First u/w camera--any suggestions?

[Tlocke]

hi everyone,

I would like to buy a camera, it's going to be my first underwater camera. what would you recommend?
I have done some research but couldn't decide which one is better

Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot D20 12.1 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera with 5x Image Stabilized Zoom 28mm Wide-Angle Lens a 3.0-Inch LCD and GPS Tracking (Blue): Camera & Photo
Amazon.com: Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS 16.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 5x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom 24mm Wide-Angle Lens and 1080p Full HD Video Recording (Black): Camera & Photo

 

[Hetland]

If you're stuck on Canon, I'd get an S-series (S90, S95, S100, S110). It will grow with you, or, do just fine as a point and shoot if that's your preference. Canon makes decent entry-level underwater housings for $200 or less too.

 

[PeterNBiddle]

ELPH 100, no flash:

http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/peternbiddle/sets/72157631649455262/

 

[Divejones]

go pro hero3 black edition ain't bad, for still and video

HERO3 Black Edition | Wi-Fi enabled | Most Advanced HD GoPro Ever

http://www.youtube.com/v/A3PDXmYoF5U?

 

[Tlocke]

gopro costs less than canon's s series what are the differences between them beside from their costs

 

[Interceptor121]

The canon cameras are still camera that do video
The gopro is a video recorder that is fairly cheap but also inflexible, the photo ability is less than basic
The Elph 110HS is a good basic cameras that takes also nice video you will need an ikelite housing for it if you want to be more flexible

 

[buton]

Oly xz-1 with oem housing sales cheap, it is a good camera also

 

[Hetland]

gopro costs less than canon's s series what are the differences between them beside from their costs

The short version: GoPro is crap underwater. Horrible low-light capabilities, terrible focus, and for 1 and 2 you have to purchase a replacement lens for it to work at all.

GP3 may address some of these issues, but I'd bet the best still possible out of a GP3 will pale to even mediocre shots from an S-series in the same conditions.

 

[antattack]

Olympus PEN E-PL1 Digital 14-42mm Camera Bundle w/PT-EP01 Underwater Housing 262856 S

This falls into the category of a still camera that can take video.

The body of you underwater camera is inexpensive when compared to the cost of lenses you will eventually want and the lights you will want.

I recommend that you are clear about your goal- If you want stills or video. The reason is that the lights you need for either are very expensive, and different. And camera bodies do either stills or video well, very few do both well- at least until you get into the price range of the Canon 5D.

If you just want a simple point and shoot, you might also check out SeaLife. They have whole underwater packages that are very simple to acquire, use and maintain. Sealife is it's own eco-system, so lense options and scaleability are limited in their platform.

 

[coralcruiser]

Oly xz-1 with oem housing sales cheap, it is a good camera also

I'm selling mine at a great price... check the classifieds. It has less than 40 dives on it.