I’ve had a Pentax Optio W10 for several years and have been fairly happy. The LCD cracked while on the River in January and although the camera still works, it is difficult to change any settings without the screen. So I am looking to get a new waterproof point&shoot camera that is good to a couple of meters. It doesn’t have to be super nice, expensive or complicated. I’m just lookin gfor something simple for in canyons. I have an SLR that I use when I want better pics. Does anyone have opinions on waterproof cameras, both of the new Pentax Optio and other brands? Thanks Dave
Yahoo Canyons Group
jddiener
I have to agree with what Bill says below, at least in regards to the Pentax. I had a 43WR for many years and was pretty happy with it, although I knew it was getting long in the tooth the last few years. So last year I went with a W80. Right out of the box I couldn’t get a clear, crisp picture – outdoors, indoors w/flash, didn’t matter. I fiddled with settings and now try to be real careful about holding it steady and giving it plenty of time to focus, and the results have improved somewhat, but it is still disappointing in many cases. I’m a camera-dummy, so maybe it’s more a configuration issue, but it sure seems I should have chosen a camera with optical image stabilization and better focusing capabilities. -john
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, WB wrote:
I’m sorry to rain on your parade Bruce but I think the Panasonic DMC-TS2 is a stunningly better camera. Yes it costs a bit more than some of the other WP cameras and it should be better especially than the W30 which is a few years older.
I was in the same boat as Bruce last year and chose to purchase a legacy W30 again to maintain battery and charger compatibility with my existing setup. I felt justified as subsequent reviews blasted some of the W series replacements as being less than their predecessors.
But the W series still does not have optical image stabilization and although I have not tried the updated ones mine suffer from abysmal focusing time and shutter lag as well as poor choice of focus. The reviews suggest they have still not fixed the problems. They still do not have real image stabilization, an omission I think is critical.
The TS2 is a better camera in every way with a possible exception of a blown highlights problem especially on the iA mode where the histogram shows that it chooses a slight over exposure to get the dark areas. But when I review my photos in comparison the TS2’s optical image stabilization and auto modes to raise iso in dark areas only and near instant focusing and shutter release simply make it the camera that captures recognizable, focused and not blurred from camera shake photos. You can zoom and focus while taking (720HD) video without horrible grinding noise (and the Pentax won’t zoom during video at all). The battery life in practice is about 40 to 80% better than the W30 and because of the near instant start up you can turn the camera off immediately after the shot to save power on the battery-sucking screen further saving power over the W30.
The TS2 gets the picture sharp and focused and reduces the extreme contrast (on iA mode) almost no matter how difficult the shot. I’m not sure I really like the blown highlights problem but the overall detail in the image is there in the rest of the photo. Since I’m more looking for something to record the scene rather than produce art I’m basically satisfied.
You can turn on the TS2 and in 2-3 seconds take a picture from full off.
Now there is a cost difference and older cameras can be less expensive if you find a deal. Given the ability of the TS2 to get the shot mostly right every time (an ability the W30 sorely lacks) I’m not really thrilled about my W30 which just ruins too many shots with lousy and slow focusing and terrible shutter lag.
Panasonic just announced the TS10. It is apparently the reduced-feature little brother to the TS2 with most of it’s virtues. No definite word on pricing but it’s still not released.
-Bill >
Doug
I have both the Optio W10 and W20 and have gotten some really good photos with both these the last 4 years. I recently purchased the Optio W90. It is now my favorite camera. I recently took it into several wet canyons and have been very pleased with the results. I am no camera/photo guru – I just look for great results with a minimum of effort and cost. This camera so far is doing it for me. The one thing that I have always done when I get a new camera is protect the lcd screen with a screen protector. The best is the one made by Zagg called Invisible Shield. This stuff was originaly designed to protect helicopter blades. I have never had a scratched or broken screen when I have used this stuff.
Doug French
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “davewyo1” wrote:
I’ve had a Pentax Optio W10 for several years and have been fairly happy. > The LCD cracked while on the River in January and although the camera still works, it is difficult to change any settings without the screen. > So I am looking to get a new waterproof point&shoot camera that is good to a couple of meters. > It doesn’t have to be super nice, expensive or complicated. > I’m just lookin gfor something simple for in canyons. > I have an SLR that I use when I want better pics. > Does anyone have opinions on waterproof cameras, both of the new Pentax Optio and other brands? > Thanks > Dave >
WB
I’m sorry to rain on your parade Bruce but I think the Panasonic DMC-TS2 is a stunningly better camera. Yes it costs a bit more than some of the other WP cameras and it should be better especially than the W30 which is a few years older.
I was in the same boat as Bruce last year and chose to purchase a legacy W30 again to maintain battery and charger compatibility with my existing setup. I felt justified as subsequent reviews blasted some of the W series replacements as being less than their predecessors.
But the W series still does not have optical image stabilization and although I have not tried the updated ones mine suffer from abysmal focusing time and shutter lag as well as poor choice of focus. The reviews suggest they have still not fixed the problems. They still do not have real image stabilization, an omission I think is critical.
The TS2 is a better camera in every way with a possible exception of a blown highlights problem especially on the iA mode where the histogram shows that it chooses a slight over exposure to get the dark areas. But when I review my photos in comparison the TS2’s optical image stabilization and auto modes to raise iso in dark areas only and near instant focusing and shutter release simply make it the camera that captures recognizable, focused and not blurred from camera shake photos. You can zoom and focus while taking (720HD) video without horrible grinding noise (and the Pentax won’t zoom during video at all). The battery life in practice is about 40 to 80% better than the W30 and because of the near instant start up you can turn the camera off immediately after the shot to save power on the battery-sucking screen further saving power over the W30.
The TS2 gets the picture sharp and focused and reduces the extreme contrast (on iA mode) almost no matter how difficult the shot. I’m not sure I really like the blown highlights problem but the overall detail in the image is there in the rest of the photo. Since I’m more looking for something to record the scene rather than produce art I’m basically satisfied.
You can turn on the TS2 and in 2-3 seconds take a picture from full off.
Now there is a cost difference and older cameras can be less expensive if you find a deal. Given the ability of the TS2 to get the shot mostly right every time (an ability the W30 sorely lacks) I’m not really thrilled about my W30 which just ruins too many shots with lousy and slow focusing and terrible shutter lag.
Panasonic just announced the TS10. It is apparently the reduced-feature little brother to the TS2 with most of it’s virtues. No definite word on pricing but it’s still not released.
-Bill
rich_rudow
Tom, I’ve been using the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1 for about a year. It’s been an outstanding camera with excellent picture quality, good battery life, and it has really taken a beating. If the FT2 doesn’t live up to your expectations, give me a call
Rich
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “tj_wetherell” wrote:
Hey Wyo,
I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2 on order – I’ll let you know if it lives up to expectations once I can play with it a bit.
Here is a great way to compare the waterproof cameras: > Go to: > http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp
> The first “Criteria” is “Format” – pull down and select “Waterproof”
Next, scroll down to the end of the page and hit “compare” and excellent matrix will appear.
-tom(w)
> — In Yahoo Canyons Group, “davewyo1” wrote:
I’ve had a Pentax Optio W10 for several years and have been fairly happy.
The LCD cracked while on the River in January and although the camera still works, it is difficult to change any settings without the screen.
So I am looking to get a new waterproof point&shoot camera that is good to a couple of meters.
It doesn’t have to be super nice, expensive or complicated.
I’m just lookin gfor something simple for in canyons.
I have an SLR that I use when I want better pics.
Does anyone have opinions on waterproof cameras, both of the new Pentax Optio and other brands?
Thanks
Dave
>
bsilliman2001
Hey Dave, Last year I broke my PENTAX Optio W30 and did an exhaustive search for a replacement but not wanting to learn a new camera and its numerous ‘new’ settings, I opted to purchase a new W30 through EBAY. It was a never opened, still in the box camera and I paid only $130.00 almost half of what my original one cost and a whole lot less than the new Optio W70 or W80. Now your W10 might not be available but do a quick search and you might just get lucky.
bruce from bryce
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “Luke” wrote:
I like my Olympus in that it is pretty tough and lives up to the name that > way. But the color in the pics can be a bit drab compared to what I have > seen from others.
I recently went from the sw1030 and upgraded to the 8010 (yes it is a newer > model with a lower number). I have to say I like a few things on the new > one better but over all I think the older 1030 was better. I stuck with the > brand because I have a bunch of batteries and the new one uses the same > battery.
All in all I love my the camera but the pic quality as Tim says lacks a bit.
For what it’s worth
Luke
From: Yahoo Canyons Group [mailto:Yahoo Canyons Group] On Behalf Of > davewyo1 > Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 5:59 PM > To: Yahoo Canyons Group
Subject: [from Canyons Group] WaterProof Point&Shoot Cameras
I’ve had a Pentax Optio W10 for several years and have been fairly happy. > The LCD cracked while on the River in January and although the camera still > works, it is difficult to change any settings without the screen. > So I am looking to get a new waterproof point&shoot camera that is good to a > couple of meters. > It doesn’t have to be super nice, expensive or complicated. > I’m just lookin gfor something simple for in canyons. > I have an SLR that I use when I want better pics. > Does anyone have opinions on waterproof cameras, both of the new Pentax > Optio and other brands? > Thanks > Dave
>
Luke
I like my Olympus in that it is pretty tough and lives up to the name that way. But the color in the pics can be a bit drab compared to what I have seen from others.
I recently went from the sw1030 and upgraded to the 8010 (yes it is a newer model with a lower number). I have to say I like a few things on the new one better but over all I think the older 1030 was better. I stuck with the brand because I have a bunch of batteries and the new one uses the same battery.
All in all I love my the camera but the pic quality as Tim says lacks a bit.
For what it’s worth
Luke
From: Yahoo Canyons Group [mailto:Yahoo Canyons Group] On Behalf Of davewyo1 Sent: Wednesday, July 21, 2010 5:59 PM To: Yahoo Canyons Group Subject: [from Canyons Group] WaterProof Point&Shoot Cameras
I’ve had a Pentax Optio W10 for several years and have been fairly happy. The LCD cracked while on the River in January and although the camera still works, it is difficult to change any settings without the screen. So I am looking to get a new waterproof point&shoot camera that is good to a couple of meters. It doesn’t have to be super nice, expensive or complicated. I’m just lookin gfor something simple for in canyons. I have an SLR that I use when I want better pics. Does anyone have opinions on waterproof cameras, both of the new Pentax Optio and other brands? Thanks Dave
Tim Hoover
Hi Dave I had an Optio, when it broke I replaced it with the Panasonic waterproof. I like it a lot better. It has a minimum 28mm equivalent focal length so it’s pretty wide. It doesn’t offer much in the way of manual control, but the various presets seem to do a pretty good job. I was initially intrigued by the Olympus tough-series but they uniformly got poor ratings for image quality.
Some of the camera review web sites (like DPreview and ImagingResource) have good utilities for comparing the various models. I always use them because models change so fast that it’s the only way I can keep up.
Happy shopping.
Tim
—– Original Message —- From: davewyo1 davewyo1@yahoo.com> To: Yahoo Canyons Group Sent: Wed, July 21, 2010 5:58:41 PM Subject: [from Canyons Group] WaterProof Point&Shoot Cameras
I’ve had a Pentax Optio W10 for several years and have been fairly happy. The LCD cracked while on the River in January and although the camera still works, it is difficult to change any settings without the screen. So I am looking to get a new waterproof point&shoot camera that is good to a couple of meters. It doesn’t have to be super nice, expensive or complicated. I’m just lookin gfor something simple for in canyons. I have an SLR that I use when I want better pics. Does anyone have opinions on waterproof cameras, both of the new Pentax Optio and other brands? Thanks Dave
—
When you post, please change the Subject appropriately, to make reading and searching easier. You can use the following abbreviations: TRIP = Trip Report; BETA = Canyon Beta; PARTNER = Partner and/or Rides; ETHICS = Ethics; TECH = Technical Questions and Tips; BIZ = E Group Business; SALE = Stuff for Sale. Please use a Tilde ~ after the abbreviation, so we know you are coding for us, such as:
Subject: BIZ~ New Abbreviation List – working?
To change your delivery options, go to the Canyons Egroup page on yahoo: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/canyons/
This will require logging into Yahoo. Click on the "Edit My Membership" link, and change your delivery option. Press "Save
Changes".
WEB ONLY OPTION will not deliver email; you must visit the web site to view messages. Groups Links
tj_wetherell
Hey Wyo,
I have a Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT2 on order – I’ll let you know if it lives up to expectations once I can play with it a bit.
Here is a great way to compare the waterproof cameras: Go to: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/compare.asp
The first “Criteria” is “Format” – pull down and select “Waterproof”
Next, scroll down to the end of the page and hit “compare” and excellent matrix will appear.
-tom(w)
— In Yahoo Canyons Group, “davewyo1” wrote:
I’ve had a Pentax Optio W10 for several years and have been fairly happy. > The LCD cracked while on the River in January and although the camera still works, it is difficult to change any settings without the screen. > So I am looking to get a new waterproof point&shoot camera that is good to a couple of meters. > It doesn’t have to be super nice, expensive or complicated. > I’m just lookin gfor something simple for in canyons. > I have an SLR that I use when I want better pics. > Does anyone have opinions on waterproof cameras, both of the new Pentax Optio and other brands? > Thanks > Dave >