Want to start taking pictures...

[arkstorm]

Check out Backscatter's article... they have some good recommendations



Best Underwater Point & Shoot Cameras for 2010

That is great information. The one comment I have based on that article is that some of the higher-end systems are approaching the cost of a DSLR system. If you're going to spend that much, wouldn't you just be better off getting a real DSLR rather than something that tries to emulate its capabilities?

 

[Mr Carcharodon]

Here's a nice comparison: Underwater digital cameras|Underwater Photography Guide

If you do not want to invest in a DSLR a Canon S95 is very nice. Oh and Scott, who owns that website, is opening a brick and mortor underwater photography store in Santa Monica.

 

[2ndjetty]

Yes, like Mr Carcharodon says, Bluewater Photo is having a grand opening this Saturday. Definitely a great opportunity to check out some cameras in person and speak with some guys who've logged a few hours shooting photos in our waters.

 

[Davey Jonesen]

I’m looking at getting a camera myself and haven’t ordered anything yet, but my decision came down to the Canon S95 or the Sealife DC1200. I’ve decided to go with the Canon for several reasons. The Canon shoots in RAW format. Raw format is very powerful for post editing and I have a DSLR that I use on dry land with RAW so I’m quite familiar with it….but its not difficult to use. As previously mentioned, the Canon S95 has a lot more manual controls than the Sealife. I typically use aperture mode or shutter mode on dry land but from what I’ve read manual controls are much more beneficial underwater due to drastically different lighting. This is where RAW format comes in handy. If you don’t properly expose a picture but you have it in a RAW format, it is much easier to process and you get a better looking image than you will with a JPEG that you will get from the Sealife. Making editing changes with a RAW photo is better than JPEG 99.9% of the time, not just with exposure problems. Another benefit of the Canon is it is something you can grow with. There are all sorts of accessory options with the Canon but with the Sealife you are somewhat limited to whatever Sealife will make. One downside to the Canon is the cost. However, I have searched the web high and low and found that you can get a Canon S95 w/ OEM housing, entry level strobe, base, and arms for the same price as the Sealife DC1200 elite kit. The only difference is you won’t be able to get the wide angle lens for the Canon without spending a little more than you would have to with the DC1200. For the strobe I priced, you could add a second strobe and a wide angle lens and have all the same components as the DC1200 maxx package at the same price. Since my picture taking will be limited to vacation diving, I can always get a different strobe if I feel like I need one or when I have some extra $ to spend. So, in summary:

Pro’s for S95
• Better camera with more controls
• More accessory options
• RAW format

Pro’s for DC1200
• More components for the same price (elite package)
• All in one package
• Probably a better strobe than the one I priced

 

[scubatomwetzel]

Several friends and past students like the Canon S95 or the G10/G11. Good start for beginning photographer.
Then went to SLR.