Coolpix7900 or Canon SD500?

I'm currently trying to decide between a Nikon Coolpix 7900 and a Canon SD500. I've tried them both on land, but has anyone tried them both underwater to compare? The Nikon has the D lighting feature- but the Canon has a faster cycle time...I've been wavering back and forth for weeks!

Thanks for your input!

I have the 7900 that I use underwater and as a snapshot camera above water. I'll be happy to tell you my thoughts about it. I have not used the Canon, so I can't comment on that one.

My biggest dislike when shooting U/W is that it really isn't designed to be used in low light while shooting macro. Here is why:
1. The flash difuser is right against the camera. What this does is to cause the light to vignette in the frame. The lens get in the way and creates a shadow when you are shooting 3-4" away from the subject.

2. Focusing is problematic in macro. About 50% of my shots are out of focus. I'm a pro photographer that shoots action above water for magazines such as Sports Illustrated and Outside. I'm constantly frustrated when the auto focus gets a mind of it's own. While I don't expect this camera to work the same way as my Nikon F5's or D2X it is still bothersome. With these camera's it's rare that I have shots out of focus.


I love the size and the I really like the image quality when they are in focus. I believe that the I could shoot a magazine cover with this little camera and an photo editor wouldn't know the difference until they tried to open up the raw file.

I too am looking for a point and shoot that will yield sharper images. I'm not wanting to haul around my big housing and Ikelite strobes on a fun dive just to have sharp shots.

OE2X, I think it is time to house your big camera

Problem with low light focus is pretty endemic with all PnS to a certain degree and the only way to deal with that is to have a good focus light. If you are comparing F5 or D2X with 60mm macro lens, there is no PnS that will come anywhere near it.
Unfortunately a good focus light will cost quite a bit as well. Personally I use Fisheye light which is incredible.

For PnS, again, when you use on board flash, when you are 3-4 inches away from the subject, you are going to run into shadow problem. Some PnS may be worse than other but this is a physical limitation of PnS.

With my old Oly C5050, I had to deal with all of these problems as well but nowaday, I am a bit out of the loop on the current PnS.