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Waterproof housing or waterproof camera

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sunshadow

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I'm looking for a waterproof solution not necessarily for underwater photography, but for being at the beach, swimming, kayaking, being at in places w/ water. Maybe eventually a little underwater photography for snorkeling, not diving.

Some options I'm considering:

(1) Buy a waterproof P&S. Seems like Olympus and Panasonic make a few. Suggestions are welcome.

(2) GoPro Hero 5. Could be cool to have for video too, but main purpose would be still photos. Good thing with this is I could use it for video in other settings and it's quite compact. Just not sure how the quality compares.

(3) Housing for an RX-100 iv. Seems to be around the price of a P&S. I'd prolly go w/ the Sony housing because I just trust first party more. Got the RX-100 recently, and will probably have it for a while.

(4) Housing for my M43 camera (Panasonic GF6)

(5) Some generic housing bag style for either the RX100 or a M43, if they are safe to use.

RX100 housing seems like a good option, because if I go on a mainly beach or outdoor activities trip, I could just take the camera on a trip with me instead of the M43 camera, and use it for both water or non-water activities. A housing for my M43 camera might be wasted if I upgrade the body in the next 6 months to a year. A waterproof P&S or GoPro is easy to throw in a bag in addition to my regular camera (be it my DSLR or M43) though. And I'm not sure the quality of the bag style waterproof housings.

FWIW I have a Samsung Galaxy S7, which is waterproof enough for the kind of activities I'm doing, but I would not take it underwater purposely to take photos, and I'm more afraid of losing my phone than a camera which I could strap to my wrist or wear around my neck
 
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sunshadow said:
I'm looking for a waterproof solution not necessarily for underwater photography, but for being at the beach, swimming, kayaking, being at in places w/ water. Maybe eventually a little underwater photography for snorkeling, not diving.

Some options I'm considering:

(1) Buy a waterproof P&S. Seems like Olympus and Panasonic make a few. Suggestions are welcome.
Click to expand...
Forget the housing. For what you do you do not need it.

Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Pentax and others make decent "tough" waterproof P&S. That is all you need.

Check https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/2014-15-waterproof-camera-roundup.

Housings are for real underwater photography when the camera has to be protected from water column pressure.
sunshadow said:
(2) GoPro Hero 5. Could be cool to have for video too, but main purpose would be still photos. Good thing with this is I could use it for video in other settings and it's quite compact. Just not sure how the quality compares.
Click to expand...
All of them have video
sunshadow said:
(3) Housing for an RX-100 iv. Seems to be around the price of a P&S. I'd prolly go w/ the Sony housing because I just trust first party more. Got the RX-100 recently, and will probably have it for a while.
Click to expand...
Forget the housing.
sunshadow said:
(4) Housing for my M43 camera (Panasonic GF6)
Click to expand...
Forget the housing.
sunshadow said:
(5) Some generic housing bag style for either the RX100 or a M43, if they are safe to use.
Click to expand...
Forget the housing.
sunshadow said:
RX100 housing seems like a good option, because if I go on a mainly beach or outdoor activities trip, I could just take the camera on a trip with me instead of the M43 camera, and use it for both water or non-water activities.
Click to expand...
Olympus, Canon, Nikon, Pentax and others make decent "tough" waterproof P&S.
sunshadow said:
A housing for my M43 camera might be wasted if I upgrade the body in the next 6 months to a year. A waterproof P&S or GoPro is easy to throw in a bag in addition to my regular camera (be it my DSLR or M43) though. And I'm not sure the quality of the bag style waterproof housings.
Click to expand...
If GoPRo satisfies your needs, why make life complicated. Go for it. Not that publishers are holding breath waiting for our pictures :-)
sunshadow said:
FWIW I have a Samsung Galaxy S7, which is waterproof enough for the kind of activities I'm doing, but I would not take it underwater purposely to take photos, and I'm more afraid of losing my phone than a camera which I could strap to my wrist or wear around my neck.
Click to expand...
 
Ah, so what you are saying is that housings are basically overkill if what I really want is something to make the camera splash proof in most instances and waterproof jusr in case, and don't want to ever do more than maybe snorkeling at this point.
 
sunshadow said:
Ah, so what you are saying is that housings are basically overkill if what I really want is something to make the camera splash proof in most instances and waterproof jusr in case, and don't want to ever do more than maybe snorkeling at this point.
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Housings are cumbersome to use above water and they are absolutely unnecessary unless you are an underwater photographer. Nikon AW130 for instance is rated down to 100ft/33 m and I did see people using them while scuba diving. If you are not a scuba diver you can get less expensive Nikon, Fuji, Canon, etc. for relatively small money.
 
Thanks. Yeh I don't dive (yet) so as long as it can be submerged in water, it's fine.

Any more recent comparisons of P&S cameras that you have seen? The one you posted previously was from 2014.
 
Having seen some great pictures from the Nikon AW130, I bought one from Amazon to use when I wanted a quick macro mode shot underwater. Unfortunately, the control buttons were so hard (and painful) to push with my thumb and fingers, I eventually returned it.

I've used various editions of the Panasonic underwater P+S, the TS3, 4, 5, and 6. With those cameras, you don't have a complete range of adjustments you can make to the exposure (limited combinations of shutter speed and aperture), and you have to be careful to keep your fingers off the front of the camera so you don't block the lens. That makes for an awkward grip and minimal stability while shooting. I still own the TS6. I took it with me on a recent trip to Indonesia as a backup to my regular UW camera, but I hardly used it at all. If the sun is not shining and the water is not absolutely clear, you're likely to end up with disappointing pictures with those cameras.

The camera I've been using most often on recent trips is my Nikon 1 AW, with the 11-27.5mm UW lens. It has an excellent AF based on Phase Detection, so it's fast. I use it mainly in burst mode. It delivers sharp pictures taken above or under the water. The video is also quite decent. I've used the camera several hundred times by now; it has never leaked but on a few occasions it has fogged up. The one major criticism I have of the camera is the crazy, nonstandard menu system. On the other hand, once you've set the camera up the way you want, you just set it and forget it.
 
sunshadow said:
...

Any more recent comparisons of P&S cameras that you have seen? The one you posted previously was from 2014.
Click to expand...
Check my (mostly) UW photos/videos taken during snorkeling/freediving (up to 18 meters deep) with 15+ different compact UW cameras https://www.flickr.com/photos/primozp/sets/72157633756660405

photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/primozp/sets/

videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/PrimozP/playlists?sort=dd&flow=grid&view=1

Primoz

--
My (mostly underwater) photos and videos taken with
Pentax, Olympus, Panasonic, Canon and Nikon compact UW cameras:
photos @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/primozp/sets/
video footage @ http://www.youtube.com/user/PrimozP/playlists?sort=dd&flow=grid&view=1
 
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sunshadow said:
Thanks. Yeh I don't dive (yet) so as long as it can be submerged in water, it's fine.

Any more recent comparisons of P&S cameras that you have seen? The one you posted previously was from 2014.
Click to expand...
No, I do not exactly follow camera's news. I would suspect not much has changed in two years. They all are P&S and not much more.

I had good experience with several from Fuji XP- xxx line. I did not have good experience with Nikon AW line (flooded two) and I did not like Pentax Tough line at all for their price to picture quality ratio.

From my own experience I'd suggest buying the least expensive camera and from the outfit that has the longest return policy. They do flood and forget the warranty, it will always be your fault.
 
Nikon 1 AW is an interesting choice. It would mean I would have another mirrorless camera, but I could get the Nikon mount for my DX lenses. I think I'd prefer a P&S though, because they are smaller.
Baba Ganoush said:
Having seen some great pictures from the Nikon AW130, I bought one from Amazon to use when I wanted a quick macro mode shot underwater. Unfortunately, the control buttons were so hard (and painful) to push with my thumb and fingers, I eventually returned it.

I've used various editions of the Panasonic underwater P+S, the TS3, 4, 5, and 6. With those cameras, you don't have a complete range of adjustments you can make to the exposure (limited combinations of shutter speed and aperture), and you have to be careful to keep your fingers off the front of the camera so you don't block the lens. That makes for an awkward grip and minimal stability while shooting. I still own the TS6. I took it with me on a recent trip to Indonesia as a backup to my regular UW camera, but I hardly used it at all. If the sun is not shining and the water is not absolutely clear, you're likely to end up with disappointing pictures with those cameras.

The camera I've been using most often on recent trips is my Nikon 1 AW, with the 11-27.5mm UW lens. It has an excellent AF based on Phase Detection, so it's fast. I use it mainly in burst mode. It delivers sharp pictures taken above or under the water. The video is also quite decent. I've used the camera several hundred times by now; it has never leaked but on a few occasions it has fogged up. The one major criticism I have of the camera is the crazy, nonstandard menu system. On the other hand, once you've set the camera up the way you want, you just set it and forget it.
Click to expand...
 
sunshadow said:
I'm looking for a waterproof solution not necessarily for underwater photography, but for being at the beach, swimming, kayaking, being at in places w/ water. Maybe eventually a little underwater photography for snorkeling, not diving.

Some options I'm considering:

(1) Buy a waterproof P&S. Seems like Olympus and Panasonic make a few. Suggestions are welcome.

(2) GoPro Hero 5. Could be cool to have for video too, but main purpose would be still photos. Good thing with this is I could use it for video in other settings and it's quite compact. Just not sure how the quality compares.

(3) Housing for an RX-100 iv. Seems to be around the price of a P&S. I'd prolly go w/ the Sony housing because I just trust first party more. Got the RX-100 recently, and will probably have it for a while.

(4) Housing for my M43 camera (Panasonic GF6)

(5) Some generic housing bag style for either the RX100 or a M43, if they are safe to use.

RX100 housing seems like a good option, because if I go on a mainly beach or outdoor activities trip, I could just take the camera on a trip with me instead of the M43 camera, and use it for both water or non-water activities. A housing for my M43 camera might be wasted if I upgrade the body in the next 6 months to a year. A waterproof P&S or GoPro is easy to throw in a bag in addition to my regular camera (be it my DSLR or M43) though. And I'm not sure the quality of the bag style waterproof housings.

FWIW I have a Samsung Galaxy S7, which is waterproof enough for the kind of activities I'm doing, but I would not take it underwater purposely to take photos, and I'm more afraid of losing my phone than a camera which I could strap to my wrist or wear around my neck
Click to expand...
people forget the initial post and go on in different direction.

For "not necessarily for underwater photography, but for being at the beach, swimming, kayaking, being at in places w/ water" all you need is waterproof P&S, unless National Geographic editors are holding breath for your pictures.

:-)
 
nafik said:
nafik said:
people forget the initial post and go on in different direction.
Click to expand...
For "not necessarily for underwater photography, but for being at the beach, swimming, kayaking, being at in places w/ water" all you need is waterproof P&S, unless National Geographic editors are holding breath for your pictures.

:-)
Click to expand...
 
nafik said:
For "not necessarily for underwater photography, but for being at the beach, swimming, kayaking, being at in places w/ water" all you need is waterproof P&S, unless National Geographic editors are holding breath for your pictures.
Click to expand...
Well of course they are, haha :-p
 
nafik said:
I could never understand who Nikon 1 AW1 was made for. The lens mount is the obvious week point that will kill camera and lens at once. It does not go deep enough to be a scuba divers camera.
Click to expand...
That is true. It is primarily for snorkelers (like me) and shallow water sports, not for divers. However, its P-D AF is faster and typically more accurate than the C-D AF on my RX100 MkIII, for which I bought a Nauticam housing. The AW is also easier to take with me on trips where my carry-on baggage is limited in size and weight and I want to carry both a backup UW camera and either a DSLR kit or mirrorless camera kit as well.
nafik said:
They never produced anything decent besides SLRs and [ [SOME]] lenses, but even in this department they are loosing to canon.
Click to expand...
FIFY. Along with some of their superb lenses, Nikon has always managed to produce a few other lenses that are just plain mediocre. The problem is knowing before you open your wallet to buy a lens from them whether you're dealing with the Good Nikon or the Bad Nikon

nafik said:
Nikon 1 AW1 was just another Nikons failure from the marketing point.

--
Click to expand...
Yep. That goes for the entire Nikon 1 product line. Still, I bought mine a long time ago, it does what I want, has rarely if ever failed me, and I can recommend it to anyone whose needs are like mine. On my last trip I was taking pictures under poor water and lighting conditions at ISO 3200 and the camera worked like a champ. I don't think you say that about the Panasonic TS cameras, even in the very skilled hands of primozp.

nafik said:
M.
Nice camera...now show me the pictures.
Click to expand...
 
Baba Ganoush said:
nafik said:
I could never understand who Nikon 1 AW1 was made for. The lens mount is the obvious week point that will kill camera and lens at once. It does not go deep enough to be a scuba divers camera.
Click to expand...
That is true. It is primarily for snorkelers (like me) and shallow water sports, not for divers. However, its P-D AF is faster and typically more accurate than the C-D AF on my RX100 MkIII, for which I bought a Nauticam housing. The AW is also easier to take with me on trips where my carry-on baggage is limited in size and weight and I want to carry both a backup UW camera and either a DSLR kit or mirrorless camera kit as well.
Baba Ganoush said:
They never produced anything decent besides SLRs and [ [SOME]] lenses, but even in this department they are loosing to canon.
Click to expand...
FIFY. Along with some of their superb lenses, Nikon has always managed to produce a few other lenses that are just plain mediocre. The problem is knowing before you open your wallet to buy a lens from them whether you're dealing with the Good Nikon or the Bad Nikon
Baba Ganoush said:
Nikon 1 AW1 was just another Nikons failure from the marketing point.

--
Click to expand...
Yep. That goes for the entire Nikon 1 product line. Still, I bought mine a long time ago, it does what I want, has rarely if ever failed me, and I can recommend it to anyone whose needs are like mine. On my last trip I was taking pictures under poor water and lighting conditions at ISO 3200 and the camera worked like a champ. I don't think you say that about the Panasonic TS cameras, even in the very skilled hands of primozp.
Baba Ganoush said:
M.
Nice camera...now show me the pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
It seams we are on the same boat. Cameras matter, but not too much.

i have recently eat all my words about Sony that replaced my full backpack of DSLR equipment and freed myself from buying another monstrous lens for 3 weeks self drive travel in Namibia. Not for a single moment I missed my Nikon. Rx10-3 has done an amazing job even in really low light.
 
nafik said:
nafik said:
i have recently eat all my words about Sony that replaced my full backpack of DSLR equipment and freed myself from buying another monstrous lens for 3 weeks self drive travel in Namibia. Not for a single moment I missed my Nikon. Rx10-3 has done an amazing job even in really low light.
Click to expand...
--
M.
Nice camera...now show me the pictures.
Click to expand...
I've had an RX10 Mk I for quite a while, and even took it with me as a spare camera on my recent trip to Indonesia (Raja Ampat and Triton Bay). It's an excellent travel camera (i.e., I would be sad but not heartbroken if it fell accidentally into the water out of a zodiac or dive boat), but must now be retired because the lens has accumulated too much dust on the inside surface of the objective element. To clean it would likely cost as much as a replacement camera. I'm waiting for the CES show to decide between the RX10 MkIII, the Panasonic FZ2500, and the yet to be released Nikon DL 24-500, which is physically smaller and lighter than the other two.
 
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Get a meikon housing since you already have an rx100. It will have much better IQ than most of the waterproof P&S's. These housings are made extremely well - but are a bit larger than you expect.




sony rx100 mk1 with meikon housing
 

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Baba Ganoush said:
nafik said:
I could never understand who Nikon 1 AW1 was made for. The lens mount is the obvious week point that will kill camera and lens at once. It does not go deep enough to be a scuba divers camera.
Click to expand...
That is true. It is primarily for snorkelers (like me) and shallow water sports, not for divers. However, its P-D AF is faster and typically more accurate than the C-D AF on my RX100 MkIII, for which I bought a Nauticam housing. The AW is also easier to take with me on trips where my carry-on baggage is limited in size and weight and I want to carry both a backup UW camera and either a DSLR kit or mirrorless camera kit as well.
Baba Ganoush said:
They never produced anything decent besides SLRs and [ [SOME]] lenses, but even in this department they are loosing to canon.
Click to expand...
FIFY. Along with some of their superb lenses, Nikon has always managed to produce a few other lenses that are just plain mediocre. The problem is knowing before you open your wallet to buy a lens from them whether you're dealing with the Good Nikon or the Bad Nikon
Baba Ganoush said:
Nikon 1 AW1 was just another Nikons failure from the marketing point.

--
Click to expand...
Yep. That goes for the entire Nikon 1 product line. Still, I bought mine a long time ago, it does what I want, has rarely if ever failed me, and I can recommend it to anyone whose needs are like mine. On my last trip I was taking pictures under poor water and lighting conditions at ISO 3200 and the camera worked like a champ. I don't think you say that about the Panasonic TS cameras, even in the very skilled hands of primozp.
Baba Ganoush said:
M.
Nice camera...now show me the pictures.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Another vote for the Nikon AW1. Most important to me is it takes both RAW and JPEG, something except for the Olympus TG4, the other P&S waterproof cameras don't do to my knowledge. My AW1s, I have two, one with 10mm lens and one with 11-27.5mm lens, have been in lots of seawater from Alaska to Mexico and freshwater streams and lakes with no problems. One does need to pay attention to the pre-submergence check list that Nikon provides.

If it is safe for snorkelers, it will meet your other requirements with ease.
 
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