Good cheap underwater camera?

[JakeyFlower]

I had a browse on the forum and couldn't seem to find a thread about it, so I was wondering what's a good cheap camera under $500

I was thinking maybe a GoPro or The Sony Action Cam HDR-AS15K

I'm still unsure as I've never used a camera underwater before.

Thanks guys

 

[Tigerman]

For photography I would stay clear of the video action cam type cameras..
canon s100/s110/G15 or similar systems from other manufacturers is quite good still cameras that will run <$500 with a OEM housing

 

[JakeyFlower]

For photography I would stay clear of the video action cam type cameras..
canon s100/s110/G15 or similar systems from other manufacturers is quite good still cameras that will run <$500 with a OEM housing

Thank you I will have a look

 

[Tigerman]

That being said, the gopro is a camera quite a few people like to use to mount on their dive gear to get video of their dives though as its a compact, affordable system thats pretty impressive on video caputre

 

[buton]

olympus xz-1 is kind of cheap, you can find some good deals on ebay and the housing is about $300 usd

 

[diversteve]

GoPro's are fixed focus w/o the option (afaik) to focus much closer than a foot so they're pretty useless for macro work - things like Nudibranchs, baby fish etc.

 

[beaverdivers]

SeaLife has a couple of good options under $500.

 

[cordoer]

If you don't mind being limited to about 40 feet, I love my little Canon D10 (which is only about $250, doesn't require a housing, and takes remarkably good photos). It was my first underwater camera, but I still take it along on shallower dives as a backup.

Emily

 

[Larry C]

The S100 is a great camera even though it's last years model. Amazon has them in stock for $249. The Canon housing is $212 from B & H, Adorama or a variety of other sources. The S100 will do great still shots, wide or macro and does 1080p video as well, should you choose to, including stereo sound.

 

[JakeyFlower]

Thanks everyone,

wow so many great choices