Cheap, Waterproof, Compact Digital Camera?

[Son of a Beach]

I'm doing a long rafting trip soon, but don't have a camera to take. I'm sure the other guys will send me some photos, but I'd like to have a camera hooked onto my PFD (life jacket) to be able to snap some of my own.

The trouble is that I've spent so much money buying up all the other gear I need for this trip, that I've got very little left for a camera. So it needs to be cheap, and obviously it needs to be rugged and waterproof, as it's going to get bashed around, and dunked in the water quite a lot.

Could people please offer me their suggestions for a cheap, waterproof, compact digital camera?

Obviously I'd like something that will take fantastic photos too, but I know I may just have to put up with lesser quality when I don't have much to spend.

[oldpiscator]

I have an older model Olympus U400 which has served me well for quite a few years - goes on all my flyfishing trips. Is just about due for updating. Most of the newer models are cheaper and have more features than my current one.

[doogs]

Get a GoPro and take stills off that
or you may be able to find a waterproof camera housing for your current camera on ebay.

[Son of a Beach]

I don't have a current camera. Apart from phone cameras, my last camera was an analogue Canon EOS model. That was a very long time ago.

What sort of resolution does the GoPro get for stills? I should look it up, I suppose.

[doogs]

SBS would be good to ask, I am pretty sure he took one into the WArthurs.

[stepbystep]

The GoPro I use does 5MP stills and they not particularly great. You also need an underwater housing to make them waterproof. They also have no viewfinder(you can but an LCD back) and no zooming options.

It would however be fantastic with a head mount taking video

[Strider]

I went with the Pentax WG-1.

Good all-rounder for $299. Build quality is excellent, with locking battery/connection doors. Struggles a bit with low light shots, but I might just not be using the modes correctly, and most of my shots are during daylight hours anyway. Underwater shots are superb. A better camera could be had for more money (Lumix FT3 would be the pick IMO), but this one satisfied my criteria for the price point. Specs below:



Pentax Optio WG1 camera features
• Waterproof to 33 feet, perfect for use when submerged
• Shockproof, ruggedized design protects from drops up to 5 feet
• Crushproof construction withstands weights up to 220 pounds / 100 KGF
• Coldproof to sub-freezing temps of minus 10 degrees C (14 degrees F)
• Dustproof protection for dry, dusty environments
• Wide angle 5X internal optical zoom lens (28-140mm equivalent)
• Large 2.7 inch LCD features a wide angle 16:9 aspect ratio with anti-reflective coating
• Video capture in widescreen 720p HD at 30 frames per second
• Pixel Track and Digital Shake Reduction ensure sharp, blur-free images
• An autofocus assist lamp helps to quickly and accurately focus, even in challenging lighting

[Son of a Beach]

We've already got one guy on the trip with a small waterproof video camera duct-taped to his helmet (I'm yet to see the videos of our practice run last weekend though).

That Pentax looks good, and probably good value for money, but unfortunately, I'm really scraping the bottom of the barrel, and it it still out of my price range.

[Son of a Beach]

Does this seem reasonable: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/12MP-underwa ... 4cfb1687c1 ?

It sure is cheap, and apparently is waterproof enough for my needs. It's certainly not a top-quality camera, but appears to be reasonable value for money, and suitable for my purposes.

(note that it's really 5MP on the sensor - the 12MP is some sort of interpolation it does, which doesn't sound like to works very well)

[ollster]

Could you maybe buy a cheap/secondhand camera and fit a waterproof case?

[Strider]

That Pentax looks good, and probably good value for money, but unfortunately, I'm really scraping the bottom of the barrel, and it it still out of my price range.

I would then be looking at the Fujifilm XP10. Not as rugged as you might prefer, but its waterproof and [according to reviews] takes good shots for an entry-level camera. Usually around the $179 price point.

[Son of a Beach]

The Fuji also sounds like a good option, but it is still out of my price range. When I say cheap, I mean REALLY cheap.

So I guess it probably will have to be either second-hand, as Ollster suggested, or a real cheapie on eBay, like the one I linked to (also available in blue and purple, I since discovered - although the yellow would be easier to spot if I misplace it).

[ollster]

The Fuji also sounds like a good option, but it is still out of my price range. When I say cheap, I mean REALLY cheap.

So I guess it probably will have to be either second-hand, as Ollster suggested, or a real cheapie on eBay, like the one I linked to (also available in blue and purple, I since discovered - although the yellow would be easier to spot if I misplace it).

Maybe in Marketplace? "Wanted to buy..."

[Son of a Beach]

Well I rushed in, bit the bullet, and bought the one I found on eBay (the blue variant: http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll ... OC:AU:1123 ).

In the end I decided that $65 for a brand new 5MP waterproof camera was too hard to pass up, and I had to make my mind up fast if I was to give it any chance of arriving here from Hong Kong in time before I go off on my rafting trip.

If I remember, I'll write up a review of the camera after the trip (assuming it arrives in time, and is actually worth reviewing).

[walkinTas]

Strap it to your chest. If you fall out, remember to get some shots while your floating on your back down the rapids.

[Son of a Beach]

Yes, it will definitely be attached to my PFD, right next to the emergency knife (I hope I don't grab the wrong one and stab myself in the eye).

[Strider]

Yes, it will definitely be attached to my PFD, right next to the emergency knife (I hope I don't grab the wrong one and stab myself in the eye).

I wouldn't recommend taking a sharp pointed knife anywhere near an inflatable raft, for obvious reasons. A proper safety knife with a rounded tip would be more suitable.

Not to mention, anything with Bear Grylls name on it really isn't worth touching.

[Son of a Beach]

I dont care if it's endorsed by Bear Grylls or not. I got it because it was Gerber. Just kidding. I got it because it was dirt cheap, weighed next to nothing, and has a protected tip.

It won't be coming out of its protection while near the raft except in an entanglement drowning emergency, in which case I wouldn't care less if the raft got punctured.

The real problem with this knife, is: Can I extract and unfold it while underwater and tangled in ropes or straps?

I think so, but haven't tried it under quite those circumstances yet.