Camera Suggestions?

Pyrojodge

Pyrojodge

Well-Known Member
TECHNICAL Contributor
May 1, 2011
4,248
Lake Erie Ohio
Boat Info
1989 Sea Ray 340 DA
Engines
twin 454 Mercs
Ok guys I have been looking at cameras for a few months now. :smt100 What I would like to have is one that will take high quality photos and video's and be water proof. I have looked at the Go Pro but not sure how it does with stills and how user friendly it is. Also looked at a Nikon but again not really sure of the quality. I have looked at alot more but it just makes my head spin. What would you guys suggest for what I would like to use it for? Still shots, and video would be nice and rigid is also a must. Well let me know what you guys would suggest and we'll go from there. Thanks all!!
 
Here's a new player that looks interesting.

https://www.lytro.com

ProductPage_Hero_Red.jpg
 
I have a Canon Powershot D10 and love it. Underwater capable and shockproof. I have dozens of photos blown up to poster sized and framed.
 
My next camera purchase will be a Go Pro II
 
I have a friend who always brings this camera with her: http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26293/COOLPIX-AW100.html

She has blown up some pictures with it that look great for being a point and shoot.

I use a DSLR for work but rarely bring it on the boat for fear of getting it wet, I will now keep the GoPro HD Hero II with me at all times on the boat for video.

I will probably be purchasing the above camera since I have seen it work in action.
 
My admiral is a photographer and owns lots of Nikon and Canon DLSR's, Mamiya, Kodak, etc, but her favorite for boating is a Pentax Optio W90. Does awesome video, great for underwater photos and video. Shock resistant. We bought it from Beach Camera on line. Great price and beat all other sellers. Pentax has a newer version of the W90 but I know the W90 will fit your bill...

Here is the new one: http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PKOPTWG1PL What is really nice is the HDMI port... great for flat screen tv showing of photos...
 
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Pentax WG-! gets high score reviews.
 
Thanks for all of the input guys... I went to the local camera store and they only had two water proof cameras. Both were olympus they seemd good I will follow up on the suggested cameras here thanks a ton guys...
 
Pyrojodge said:
Thanks for all of the input guys... I went to the local camera store and they only had two water proof cameras. Both were olympus they seemd good I will follow up on the suggested cameras here thanks a ton guys...
Click to expand...

I wouldn't buy a camera like that at a camera shop. You will get a much better deal on Amazon. If I were getting a high end DSLR then I would buy at a camera shop to get the benefit of their expertise and for servicing/cleaning....but makes no sense to buy a point-and-shoot at a store.
 
Tonka Boater said:
I wouldn't buy a camera like that at a camera shop. You will get a much better deal on Amazon. If I were getting a high end DSLR then I would buy at a camera shop to get the benefit of their expertise and for servicing/cleaning....but makes no sense to buy a point-and-shoot at a store.
Click to expand...

Thanks tonka I was not going to purchase there but wanted to gat a feel for them... I love to shop on amazon... thanks for the tip though...
 
i have Nikon D200 DSLR but this winter i bought GoPro Hero2 , it was amazing waterproof and 1080HD ,
 
Here's a video from my Olympus Stylus Tough camera. It's a 10mp, waterproof to 10meters, shockproof & simple to use. Sound and video quality underwater are pretty good and it's small enough to take everywhere.
[video=youtube;YifyCN2R2no]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YifyCN2R2no&feature=plcp&context=C3ac93aaU DOEgsToPDskLVIfcg8E8vrqKhE5Z35VVe[/video]
 
Tonka Boater said:
I wouldn't buy a camera like that at a camera shop. You will get a much better deal on Amazon. If I were getting a high end DSLR then I would buy at a camera shop to get the benefit of their expertise and for servicing/cleaning....but makes no sense to buy a point-and-shoot at a store.
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As long as you don't waste the sales guys time getting info and then buy it on the internet. That is not cool.

I got the Go-pro for water action shots.
 
i have a fuji and a olympus both are waterproof and i like both
just make sure that you dont have any sand on the o-rings of any of the openings (battery door etc...) after opening one of the doors, just give it a quick wipe down i didnt do it once and it didnt seal and i ruined the camera
but after knowing how senstive that area was i have had no problems at all
nice to just have a camera in your bathing suit pocket, never know when you need to take a picture:grin:
 
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If you are getting a DSLR an excellent store to deal with is B&H, if you are buying Canada the Camera Store in Calgary. As for a point and shoot I asked the Admiral for the GoPro Hero II for my birthday, will make a great addition to my lineup.
 
Jason another suggestion is to find a good reputable local camera store and make a list of the cameras you like and research what memory adds they use, if you have some memory cards take them down to the camera store and tell a salesman that you want to buy a waterproof camera. Try the various cameras that you are interested in using your memory cards to compare the results after. Try to take pictures of the same subject with all the cameras you are looking at. Also try to find a store that has no restocking fee and a set amount of days to return it if you do not like the camera. I'm a Nikon shooter and Pentax Medium format shooter and don't know as much about the P&S's but if you are able to try before you buy it sure helps.
Also if you really want to get into photography "Bryan Petersons" Understanding Exposure is a great book to read.
Also if you have a little extra coin pick up a tripod, opens up a whole new window.

http://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Exposure-Photographs-Digital-Updated/dp/0817463003

Here is some of my work: http://www.pbase.com/dbellyk
 
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Having just bought my first DSLR, some random observations:

I used a 2003 Olympus C-750 with 10X optical zoom for work for many years. The camera, case, charger, batteries, etc. put me at about $700-$750.

My accountant was still writing off this camera five years later. When I discovered this, I told her that if I left the camera on the roof of my car, I would not care, just too old to worry about.

This Olympus is a great little workhorse, but it started to lock up on me and just stop. I let it cool and it runs again. You can find these cameras on e-bay for about $70 bucks. Mine will spend a lot of time on the boat this summer. Best disposable camera on the market. Unless you need to take pics underwater, this camera is walletproof. I did learn that the old Olympus Camedia software is not compatible with Windows after about 2010, and there is no patch. I'm using Sony PMB software from my newer Handycam to offload. Lucked out.

My replacement was inspired by Costco - Nikon D3100 with two lenses, case, charger - about $800 with tax, was a January deal, and sold out locally. Costco.com sold it at the exact price of the store, with no delivery charge. My first Costco online order, and as usual, Costco comes through as a great retailer. Reviews on Costco.com for the D3100 indicated some pros use this as a back-up to cameras costing thousands.

This thing is almost as simple as a point-and-shoot when you first start. But, I'm digging into its potential each time I use it. Thrilled so far. It will find its way on the boat a few times under controlled circumstance.

My daughter wanted a Nikon Coolpix point / shoot for Christmas, I picked about an 85% match to my old Olympus C-750 for about $140. The local camera store was selling it for about $10 bucks over the Costco price based on their local ads. Not a bad premium if you want advice from a specialty store. I agree with the comments that you should not use your local experts, and scr*w them for $10 bucks. Or $50 on a DSLR.
 
Go Aweigh2452 said:
My admiral is a photographer and owns lots of Nikon and Canon DLSR's, Mamiya, Kodak, etc, but her favorite for boating is a Pentax Optio W90. Does awesome video, great for underwater photos and video. Shock resistant. We bought it from Beach Camera on line. Great price and beat all other sellers. Pentax has a newer version of the W90 but I know the W90 will fit your bill...

Here is the new one: http://www.beachcamera.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PKOPTWG1PL What is really nice is the HDMI port... great for flat screen tv showing of photos...
Click to expand...

I have the Pentax Optio WG-1 and it is a great little pocket camera and it does a pretty good job under water for pictures and video

Here is an under water picture in fairly clear water

Fish.jpg


It also has a feature where you take 2 or 3 pictures and it stitches them together.. kind of a neat feature

3pic.jpg
 
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