Compact Digital Camera

[clules]

I am looking to buy a compact digital camera to use on vacation. I want something that is basic, waterproof and rugged. Henry's has the Fuji XP100 for $249.99. http://www.henrys.com/68787-FUJIFILM-XP100-SILVER-14MP-5X-2-7-HENRYS.aspx

Is this a good camera. Recommendations will be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[TeasePlease]

Panasonic TS4 - hands down.

http://www.henrys.com/68624-PANASONIC-DMCTS4D-ORANGE-12-1MP-4-6X-WATERPROOF.aspx

Rugged, solid picture quality and easy to use.

I've found the fuji picture quality to be a bit oversaturated. The cameras also don't seem to be as robust.

Olympus Tough is, well....tough. But the pictures suck ass. The touchscreen display is also not very reliable.

I haven't tried the Nikon. The Canon stuff seems to be more like toys.

I've got 6 current digicams, ranging from the TS4 to a Nikon D7000. The TS4 is the one I use most.

 

[blackrock13]

Panasonic TS4 - hands down.

http://www.henrys.com/68624-PANASONIC-DMCTS4D-ORANGE-12-1MP-4-6X-WATERPROOF.aspx

Rugged, solid picture quality and easy to use.

I've found the fuji picture quality to be a bit oversaturated. The cameras also don't seem to be as robust.

Olympus Tough is, well....tough. But the pictures suck ass. The touchscreen display is also not very reliable.

I haven't tried the Nikon. The Canon stuff seems to be more like toys.

I've got 6 current digicams, ranging from the TS4 to a Nikon D7000. The TS4 is the one I use most.

Aside from no eyes piece fully agree. Camera just having screens can be difficut to use in strong light.

 

[JackBurton]

I give you that the earlier olympus cameras had their draw backs but hey, they were the first company to start doing things for underwater cameras that no one else had ever done.

I picked up this new one: http://www.olympuscanada.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1621 and the image quality is 2x as good as the previous generations. Plus I took the camera down to about 90' on a scuba dive and it didn't leak. The button stopped working after 50' because of the pressure squeeze on the case but hey, it didn't break!

It all comes down to how intuitive a camera feels to you. The easiest one to put in your pocket and go and use.

 

[TeasePlease]

Aside from no eyes piece fully agree. Camera just having screens can be difficut to use in strong light.

I don't know of any underwater consumer digicams with optical viewfinder. It's generally assumed to be moot for water use.

I agree about Olympus trailblazing. I had two of the previous gen Tough models (8000 and 8010). I used them in all sorts of unholy places and they performed well. It's just that once the Panny came out, I much prefer the Lumix picture quality.

 

[richaceg]

i saw a waterproof digicam (jVC) on sale for $99 at canada computers... if you want compact point n' shoot...olympus have a lot of good ones (waterproof)...i'm loving this EPL-1 w/ pancake lens (not waterproof) but it's kinda bit outdated now.

 

[blackrock13]

I don't know of any underwater consumer digicams with optical viewfinder. It's generally assumed to be moot for water use.

I agree about Olympus trailblazing. I had two of the previous gen Tough models (8000 and 8010). I used them in all sorts of unholy places and they performed well. It's just that once the Panny came out, I much prefer the Lumix picture quality.

If that's the main purpose for this camera the you're correct, but if not, then look elsewhere. I use a hard case for my point and shoot for underwater, but you can go cheap and just use an underwater bag case.

 

[TeasePlease]

The trend for consumer digicams has been moving away from optical viewfinders for at least 5 years. I have one on my P7000 and I rarely ever use it. BUT I do when I need to focus quickly.

How much was that hard case for your cam? I'll bet it was probably not much less (if not more) than an Olympus Tough or the Panny TS4!

 

[blackrock13]

The trend for consumer digicams has been moving away from optical viewfinders for at least 5 years. I have one on my P7000 and I rarely ever use it. BUT I do when I need to focus quickly.

How much was that hard case for your cam? I'll bet it was probably not much less (if not more) than an Olympus Tough or the Panny TS4!

The hard cases are expensive $300+, half the price of the camera, but it was used a great deal over 4 years. What you also get is protection against knocks and drops, something you don't get in a bag.

 

[The Saint]

I bought a Pentax WG-1 at Henry's last year great camera does stills, movies, 14mp HDMI, waterproof to 33ft (10m) shockproof,adventure proof, dust proof. I have taken both stills and underwater both fresh and salt no problems. I use it for work also.

my two cents...the Saint

 

[lurkerdick]

http://www.henrys.com/68999-CANON-POWERSHOT-D20-12-1MP-5X-3-OIS-WATERPROOF.aspx