DPReview.com is closing April 10th - Find out more

Budget Underwater Camera

Started Dec 13, 2018 | Questions thread
PHXAZCRAIG
PHXAZCRAIG Forum Pro • Posts: 19,651
Re: Budget Underwater Camera

The Nikon underwater cameras have a poor reputation for reliability.  Basically they leak if you sneeze in their direction.

I've seen nice shots from the TG series of cameras, particularly macro stuff.  Definitely worth a look.

In the past, before point-n-shoots became extinct, I'd just say go get a PowerShot and matching Canon dive housing.  I've had the SD630, two SD870is, s95 and s120 with dive housings, and all were good.   The housings were totally reliable for me, and I never had a leak.  All of the cameras failed (usually zoom quits retracting) above water.

All of these systems cost around $500 new, including both camera and housing.

Now, it looks like Canon isn't selling small cameras prices less than about $400, though the housing costs are still fairly low, in the $250-400 range.

You could certainly look used, and if you are in a city you'll probably find tons of used gear online.  I worry about the reliability of the camera.   When my first s95 died, I managed to find a used one, but that camera died two years later.  I'm on an s120 now, and it still works mostly because it doesn't get used.

It can be difficult finding the right replacement o-rings for older housings too, so keep that in mind if shopping for used.

-- hide signature --

Phoenix Arizona Craig
www.cjcphoto.net

 PHXAZCRAIG's gear list:PHXAZCRAIG's gear list
Nikon D80 Nikon D200 Nikon D300 Nikon D700 Nikon 1 V1 +45 more
Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum PPrevious NNext WNext unread UUpvote SSubscribe RReply QQuote BBookmark MMy threads
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow