Point and shoot for experienced land photographer?

[vondo]

Well, after a couple of years of diving, I am thinking of getting a dive camera system. I hope someone can recommend something that I wouldn't be too frustrated with.

First, let me tell you a bit about my photographic history. I cut my teeth in the 90's on an Olympus 2N, totally manual except for automatic aperture control, I think.

In 2002 I moved over to a Canon EOS film system since the Oly was not so reliable anymore. I loved that and own three or four lenses for it.

In 2004 I added the original (not XT) Digital Rebel. It's pretty good. What I don't like about it is the turn on time and a four shot limit before it has to start writing to the CF card (and it's pretty slow at doing that). When something like the 5D (full frame sensor) or its sucessor comes down into the sub-$1000 range, I will jump on it.

But, what I'm missing is a competent P&S for land use and a scuba camera. Buying a $1500 Ikelite housing system for my Rebel is not an option; I want to stay under about $500.

So, what I would like is

1) A small camera with a removable housing
2) Enough control so I can set exposures and such. RAW format of some kind is a benefit
3) Low shutter-lag and turn-on times
4) Probably CF or SD card format, but this is not a must
5) Big LCD view finder, I suppose.
6) Excessive amounts of megapixels are NOT needed

So anyone have suggestions for a nice point and shoot for someone who knows their way around a "real" camera?

Thanks!

 

[vondo]

Oh, one other question. I gather the built-in flash one any camera is not really worth much underwater. Maybe OK for subjects within a couple of feet? But, do the strobes with an fiber optic connection work just fine? I wouldn't plan to get a strobe at first, but down the line, maybe.

 

[kent_1848]

My pics in my gallery were taken with a canon s-70. I needed something easy as well, I don't remember how much I spent, but I know I didn't want to spend a lot either. I got lots of advice here on SB before I bought it...btw, thanks again to everyone

 

[havnmonkey]

Canon powershot series... full range of cameras, also many have Canon housings as well. The fiber optic trobes work well, most adjust for preflash.

 

[Blue Moon]

Well, after a couple of years of diving, I am thinking of getting a dive camera system. I hope someone can recommend something that I wouldn't be too frustrated with.

First, let me tell you a bit about my photographic history. I cut my teeth in the 90's on an Olympus 2N, totally manual except for automatic aperture control, I think.

In 2002 I moved over to a Canon EOS film system since the Oly was not so reliable anymore. I loved that and own three or four lenses for it.

In 2004 I added the original (not XT) Digital Rebel. It's pretty good. What I don't like about it is the turn on time and a four shot limit before it has to start writing to the CF card (and it's pretty slow at doing that). When something like the 5D (full frame sensor) or its sucessor comes down into the sub-$1000 range, I will jump on it.

But, what I'm missing is a competent P&S for land use and a scuba camera. Buying a $1500 Ikelite housing system for my Rebel is not an option; I want to stay under about $500.

So, what I would like is

1) A small camera with a removable housing
2) Enough control so I can set exposures and such. RAW format of some kind is a benefit
3) Low shutter-lag and turn-on times
4) Probably CF or SD card format, but this is not a must
5) Big LCD view finder, I suppose.
6) Excessive amounts of megapixels are NOT needed

So anyone have suggestions for a nice point and shoot for someone who knows their way around a "real" camera?

Thanks!

Vondo,

I have been shooting Canon with Canon glass for the past several years but I'm a novice u/w shooter.... For a digital PNS that I can travel internationally with as well as use as my u/w camera, I really like the Canon S80 that I picked up in February. It does not shoot RAW but other than that, it is a good match based on your list.

For the value and ability to easily fit in my carry on bag, the S80 matched my needs...Currently around $600, for the camera, Canon housing, 2 Gb card and one extra battery depending on how hard you shop....

A strobe will set you back another $300 to $1000 but you don't have to start with one.... I use the YS-90 with mine because I wanted one that would scale up to that sub $1000 D5 you mentioned when they become available....

If you elect to journey down the S80 path now, it would make a great back up for a dSLR if you end up getting an u/w housing for it...

Here are some links to reviews of popular u/w PNS digitals:

http://www.megapixel.net/reviews/oly-sp350/sp350-results.php

http://www.megapixel.net/reviews/fuji-e900/e900-results.php

http://www.megapixel.net/reviews/canon-s80/s80-results.php

Enjoy,

Blue Moon

 

[Jamdiver]

Well, after a couple of years of diving, I am thinking of getting a dive camera system. I hope someone can recommend something that I wouldn't be too frustrated with.

First, let me tell you a bit about my photographic history. I cut my teeth in the 90's on an Olympus 2N, totally manual except for automatic aperture control, I think.

In 2002 I moved over to a Canon EOS film system since the Oly was not so reliable anymore. I loved that and own three or four lenses for it.

In 2004 I added the original (not XT) Digital Rebel. It's pretty good. What I don't like about it is the turn on time and a four shot limit before it has to start writing to the CF card (and it's pretty slow at doing that). When something like the 5D (full frame sensor) or its sucessor comes down into the sub-$1000 range, I will jump on it.

But, what I'm missing is a competent P&S for land use and a scuba camera. Buying a $1500 Ikelite housing system for my Rebel is not an option; I want to stay under about $500.

So, what I would like is

1) A small camera with a removable housing
2) Enough control so I can set exposures and such. RAW format of some kind is a benefit
3) Low shutter-lag and turn-on times
4) Probably CF or SD card format, but this is not a must
5) Big LCD view finder, I suppose.
6) Excessive amounts of megapixels are NOT needed

So anyone have suggestions for a nice point and shoot for someone who knows their way around a "real" camera?

Thanks!

Hey Vondo,

Well after reading your post and seeing your experience level and description of what you view as necessary.
Something along the lines of Canon A620, Canon S80, Olympus SP-350 or Fuji E900 would probably fit the bill for you..

Do a comparison or look through the reviews of them over at www.dpreview.com none are 'perfect'.
Each have their own advantages and disadvantages but I think those are quality cameras with good image quality, manual controls, fairly speedy operation et cetera.

My biased opinion would be for the Canon S80 or Canon A620..

If it helps here are links to some threads showing recent photos that i've taken with my Canon A610 (5 megapixel version of A620 which is 7 megapixels.)

http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=142028
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=142802
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=140023
http://www.scubaboard.com/showthread.php?t=134404

 

[ocrmaster]

Blue Moon - awesome pics man! love the octopus

 

[H2Andy]

look at my pics in the gallery, all taken with a mega-cheap Canon SD-110 and
housing. certainly good enough for snapshots, and i am sure it could do much
more in the hands of a professional

as to your criteria:

1) A small camera with a removable housing -- CHECK

2) Enough control so I can set exposures and such. RAW format of some kind is a benefit -- CHECK, but no RAW

3) Low shutter-lag and turn-on times -- CHECK

4) Probably CF or SD card format, but this is not a must -- CHECK: SD

5) Big LCD view finder, I suppose -- Well, not big ... but you can see your pics UW

6) Excessive amounts of megapixels are NOT needed -- Only 3.2

camera new and used from $135.00:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001G6U9I/102-8927771-8538507?v=glance&n=502394

housing from around $160.00 (shop around):

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/con...w=CAWPDC10&is=REG&Q=&O=productlist&sku=292752

you could be set up with a really nice "point and click" system for about $300

 

[Peter Guy]

Another vote for the S80:

1. Excellent picture quality
2. BIG LCD and is quite useable underwater
3. As fast as any PnS out there
4. SD card and writes fast
5. 28 mm WAL (35 mm equiv) -- none wider in class?
6. No RAW (sigh)
7. Good battery life (even in PNW cold water)
8. Not the cheapest out there
9. Big files for decent editing (8 mg Pix)

 

[vondo]

Thanks all for all the suggestions. From looking at the reviews online, I suspect I will go with a Canon in part because the menu system looks similar to my Digital Rebel. That should make it easier to get the full benefit. An S-80 may be out of the range of what I'm willing to spend, but I will take a look at both these cameras in person to see if he form factor is really worth it. From what I can tell that and the extra megapixel are the difference from the S80 to the A620.

I seem to recall hearing very good things about Canon re: flooded housings, like if it floods in a three year period they will give you a new housing and camera, often upgrading the camera. Is this the case?