usvi-on-line
Olympus Cameras
My Olympus leaked on me after my second trip. I was debating back and forth whether or not to give them another try. A friend recommended Kodak's new underwater camera. We both got one and we were both pleased with the photos it took above and below the water. Best of all it was only about $80 Here is the link http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/e ... .222433400
To supplement my Olympus 8010, I recently picked up a Kodak Playsport:
http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/e ... .169976100
I have had it in the water 5 times this summer with no problems, but I can't help but feel it is going to flood as it feels less hardened than the 8010. But what I really, really like about it is that it is shaped like a cell phone and super easy to use underwater. I have found that aiming can be difficult on the traditional form factors of most cameras, but this one is a piece of cake. Also, it is really cheap for what you get, around $129, and has fully 1080P HD video capabilities.
Both this camera and the one BarbY mentioned are only good for snorkeling as they are only rated down to 10 feet. I use the 8010 to go deeper.
http://store.kodak.com/store/ekconsus/e ... .169976100
I have had it in the water 5 times this summer with no problems, but I can't help but feel it is going to flood as it feels less hardened than the 8010. But what I really, really like about it is that it is shaped like a cell phone and super easy to use underwater. I have found that aiming can be difficult on the traditional form factors of most cameras, but this one is a piece of cake. Also, it is really cheap for what you get, around $129, and has fully 1080P HD video capabilities.
Both this camera and the one BarbY mentioned are only good for snorkeling as they are only rated down to 10 feet. I use the 8010 to go deeper.
I'll be taking my new Panasonic DMC-TS3 in the water snorkeling every day, starting Aug. 3rd for two solid weeks. I'll report back here on the quality of pics, user-friendliness and most of all - the leakproof factor. Based on previous Panasonic cameras, I expect it to be quite good. They're aware of some of the issues: when you turn it on, the LCD screen prompts you to check and make sure that the latch on the side compartment is not only latched, but is it LOCKED? Not a bad nag to have....
AwardB
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
Please do report back. This UW camera thing comes up every other month here and it seems like most popular Olympus and Canon have had their issues. It would be great if the Panasonic proves to be reliable for you and others who review on amazon etc.awardb wrote:I'll be taking my new Panasonic DMC-TS3 in the water snorkeling every day, starting Aug. 3rd for two solid weeks. I'll report back here on the quality of pics, user-friendliness and most of all - the leakproof factor. Based on previous Panasonic cameras, I expect it to be quite good. They're aware of some of the issues: when you turn it on, the LCD screen prompts you to check and make sure that the latch on the side compartment is not only latched, but is it LOCKED? Not a bad nag to have....
I dont know how many others would consider this, but I typically stick the camera manual into the camera bag and take it with me on vacation, especially for a new camera with a lot of nifty features, for troubleshooting or to look up how to use a feature I would like to try using, or to change a setting to get more creative etc.
When we come to place where the sea and the sky collide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Throw me over the edge and let my spirit glide
Here's what I found after a LOT of online research:
We had a Vivitar underwater camera, worked well for 2 years, leaked on the 3rd visit.
Started online researching many many cameras and choices, and was originally of a mind to get one of the underwater Olympus or Pentax cameras. But kept finding a fair number of users complaining about leaks and about poor to fair picture quality. Kept digging. Finally came upon the Panasonic, fairly new model, supposedly good to 40 feet (deeper than I'll be going!) and drop-resistant to 2 meters. That sounds good to me. I've already mistakenly dropped it the 2 meters onto carpet, and it's fine.
The GPS it has is universally panned, but I don't care about that. I'm on St. John when I use it - how lost could I be? Or even care??
I'll most certainly report back, and the "manual-in-a-bag" idea sounds good to me!
We had a Vivitar underwater camera, worked well for 2 years, leaked on the 3rd visit.
Started online researching many many cameras and choices, and was originally of a mind to get one of the underwater Olympus or Pentax cameras. But kept finding a fair number of users complaining about leaks and about poor to fair picture quality. Kept digging. Finally came upon the Panasonic, fairly new model, supposedly good to 40 feet (deeper than I'll be going!) and drop-resistant to 2 meters. That sounds good to me. I've already mistakenly dropped it the 2 meters onto carpet, and it's fine.
The GPS it has is universally panned, but I don't care about that. I'm on St. John when I use it - how lost could I be? Or even care??
I'll most certainly report back, and the "manual-in-a-bag" idea sounds good to me!
AwardB
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
We've had an Olympus 790 for a while -- first trip down it was fine, but this year the battery compartment leaked our first time out. Amazingly enough, once dried out the camera still worked (it was only a few drops of moisture visible on the battery). At that point, I downgraded it from "waterproof" to "water resistant" and haven't dunked it since. Our daughter's slightly older model Olympus had the same problem.
I'll note, in the interest of fairness, that the Olympus manual does advise that the camera's seals be replaced annually, something that we did not do.
I'll note, in the interest of fairness, that the Olympus manual does advise that the camera's seals be replaced annually, something that we did not do.
Just arrived in STJ late today with brand-new Panasonic TS3, will certainly be reporting here exactly how it works out. I'm expecting great things, based on experience with other Panasonic cameras, but we shall see.
AwardB
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
We have a 790sw for 4 years at at least the same amount of trips. It is still waterproof to this day. I do lube the seals about a week before we travel and it's good. Plan to use it again this winter along with our new kodak playsport video camera. Used it this last trip and it took better pics side by side with the 790.
Lesson is to lube the seals on any of your underwater cameras. And check for sand and particles after each photo session underwater
Lesson is to lube the seals on any of your underwater cameras. And check for sand and particles after each photo session underwater
Hi
You can see the pics taken today at Honeymoon Beach with the new TS3 here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/awardb/STJ ... 8KCfysGqKw
I noted a couple of things about the camera operation in another post, posted tonight "Honeymoon Beach..." .
I agree with the poster above about lubing the seals. My camera is brand new, so seals are OK. For myself, I will be spraying a fingertip with spray silicone and wiping the seals at least once a year to keep them up to snuff. And one should look VERY closely for grains of sand, a single hair, anything like that which could compromise the seal.
My old Vivitar UW cam was fixed focal length, but I used the optical zoom today on the Panasonic to good effect, and I like it.
More details on this forum as I continue to use the camera.
You can see the pics taken today at Honeymoon Beach with the new TS3 here:
https://picasaweb.google.com/awardb/STJ ... 8KCfysGqKw
I noted a couple of things about the camera operation in another post, posted tonight "Honeymoon Beach..." .
I agree with the poster above about lubing the seals. My camera is brand new, so seals are OK. For myself, I will be spraying a fingertip with spray silicone and wiping the seals at least once a year to keep them up to snuff. And one should look VERY closely for grains of sand, a single hair, anything like that which could compromise the seal.
My old Vivitar UW cam was fixed focal length, but I used the optical zoom today on the Panasonic to good effect, and I like it.
More details on this forum as I continue to use the camera.
AwardB
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
Well, we're 9 days into this trip to STJ, and so far the new Panasonic TS3 has performed admirably. Look at the links contained in Trip Report Day 7 and TR Day 8 postings in the forum, from me, for examples of the picture quality.
I continue to be impressed with the quality of the camera itself, the versatility with the settings, and the quality of the pictures it's taken. So far, it's head and shoulders above the old Vivitar that we had, but it should be, as it costs over 3 times as much.
I'll continue to report in on this camera, and how it performs both above and under the water.
I continue to be impressed with the quality of the camera itself, the versatility with the settings, and the quality of the pictures it's taken. So far, it's head and shoulders above the old Vivitar that we had, but it should be, as it costs over 3 times as much.
I'll continue to report in on this camera, and how it performs both above and under the water.
AwardB
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll
Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop. - Lewis Carroll