usvi-on-line
Snorkel Camera
Snorkel Camera
I know the topic of underwater cameras has been beat to death already, but I pose a good question, I promise. A lot of people are big fans of the Canon D10, and I have had my sights on it for some time now, but doing some research I came accross the Panasonic TS3: http://www.waterproof-camera.org/panaso ... -overview/. For a little more money the TS3 seems to be a possible alternative. It's 12 megapixels and has 1920 x 1080 HD video. Does anyone have experience with the TS3?
Bryan
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EagleRayLover
- Posts: 1474
- Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:56 pm
- Location: St. John -WooHoo!!
I don't have first hand experience with the TS3 but I have read lots of good reviews about it on another forum. Or the TS2, as I believe the TS3 is just released.
My husband owns a Canon D10, but actually doesn't like it too much. It's very convenient for snorkeling though. I know we are in minority here, but after four trips with lots of pictures, he is now ready to exchange it for another camera. Maybe the TS3 or a Pentax (optio xx). We used to have one of those before and he liked that one.
My husband owns a Canon D10, but actually doesn't like it too much. It's very convenient for snorkeling though. I know we are in minority here, but after four trips with lots of pictures, he is now ready to exchange it for another camera. Maybe the TS3 or a Pentax (optio xx). We used to have one of those before and he liked that one.
We think the quality of the photos are not as good as expected. Actually that goes for both above and under water. I'm not sure if our expactations were too high, but we think the pictures come out blurry way to often. And we are not beginners at taking photos.ms411 wrote:I may be interested in buying his DC10 (rather than on eBay!) if he's interested in selling!
What does he not like about it?
He would definitely be interested in selling it (it's 1,5 years old), but we live in Sweden, so I'm not sure how it can be done. Next time for me on St John is in November.
Maggie, I can wait until November if you want to bring it. I only want to post photos online, so the quality doesn't have to be all that great. I also have an underwater video flip-type camera, and I want to be able to compare the two. I'm wondering if they work better in fresh water where you're not so buoyant? It's hard for me to keep still let alone the fish!
There's a Bell&Howell infrared camera that I want, too. Sigh. If only there were one perfect one!
There's a Bell&Howell infrared camera that I want, too. Sigh. If only there were one perfect one!
I Like to KIS (Keep It Simple)
Well Maggy, It appears that GPS signals do not penetrate water well if at all. Also, from the user manual, the camera only claims accuracy to a couple hundred meters which is the full length of most VI beaches. Finally, it takes a little time to get a satellite lock, so you can wait to take your photo, or leave the receiver in always on which has the downside of battery drain. The Fujifilm XP20 is the same camera without the GPS for what it's worth.Maggy wrote:Steve - does GPS work underwater?
OK, Steve. That's what I thought too. There would be a lot of dive gear with GPS, if that would have worked.
ms411 - OK, I'll talk to my husband and I'll PM you closer to our trip. If you get an opportunity to buy another one, feel free to do it. I can't make any promises here, as it's not my camera. It was actually a gift from me to him, but I know he wants another camera.
ms411 - OK, I'll talk to my husband and I'll PM you closer to our trip. If you get an opportunity to buy another one, feel free to do it. I can't make any promises here, as it's not my camera. It was actually a gift from me to him, but I know he wants another camera.
Not sure who you are asking, but the Canon D10 take decent videos. Not HD videos though. I would also be interested to hear more about the TS3. Hopefully we will hear from someone with first hand experience of that camera.BRY1105 wrote:Other than taking decent pictures, Im interested in a snorkeling camera that can recored decent video as well. I think thats what attracted me to the TS3 at first (1920 x 1080 HD video). Does your camera take good video?
I concur with Maggy about being disappointed in the D10. It is very easy to use, which is a plus, and has a viewfinder that you can actually see underwater, which is an even bigger plus, but there is just a slightly fuzzy quality to the photos that drives me crazy.
I much preferred my old Canon sd800 powershot with seperate underwater housing. Unfortunately after some years of use the housing started fogging on the inside. Although the camera itself still works fine the underwater housing is no longer available.
The D10 is definitely a sturdy and easy to use camera, and the photos are not bad, they are just not as sharp as I am used to. I am getting a Canon G12 with seperate underwater housing for my use next trip.
I much preferred my old Canon sd800 powershot with seperate underwater housing. Unfortunately after some years of use the housing started fogging on the inside. Although the camera itself still works fine the underwater housing is no longer available.
The D10 is definitely a sturdy and easy to use camera, and the photos are not bad, they are just not as sharp as I am used to. I am getting a Canon G12 with seperate underwater housing for my use next trip.
It's like looking in your soup and finding a whole different alphabet.
I'm in a way relieved I'm not the only one disappointed in the D10. I was starting to think it was just us that was bad at taking pictures 
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Liamsaunt, you are going to love the G12. I'm sooo happy with my G11 and my husband is really jealous about that camera. Maybe he'll save some money and buy a G12 instead.
The G10/11/12 is not a small handy snorkeling camera though, as the camera itself is kind of heavy and the uw housing is rather big. But I like that. Easier to hold the camera still.
.Liamsaunt, you are going to love the G12. I'm sooo happy with my G11 and my husband is really jealous about that camera. Maybe he'll save some money and buy a G12 instead.
The G10/11/12 is not a small handy snorkeling camera though, as the camera itself is kind of heavy and the uw housing is rather big. But I like that. Easier to hold the camera still.
Maggy I think I've seen a bunch of pics posted with the D10 that weren't blurry, but its also a challenge to get pics with our olympus stylus tough that aren't blurry or missing the fish! We have to take dozens underwater to get maybe 8 outstanding shots, the rest get deleted. Its just too difficult to time the shot with the fish, cripes those crazy fish won't stop moving! You'd think they'd learn by now!
I just want to repeat that I think these underwater cameras justify the additional warranty protection. I never buy extended warranties, but these little compact underwater cameras can take a lot of abuse, more than I think they're certified to take. We bought the protection for the 2nd Olympus we picked up this past winter, after our first Olympus bit the dust after numerous vacations. Great cameras in general, just worthwhile to protect the investment.
I just want to repeat that I think these underwater cameras justify the additional warranty protection. I never buy extended warranties, but these little compact underwater cameras can take a lot of abuse, more than I think they're certified to take. We bought the protection for the 2nd Olympus we picked up this past winter, after our first Olympus bit the dust after numerous vacations. Great cameras in general, just worthwhile to protect the investment.
