Best macro point and shoot??

[reefrat]

Hi all

This question is not just aimed at Canon cameras but any point and shoot out there that has a manufacturers housing available.
My wife is looking for the absolute best compact camera/ housing available.

The primary use will be macro and close up and the camera must focus well and quickly (for a pns).

It must be capable of colourful, sharp, high resolution images and accurate exposures using nothing more than the internal flash, housing diffuser and auto settings.

It's a tall ask I know, but this is what she is looking for!!

Her previous cameras were all Canon SD series (SD550, 750, 950) in propriety housings.

A penny for your thoughts?

 

[KLETCO]

I like Inon products that are designed to fit many of the Canon housings. I had a Canon A95 with dual macro lenses (they are stackable) and their wide angle lens. I enjoyed being able to switch between macro and wide angle all on the same dive (they are wet lenses). I had really good luck with this setup. Just make sure that Inon has a mount base for the camera/housing you are looking to buy. (www.inonamerica.com)

I hope that helps.

 

[reefrat]

Thanks KLETCO
I had an Inon wide angle once with Canon PNS in an Ikelite housing that vignetted badly so I'm a little wary now of these but they certainly work very well with the Sea and Sea DX-1G.

 

[BrianMayes]

Choosing the best is a moving target, since manufacturers are introducing new models all the time. Sept/Oct is about the time of the year Canon launch their new products, but then you may want to wait for the reviews. I've chosen a Canon G9 and use it in much the same way as your wife wants to, except shooting in full auto underwater wont really work, the shots will be blue. Priority mode is the way to go. My latest shots are here Malaysia May08 - a set on Flickr

 

[reefrat]

Brian
You got some great shots there!!!
How do you find the G9 for underwater macro with the Canon housing- any issues or comments?
I'm wondering if the G9 would be a significant step up from the SD series.
Did you modify the housings in order to fit the inon macro lens and has this been much of an improvement over the standard macro capabilities?
Cheers

 

[BrianMayes]

Brian
You got some great shots there!!!
How do you find the G9 for underwater macro with the Canon housing- any issues or comments?
I'm wondering if the G9 would be a significant step up from the SD series.
Did you modify the housings in order to fit the inon macro lens and has this been much of an improvement over the standard macro capabilities?
Cheers

Whilst the G9 can focus down to 1cm and does some great surface macro this way. In the standard Canon housing (WP-DC21), the lens port is long to allow for the full zoom extension, so macro work is not straight forward, because you can't get within about 5cm and even at this distance the internal flash vignettes over the top of the subject unless you use some form of angled down reflector. I've found it best to get an add on macro lens like the Inon UCL-165, which gives you magnification and increased working distance.
Have a look at my modification here Canon G9 & G7 housing - DIY 67mm lens adapter - Wetpixel :: Underwater Photography Forums

 

[KLETCO]

Wow, Brian... I am VERY impressed. Excellent photos and I am SHOCKED that you did that without an external strobe. Then again, if you were getting that close, I guess it is not necessary.

I just upgraded to a Canon 40D, Aquatica housing, dual Inon Z-240s, etc and I hope to get something as good as what you were able to do with your P&S.