There are lots of reliable point and shoot (easy) U/W cameras out there. It depends a lot on whether you prefer to go digital or film. There are pros and cons to both. I use a somewhat inexpensive film camera myself (Sea & Sea MX-10), and would like to go digital eventually once the prices come down some. Film cameras have several drawbacks such as the need to change out film on a wet dive boat, being limited to 24 or 36 pictures per dive, having to develop pictures before you can see them, expense of film and developing, etc. Plus if you share pictures via the internet, you have to have film pictures converted to digital format to do so. On the other hand, digital cameras are electronic and more susceptible to malfunction (especially in wet conditions). Many have a short delay between the time you press the button and when the photo actually takes....causing that fish to dart off in the interim. Some newer models have addressed that concern. And as I said earlier, digital cameras are more expensive, and more likely to be obsolete in a shorter period of time since newer more advanced models are coming out all the time (which is another reason Im holding off).
In so far as film cameras go, you can find inexpensive ones that are only point and shoot (no manual settings, no user variables). Others (such as my MX-10) have some limited variables such as manual aperture settings, ISO settings, and the ability to detach the strobe for adjusting your lighting angles (reduce backscatter, top light, side light, back light, etc.). If you want decent U/W photos, I would recommend you start at this level. The standard point & shoot cameras give pretty standard results. You need the ability to make some exposure and lighting adjustments that most point and shoots don't offer. I really like my MX-10, which I think is ideal for beginners. Its rugged, durable, reliable, easy to use, and does take good pictures. It has optional accessory lens' (wide angle, close-up, and macro)...which work really well. I used the 20mm wide angle most of the time. Its doubles as a great little top-side camera too, so when I go on vacation...it literally goes everywhere I go (diving, swimming pool, snorkeling, mountain climbing, fishing, sailing, restaurants, shows, etc.) I even took it parasailing with me..
In the end though, the old saying of "you get what you pay for" holds true. The cheaper the camera you buy....the less impressive the pictures will be. You can get $100 point & shoots all the way up to $6K-$10K digital/film systems (including housings and multiple strobes). I dont recall the exact price...but I think my little MX-10 by itself was a few hundred dollars a few years ago, and the strobe was about the same. The accessory lens' run in the $150-200 range as well, as does the fiber-optic cable needed for manual strobe placement...All in all I think I have a little over $1k in it....but think they have come down in price somewhat since I bought mine?
Lots of options out there, so I'd start by determining what kind of pictures you want, and how you want them (film of digital)...and go from there. Good luck!!
