Recommended Cameras for Scuba Diving

[Announce]

Hey all,
I hoping someone could recommend a good camera for Scuba diving. I am currently on the trip of a life time, having come from Diving in Thailand, and Indonesia I've figured I should probably get a camera for where I am now, Australia. I had come prepped with a Panasonic Lumix, but quickly found that the 12m limit really did not allow it to be used on a majority of my dives.

What camera's do you guys use / recommend?

 

[BlueCorn]

Canon G-12 in the Canon housing. Its a nice compact little rig.

 

[NatureNerd]

Or S100 in the canon housing.

 

[NatureNerd]

Of course, if money and size are not a limit, an SLR is the way to go.

 

[Spar]

Of course, if money and size are not a limit, an SLR is the way to go.

I would second that. I have some exceptional pictures from taking my Nikon D90 (DSLR) diving. I bought one of those zip-lock bag cases for them; still somewhat pricey but no where near as pricey as the Ikelite equivalent for a DSLR.

So if you only want to spend ~2K in total, go with the zip-lock version of casing (don't let my modest wording of "zip-lock bag" scare you, they actually do work :hmm1: ), if you want to spend 4K+ go with the Ikelite casing.

Just don't go more than 30 feet down if you go with the cheap method or it compresses all your camera buttons. Never needed to go deep when I was diving in the GBR all the time.

I also have the Olympus Stylus 5000 (think the 6000-series it out now), which I got the Ikelite casing for very cheap. These take great pictures but obviously not at the quality a DSLR will get you. I also got the handle-bar kit for stability.

 

[BlueCorn]

The Canon WP-DC34 case costs ~ $169 and is good to 40m. The Canon G12 is a sweet little camera in it's own right. It shoots RAW and has full manual modes in addition to dedicated underwater modes.

I shoot professionally with a DSLR but when I go on vacation, I use a Canon G12 and leave the big rig at home. The newer one is even better (larger sensor) and I believe it fits the same case.

 

[NatureNerd]

The Canon WP-DC34 case costs ~ $169 and is good to 40m. The Canon G12 is a sweet little camera in it's own right. It shoots RAW and has full manual modes in addition to dedicated underwater modes.

I shoot professionally with a DSLR but when I go on vacation, I use a Canon G12 and leave the big rig at home. The newer one is even better (larger sensor) and I believe it fits the same case.

I also shoot pro, on land only, and I use the S100 for snorkeling. Better or same sensor as the G12 sensor, wider field of view, and smaller size. Also does RAW and is cheaper. The only negative that I have seen is the shorter battery life. Some complain about distortion at the wide end, but it is not noticeable to me in actual use. I guess if I was going to replace my SLR's above water use, the G would be better. That said, the S100 can fit in my pocket, the G series can't.

 

[Announce]

Hey guys,
Thanks a lot for all the replies. The Canon G-12 looks great however may be a bit out of my price range but I am keeping it in mind (seems like about $500 all-in). It's good to know the reef is not much deeper than 30 feet, as I found my 40ft camera was about useless while I was diving in Bali.

I do own a Canon Rebel XS DSLR, any recommendations on where I may be able to find a case for it? (I just wasnt looking forward to carrying the thing around!)

 

[NatureNerd]

Hey guys,
Thanks a lot for all the replies. The Canon G-12 looks great however may be a bit out of my price range but I am keeping it in mind (seems like about $500 all-in). It's good to know the reef is not much deeper than 30 feet, as I found my 40ft camera was about useless while I was diving in Bali.

I do own a Canon Rebel XS DSLR, any recommendations on where I may be able to find a case for it? (I just wasnt looking forward to carrying the thing around!)

If the G12 is just a touch out of your price range, check out the S100 it is cheaper and has better spec's, except battery duration and it can fit in a pocket for a great travel camera. Do the comparison feature on the Canon USA website.

Another sad fact is that if you can find a used housing for your SLR it will still cost more than a new Canon P&S with Canon housing. At least that is my experience.

 

[dendronepthya]

You didn't specify a price range, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. I would get a Panasonic GH2 with the 8mm fisheye lens.

I own a GF1 with fisheye lens, 10Bar housing, and 10bar dome port. I love it, but the GH2 blows the GF1 away especially with regard to video. Actually, for video, the GH2 (hacked version) arguably stomps over every camera short of a RED costing $20,000 more.

Here is a youtube video of my dive trip in Mexico taken with my GF1:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zio8TVChtZw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Announce]

You didn't specify a price range, but I'll throw in my 2 cents. I would get a Panasonic GH2 with the 8mm fisheye lens.

I own a GF1 with fisheye lens, 10Bar housing, and 10bar dome port. I love it, but the GH2 blows the GF1 away especially with regard to video. Actually, for video, the GH2 (hacked version) arguably stomps over every camera short of a RED costing $20,000 more.

Here is a youtube video of my dive trip in Mexico taken with my GF1:
<iframe width="640" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Zio8TVChtZw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

That is phenomenally impressive, well out of my price range (1,600 for just the camera?) however looks like a worth while investment, perhaps for the next dive trip I will sell my Canon Rebel and invest in one.

I like the looks of the S100 and it looks like it is within my price range, Naturenerd is there any specific case you would recommend?

EDIT: Just found the GF1 on ebay for just slightly more than the s100, so same question, what case would you recommend?

 

[NatureNerd]

That is phenomenally impressive, well out of my price range (1,600 for just the camera?) however looks like a worth while investment, perhaps for the next dive trip I will sell my Canon Rebel and invest in one.

I like the looks of the S100 and it looks like it is within my price range, Naturenerd is there any specific case you would recommend?

EDIT: Just found the GF1 on ebay for just slightly more than the s100, so same question, what case would you recommend?

I got the standard Canon case for my S100. I think it is the WP-DC43. Both the G12 and S100 will give similar results but, the fact that the S100 fits in my pocket and the G12 doesn't means the S100 will be used for more than just diving.

 

[Announce]

Looks like Im going to buy a case for my current point and shoot, but just as a temporary investment. I assume the Ikelite is the best brand http://www.amazon.com/Ikelite-Under...78/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1338547135&sr=8-14

Hopefully it will take decent shots for me.

 

[burnah]

olympus pen e-pl3 and original housing are said to be a good beginners choice, also the price is friendly and the housing has macro lights built in. definately the nex UW camera ill buy. bought online the combo should cost you about 1000-1200 dollars.