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Waterproof camera

Started Sep 10, 2020 | Discussions
HernanH New Member • Posts: 2
Waterproof camera

I'm in the market for a waterproof camera. i'm usually paddle boardind or kayaking, so I  don't want to be worried about getting it wet. I'm between the Ricoh WG-70 ($250) and the Olympus TG-6 (Which is a lot more expensive).  any recommendations ? any other camera sugestion ?

K-Dub
K-Dub Regular Member • Posts: 467
Re: Waterproof camera

HernanH wrote:

I'm in the market for a waterproof camera. i'm usually paddle boardind or kayaking, so I don't want to be worried about getting it wet. I'm between the Ricoh WG-70 ($250) and the Olympus TG-6 (Which is a lot more expensive). any recommendations ? any other camera sugestion ?

I haven't owned either of those cameras, but have owned a couple Panasonic waterproof cameras - TS3 & TS6. I used them pretty much only for snorkeling or kayaking (though sometimes, I'll take my regular camera in the kayak, depending on water/weather conditions). If I end up getting a new waterproof still camera, I'd probably get the Olympus TG-6.

More recently, I went on a snorkel with sharks trip and found that my beloved TS6 wouldn't work any more. With only a few days before the trip, I ended up buying a Gopro Hero 8. Yes, it's more video oriented, but does take stills. I took screenshots from the 4K video that turned out good enough for my tastes.

Example video (resized from 4K): https://youtu.be/nG8pwR4ka9g

Still picture taken with the Gopro

 K-Dub's gear list:K-Dub's gear list
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ200 Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS6 Panasonic FZ2500 GoPro Hero8 Black
Yar1971 Regular Member • Posts: 409
Re: Waterproof camera

I also need and use waterproof camera for kayaking. I'm not diving with it. Unfortunately I have only an old Panasonic FT4.

From those You've mentioned, I would choose TG6 (or even older model from the series) just for one reason: TG series has a threaded ring around lens to adapt front tele/wide converters. Those wide ones have little use for boater, but tele (a lot extra money, I know) should be valuable. All waterproof compacts have relatively very short zoom range. It's a real pain when You try to photograph water birds even at close range. Note, that front teleconverters do not change F/stop of the camera lens.

Regards,

-J.

P.S. Saying true, shooting from small kayak  even at even short tele range is not easy, I have relatively a lot of unsharp photo from my FT4 at 128mm equivalent. It's mostly due to instability of my 3m pneumatic kayak. Onboard of 2 person solid kayak much more keepers.

kelpdiver Veteran Member • Posts: 5,564
Re: Waterproof camera

the TG6 is currently on sale for 380, and at key holidays, can be even lower.   The TG-5 (renewed) is being sold for 330 on Amazon.   Because it's highly promoted by Backscatter, it has a lot of UW attachment options.

With the recent improvements in stablization and hte addition of the rear LCD, the Hero has become decent for stills.   The price on the Hero7 black is down in low 200s.

Aurelian Junior Member • Posts: 38
Re: Waterproof camera

I have Olympus TG-6 and use it for snorkeling and trips to the beach where I don't want my "serious" camera getting wet.

TG-6 can use RAW format and takes decent pictures in good light.

 Aurelian's gear list:Aurelian's gear list
Sony a7 III Sony a1 Sigma 24-70 F2.8 DG DN Sigma 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Sony FE 14mm F1.8 GM +2 more
Sactojim Veteran Member • Posts: 9,105
Re: Waterproof camera
1

Love my Kodak Pixpro WPZ2 with it's 4x optical zoom and 6x digital for 24x total, wp down to 50', 1080p video and inexpensive with a retail price of $149.99. https://kodakpixpro.com/cameras/action-sport/wpz2

Callie Albert New Member • Posts: 10
Re: Waterproof camera
1

Olympus Tough TG-6

ProfHankD
ProfHankD Veteran Member • Posts: 9,147
Re: Waterproof camera

HernanH wrote:

I'm in the market for a waterproof camera. i'm usually paddle boardind or kayaking, so I don't want to be worried about getting it wet. I'm between the Ricoh WG-70 ($250) and the Olympus TG-6 (Which is a lot more expensive). any recommendations ? any other camera sugestion ?

Very late response, but I'm very fond of my old Olympus TG-860 .

Why? Features. IQ is lousy, but flip-up screen and ultrawide zoom is a win.

I wish people would push for these features. They're especially useful in a camera that isn't primarily used underwater, but at/near the surface.

 ProfHankD's gear list:ProfHankD's gear list
Canon PowerShot SX530 Olympus TG-860 Sony a7R II Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Sony a6500 +32 more
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