What camera is efficient both underwater and out of water? tough camera or housing?

Question by Bonnie Bullot: What camera is efficient both underwater and out of water? tough camera or housing?
I am looking to buy a camera for preferably under 650USD. I want to use it for snorkeling and shallow diving, but also have it to use as a regular camera that takes good photos-maybe with the option of manual exposure. Is it better to buy an underwater camera like Olympus Tough or Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT3, or to buy a decent camera and get underwater housing for it? What cameras would you suggest?


Best answer:

Answer by thankyoumaskedman
The waterproof cameras are usually outperformed photographically by non-waterproof cameras. Of the waterproof models, the Panasonic TS3/FT3 is probably one of the best. None have manual exposure.
A Canon S95 with an underwater housing should be better. You will need the optional weight set to counteract its buoyancy for diving. Without that the housing and camera have a net positive buoyancy (good for boaters), and you will be fighting that when diving. Also get some small silica gel packets to prevent fogging.

What do you think? Answer below!

Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 14MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Silver) Reviews

Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 14MP Digital Camera with 5x Wide Angle Zoom and 2.7 inch LCD (Silver)

• 14 megapixels (effective), 1/2.3 in. image sensor; 5x optical zoom plus 5x digital zoom
• 2.7 inch HyperCrystal TM III LCD display; One touch HD movie (720p); HDMI movie mode
• Waterproof; Shockproof; Freeze proof
• Sensor Shift and Dual Image Stabilization; AF Tracking; Creative Art Filters; Face Detection; Beauty Mode; Perfect Shot Preview
• 2GB internal memory; USB 2.0 high-speed; SD compatible (card not included)
• 14.0 megapixel CCD
• he Stylus Tough-8010 is engineered to thrive in any conditions
• A revolutionary system of waterproof seals and gaskets keeps water out so you can take pictures as deep as 33 feet underwater
• A simple, one-touch button allows you to record movies with amazing clarity in high-definition, right from your camera
• With a rugged body and reinforced LCD, the Stylus Tough-8000 withstands up to 220 pounds of pressure so your camera and images are protected

OLYMPUS 227660 14.0 Megapixel STYLUS TOUGH-8010 Digital Camera (Silver)

List Price: $ 379.00

Price: $ 229.99

Fujifilm FinePix XP100 Digital Camera (Green)

• 14MP CMOS
• High Quality Fujinon 5x Optical Zoom Lens
• 4-Proof Protection: Waterproof 33', Shockproof 6.5', Freezeproof 14, Dustproof
• Full HD Movies
• Extended Life Li-Ion Battery

Fujifilm FinePix XP100 Green

List Price: $ 229.95

Price: $ 229.95

Olympus TG-320 14MP Tough Series Camera with 3.6x Optical Zoom (Red)

Olympus TG-320 14MP Tough Series Camera with 3.6x Optical Zoom (Red)

• 2.7-inch LCD display
• 14 Megapixel
• Shockproof (5 Ft)
• Freeze proof (14 Deg)
• Waterproof (10Ft); Dustproof

Drop it, dunk it, splash it, freeze it… The TG-320 is built to keep up with your every move.

List Price: $ 159.99

Price: $ 121.44

More Products

New KAMERAR 11" Stainless Tough Friction Arm

New KAMERAR 11" Stainless Tough Friction Arm

• Features:
• Each side provides 1/4-20 male threaded stud with knurled textured locking discs
• Center Joint with thrust bearing locking knob
• Stainless Steel Ball Joints with Micro Textured Surface
• 14-Day Money Back Guarantee, 1 Year USA Limited Warranty

New 11" Tough Friction Arm

By Kamerar

The KAMERAR 'TOUGH' Friction Magic Arm was exclusively designed from the ground up. Every section of the 'Tough' Arms were improved over other existing arms on the market. The stainless steel accents and black anodized finish provide both a professional aesthetic and an extremely long lasting durable finish.

The three independent joints allow you to quickly change it's position with a single locking knob. Between the locking knob is a thrust bearing that assists to make locking easier, and stronger.

The middle joint uses specially patterned teeth that locks into place preventing slippage from even the heaviest loads. An o-ring prevents contaminants keeping the Kamerar 'Tough' Friction Arms working smoothly.

The ball joints are made from durable Stainless steel with a specially micro textured surface to increase grip rate by more than 36% above other similar products on the market.

The friction arm has two 1/4" male threads that can attach to many standard photo and video accessories including lights, portable audio recorders, wireless audio recievers, LCD monitors, and more.

The Kamerar 'Tough' Friction Arm comes with a female coupler to attach to another male thread. It is a perfect accessory to use with the Kamerar Tank Video Cage.


Features:

Each side provides 1/4-20 male threaded stud with knurled textured locking discs
Center Joint with thrust bearing locking knob
Stainless Steel Ball Joints with Micro Textured Surface

This listing Includes:
(1) 11" Kamerar Tough Friction Arm Only.

14-Day Money Back Guarantee, 1 Year USA Limited Warranty.

List Price: $ 34.99

Price: $ 34.99

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5D 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Orange) Reviews

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5D 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Orange)

• 16.1 Mega Pixel, 4.6x optical zoom, 9.3x Intelligent Zoom, Power O.I.S., Rugged Design, water-proof to 43 feet, shock-proof from 6.6 feet, freeze-proof to 14 degrees F, dust-proof, 100 Kilograms of force
• 3" LCD Screen, Intelligent Auto Mode, Venus Engine, GPS, Compass, Altimeter, Barometer
• 720p Motion JPEG Video, Sonic Speed Auto Focus, Creative Panorama Shot, 12 Effective Creative Control, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 16.1 Megapixel Compact Camera - Orange DMC-TS5D Digital Cameras

List Price: $ 399.99

Price: $ 398.00

Find More Products

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5A 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Blue)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5A 16.1 MP Tough Digital Camera with 9.3x Intelligent Zoom (Blue)

• 16.1 Mega Pixel, 4.6x optical zoom, 9.3x Intelligent Zoom, Power O.I.S., Rugged Design, water-proof to 43 feet, shock-proof from 6.6 feet, freeze-proof to 14 degrees F, dust-proof, 100 Kilograms of force
• 3" LCD Screen, Intelligent Auto Mode, Venus Engine, GPS, Compass, Altimeter, Barometer
• 720p Motion JPEG Video, Sonic Speed Auto Focus, Creative Panorama Shot, 12 Effective Creative Control, Wi-Fi, Near Field Communication (NFC)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS5 16.1 Megapixel Compact Camera - Blue DMC-TS5A Digital Cameras

List Price: $ 399.99

Price: $ 399.00

Olympus TG-610 Tough 14 MP Digital Camera , 5x Wide Optical Zoom (28mm), 3" 920K LCD (Black)

Olympus TG-610 Tough 14 MP Digital Camera , 5x Wide Optical Zoom (28mm), 3" 920K LCD (Black)

• 14 megapixels (effective), 1/2.3 inch image sensor; 5x optical zoom (28mm wide) plus 4x digital zoom
• 3.0 inch HyperCrystal III LCD monitor; CCD contrast detection; One touch 720p HD movie with HDMI
• Waterproof; Shockproof; Freeze proof
• Dual image stabilization; 3D Photos (even underwater); TruePic III+ image processing
• USB 2.0 High-Speed; SD/SDHC/SDXC compatible (card not included)
• Waterproof 16ft/ 5m
• 3.0 920K Hypercrystal LCD
• 5x Optical Zoom
• Freezeproof -10C/14F
• 720p HD Movie with HDMI

14 Megapixels, 5x Optical Zoom, 3.0 LCD, Waterproof to 5m/ 16ft, Shockproof 1.5m/ 5ft, Freezeproof -10C/14F, 720P HD Movie,

List Price: $ 249.00

Price: $ 169.99

Panasonic Lumix TS20 16.1 MP TOUGH Waterproof Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom (Orange)

Panasonic Lumix TS20 16.1 MP TOUGH Waterproof Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom (Orange)

• Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery Pack, 3.6VDC, 680mAh
• HD Video
• 2.7 Inch LCD Waterproof

This portable and durable digital camera not only delivers 16MP photos and in fluid 720p HD videos, but it can also offer ease when capturing far images thanks to its 4x optical zoom and 4x digital zoom. You can review all captured images on its 2.7” LCD monitor and on another monitor via USB 2.0. And with its durable design, you can use it anywhere as it is protected from shocks, dust, dirt, water, and cold temperatures. Capture everything using the Panasonic DMC-TS20D Lumix Digital Camera.

List Price: $ 179.00

Price: $ 180.00

Panasonic Lumix TS4 12.1 TOUGH Waterproof Digital Camera with 4.6x Optical Zoom (Orange)

Panasonic Lumix TS4 12.1 TOUGH Waterproof Digital Camera with 4.6x Optical Zoom (Orange)

• Waterproof
• Full 1920x1080p HD video
• 2.7" LCD
• Leica lens
• F3.3 - 5.9

The LUMIX DMC-TS4, the company’s top-of-the-line rugged digital camera with features such as a built-in GPS*1 system, compass, altimeter, barometer, plus outstanding toughness, including: waterproof*2 to approximately 40 feet (12 meters), shockproof*3 to approximately 6.6 feet (2 meters), freezeproof to temperatures as low as 14ºF, and dustproof*2. Beyond its rugged design, the LUMIX TS4 also excels in photo and video quality, offering the best of both worlds with a LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR lens with a 4.6x optical zoom (35mm equivalent: 28-128mm), a 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor and the advanced image processing LSI Venus Engine, and the ability to shoot 1,920 x 1,080 full-High Definition (HD) video in AVCHD and MP4 formats.What's in the box: Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS4 Digital Camera (Orange), Battery Charger, Battery Pack, AV Cable, USB Cable, Brush, Hand Strap, CD-ROM and 1-Year Panasonic USA Warranty.

List Price: $ 399.00

Price: $ 279.99

Rosco Cinegel Tough White Diffusion, 20 x 24 inches Sheet of Light Diffusing Material

Rosco Cinegel Tough White Diffusion, 20 x 24 inches Sheet of Light Diffusing Material

• Rosco Cinegel Tough White (216) Diffusion 3026 Gel Filter Sheet 20"x24"

A moderate diffuser with properties similar to tracing paper. Creates an even field of soft light with minimal color temperature shift. Tough, heat resistant base.With over 20 different materials, Rosco offers the broadest range of diffusion available. A wide variety of effects is possible, ranging from the slightest "feathering" of a beam edge, to the creation of a broad shadowless expanse. Except as noted, all materials are 48" x 25' (122 cm x 7.6 m), sheets 20" x 24" (50 cm x 61 cm).

List Price: $ 8.25

Price: $ 6.95

Olympus TG-320 14 MP Tough Series Camera with 3.6x Optical Zoom (Blue)

Olympus TG-320 14 MP Tough Series Camera with 3.6x Optical Zoom (Blue)

• 14 Megapixel
• Waterproof (10Ft)
• Shockproof (5 Ft)
• Freeze proof (14 Deg)
• Dustproof

Drop it, dunk it, splash it, freeze it… The TG-320 is built to keep up with your every move.

The TG320 comes with:

TG-320 Digital Camera

USB Cable & Charger (F-2AC)

Instruction Manual & Software CD

Audio/Video Cable

Wrist Strap

Lithium-Ion Battery

List Price: $ 159.99

Price: $ 116.49