Waterproof Cameras

[Stoneroller]

5mp is far more resolution than you will ever need. trust me it's not about the megapixels it's about the quality of the CCD that is taking the image. it might look bulky but it's quite small and with all the mounting options, the issue will be where 'else' you can find a cool spot to get images from instead of where can you put it so it's out of the way.

here is the video that sold me on the gopro. it's compared to a $4000 canon HD camera. http://gopro.com/hd-hero-shootout/

keep in mind, if they lens of the gopro's housing gets scratched, you just get another lens, not need to buy a whole new camera. they are coming out with a non fisheye lens for the housing too.

the one draw back to the gopro, you can't see your images until you d/l them from the card. no view screen or view finder but with the fish eye lens you really dont need one, it's truly point and shoot.

the big drawback i've seen to the other 'waterproof' cameras out there are they have no lens cover. what's the point of having a bang around camera if the lens can get scratched and it not be replacable.

not sure if you catch ronnie renner's or travis pastrana's new years eve stunts but they were filmed with gopro cameras. http://gopro.com/pov-angles-of-travis-pastranas-new-years-jump/

remember those chilean miners? http://gopro.com/gopro-shows-view-from-inside-tunnel-of-chilean-mine-2/

[ollie]

Not to mention Stoneroller that National Geogrphic, Discovery channel, and HBO have even used these things for production.

[wily]

kodak playsport is good and cheap -- i bought ours while on vacation in florida...i didn't want to ruin my other in salt water.

playsport shoots video, and 5mp pictures. video quality is plenty good for you tube/etc

it's about the size of a candybar phone

[Bman]

That Gopro looks like something really cool to strap onto my River Pro jet boat while I'm running skinny water! Or strap on my head when I'm skiing Summit Co. Colorado! Thanks for the info guyz!

When it comes to an easy to use small compact camera to stuff in my fly vest, I will stay with the Pentax Optio W's.

[tjulianc]

Tell me if I'm wrong about this, but a camera designed for photos won't be so great at video, and a camera designed for videos won't be so great at photos. So either you need two cameras, or chose which is most important, photos or videos. The GoPro looks excellent for video, shooting 720p 60 frames per second is amazing for the price. I also am in need of a good waterproof camera, so its good to hear all the good input for Pentax. That is something I will look into getting. Anybody have any experience with the Fuji WP cameras?

[flytyer57]

Tell me if I'm wrong about this, but a camera designed for photos won't be so great at video, and a camera designed for videos won't be so great at photos. So either you need two cameras, or chose which is most important, photos or videos. The GoPro looks excellent for video, shooting 720p 60 frames per second is amazing for the price. I also am in need of a good waterproof camera, so its good to hear all the good input for Pentax. That is something I will look into getting. Anybody have any experience with the Fuji WP cameras?

When I bought my first digital (Olympus) about 10 years ago, I also looked at the Fuji camera that was comparable. It just seemed too cheaply made so now I won't even look at a Fuji.

I have also been looking for a "waterproof" camera and I am leaning toward the Pentax Optio w90. 14MP and HD video.

[eric1978]

Not to mention Stoneroller that National Geogrphic, Discovery channel, and HBO have even used these things for production.

Hey GoPro guys, how crappy are the stills? Got any pics from one that you can throw up here? Obviously the video is killer. If they'd just add a couple features to the GoPro, like zoom and a screen so you could view what you've recorded, it'd be perfect.

[Stoneroller]

gopro is working on a piggyback view screen. the zoom, i agree would be nice, but i can also say i've missed many shots while jacking around with the zoom. the stills are awesome, there are a bunch on gopro's website. unless you are going to make posters or wall murals, 5mp is more than enough resolution. check your pm too.

[Tim Smith]

I've been using the Olympus Tough series for stills for about 3 years in the field. It has the advantage of being both water proof (to 30 feet) and shock proof. I don't even use a neoprene case for it and it's fine. Literally just stick it in a jeans pocket and go. It's almost as reflexive as carrying a wallet. There is a metal retractable lens cover and the housing is palm sized. Had it everywhere and every place and it has stood up to some serious beatings.

They have upgraded picture quality in the later versions. Battery life is pretty good and the macro function is stunning (I can photograph individual threads in fabric with it and I've used it in place of a microscope before) but the wide angle shots are a bit too wide and detail tends to get lost. The movies aren't great. Much better as a pocket still camera.

[eric1978]

Thanks for all the advice fellas. Pretty sure I'm headed in the GoPro direction. I'll throw up some videos as soon as I have some footage, a little later in the year.