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Good underwater

Started Dec 10, 2013 | User reviews thread
Wm. L. Senior Member • Posts: 2,166
Re: Good underwater
1

Thank you for the review and some insights.

I got this camera for the 1080 video my Panasonic WG60 lacks, and because of the faster lens. The current Pentax shares same lens but format and colors are unappealing to me with both lacking the simple design, and quality feel of my older Pentax.

The whole class of product from a few makers seems like the industrial designers are trying too hard if compared to the simple small shape of my WG60. What a shame Pentax doesn't have updated video and performance in the same great shape.

For now my only testing is in frigid conditions with snow. One thing that seems to stand out is slow response between individual shots. I've tried a class 4 card that responds well with my Panasonic p+s and the Pentax and it still seems slow between shots. My frame of reference for p+s performance is a Panasonic ZS-7, Canon elphs, and the Pentax WG60.

One area of initial criticism for the TG-2 is the proprietary USB cable and no charger to hold the battery.

With travel coming up, I'm considering a silicon jacket like I have for the Pentax and spare battery. Add that I'll test for waterproof if only in the sink while getting to know it. I'm also planning on a floating wrist strap so I can hand the camera off to my kids with less worry.

Before it sounds like I'm too critical I will qualify that I chose this over the Nikon AW1 that's 3x the price and lacks image stabilization for underwater. Lack of image stabilization stood out with underwater video and the older Pentax, or when the camera was in my kids' hands.

Any insights on using the SCN mode under water options vs aperture priority would be appreciated. So far I've tried SCN mode with snow setting and for a gray day didn't see it any better than the P mode. Snow setting in bright late day snow had good exposure.

Thanks again.

P.S. I was glad to find the black lens ring in the packaging, but wonder about the posts I read where some owners got the silicon cover. Mine came from redeeming airline miles in the USA.

 Wm. L.'s gear list:Wm. L.'s gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS7 Olympus Tough TG-2 Canon EOS 70D Canon EF 35mm F2.0 Canon EF-S 10-22mm F3.5-4.5 USM +5 more
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