Question about Canon Cameras Underwater

[mcapper]

I am looking to purchase a canon point and shoot for underwater photography. I am a decent on land photographer who owns a dSLR and many lenses. However, I do not wish to use that camera underwater.

I have been seriously considering the canon 570 IS and the canon 640. Of course I would by an appropriate underwater housing also.

The 640 seems to be a better build. The 570 has IS and the digi 3 processor so it seems that it would be an improvement. However the 570 is much cheaper and I am wondering if that is because of quality. Both cameras seem to have identical features. Also was considering the A710 but couldn't find it anywhere. The 710 is much more expensive than the 570 but the only difference I can see is the longer lens. Is there something I am missing there?

Also, how good is IS when diving? It seems like it would be a good feature for diving but am wondering if you all find it effective or not.

I suppose I am wondering if anyone has experience with any of these cameras underwater and if so what seems to work best? Also, if I am off track and should buy something totally different I would like to here that too. Although, I prefer to stick with canon brand cameras.

Many thanks to all.

 

[jeraldjcook]

This might influence your decision: there is a program hack for the A640 that gives it RAW capability.

I have no experience with the A570IS, but I have a A620 and it's great.

 

[Willar]

Canon comes out with new cameras so fast that sometimes price/feature ratio gets out of wack on older cameras. The A570IS is superior to the A710 in most cases, except the lens length.

The A640 has 4 AA batteries vs. 2 in the A570is which will give faster flash recharge and more shots per recharge. The A640 is larger and heavier. The articulating screen on the A640 is really nice to have on land but useless underwater, and the larger screen size on the A570 is really nice underwater. I feel the IS feature is a huge plus on land or underwater and the Digic III is definitely a step up from Digic II, so I chose the A570is. It's your decision.

 

[diver 85]

I have the A570is & Canon UW housing for about 4 months now...have 2 dive trips with it, Little Cayman & on the Fling @ the Flower Gardens last month.....The IS is of NO importance UW.....Here's some of my pics with it from LC & the Flower Gardens........Little Cayman only pics are in my sig, the link has edited pics from both places.........

These were the 1st digital pics I had taken, used 35mm S&S MM II before that since '95......love the digital.......you can't go wrong with either...good luck.......

http://s176.photobucket.com/albums/w169/GEAUXtiger/UW%20PS%20Pics/

 

[bigfrog23]

IS is worthless in the U/W it does not work at least that is my experience with it. I think one thing that makes a huge difference a Manual mode on your camera. which all three have. the 570 has Digi 3 processor which should make it faster than the other two at auto focusing and should have a better burst than the others. you realy cant go wrong with any of these cameras. they are minor differences between each like the like the 710 has a higher ISO rating than the other two the 570 has Digi 3 processor instead of the digi 2 which is the biggest difference. and the 640 has a 10 megapixel wich is not a big deal just makes it a bit more flashy. if i were to pic one i would got with ether the 570 or the 640. they are both nice cameras. one other thing to look into is if the housings have round ports. if one does and the other does not go with the one that has the round port because the one with the round port will allow you to attach wet lenses to the camera


aquatica A30D hosing & 8 inch dome port, canon 30D, ef-s 10-22, 100mm macro, 2x ys-250,

 

[SCOOBA PHAN]

get on canon's web site and look at the new g9. it has everything you want (raw, etc) for what looks to be a fair price of around $500. it may not be in stores yet but will be soon. tom

 

[bigfrog23]

that is a great camera it was nice to see that they brought back raw to there point and shoot line

 

[lmorin]

I've had a 570 for about 4 mo, too. I like it a lot. Before using it underwater, I shot a lot of max size images on a set of fully charged batteries just to see how many I could get without losing all power. Gave up at 500 spread over several days. Re-charge of the flash is slower than I would like, but I prefer the lower weight of only 2 AA batteries. The batteries, by the way, are AA Energizer @ 2500 mA NiMH rechargeables. Very happy with them, the camera and the Canon UW WP-DC12 case. Except that I almost lost it through my own stooopidity at Roatan in August. Detached it from my BCD, but neglected to keep the other point of attachment in place and it floated to the surfaced. I didn't notice for 5 min. Lucked out and found it, however.

 

[diver 85]

I've had a 570 for about 4 mo, too. I like it a lot. Before using it underwater, I shot a lot of max size images on a set of fully charged batteries just to see how many I could get without losing all power. Gave up at 500 spread over several days. Re-charge of the flash is slower than I would like, but I prefer the lower weight of only 2 AA batteries. The batteries, by the way, are AA Energizer @ 2500 mA NiMH rechargeables. Very happy with them, the camera and the Canon UW WP-DC12 case. Except that I almost lost it through my own stooopidity at Roatan in August. Detached it from my BCD, but neglected to keep the other point of attachment in place and it floated to the surfaced. I didn't notice for 5 min. Lucked out and found it, however.

Ahhh.... (one of) the advantages of not putting weights on it..........

 

[diver 85]

I've had a 570 for about 4 mo, too. I like it a lot. Before using it underwater, I shot a lot of max size images on a set of fully charged batteries just to see how many I could get without losing all power. Gave up at 500 spread over several days. Re-charge of the flash is slower than I would like, but I prefer the lower weight of only 2 AA batteries. The batteries, by the way, are AA Energizer @ 2500 mA NiMH rechargeables. Very happy with them, the camera and the Canon UW WP-DC12 case. Except that I almost lost it through my own stooopidity at Roatan in August. Detached it from my BCD, but neglected to keep the other point of attachment in place and it floated to the surfaced. I didn't notice for 5 min. Lucked out and found it, however.

Good going on the finding it......bet you made a ESA( with no safety stop....lol)......