Amateur affordable underwater camera choices in 2011 and beyond...

[c627627]

I dive maybe once a year, if that. I looked at some disposable model specifications and saw that they appear to be cameras for use on the beach, rather than for diving. Then I looked at some non-disposable cameras and saw that some are $100, some $300.


I own land models Canon PowersShot A610 and Canon SD1300 IS and am confused as to whether I should just buy a case for one of them vs. go for a dedicated underwater camera. I am also concerned as to the depth limitations, are they the real limitations as far as how deep you can go or do people routinely go deeper and if so by how much?


Basically, the thread topic is can pictures on deeper dives be taken w/o spending hundreds of $ in 2011 or is that still years away?

 

[ronscuba]

GoPro HD is your answer.

 

[Nightscale]

Buy a case for the a610 and get a strobe for it a lot cheaper than buying new setup

Sent from my Desire HD using Tapatalk

 

[CuNanoTube]

How well does the GoPro do under water?
I was thinking about picking up one for diving, cycling, and skiing.

 

[ronscuba]

Tons of threads with sample videos from the GoPro already on the board.

At $260 for the housing and camcorder, the GoPro is an incredible deal. Some companies include the flat port for free which solves the underwater blur problem.

 

[gypsyjim]

We have a Cannon SD1300 IS that my gf purchased a waterproof case for: Canon WP-DC36 Waterproof Case for PowerShot SD1300 is Camera Kit

Pretty decent camera, which I occasionally borrow because it is small and very stow able for the occasional UW pics.

 

[c627627]

We have a Cannon SD1300 IS that my gf purchased a waterproof case for: Canon WP-DC36 Waterproof Case for PowerShot SD1300 is Camera Kit

Pretty decent camera, which I occasionally borrow because it is small and very stow able for the occasional UW pics.

I looked at it and $175 case for a camera that right now sells for $79 at RadioShack on sale sounds like an awful lot but I guess that's how much it costs to use it underwater, how deep did you take it?


All the other posters are recommending the GoPro. This is the first I am hearing of it so thanks for the suggestion. I assume this is the product web site: GoPro Products - Record & Share Your Most Memorable Moments

As you can see on that page, it's not exactly clear where the underwater diving camera model is or what it is, so newcomers spend a lot of time trying to figure that out to start. It also seems that all current models have some sort of a focus problem? And for the past half a year + people at the forums appear to be talking about GoPro "working on a fix"?


So just by looking at that fact, it sounds like maybe waiting for the next model is the way to go? Is $260 the current out of pocket cost to take pictures or video with the GoPro, what exactly is needed and how deep can you go with it?

 

[diversteve]

I own land models Canon PowersShot A610 and Canon SD1300 IS and am confused as to whether I should just buy a case for one of them vs. go for a dedicated underwater camera. I am also concerned as to the depth limitations, are they the real limitations as far as how deep you can go or do people routinely go deeper and if so by how much?

Basically, the thread topic is can pictures on deeper dives be taken w/o spending hundreds of $ in 2011 or is that still years away?

Pictures or Video?

If your interest is shooting pictures, this thread is posted in the wrong forum so contact me to move it.

I don't think you can find a WP-DC90 housing for an A610 anymore - except that used one currently on Amazon. Maybe there's still an Ikelite housing around somewhere but they're discontinued also.

The SD1300 IS only shoots VGA video also.

Movie: 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) up to 60 min. or 4GB per clip

Which is OK for web video or small computer screens but you'll likely be unhappy with it on an HDTV. The GoPro also only shoots 5 Megapixel stills. Your SD1300IS shoots 12MP stills. I know which one I'd want for still shots.

Neither of your cameras shoot HD video so the GoPro would be a better option if that's what you're trying to do inexpensively. Read later in the GoPro threads, there's at least 3 fixes currently available - Eye of Mine and someone else. IIRC GoPro recently announced their own also.

You may also find that certain controls don't work in video mode on the SD1300IS - my buddy has a similar model and his won't allow for zooming or white balance when in video mode IIRC. He bought a video camera last year partly because of it.

If depth rating is a concern, the Ikelite housing is rated to 200'. IIRC all the Canon housings are only rated to 130'.

 

[shoturtle]

if you are looking for simple as you do not dive that often and wants some snap shots. look at an intova. Well under your top budget. And if it flood, you do not loose the camera for your whole trip by having a dive and topside camera.

IC12 Intova IC12 12.0MP Underwater Digital Camera, 3x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom and 2.36" TFT LCD, 180 Foot Depth Rating

 

[ctx120]

The post above , left out the most important feature about the camera & manufacturer .The warranty is the best I ever had to deal with ,, No questions asked , replacement camera /housing turn around fast & quick .Friendly customer service .E-mails returned with-in 24 hours .
Because of this feature I will always purchase my camera from Intova .IC12 underwater pictures are great , once u learn how to use the settings ,