Time to Upgrade - need help!

[Sharkdiver_Mac]

I have used a Canon A570is with a Canon housing and Sea&Sea YS-17 strobe for the last few years. I have broken the camera by dropping it on my kitchen floor, so it's time to upgrade a little (swore to my wife it was an accident)!

I've always heard/read good things about the G9 - what other options would anyone suggest? If I can use the same strobe, I'd like to keep my budget at $750-$1000 max.

Mostly diving the wrecks of the Great Lakes, but with a few Carribean trips each year. Thanks for all your help.

Jim

 

[FrankPro1]

I currently use a G10/Ikelite and happy with my results. If I were to upgrade right now, I'd go with either of these two:
Canon S90
Canon G11

Pair these guy's with a Canon or "preferably" Ikelite case and you'll have a winning combo in the 1000 buck range "just my estimate; but no housings are currently released for these cameras from third party builders".

 

[ronski101]

The Canon G10 or the new 11 is pretty good value. As close as you can get to a SLR minus the cost and inflexability with little sacrifice in quality or capability.

 

[PadronMan]

From what I understand both from talking to Canon USA and research is that the G9 is gonna be hard to find. I have found a few BUT they were priced WAY over what I just paid for the G10. The G10 gets great all around ratings and seems to be the best point and shoot Scuba camera around (opinion I know).

 

[arun]

The lack of a true wide angle option for the G10 is the problem. The G9 with the Ike case allows you to put on the flat port, Inon WA lens with the Dome.

 

[gert7to3]

How soon do you want to do the upgrade? There may be some small bargains available as the G-10 is phased out. Many of the major camera stores have used cameras, or check out KEH Camera: Used Cameras, Digital Cameras, Film Cameras, Laptop Computers and More., a used camera broker. This is a good way to provide for your "insurance" camera body, should one of those underwater inevitabilities occur.

The G-11 has fewer pixels on its sensor, but this may be a good thing, especially for low light imaging. There should be less image noise as well.

The S-90 doesn't have a hot shoe. This might limit your future growth possibilities with this camera. Also, a hot shoe will give you superb results topside. Bounce flash is so much nicer for people shots.

The G-10 with the Canon housing is a bargain and the G-11 with the pending Canon housing will be no different. However, the Canon housings don't have hot shoes nor will they support a wide angle lens (to the best of my knowledge). There may have been some Inon wide angle workaround, but what's the state of Inon right now?

The G-10 Ikelite housing has an optional wide angle dome lens (WD-4, about $290.00). I would strongly presume they will offer a G-11 housing too with that dome.

One other possibility here (dare I suggest this in the Canon Corner) is the Nikon P-6000. Very similar camera characteristics, but only an Ikelite housing is available. The WD-4 dome probably won't fit, but 67mm wet lenses will.

 

[gert7to3]

I have to correct myself regarding wide angle lens availability for the Canon G-10. There is a Fantasea dome lens with a 67mm Canon housing adapter.

Point & Shoot Lenses & Filters - Optical Ocean Sales Underwater Photography

Point & Shoot Lenses & Filters - Optical Ocean Sales Underwater Photography

 

[uwshutterbug]

Gert7to3

I was under the impression that you should not use the Fantasea dome lens with a 67mm adapter on a WP-DC28 (G10) Canon housing as it will cause vignetting.

 

[Nemrod]

The Canon S90 with the same new low noise and high dynamic range sensor as the G11 and a lens TWICE AS FAST as either the G10 or G11 will be a great camera if--big if--a decent Ikelite or other housing is provided that can utilize thread on 67mm lenses and accessories. Using advanced strobes such as the Inon D2000 no hot shoe is required and no penalty results.

N

 

[Maddog59]

If you speak to the boys at Reef Photo's they are also doing a W/A Lens for the 67mm dia 28mm G10 Lens option. I'm assured it is pin sharp corner to corner at 105 degrees. Not super wide but wide enough (the same as the old Nikonos 15mm lens)