I'm SO confused...what compact camera(s) should I look at??

[tarponchik]

The RAW versus JPEG debate will never die.

Of course the RAW vs JPEG debate is dead since RAW wins with ease. I argued not against shooting RAW but against RAW being #1, #2 and #3 priority. After all, I can download the firmware that will allow me to shoot RAW on my 2005 point-and-shoot 7 mpx camera, so why wouldn't I do just that and be happy?

As for the dynamic range, this question only comes up when you are shooting with a flash. Otherwise, shooting underwater is like shooting on an overcast cloudy day when the light is dimmed and scattered. But either way, you need a camera with a large sensor: with a flash, to get higher dynamic range in RAW files, and w/o a flash, to get lower noise when shoot at higher ISO.

Another priority would be a good lens, preferably, a wide-angle zoom.

And the 3d priority would be the ease of controls in the housing.

As for the RAW, I won't even mention it as priority because these days every camera with a decent sensor can shoot RAW by default.

 

[Barmaglot]

I spent $100 for an annual subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud. That gives me Lightroom and Photoshop.

After a dive, I download my pics and go through to cull them. Using Lightroom to do that and to give a rough "rating" to the ones that might be keepers seems to be just as fast, for me, as if I was just doing it with the regular file manager program that comes with my OS. And since I'm already in there, it usually only takes maybe an extra 5 minutes per photo on the ones that are candidates to be keepers to do a quick edit in Lightroom and get most of them to where I am happy with them.

That's pretty much what I do with Capture One, except for the paying Adobe $100/year part

 

[golfcrzy]

I'm a point and shoot girl. I just want nice pics and to have fun diving. I recently purchased the TG-5 with the Olympus case and a light in motion 2500 led video light. It was $1300. Backscatter has a super deal for the Holiday with a package for $999. It's small and you can jump in with it in my hand. My photo's are amazing and it makes me look like a much better photographer than I am. I do very little editing or none the camera does the work ! Happy Holidays

 

[Scott from LongIsland]

I'm a point and shoot girl. I just want nice pics and to have fun diving. I recently purchased the TG-5 with the Olympus case and a light in motion 2500 led video light. It was $1300. Backscatter has a super deal for the Holiday with a package for $999. It's small and you can jump in with it in my hand. My photo's are amazing and it makes me look like a much better photographer than I am. I do very little editing or none the camera does the work ! Happy Holidays

This is wonderful to read. I just grabbed that package from Backscatter and can't wait to use it. It is refreshing to hear that you are happy with the setup!

What settings are you using?