Medium quality stills. Don’t get their
hopes up. I’ll bet even my 5 year old Canon Elph in its waterproof case can outdo Hero stills, and my new Canon G15 will pound Heroes into the ground.
Cheaper Gopro
Monoprice is coming out with a cheaper version of the Gopro next month – only $100.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=108&cp_id=10834&cs_id=1083408&p_id=10159&seq=1&format=2#description
I will be interested to see how it reviews with Monoprice tech crowd.
Nikon Coolpix AW100
I bought this at Costco before Christmas. It seems to be about $120 now. It is waterproof to 40 ft, freezeproof, and shock resistant. I rigged up a mount on the front of my kayak to take some video just after Christmas. The bonus feature is a built in GPS.
Where is it $120
When I read your post I felt cheated because I paid over $200 for it.
Quick Google search has it at $220 or threabouts. Its highly subject to lens flare. Using the backlight feature helps a lot when you are pointed toward the sun.
A friend bought his wife a Go Pro, …
and for under water, they are not worth the money.
They constantly fog up, and have absolutely no zoom.
After watching her exasperation with it, I wouldn’t get one
Jack L
California Kayaker Magazine review
California Kayaker Magzine ran a set of reviews on a few cameras (Pentax, Olympus, GoPro, and Oregon Scientific). The reviews are getting a little dated now, as most of these brands have newer versions of the cameras. But I think they are worth reading for the comparison of the pros and cons of POV versus handheld cameras.
Reviews were in issues 6 and 7. All issues can be read online for free at http://www.calkayakermag.com/magazine.html
Own both Nikon and Lumix
The Lumix takes quality pictures given that you understand it’s limitations. The Nikon is a better bet if you are snorkeling and taking pictures underwater. For taking pictures from your boat it is a toss-up. Understand that number of megapixels for current cameras does not matter. Buy the cheaper one.
Pentax Optio WG-1
I have had a bunch of waterproof camera over the years (they may be waterproof, but they don’t float), and they have all been versions of the Pentax Optio. Pictures are good as along as the conditions aren’t too bad - rainy days, shadows and snow are all problems, but you can usually fix things on the computer after. It takes surprisingly good video. For paddling, you really can’t go wrong with this camera.
Olympus
I haven’t looked at any of the newer generation of the Olympus Stylus cameras, but the one i got 4 or 5 years ago still takes great pictures, just remember to get a floating wrist band so you don’t lose the camera
Lumix gets my vote but
remember, it may be waterproof but it DOES NOT FLOAT. I use a lanyard from my pfd
I have a year old one that is …
useless underwater.
Please tell me how you take underwater pictures from your boat ???
See my post above
Jack L
Got iPhone?
In case you do, add a Lifeproof case to it and there’s your point n shoot plus all the other iPhone-y things. It’s also a real case to use terrestrially.
DryCase would be another option but only for aquatic activities.
See you on the water,
Marshall
The River Connection, Inc.
Hyde Park, NY
www.the-river-connection.com
Not so sure of that
– Last Updated: Feb-17-13 4:25 PM EST –
Gopro 3 has 12 MP in resolution. The lens and software combo does favor single width, wide angle to very wide angle, which some won't like, I realize. Fogging is cured with cheap anti=fog devices. The housing is very rugged, goes down deep and the dive housings go deeper. The basic units all come with the waterproof housing as part of the package, so you don't pay extra unless you want one specifically for diving deep.
Your G15 is a $500 camera requiring another $300 underwater housing and has a 12.5 MP resolution. So at twice the price you can have a great zoom, but it's bigger and won't work as well for video nor for places where you need small light camera.
If you understand the Gopro's intended major use - video - and its secondary use - stills - you have a very versatile camera system to work with. If you want a zooming, truly waterproof still camera that might shoot short videos, then you don't go the Gopro route, something like the Canon will do better.
Just depends upon the intented use, really.
Its called not point and shoot
but point, guess and shoot. I have lots of underwater pictures of nothing.
Unless I counterbalance and get on the floor of the boat with my head in the water…which is risky on the ocean.
Pentax
– Last Updated: Feb-17-13 4:56 PM EST –
Still running my Pentax Optio Wpi 6 megapixel
and it's seen a lot of use in Michigan.
Got it the first year it came out, still works today.
The only I miss is Image Stabilization that my
buddy has on his newer model.
Kayaks wiggle a bit and it helps, a lot
http://youtu.be/_ZO3pRLO48E
Underwater shots
- use a StickyPod on bottom of kayak, with a tether.
Got awesome video of wrecks by paddling over them
near Tobermory,Ontario Canada aka Georgian Bay.
Scuba buddies were jealous.
EDITING is always the biggest pain, prepare ahead.
Pentax Optio W90
My wife used a Pentax Optio 43wr for years, and despite being the oldest model - just 4mp - it took the best pix - used 2 AA batteries and had a viewfinder! It finally died, and was replaced by a WPi that worked well, but was ripped off from my car. I now have a Pentax Optio W90, which is a decent point and shoot. As someone else noted, it doesn’t do well in auto mode in tricky lighting situations - and I really, really wish it had a screen grid to help keep horizons straight - apart from that, it’s been a trooper…
BTW - the next manufacturer to bring out an AA battery-using waterproof with a viewfinder will have one guaranteed sale…
Thanks ! You got that right and…
no one seems to understand it.
Jack L
Check out the G15 lens specs.
f1.8 to 2.8 over the 28-140 mm equivalent range of the lens.
Zoom and focus that function while the 1080p video is running. How much video depends on the size of the chip.
Small would be nice, but I can’t accept the concept of mounting a camera even that “small” on top of your head.
G15 has the best LCD screen I’ve seen.
Cost is important, but I can afford what the package actually costs.
And GoPro shot themselves in the mouth with “Hero” and “GoPro”, two of the smarmiest names since Perception Proline. What an insult to users.
Anyone using these in salt water?
I have an mid price range Olympus and it works terrible after a few outings in salt water. Always rinsed with fresh water after salt water use etc… Fresh water is a different story though. Trying to zoom in will leave you dissapointed with mid price range Olympus.IMHO. It’s tough one, depends on what you want to use it for. I will also be in the market for one soon i think.
Coolpix aw 100
I have one and have shot freshwater stills under about 8 ft of water with great success. I paid about 250 for mine.They work well above water too, I use a uv filter and it seems to help in bright light