Looking for a good waterproof camera (no housing)

[mtamborra]

Hi all,

I'm looking for a decent waterproof camera but cannot seem to find any that are all around good. I need this for snorkeling and am not doing any deep diving or anything like that, at the most I might free drive 15-20 feet or so while snorkeling

I posted this in the snorkel boards and was directed here. I'd like something I can take 15-20 feet down without some huge ugly casing covering it

The cameras I have been looking at are the :

Olympus Stylus (tough) 6000 & 8000

Cannon D10

Pentax Optio W80

Someone gave me this review article to look at

'Waterproof' Camera Group Test (Q2 2009) Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

and from that review article it looks like all the cameras reviewed got slammed

I definately do not want a cannon, their customer support has been horrible from my experience with them and plus they don't cover water damage (even on waterproof cameras!)

So I simply am looking for a compact, responisive, reliable, waterproof digital camera that I can take atleast to 15 feet

Thank you for reading, been researching for weeks and have been turning up short

 

[diversteve]

It's probably overkill but there's both Sea&Sea and SeaLife. Possibly the SeaLife Mini might work.

I also see postings here about Intova but have no experience with them. Most seem less than favorable. But they're certainly inexpensive - especially on eBay.

 

[JackConnick]

Although DPReview didn't like the T8000 too well, it and the T6000 have been very popular and take nice shots. Easy to use s/w and great build quality and support. Upgradable to a dive camera with the addition of the PT-045 and PT-047.

Jack

 

[Snorkelingdotinfo]

I'd go with the Olympus - I have it and really like it.. I have tried the sea life and it was too much of an underwater camera.

 

[Where2Next]

I will vouch for the Olympus (mine is the 1030SW - tough is next level up I think) - I love my little camera and it works great under and above. It can go 30ft under. Not too big as well.