Recommendations for affordable Compact Digital camera + U/W housing


N

nooob

New Member
Hi!

I've been into scuba-diving recently and would like to take up u/w photography. However, I'm totally clueless when it comes to choosing an affordable compact (with compatible u/w housing) which provides decent u/w photos.

As my budget is pretty tight lately, I'm looking at say $500-$600 for the bundle. Not sure whether this budget is feasible? Functions wise, I'm not too proficient but heard that customizable WB is a must??

Any recommendations or advice is much appreciated! :D
 

Canon PnS camera is a common choice (but NOT the only choice).

Canon OEM casing is sold at around $280-$300.... depending on shop and did you buy bundle (Camera & Casing) from the shop. Remember.... if you Scuba Dive, you would likely dive deeper than 10-20 metre.... therefore those 'up to10 metre' waterproof camera isn't for you. To be honest, sadly.... your buget should be around $800+ for both casing and camera. :sweat:
 

Hi diver-hloc!

When you say canon Pns, do you have any particular models to recommend? I've read in some forums that fujifilm and olympus cameras provides good colour quality. Not too sure since i've not tried both brands before. yeah i'm looking for normal compact with a waterproof housing (probably up to 40m).

Budget wise...i guess i might be able to work on it. But right now, i need to zero in on the model i should get. (there're just too many compact models out in the market right now) :dunno:
 

nooob said:
Hi diver-hloc!

When you say canon Pns, do you have any particular models to recommend? I've read in some forums that fujifilm and olympus cameras provides good colour quality. Not too sure since i've not tried both brands before. yeah i'm looking for normal compact with a waterproof housing (probably up to 40m).

Budget wise...i guess i might be able to work on it. But right now, i need to zero in on the model i should get. (there're just too many compact models out in the market right now) :dunno:
Click to expand...



A G series camera would be good.... but $$$$. (G11 + Casing = $1.1K.... I've asked around :sweat:)

ClubSNAP-er - canonisusm - have a good Camera for sale.... price wise, I can't comment.... its up to you.

Most of us use PowerShot series camera for their manual function and good battery life. But 1st you must understand something.... Don't look just for a camera.... but look for a camera that has an OEM casing. Unlike DSLR Lenses.... 3rd party Casing are better, but more $$$$ than OEM casing.

Hate to said this.... but most PnS camera are almost the same in IQ.... therefore 1 Canon PnS is about the same as the next Canon PnS of around the same model (example - A610, 620, 640, 650 IS)... difference in MegaPixals... but about the same IQ.

For your limited buget (much like the rest of us).... advice you to look for a Canon PowerShot camera that has a canon OEM casing. As I'm going to work soon.... you'll have to do your own 'homework'. Try to buy both Camera & Casing from the same shop and demand a bundle price from them (I got most of my PnS camera from the old MS Color at AMK).... another thing, U/W casing for older model camera are hard to come by.... as most, if not all the shops, don't keep much stock.... Ebay might be an options.

Hope this helps..... goodluck :thumbsup:
 

Hello:), for a budget upto about S$600, you might want to consider Fujifilm F200EXR.

This camera is retailing for about S$350 - S$380 now, the fujifilm housing was about S$230 a year ago. The housing is rated upto 40m.

I have only dived with it once, it is my spare setup so I am not sure about its long term reliability:embrass:

This is one example of a better shot I got with it:sweatsm:

DSCF4984_ncs.jpg
 

Just managed to get my Internet connection fixed *phew*

diver-hloc :: Thanks for your great advice. yeah i'm sure the G-series rocks but its kinda way out of my budget. Thanks anyway! I'll probably heed your advice and check out for bundle deals at the shops.

canonisusm :: sorry, but the price is kinda out of my budget. Thanks for offering anyway.

sunfish :: the pic quality looks decent! yeah i heard abt the colour quality of fuji cameras. Is this camera dive-friendly? i've just viewed the specs. it looks pretty decent for a PnS. But then again, i'm such a greenhorn in the photography field. Since you've used it before, are there any downsides you noticed?
 

Just my opinion and based on my quest finding compat camera with housing last time is Sea & Sea DX-1G has the best housing among all compared to G9 combo with ikelite. So if budget allow I recommed DX-2G.
I hate Canon OEM casing is badly done and designed. OEM casing that have good standard is for Olympus and Sony, I never see Nikon compact camera with U/W yet.
 

Hi there,

ihope i can help since i was in similar predicament like you. just trying to get an affordable pns camera to try out this hobby.

there is this site i learned alot from as a beginner which i like to recommend that you visit. And its very up to date. http://www.uwphotographyguide.com/digital-underwater-cameras#COMPACT

for your info i managed to sourced for an old canon A570 from some CS peep and bought it for S$150 then through ebay bought the canon casing for another S$160. but i must say it took alot of effort cos it was an old model that i'm after so got to be patient. But its really cheap so i got no complain la.

happy hunting.
 

I'm using a panasonic fx-38 P&S camera with oem UW housing for my dives now and like the some of the members here, I would recommend you to get the Canon G series cameras if u have slightly more budget. That's cos I had the chance to try the G11 with OEM UW housing in Manado last week and I was pretty impress with what it can do. The only drawback about the G11 is it's lack of HD video taking capability. During the dives, we ended up taking HD videos with the fx-38 and while pictures was taken with the G11. I also managed to get a chance to see the G10 with a fisheye housing with marco adaptors and no strobes that was used by another guy during the trip and his marco pictures were pretty impressive and looks just like those from a DSLR.
 

Hi, I just got an IXUS 120 IS. Cheap camera. haha...

what are the underwater casing/ housing available? Thankss... :)
 

If you're still looking, I've just posted in Buy/Sell post for sale an olympus compact+casing for sale within your budget. Check if interested.
 

diver-hloc said:
Wao.... Ikelite casing would cost as much as the camera.... if not more :sweat::bsmilie:
Click to expand...
actually no... the new ikelite compact housings are pretty affordable at $3-400 only
 

hi. anyone still selling their underwater camera? canon g9? or any other cameras please PM me :)
 

diver-hloc said:
The lower end Ixus is only $399++ ..... :bsmilie:
Click to expand...

my ixus 200 was $500 plus when i bought it... and now the casing is $360.... LOL..

$800 liao.... no $ for a strobe. :(
 

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