Underwater Camera

[oldmaninthesea]

I'm looking at getting a camera for an upcoming trip to roatan. The olympus Stylus SW 1030 looks good as a simple small camera suitable for snorkeling and shallow dives, down to 33 feet. Does anyone have experience with this or a similiar camera? I'm new to diving, 25 dives, and don't want an elaborate system since I still have a lot to learn about diving.

 

[billmosel]

I don't have that camera although I'm looking at it. I have a Olympus 600 with the housing and it is wonderful. Very simple to use with great results. It is very small and I clip it to my D ring and is there whenever I need it. Look into geting the housing for the 1030w and you should be very happy with it.

 

[Doubler]

I have the 790SW, basically the same camera, and it takes great pictures. My advice would be to get the Olympic housing that is made for the camera. If you are snorkeling the camera by itself would be fine because most people don't free dive to 30+ feet. If you take it diving I would have it in a housing. I have Olympus camera's in Ikelite and Olympus housings. Both are good housings but the Oly is much easier to operate and not that much bigger than the camera. The Ikelite is hugh in comparison.

 

[Bay Island Diver]

Just make sure it has the option to manually adjust the white balance!

Will