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

Underwater camera longevity

Started Aug 26, 2019 | Discussions thread
kelpdiver Veteran Member • Posts: 5,564
Re: Underwater camera longevity

Robaire wrote:

Perhaps using some silicon grease on the battery compartment seals is the key. Is there a particular brand you use? Any thoughts on the current batch of underwater cameras?

use the one (at least the type) specified by the manufacturer.  It does matter.  There are a few types of materials used for the o-rings and they don't call for the same treatment.  A little of it goes a long way anyhow.

Now for your question - yes, I think these 'tough' cameras inevitably flood.   They have tiny doors and long narrow o-rings and it's easy to blow it.  In contrast, the OEM brand housings for the Canon compacts (Craig listed a few) - they have a single fat oring that's easy to see in a clear plastic.   With those, the camera becomes obsolete first.  The downside, they got nearly twice as bulky.  But they do float.

The recent generation gopros offer the same sort of waterproofness as the tough cameras, but stick that in the dive housing and it should be as solid as it gets, and still smaller.   But better as a video cam than stills.

The only way the tough camera class could win out is if they shift to wireless charging and file transfer.  Then they never need to be opened up, at the cost of fixed storage and battery.

Keyboard shortcuts:
FForum PPrevious NNext WNext unread UUpvote SSubscribe RReply QQuote BBookmark MMy threads
Color scheme? Blue / Yellow