What camera to replace my Canon S30

[pm3009]

Hello all

Just returned from a GREAT dive vacation in Grand Turk. Unfortunately.....I lost my Canon S30 on a dive!!! :confused4 (dove with it on about 100 dives, and the FIRST and ONLY time I didn't have it attached to my BCD....it got away from me in a choppy exit !! ..had it attached to my wrist only this time) Sooooo....time to upgrade to a new and improved Canon. (trying to make myself feel better here!). So....if you were upgrading your camera today....which model would you go with? Would you go with another Canon, or a different Manufacturer? If another Canon, which model? I don't think I need anything more than a 5 Megapixel. 4megapixel maybe more than sufficient I normally only print 4x6's or 5x7's. (My S30 was a 3.2 megapixel). I'd like something a little more compact than my old S30. I'd like to keep it at $400 or lower (not including the underwater housing). A good flash is important.....although from the few posts I just read some have better results underwater not using a flash and using white balance to make up for it. I've been reading digital camera reviews on the net, but wanted to get the opinion of other divers.

Anyone else ever lost their camera on a dive??

Thanks so much!
Pam

 

[pdoege]

This happened to a friend of mine. He replaced the S30 with a Pentax S4i. Nice camera, smaller than the s30 and very nice on longer trips.

I would upgrade my S40, but it keeps chugging along.

See http://www.dpreview.com/news/0402/04020206pentaxoptios4i.asp for a review of the S4i.

Good luck,
Peter

PS> I once had my Canon float away from me, down the river, after a cave dive. I had to wait for my deco obligation before I could chase it down. I did finally catch it though!

 

[pm3009]

Ok...so I'm not the only one!! I'll look at the review on the Pentas X4i. Thanks for the tip. I was really happy with my S30. Looking at the Canon S60, A95 and A520.
Have a Pentax 35mm Film camera which is just collecting dust now because I always grab the Digital.

Bye
Pam

This happened to a friend of mine. He replaced the S30 with a Pentax S4i. Nice camera, smaller than the s30 and very nice on longer trips.

I would upgrade my S40, but it keeps chugging along.

See http://www.dpreview.com/news/0402/04020206pentaxoptios4i.asp for a review of the S4i.

Good luck,
Peter

PS> I once had my Canon float away from me, down the river, after a cave dive. I had to wait for my deco obligation before I could chase it down. I did finally catch it though!

 

[archman]

I have an S50 that I've been extremely pleased with the last year. I would consider looking at the follow-on models being offered, the S60 and S70. I certainly would if my S50 busted on me.

 

[liberato]

I have an S30 but if I were to replace it I would go with the A series (anything with the 1.8" LCD) which are better for underwater use. You can get an "obsolete" A80 4MP for less than $200 and something like $150 for the underwater case. Makes for a nice snapsot system (upgradeable with a strobe) but still cheap enough to be disposable.

 

[pm3009]

Hi Liberto

Can you tell me why you would replace your S30 with an A Series? What makes the A series better for underwater use ? I was looking at the A95 and the S60, and but after reading lots of reviews, I'm leaning towards the S60 but maybe you can enlighten me.

Thanks!
Pam

I have an S30 but if I were to replace it I would go with the A series (anything with the 1.8" LCD) which are better for underwater use. You can get an "obsolete" A80 4MP for less than $200 and something like $150 for the underwater case. Makes for a nice snapsot system (upgradeable with a strobe) but still cheap enough to be disposable.

 

[liberato]

Can you tell me why you would replace your S30 with an A Series?

Well, at one level I was not qualified to make that statement because I have not used an A model but the sense I got from reading this forum the last year is that the A is a much better value (the whole disposable thing), better batteries and power consumption, better internal flash (less lens shadow), much better 3rd party support (though with the release of the brand new Inon 28AD Mount Base that might not be true any longer), and finally, many, many more A users here (from the support standpoint). I would also say I am happy with the S30 (it does what I need) and would only replace it if it "floated away." :11ztongue

 

[Scuba65]

I have the A95 and love it..great like compact camera for u/w and above. great pictures also.

 

[hdtran]

You can do the "side-by-side" compare on the dpreview.com web site.

I think that the S's have a wider equivalent lens at the wide end (28 vs 35), and can shoot raw format; the A's don't shoot raw format.

Agreed that using AA batteries has definite advantages.

I'm not quite sure that "greater popularity of the A over the S on ScubaBoard" should be a criteria. Once you learn how to operate the camera, it won't make much of a difference.

Good luck!

 

[archman]

The S-series are significantly less bulky, especially when you look at the underwater housings. You can shove an S-series under your BCD (clipped off of course) and free up your hands for other activities.

That's why I have an S50. I rigged a two clip retractor harness so it stays snug against my chest. If I want to use it, I pop one of the clips off and it's ready to go.