Olympus Stylus 1030SW or Sealife SL321 Ecoshot or ??? Going to Grand Cayman and want an easy to use camera that will give me the better underwater pictures. I plan on snokelling and taking local wildlife and reef photos. So which camera should I choose? I'm not ready to shell out a lot of cash, and even the 1030SW is almost out of the price range I wanted... Olympus Stylus 1030SW or Sealife SL321 Ecoshot or ??? Going to Grand Cayman and want an easy to use camera that will give me the better underwater pictures. I plan on snokelling and taking local... » Read More Olympus Stylus 1030SW or Sealife SL321 Ecoshot or ??? Going to Grand Cayman and want an easy to use camera that will give me the better underwater pictures. I plan on snokelling and taking local wildlife and reef photos. So which camera should I choose? I'm not ready to shell out a lot of cash, and even the 1030SW is almost out of the price range I wanted... « Show Less
52917
I like everything about the Olympus except the XD card, I have close to a dozen SD cards already and a couple of readers. I expect that in a year or two Olympus will drop the XD card and go to the more common SD. I will be the first to buy that generation of this camera. I decided on going with a clone of the Sealife (Vivitar Vivicam 6200w) for now. It is significantly cheaper and shares all the same specifications, except the ability to link with an external flash. Which is pointless in this range of camera ...if you are going to be lugging that stuff around anyway you might as well step up to at least the Sealife DC800 or the DX-1G by Sea&Sea; I like everything about the Olympus except the XD card, I have close to a dozen SD cards already and a couple of readers. I expect that in a year or two Olympus will drop the XD card and go to the more common SD. I will be the first to buy that generation of this camera. I decided on going with a clone of the Sealife (Vivitar Vivicam 6200w) for now. It is significantly cheaper and shares all the same specifications, except the ability to link with an external flash. Which is pointless in this range of camera ...if you are going to be lugging that stuff around anyway you might as well step... » Read More I like everything about the Olympus except the XD card, I have close to a dozen SD cards already and a couple of readers. I expect that in a year or two Olympus will drop the XD card and go to the more common SD. I will be the first to buy that generation of this camera. I decided on going with a clone of the Sealife (Vivitar Vivicam 6200w) for now. It is significantly cheaper and shares all the same specifications, except the ability to link with an external flash. Which is pointless in this range of camera ...if you are going to be lugging that stuff around anyway you might as well step up to at least the Sealife DC800 or the DX-1G by Sea&Sea; « Show Less
52918
I've had a 720SW for a few years. It has been drug through outdoor hell and still is great. Can't wait to try the 1030.
52919
Same question here. I am tired of missing opportunities to have a picture of an event because the environment wasn't clean and dry. I would really like see a head to head of these two because they seem to have the right combination of durability and portability. Hard to tell if reviews on these products which slam the picture quality of both are from DSLR snobs who spend their vacation time taking pictures rather than having fun.
1076847
I got excellent pics, but only used it outside for snorkeling and while hanging out on the beach and as a secondary camera at Chichen Itza in Mexico. I also had my Nikon D5000, which obviously is a much more advanced camera, but this one did good enough that I was comfortable leaving the Nikon D5000 behind for some of our activities, knowing this camera would capture anything I needed and I wouldn't lose out on memories :) My snorkeling pics turned out good!
455849
i must honestly say having owned this camera I would look at getting the Intova SD instead of the sealife.....much better pictures and true HD video
2087254
I was interested in this myself and was in the process of research. The Ikelite shouing you wrote of is at the attache address if anyone else is interested. http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/can_sx210.html Here are the potential problems I see for using the SX210is in an underwater application. The housing is expensive, more expensive than the camera. There are other accessories that you would want to include in the underwater kit. A domed port for wide-angle lens shooting is available for additional cost. The flash is blocked by the flare of the underwater lens housing. The manufacturer has a reflection system for the flash but recommends the use of additional strobes which are expensive. Everyone I know who professionally shoots underwater shots supplements lighting. Unless you are shooting in clear water, on a sunny day, very close to the surface it is necessary for a good exposure. Without lighting you end up shooting at a high ASA and long exposure which does not give very good results. I doubt that Canon will make their own housing.
1180028
I am planning to get Canon SX20is since I am hiking the Sierras again late Summer. I like the fact that it uses 4 AA alkaline batteries - which I can easily purchase. It has 20X Optical Zoom so hopefully I can get a lot of wild life pictures from afar. I took several pictures of a bear and her cubs last year with Olympus(4X optical zoom) and they turn out very disappointing :(
512447
The Stylus 500, 600, 710 and 800 are all "weather resistant", "splash-proof" or whatever you'd like to call it. This means that you can take shots fairly confidently in wet weather conditions and the camera can take a good splashing by the pool here and there. They are not submersible, however, and I wouldn't recommend prolonged use of these kinds of cameras in a torrential downpour. For underwater use, you need to buy the underwater housing for the Stylus series; otherwise, Olympus also offers the Stylus 720 SW which is water-resistant to 3M (10ft).
679911
The XZ-1 Olympus that I bought and love so much is not underwater camera. If you can get that one with underwater option, you will like your pictures. With my experience, using ART, the color came out so beautiful. Trankiem
1253049
I have been using the G1X (the orginal G1X, not the MkII) underwater since it was released. I use the Canon WP-DC housing for it, which are pretty compact and give you a full range of controls underwater. I have been very happy with the results. You can check them out on my Flickr page: flickr.com/photos/bluewavechris . The image quality is better than my previous G series cameras underwater, due to the larger sensor. Not quite as good as my DSLR quality underwater, but that is understandable due to lens quality/glass size more than anything else. The G1X gives me excellent images without the bulk of a DSLR housing in the water.
1508370
I am partial to Canon and am excited to see they are introducing a model in the rugged, waterproof class. I previously used the first generation waterproof Olympus Stylus and after it broke moved to the Pentax Optio W series. It has been a good camera as far as durability, but it just doesn't produce photos like our Canon Powershot SD1000. As far as the post question, I can't wait to see some product reviews/comparisons. Based on my previous experience with the Stylus line, I am ruling out the Olympus. Although right now I am leaning towards the Canon based on previous experience with their products and superior photos. However, the Panasonic offering higher video quality in HD format is enticing.
1163843
Also not familiar with the FT5. I did a lot of research before I bought the Olympus. I have been very happy with this camera. We have taken it to the Caribbean twice and used it extensively in fresh and salt water without any leakage of water. The pictures are great, and the modes available for underwater and beach scenes are amazing and far better than other more expensive cameras that I have. I have also used the camera in extreme cold while skiing and have had great success with no problems with either video or still pictures. One of the best purchases I have ever made. Sorry I can't help with the direct comparison to the Panasonic. Also not familiar with the FT5. I did a lot of research before I bought the Olympus. I have been very happy with this camera. We have taken it to the Caribbean twice and used it extensively in fresh and salt water without any leakage of water. The pictures are great, and the modes available for underwater and beach scenes are amazing and far better than other more expensive cameras that I have. I have also used the camera in extreme cold while skiing and have had great success with no problems with either video or still pictures. One of the best purchases I have ever made. Sorry I can't... » Read More Also not familiar with the FT5. I did a lot of research before I bought the Olympus. I have been very happy with this camera. We have taken it to the Caribbean twice and used it extensively in fresh and salt water without any leakage of water. The pictures are great, and the modes available for underwater and beach scenes are amazing and far better than other more expensive cameras that I have. I have also used the camera in extreme cold while skiing and have had great success with no problems with either video or still pictures. One of the best purchases I have ever made. Sorry I can't help with the direct comparison to the Panasonic. « Show Less
38159
I've owned three Sony Cyber Shot ultra-compact digital cameras and have had excellent luck, a T1, T7 and currently a T200. Sorry, you are having bad luck with the T2, I will make note. I ended up going with a T20 and an add on 4GB memory card as an Xmas present for my girlfriend, which ended up being about a $100 cheaper in the end, and the cameras have very similar internal specifications.
1928094
For a good review of what this camera can and can't do at diving depths, see: http://www.digicamera.com/reviews/olympus_stylus_770sw/ My 2cts: Except in clear tropical waters you need an external strobe, not to avoid white-out, but to avoid backscatter from particulates in water. (I've got some great images from tropics just using the built in strobe from a housed point-and-shoot digital, but an external strobe is a necessity in northern/central CA.) I could see taking this on a trip, if I'm going to be only shallow (unlikely in tropical waters) and wanted to avoid the hassle of taking my whole housing/strobe set-up. However, if you're planning to get a strobe and genuine scuba-depth housing (as mentioned, Olympus does make one for this model), you have to ask what's the point of paying extra for what this camera comes with already, as well as its limits (compared with higher quality cameras/lens not designed to skinny-dip). If you snorkel, kayak, surf, play in the water a lot, etc., it may still make sense. If you want that versatility, but still will use a housing/strobe for diving, consider the 720, which allows you to go 10ft and would save you some money. Another thought (now wearing my PADI instructor hat): There's a lot of task loading in learning scuba (esp. if you're doing it in cold Alaska water!), and I would advise against adding underwater photography too soon. Although I have a hard time diving without a camera, I think new divers should wait until they're quite comfortable in the water (for their own safety), and have very good buoyancy skills (for the safety of the marine environment).
753556
I would go with Samsung's specs of 3m,as far as the warranty for water damage,I would check with Samsung. My personal opinion on anything such as camera's,etc. being able to be submerged is that unless you have a secure waterproof case designed for underwater use,I wouldn't use it for underwater pics. I bought this camera to take to the beach and if it got wet or fell into the water I felt it would take that kind of use(abuse) as compared to a regular digital camera.I hope this helps and sorry for long response.
1277650
As with other digital cameras I have owned, I will get an extra battery (just be careful with off-brand models) and a memory card. I will be using this one to go deeper than 12m/40ft underwater, and plan to get the Ikelite housing that is good to 40m/200ft.
880579
I bought my Olympus to take on vacation.....it works great indoors and out! It's easy to use and takes great pics (with or without flash).
6750
The Olympus stylus 1010 has been great for me. I take intra oral photos in the super Macro mode. The pictures are distortion free as long as the light is adequate. Without flash the use of a very portable fluorescent light has solved the problem of auto focus. A limitation is the xD card. I am looking for similar camera with SD cards that is usable with the new eyeFi cards that automatically and wirelessly post your photos to the computer. Until then I am happy with my Stylus 1010 (and maybe the upgrade 12mp stylus 7000).
1712952
Yes! This is a terrible camera! I bought it because I was going to a water park with my family. After it went underwater (less than 3 feet) a couple of times it stopped working. I opened it up and noticed water had gone in through the casing even though it was closed correctly. Besides that the focus and zoom is terrible! I took it back and got my money back right away. There are newer and better waterproof cameras out there and I would invest in a different model/brand. Sorry for the delay in my response.