I'm new to underwater photography and am looking to get my first "real" digital camera...likely to be used for both under- and above-water pictures. (I've been using disposable $10 cameras for a few months when diving and, well, I'm sick of the poor results.)
I've read through the archives, and I've seen a (whole) lot of satisfied Olympus C5050 users, enough to the point that I'm seriously considering purchasing one. I've seen some of the online links to buy the camera at a decent price. Here's my concern, though, which might be misplaced: I understand that the camera was discontinued, even though it's still available online in a few places. Was there a reason it was discontinued? Are there parts that I might need in the future that I wouldn't be able to purchase if I bought a C5050 now? (Basically, would I be buying a camera that's being made obsolete?) I'd be hoping to keep this camera for several years.
I'd originally been considering something like a Nikon 4300, which is a bit cheaper and looks solid, but got to thinking when I saw the overwhelming number of satisfied C5050 users on the board. Opinions either way, or is there something else I should be considering? (For background, I have 60 dives and am fine with the camera task-loading, and I've used friends' digital cameras above water and loved them.)
Any opinions are appreciated. Money isn't a huge object, but I'm looking to keep the camera cost under $500 (not including housing).
I've read through the archives, and I've seen a (whole) lot of satisfied Olympus C5050 users, enough to the point that I'm seriously considering purchasing one. I've seen some of the online links to buy the camera at a decent price. Here's my concern, though, which might be misplaced: I understand that the camera was discontinued, even though it's still available online in a few places. Was there a reason it was discontinued? Are there parts that I might need in the future that I wouldn't be able to purchase if I bought a C5050 now? (Basically, would I be buying a camera that's being made obsolete?) I'd be hoping to keep this camera for several years.
I'd originally been considering something like a Nikon 4300, which is a bit cheaper and looks solid, but got to thinking when I saw the overwhelming number of satisfied C5050 users on the board. Opinions either way, or is there something else I should be considering? (For background, I have 60 dives and am fine with the camera task-loading, and I've used friends' digital cameras above water and loved them.)
Any opinions are appreciated. Money isn't a huge object, but I'm looking to keep the camera cost under $500 (not including housing).