RAW vs. JPEG: The Cost Factor

[Randallr]

I went to Saba a few months ago, rented a DC1200, and loved it - its ease of use and the photos that resulted. I'm thinking of buying a DC1400 setup. As best I can tell, the most significant rap against it is it doesn't have RAW capabilities. But as I look at other camera setups, the cost differential seems huge. I can get a Sealife DC1400 setup with strobe, housing, etc. at B&H for about $800. A Canon GS12 setup at Backscatter is nearly twice as much.

So my question is: Is there a camera and housing with RAW capabilities that's as good as the DC1400 at a similar price point? Or does RAW simply cost more? What do you think is the best RAW-capable camera-housing-strobe setup at a price comparable to the DC1400?

This newbie thanks you in advance!

 

[buton]

if you are serious about taking pictures, raw is a big advantage... i used to own a canon sd630 and installed the chdk to shoot raw... so i was in a dive almost at the end, the strobe stop working and there was a big octopus, so i took pictures in the JPEG and RAW... JPEG all Blue with the raw after procesing i got all the color back, it is like magic...having raw is a plus in order to edit your pictures..