[peter_4059]

Trevor,

I just got back from Vanuatu a couple of weeks ago - had toyed with the idea of getting a Gopro Hero3 Silver before I left however didn't in the end - really regretted it once I got there. It is a bit more than $200 but the white series is close to this price. Most of the waterproof digital cameras are pretty limited in depth without an additional housing. The Gopro is good to 60m.

Peter

[tlgerdes]

Thanks Peter,

I'm only snorkelling not diving, looking for a depth range of around 5m. Thinking more of one of the "tough" compacts. I bought a cheap $60 one last year to go to the barrier reef and it worked OK, colours were a bit washed out but the killer was battery life. I could only get about 20 shots out with flash on before they were dead. AAA lithium aren't cheap, and the thing wouldn't work on AAA rechargeables.

Hence this time looking for something a bit better. Just wondering what others had used.

[eddiedunlop]

One of these might fit the bill:
http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=QC8018
I haven't used one so I can't comment on quality.

[Regulus]

You might find the colours wash out with a compact because the flash is close to the lens, and the light bounce back from the water and particulate matter between the lens and the subject is quite high. If u can get the flash away from the camera u will get better results.
The compacts I have seen tho r good to about 3metres.
I am surprised Sea and Sea haven't entered this market, they used to make excellent cheap underwater 35mm camera systems. And Nikon hasn't digitalised the Nikonos?!?

Trevor

[multiweb]

Get a GoPro. You can use it for other (astro) things when you're back from Holidays. I wouldn't think twice about passing some contrebande in full daylight in front of SWMBO with a Fiji holidays excuse. :thumbsup:

[killswitch]

Canon D20 for your price range.

The Olympus TG2 is very good but it costs $400. Its got a faster f/2-4.9 lens.

[jjjnettie]

Why not use your existing camera you are familiar with?
Waterproof cases, soft plastic, from around $20 and hard covers from around $100 and up. :)
http://www.linkdelight.com/underwater-waterproof-camera-case.html

I'm ordering two of these for my 550D. One for use with a short lens, the other for the longer lens. :)
http://www.linkdelight.com/330702038W-Tteoobl-GQ-518L-20m-Waterproof-Camera-Case-Cover-Black.html

[tlgerdes]

Thanks guys and girls for your info. It now looks like a toss-up between the Canon D20 and Panasonic Lumix FT3. The former is around $220 the later $190.

The go-pro is too specific for just action stuff. I also want it to be fore the family, something the kids can take on school trips etc without worry of it getting smashed, hence the "tough" instants look good.