USVI-On-Line

My wife suprised me with a early birthday gift last night,a Kodak waterproof Playsport.She never gives me a birthday gift early but she want's me to test it to see if I like it.If I don't she will return it.So far I like all of its features except the zoom-not so great.We have a older Sony Handycam with the mini discs and it's starting to have issues.I have used this Handycam when i'm snorkeling,but it's a hassle with it's waterproof case.Have any of you tried the Playsport down on the rock?By the way-my birthday is on the 14th,so if any forum member want's to chip in and buy me a airline ticket to the rock I will except!

Hi Parafins. I have a Kodak Playsport, as well as an Olympus Stylus Tough. I used the Kodak on vacation in Malaysia this summer as well as around Lake Michigan and in my pool. I really like this camera as it is easy to aim, shoots great pictures and video, and is shaped like a cell phone which makes it easy to hold underwater as well as in my pocket.

On the downside, the compartment covers (USB, flash, etc) feel like they are rather loose compared to the very solid clamping mechanism that the Olympus uses. In fact, if you aren't careful it seems like it would be easy to accidentally open these compartments while swimming. In contrast, the Olympus is sometimes difficult to open when you are actually trying to open it, which is a good feeling. All aside, no problems yet.

Another big plus is the cost of the Kodak, which is roughly half of the cost of the Olympus with very good picture quality. I think you will like it, as long as you are careful with the compartment covers.

Edit: I see you are more interested in the video. The vid quality of the Playsport is IMHO better than the Olympus...so another plus for it.

I also have both the playsport and the Olympus 8010 tough.
I agree the playsport shoots better video, plus much easier to handle with its shape, funny thing here- i have the exact opposite issue with the battery & access doors, I can never get the battery door open on the kodak, I have to run hot water on it and use a screw driver

I do believe it has sand or something jammed in it, the Tough while it does have a lock and then a safety, my wife and kids for some reason always try to use it as the power or zoom buttons and open it- one time at the Baths... ugh

I would recommend the Kodak, its durable, shoots great video and very ergonomic

The Kodak is on my wish list for Christmas. I work at a school and the PE department tested many different cameras to take on various water related field trips and the Kodak won hands down as taking the best video and being the most afforable.
On a side note....I used a Flip Video Camera with its water-proof case last summer in STJ and it leaked and distroyed the camera.

A big thank you to all! I know feel pretty good about this camera.I love to record video down on the rock so that I can enjoy it later when the snow's a fly'n.Grab my snuggie, pop in the tape, and i'm in paradise!The Kodak Playsport appealed to me for it size.I hate to lug lot of camera's down the Leinster Bay Trail!

Thank you all for this info. (hey, and I didn't even have to do the original post!) We have one, but were a little afraid to actually use it in the water, but I am good to go with it now!!!

We just used the Playsport for a week on STJ. NOW I see in small print that you need to soak it in fresh water after using it in salt water. The side doors on ours are pretty much stuck shut, and I have soaked it and gone after it with a screwdriver to try to get them open. I'm sending it back to see if they'll at least repair it. (less than a year old)

Love the camera in the water. But apparently you really do need to rinse the thing after it gets in salt water. Wish I had known that BEFORE...

Sadly, our experience with Kodak Playsport was disappointing.

We gave our son one for Christmas. For the price, I was pleased with the pictures and video and it was very easy for my son to use.

I also thought the hatches were rather hard to open but within a minute of being in the pool, the very first time it was in the water, it leaked. I tried to dry it out, no luck. I am going to send it back and see what happens.

I double checked the hatches and am confident that they were closed properly. I didn't expect much for the price but was sorry to see our son so disappointed.

Sad to here.I haven't tried ours in the water yet...My wife doesn't like ours,but I like it.I want to use it for underwater footage,and trail use.We like our Handycam for long distance shots.

Yikes - I did receive one for Christmas and was so looking forward to using it in July. I guess I better check it out in the jacuzzi here at home before I go....I'll let everyone know how it goes.

snorkelqueen wrote:Yikes - I did receive one for Christmas and was so looking forward to using it in July. I guess I better check it out in the jacuzzi here at home before I go....I'll let everyone know how it goes.

I dont know about the Kodak but our Olympus leaked like crazy after using it in a Hot tub...even after we sent it back for repair...It just continued to leak...we use if for here at home...but..bought another Olympus for snorkeling and the pool...

I don't think the jacuzzi is going to really be a good test for the problem I ran into. In my case the problem is salt water. Salt residue must build up on the latches and cause them to stick shut. And you need to open them to get to the SD card and to charge the camera.

I really like the camera, and hope to get a replacement. Mine didn't leak. But if I ever use it in salt water again, I'm going to be sure to rinse it like crazy with fresh water and work the latches to try to get rid of the salt build up problem.

Im on my second Playsport...1st got wet and it was replaced under warranty...I do like it for the convenience and size



here's a link we shot last year http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkG7GUWKXOU

Great video, BigCheese! (must be you rinsed your camera?)

Here's two, one above water, one below. Both from President's week.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... DMDsJx7av4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pl ... yWLUF-suC4