Waterproof Camera for traveling

[ChiKate]

We're going to Australia in August and wanted to get a waterproof camera for the Great Barrier Reef. It'll also be used for misc kayaking/SUP/boating adventures in Chicago and elsewhere. Reviews on Amazon and Costco are all over the place so I wanted to see if anyone has any personal recommendations.

I don't want to spend a ton (+/- $200 ideally) but want it to take decent pictures underwater and okay with splashing from a kayak. We aren't fancy-camera people and already have a nice point-and-shoot for night photos and other travel scenes. The main job of this one would be to take out on a boat and for snorkeling. I'm also contemplating a disposable if anyone thinks that's the better route.

[alithebride]

many companies sell very strong waterproof housings for their regular digi cameras. i have an olympus digi and got a waterproof case for it about 5 years ago and have used it probably */-6 times a year and it's been wonderful. ive heard bad things about the regular ones that are 'waterproof'.

[jewel]

We used this case for a recent trip to Hawaii - multiple snorkeling trips, boats, etc. My only issue was that we couldn't see the screen underwater, but we just pointed and did our best. We ended up with some excellent pictures (and some not so great).

www.amazon.com/DicaPac-WP310-160x105mm-Waterproof-Digital/dp/B001BSTJIO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1337657892&sr=8-3

[polarbearfans]

Used disposable before and thought the pictures were better than regular disposables and sometimes my real camera but the underwater pictures were not great mainly because it's dark and constantly moving

[ChiKate]

Thanks-I didn't realize you could get cases for regular cameras. I think we'll get both a case (for this trip and long term use) and attempt a disposable for this trip. I'm not expecting greatness but it's worth a shot. Thanks again!

[lishie]

We got this Sony for snorkeling, taking video/pictures of the kids on our boat, etc, and I've been really happy with it. It was $100 at Costco at Christmas time.


store.sony.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921666415568&langId=-1&XID=O:mhsts22%2fr:dg_gglsrch:pla&cagpspn=pla

I'm weird, but I didn't like the shells that were out there for our camera. They just felt so clunky.

[Jam]

I know it's above your budget but-- Go Pro HD Hero 2

[ChiKate]

May 22, 2012 23:53:50 GMT -5 Jam said:

I know it's above your budget but-- Go Pro HD Hero 2

This one is $220: www.amazon.com/GoPro-CHDMH-001-HD-Motorsports-Hero/dp/B002VA57XC/ref=sr_1_16?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1337793452&sr=1-16 which is do-able. What model do you recommend and what's so special about this camera? I don't see myself mounting it to anything-can you just take normal pictures with it? If it's mounted, do you still press a "take" button for snapping photos? I admit, I didn't read all the Amazon description...