Interested in a Compact Waterproof Camera?
If you've ever gone snorkeling and wished you could save the beauty of the underwater world for your friends and family confined to the shore, then perhaps a compact waterproof camera is right for you. Even if you only want to get those pool shots or simply have a camera that's tough enough to survive the beach with ease, an investiment in one of these more rugged cameras may be the way to go.Read further on this page to learn what features to look for in a compact waterproof camera and look through some of the popular options. If you're more interested in filming underwater video, visit our Waterproof Camcorder page.
Why Would You Want a Compact Waterproof Camera?
A compact waterproof camera might be right for you if you have an active lifestyle. Many of these cameras survive drops, repel moisture, resist dust, and even tolerate extreme cold temperatures. So, for those who ski, snowboard, snorkel, swim, hike, mountain bike, and more, a waterproof digital camera can offer the durability needed.In fact, a compact waterproof digital camera can be great for people with small children too. Because kids like to play with gadgets and aren't always as particular about how they handle them, a waterproof camera can survive the encounter more readily.
What to Consider When Buying a Waterproof Camera
Once you decide a compact waterproof camera will suit your lifestyle, it's time to do some shopping.First you want to consider all of the same things you do when buying any camera. Here are just a few things to think about:
Typical casual users are ok with 5 megapixels but 8 is good if you want to crop photos or enlarge them much.
Zoom helps you get in close with distant subjects and image stabilization helps reduce blurriness due to unintended camera shake.
If you want a lot of automated features such as red eye removal, face detection, and so forth check for these. Many casual users also don't want to deal with setting exposure, white balannce and so forth thus having a variety of shooting modes is important. Sports mode for fast action, night for those low light scenes, portrait, landscape, panorama, and macro (close up) are among some of the popular options.
A camera that doesn't film video is fine but if you want video capabilities be sure to look for that feature and assure that the quality of the video is satisfactory.
Next you will want to consider your special needs:
This is necessary if you will be using the camera in other harsh conditions such as at the beach, around sand dunes, and so forth.
If you will be exposing it to winter temperatures it will need to be able to operate under such conditions.
Whether you're swimming or skiing with gloves, it's seldom easy to hit too tiny buttons or navigate lengthy menus when you're active or in harsh conditions. Ease of operation is very important.
What are the Options for a Waterproof Camera?
A compact waterproof camera can of course be used outside of the water as well. If you choose one, it's certainly possible that you will need no other camera. For those individuals, it's very important to look at the overall features to be sure it meets all of their photo needs.For those who don't find the perfect underwater camera, there's also the option of purchasing an underwater camera housing (when available). This allows the user to select their camera of choice and then "dress" it for underwater use when necessary.
For those who aren't necessarily in the market for a compact waterproof camera but have a one time need for shooting underwater photos, perhaps for a vacation or a pool party, there is the option of purchasing a single use or disposable underwater camera.
Tips for Using Your Compact Waterproof Camera
- Kodak Tips
- Basic tips for setting up shots both in and around the water.
- PCWorld Tips
- Tips for getting better color and lighting when shooting underwater.
- Photo How To
- Tips for serious underwater photographers.
- Scuba Diver Info
- Underwater photography tips for enthusiasts.
Olympus Stylus 1050SW
Olympus Stylus 1050SW 10.1MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black)
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/06/2009)
The Olympus Stylus 1050SW is perfect for those with an active lifestyle due to it's rugged nature and it's extremely easy controls. This compact waterproof camera offers 10.1 megapixel as well as 3.6x optical zoom and 5x digital zoom for getting up close with distant subjects. The wide angle zoom is also great for getting everything in the shot even when you're in tight quarters.
Other automated features include face detection and smile shot, shadow adjustment to help when shooting in bright sunlight when shadows can be problematic, and a wide variety of scene modes for those who don't want the hassle of choosing all the right settings for the best exposure and so forth. The 1050SW even provides an onscreen guide to help you troubleshoot difficult shots.
The bright 2.7" LCD makes framing and reviewing shots easy but the best news for those who have a more active lifestyle is the fact that the 1050SW is not only a compact waterproof camera, but is also shock proof, freezeproof, and crushproof. It can easily survive a drop of up to 5 feet, operate safely at temperatures down to 14 degrees Farenheit, and tolerate water depths of up to 10 feet. The aluminum exterior, interior rubber gaskets, O-rings, water repellant lens coating, and Underwater scene mode all combine to make it a great choice for underwater shooting.
Another advantage the 1050SW offers is it's "Tap Control". Tap Control allows the user to operate and work through the camera's menus by merely tapping on the sides or top of the camera rather than manipulating tiny buttons. Perfect for those times when bulky gloves are worn. Of course, the extra large shutter button and sliding, lens protecting faceplate which powers the camera on can also make snapping your shots easier as well.
While capable of producing impressive prints up to 18x24", the Olympus Stylus 1050SW doesn't stop there. It can also capture video with 640x480 resolution at up to 30fps and will record audio as well.
The 1050SW allows you to easily and quickly transfer images to your computer with it's USB 2.0 connector and included cable. It can store images on both xD and microSD cards. It is available in black, silver, champagne, and blue.
Olympus Stylus 1050SW
Olympus STYLUS 1050 SW 10.1 Megapixel Digital Camera
Beneath its elegant exterior, the Stylus 1050 SW is Shockproof, Waterproof, Freezeproof and overall Lifeproof. Plus its loaded with breakthrough features like Tap Control that lets you operate the camera simply by tapping it. Great for extremely cold temperatures where gloves are a must.
Other Waterproof Olympus Cameras
Olympus Stylus 8000
Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 12 MP Digital Camera with 3.6x Wide Angle Optical Dual Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Black)
Amazon Price: Too low to display (as of 07/06/2009)
This newest Olympus compact waterproof camera is a 12-megapixel device which will operate at depths of 33 feet in water, temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, and survive falls up to over six and a half feet. It also boasts a 3.6x wide angle optical dual image stabilized zoom to eliminate blurring due to camera shake.
This camera features a 2.7-inch Advanced HyperCrystal III LCD screen, face detection technology, and a myriad of other advanced features. Like the other Stylus models it too offers tap control for easy use. It also has an expansion slot for xD Picture Cards and microSD memory cards.
Olympus Styluss 8000 Preview
Fujifilm Finepix Z33WP
Fujifilm FinePix Z33WP 10 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom (Black)
Amazon Price: $152.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
This 10.0-megapixel Finepix is another waterproof digital camera. It operates in water up to 10 feet deep and features 3x optical zoom and a 2.7 inch LCD screen. This camera offers face detection as well as 12 editing functions including red eye removal. It will also capture VGA quality video at 30 frames per second.
It comes with 50 MB built-in memory and an expansion slot for SD/SDHC memory cards. It comes with rechargeable Lithium ion battery and is available in black, bright pink, and lime green.
Pentax Optio W60
Pentax Optio W60 Waterproof 10MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Optical Zoom (Ocean Blue)
Amazon Price: $489.99 (as of 07/06/2009)
Another good compact waterproof camera is the Pentax Optio W60. This device is a 10 megapixel digital camera with 5x optical zoom. It offers a wide angle 28mm zoom lens, great for getting group shots and for taking landscape pictures. It has a 2.5" LCD screen and a sleek design that fits nicely in your pocket.
Some of it's features include digital shake reduction, fast face recognition, red eye removal, smile capture, blink detection, as well as 24 special shooting modes such as sport, night, landscape, panorama, underwater movie, and more. While the W60 is notable for it's wide angle capabilities, it's Macro setting does allow you to capture great images as close as 1cm or less than 1 inch.
The Pentax Optio W60 is PictBridge compatible making it easy to print even without a computer. It stores images to both SD and SDHC memory cards.
The W60 is also waterproof, dustproof and can tolerate temperatures down to 14 degrees Farenheit. Users can shoot photos or film video to depths of 13 feet for up to two hours. Movie mode will capture video at 1280x720 at 15 fps.
The Pentax Optio W60 is PictBridge compatible making it easy to print photos even without a computer. The W60 stores images to both SD and SDHC memory cards.
Pentax Optio W60 Review
Canon Powershot D10
Canon PowerShot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch LCD
Amazon Price: $299.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
This Canon Powershot D10 is a 12.1 megapixel camera with 3x optical image stabilized zoom. It also happens to be a compact waterproof camera, capable of operating at depths of 33 feet and temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit, surviving falls of 4 feet, and nearly impermeable to dust. It gives users numerous features like face detection, blink detection and more as well as 19 shooting modes and 16 special scene modes.
It comes with Lithium-ion battery pack, battery charger, wrist strap,CD-ROM,
USB interface cable and AV cable.
Canon Powershot D10 Preview
First Look Reviews: Canon D10 compact waterproof camera
Canon launch the ideal 12.1-megapixel compact snapper for adrenaline junkies with the D10, shock, water, dust and probably bomb proof (we'll need a full review to confirm the last one) megawhat went to the launch to find out more
Runtime: 3:24
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Inexpensive Waterproof Camera Options
Vivitar VIVICAM-6200W 6.0 MegaPixel Underwater Camera with 4x Digital Zoom 2.0" LCD
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
SeaLife SL321 ECOshot 6MP Digital Camera
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Disposable Waterproof Cameras
Kids Underwater Camera
Aqua Pix 35 Underwater Camera
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Canon Waterproof Camera Housings
Sony Waterproof Camera Housings
Sony SPK-WA Marine Pack and Sport Jacket for Sony Cybershot W-series Digital Cameras
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Sony MPKPHA Marine Pack for DSCP8, DSCP10, DSCP73, DSCP93, DSCP100 & DSCP150 Digital Cameras
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
UNDERWATER MARINE CASE FOR SONY CYBERSHOT DSC-P200 W200
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
UNDERWATER WATERPROOF CASE FOR SONY DSC-W30 W40 W50 W80 W200 W300 S750 S780 COMPACT DIGITAL CAMERAS
Amazon Price: $29.95 (as of 07/06/2009)
Learn More About Underwater Photography
Master Guide for Underwater Digital Photography
Amazon Price: $23.07 (as of 07/06/2009)
Adobe Photoshop for Underwater Photographers
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 07/06/2009)
A Diver's Guide to The Art of Underwater Photography, Creative Techniques and Camera Systems for Digital and Film
Amazon Price: $60.00 (as of 07/06/2009)
The Essential Underwater Photography Manual: A Guide to Creative Techniques and Essential Equipment
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Essential Underwater Photography Manual: A Guide to Creative Techniques and Key Equipment
Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)
Did You Find the Compact Waterproof Camera You Wanted? Let Us Know!
If you didn't find the compact waterproof camera you need, be sure to visit our full service electronics store.
susannaduffy wrote...
You're tempting me to take up underwater photography now
Posted March 17, 2009
chefkeem wrote...
Your lenses are always so helpful! I'll have to bless this one, too.
Posted October 16, 2008
Introduction: James Wicks.
Why Would You Want a Compact Waterproof Camer: egarc2.
What to Consider: Tom@HK
What are the Options: TraveOC.
You can also find this lens at LensMasterWorld.
