Waterproof Compact Camera - Oly 770SW or Pentax Optio W30

[ashlight]

I'm planning to get a waterproof camera that i can use without a housing. Can't seem to decide between Oly 770SW and Pentax Optio W30.

I like the fact that Oly 770SW can go down to 33ft but it doesn't come with manual white balance. It has 4 underwater modes though.

Pentax Optio W30 can go down to 10ft up to 2 hours. Comes with manual white balance. Both models come with 7.1 megapixels.

Appreciate some comments and advice!


Here are reviews i got from ScubaDiverInfo and there are some sample pictures there as well :

Olympus Stylus 770SW

Summarized review from http://www.scubadiverinfo.com/3_cameras_olympus_770sw.html


We like:

• Real diving now possible with new 33 feet depth limit
• Can actually handle depths of 66 feet and more (not recommended, but we tested it)
• Inherent waterproofing provides peace of mind when handling in/around water
• Can survive 5-foot drops and 14 degree temperature!
• Optional PT-035 underwater case good for 133 feet diving
• Superb wide-angle, high-res LCD
• Very good underwater macro mode
• LED illumination and manometer useful.

Not so much:

• Use of underwater wide-angle modes requires practice
• Strictly point & shoot
• Elegant metal body easily gets scratched, so get optional protective skin (US$15)
• Wish it'd fit into the PT-033 case
• Need better handstrap for underwater use
• Uses often hard-to-find xD-Picture Card

Pentax Optio W30

Summarized review from http://scubadiverinfo.com/3_cameras_pentax_w30.html


We like:

• Waterproof down to 10 feet
• Internal optical zoom
• Excellent underwater image and movie quality
• Innovative synchro sound mode
• Digital shake reduction with ISO up to 3200
• Versatile, useful "Green Mode" button

Not so much:

• Low-res, narrow viewing angle LCD
• Fairly large
• Needs better handstrap and protective boot underwater
• No autofocus illuminator light