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If you are looking for the film comparison table,
here it is.
Contents
People often ask what is the “best” waterproof camera.
In early 2012, the answer is more clearcut than for about a decade,
when Pentax was king of waterproof cameras.
If you wanted an easy-to-use waterproof camera,
the Panasonic TS4 or Nikon AW100 are best.
If you are willing to install chdk firmware and take control
of your camera, the Canon D10 can produce better results in the field.
In June 2012 Olympus will introduce the TG-1 iHS,
a camera with specifications that seem to make it
the new king of waterproof compact cameras.
If you can wait until TG1 reviews are in,
it might be best to postpone a purchasing decision.
Preview here.
The old Nikonos was a classic waterproof film camera.
After years of not participating in the waterproof market,
Nikon introduces the AW100 in late 2011.
Its GPS-operated map database is superior to a typical dedicated GPS unit!
Image quality seems slightly higher than the Panasonic TS3 or TS4,
except underwater,
although both are below the level of a top-end compact camera.
The AW100 has in-camera panorama stitching, like the TS4,
and can record stereo audio, unlike the TS4.
In early 2012 Panasonic replaced the TS3 with the TS4,
which is basically the same camera with useful panorama mode.
The TS3 won the DPreview waterproof shoot-out convincingly.
It has very good image quality, especially with a dry lens,
and is more waterproof than early Panasonic TS models.
The only significant drawback is monoaural sound for video.
The TS2 went overboard, so to speak, with too-high pixel density,
and image quality suffered at 14 megapixels.
The GPS-enabled TS3 and TS4 return to 12 megapixels. Here is the
dpreview.com review page for it.
The Canon D10 is great for underwater work, and fine topside as well.
Its optical stabilizer is effective, so picture quality is good overall.
A big advantage of the D10 is that you can install chdk software
on the first partition of your memory card,
allowing RAW mode (not ultra useful) and manual override (very useful).
In particular, you can set Custom Auto ISO (ISO Hi) to 400 or below,
then set fast shutter speed at 1/500 or 1/250 to capture whitewater action
while in your boat. This works because the D10 produces fairly good results
up to ISO 400, above which quality worsens significantly.
Here is the
Imaging-Resource
review of it.
In early 2012 Canon announced the D20, but it looks like a downgrade.
Although Pentax has fallen behind in low-light image quality and stabilization,
their models remain a solid choice for features and flexibility.
The W90 and similar WG models have good image quality in bright light,
and are some of the fastest P&S cameras from shutter press to photograph.
However image stabilization is software-based, and not as effective
as cameras with optical anti-shake.
Imaging-Resource
has a complete review. The W90 has been replaced by the WG1,
with available GPS, and reviews indicate the WG1 performs almost the same.
Pentax has a warmer (redder) color balance than Panasonic (bluer).
In 2010 Sony released the TX5,
which produces above-average image quality in low light. Here is the
Imaging-Resource
review of it. The TX10, with a whopping 16 megapixels,
replaced the old model in 2011. It was second-rated in the
dpreview.com shoot-out.
Although it has good image quality, especially at high ISO,
its touchscreen-only interface does not work when wet,
so it seems pointless for whitewater use.
In 2012 Sony released the TX200V, which has unusually fast autofocus,
but probably a similar dry-only touchscreen interface.
The Fuji XP20 (and similar XP30 with GPS) are low priced,
very easy to use, and produce respectable results.
Unlike the earlier Z33WP and XP10, they offer optical stabilization.
Fuji XP models might be the best choice for price-sensitive shoppers.
In early 2012, the XP20 and XP30 were superseded by the XP100 and XP150.
The Olympus Tough cameras are shock resistant and waterproof to great depths.
However results are inconsistent – sometimes good, sometimes not –
and unfortunately which result you get seems somewhat unpredictable.
Kayakers report that they are not as durable as the brand name indicates.
Newer Olympus models use SD(HC) instead of xD cards, which is a good thing.
I have seen great results from many waterproof cameras,
although sometimes pictures get ruined by droplets of water on the lens cover.
This can be mitigated by use of Cat Crap (actual product name)
to prevent accumulation of water droplets.
If you have a waterproof Pelican box and shoot from a boat or on shore,
you would probably be happy with any of the listed non-waterproof cameras below.
For a good collection of digital camera reviews
including database search with useful feature queries, see the
Digital Camera Resource website.
| Panasonic TS4 (FT4) |
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Nikon AW100 |
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Cameras are in alphabetical order within categories.
Waterproof Digital Cameras
sensor pixels zoom/aperture shutter Mem IS? HD? LCD wgt. cost
sensor pixels zoom/aperture shutter Mem IS? HD? LCD wgt. cost
Agfa DC600uw ? CCD 3680x2760 36.5/3.2 1/1000-8s SDHC no no 2.4" 131g $150
Canon D10 1/2.3"CCD 4000x3000 35-105/2.8-4.9 1/1500-15s SDHC yes no 2.5" 190g $280
Canon D20 new 1/2.3"CCD 4000x3000 28-140/3.9-4.8 1/1500-15s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 205g $349
Casio EX-G1 1/2.3"CCD 4000x3000 38-114/3.9-5.4 1/1250-4s uSD no yes 2.7" 124g $165
Fuji XP50 new 1/2.3"CCD 4320x3240 28-140/3.9-4.9 1/2000-4s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 175g $249
Fuji XP100 new 1/2.3"CCD 4320x3240 28-140/3.9-4.9 1/2000-4s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 200g $349
Fuji XP150 GPS 1/2.3"CCD 4320x3240 28-140/3.9-4.9 1/2000-4s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 205g $399
Fuji XP20 1/2.3"CCD 4320x3200 28-140/3.9-4.9 1/2000-.3s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 148g $199
Fuji XP30 GPS 1/2.3"CCD 4320x3200 28-140/3.9-4.9 1/2000-.3s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 148g $219
Fuji XP10 old 1/2.3"CCD 4000x3400 36-180/4.0-4.8 1/2000-.3s SDHC dig yes 2.7" 135g $99
Fuji Z33WP old 1/2.3"CCD 3648x2736 35-105/3.7-4.2 1/2000-8s SDHC dig no 2.7" 110g $89
Fuji DS-260HD old 1/2" CCD 1280x1024 35-105/3.8-11 1/1000-1s SmrtMd no no ? 648g $250
Kodak C123 1/2.3"CCD 4000x3000 35mm f/3.0 1/1400-8s SDHC no no 2.4" 174g $68
Kodak DC5000 small CCD 1760x1168 30-60/3.0-7.6 1/755-1/2s CF no no 1.8" 454g $30
Nikon AW100 new 1/2.3"CMOS 4608x3456 28-140/3.9-4.8 1/1500-1s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 178g $299
Olympus TG1 GPS 1/2.3biCMOS 3968x2976 25-100/2.0-4.9 1/2000-4s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 221g $399
Olympus TG-810 GPS 1/2.3"CCD 4288x3217 28-140/3.9-5.9 1/2000-.3s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 215g $296
Olympus TG-610 1/2.3"CCD 4288x3217 28-140/3.9-5.9 1/2000-.3s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 190g $219
Olympus TG-320 1/2.3"CCD 4288x3217 28-102/3.5-5.1 1/2000-.3s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 155g $179
Olympus Tough8000 1/2.33"CCD 3968x2976 28-102/3.5-5.1 1/2000-.3s xD,uSD yes no 2.7" 179g $400
Olympus Tough8010 1/2.33"CCD 4288x3216 28-140/3.9-5.9 1/2000-.3s xD,uSD yes yes 2.7" 182g $400
Olympus Tough6000 1/2.3"CCD 3648x2736 28-102/3.5-5.1 1/2000-.3s xD,uSD yes no 2.7" 179g $300
Olympus Tough6020 1/2.3"CCD 4288x3216 28-140/3.9-5.9 1/2000-.3s xD,uSD yes yes 2.7" 182g $300
Olympus Tough3000 1/2.3"CCD 3968x2976 28-102/3.5-5.1 1/2000-4s xD,uSD yes yes 2.7" 159g $230
Olympus 550WP 1/2.33"CCD 3648x2736 38-114/3.5-5.0 1/1000-4s xD,uSD dig no 2.5" 167g $150
Olympus 1030SW old 1/2.33"CCD 3648x2736 28-102/3.5-5.1 1/2000-.5s xD,uSD no no 2.7" 203g $277
Olympus 1050SW old 1/2.33"CCD 3648x2736 38-114/3.5-5.0 1/1000-1s xD,uSD no no 2.7" 152g $267
Olympus 850SW old 1/2.35"CCD 3264x2448 38-114/3.5-5.0 1/1000-1s xD no no 2.5" 176g $234
Olympus 790SW old 1/2.3"CCD 3072x2304 38-114/3.5-5.0 1/2000-4s xD no no 2.5" 155g $205
Olympus 770SW old 1/2.3"CCD 3072x2304 38-114/3.5-5.0 1/2000-4s xD no no 2.5" 195g $370
Olympus 720SW old 1/2.3"CCD 3072x2304 38-114/3.5-5.0 1/1000-4s xD no no 2.5" 190g $280
Panasonic TS4 new 1/2.33"CCD 4000x3000 28-128/3.3-5.9 1/1300-60s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 197g $399
Panasonic TS3/FT3 1/2.33"CCD 4000x3000 28-128/3.3-5.9 1/1300-60s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 188g $379
Panasonic TS2/FT2 1/2.33"CCD 4320x3240 28-128/3.3-5.9 1/1300-60s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 188g $239
Panasonic TS1/FT1 1/2.33"CCD 4000x3000 28-128/3.3-5.9 1/3000-60s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 189g $159
Pentax WG2 GPS 1/2.3"CCD 4608x3456 28-140/3.5-5.5 1/1500-4s SDHC dig yes 3.0" 173g $313
Pentax WG1 GPS 1/2.3"CCD 4288x3216 28-140/3.5-5.5 1/1500-4s SDHC dig yes 2.7" 142g $299
Pentax W90 old 1/2.3"CCD 4000x3000 28-140/3.5-5.5 1/1500-4s SDHC dig yes 2.7" 144g $269
Pentax W80 old 1/2.3"CCD 4000x3000 28-140/3.5-5.5 1/1000-4s SDHC dig yes 2.5" 136g $249
Pentax W60 old 1/2.3"CCD 3647x2736 28-140/3.5-5.5 1/1500-4s SDHC no yes 2.5" 165g $229
Pentax W30 old 1/2.5"CCD 3072x2304 38-114/3.3-4.0 1/2000-4s SDHC no no 2.5" 155g $209
Pentax W20 old 1/2.5"CCD 3072x2304 38-114/3.3-4.0 1/2000-4s SD no no 2.5" 150g $135
Pentax W10 old 1/2.5"CCD 2816x2112 38-114/3.3-4.0 1/2000-4s SD no no 2.5" 140g $85
Pentax WPi old 1/2.5"CCD 2816x2112 38-114/3.3-4.0 1/2000-4s SD no no 2.0" 135g $75
Pentax WP old 1/2.5"CCD 2560x1920 38-114/3.3-4.0 1/2000-1s SD no no 2.0" 120g $65
Pentax 43WR old 1/2.7"CCD 2288x1712 37-104/2.8-3.9 1/2000-2s SD no no 1.6" 160g $55
Pentax 33WR old 1/2.7"CCD 2048x1536 37-104/2.8-3.9 1/2000-4s SD no no 1.6" 160g $45
Samsung AQ100 new 1/2.3i3"CCD 4000x3000 35-175/3.6-4.8 1/1200-8s SDHC no yes 2.7" 121g $182
Sony TX200V new 1/2.3"CMOS 4896x3672 26-130/3.5-4.8 1/1600-2s uSD,MS yes yes 3.3" 129g $499
Sony TX10 1/2.3"CMOS 4608x3456 25-100/3.5-6.3 1/1600-2s SDHC,MS yes yes 3.0" 118g $329
Sony TX5 old 1/2.3"CMOS 3648x2736 25-100/3.5-6.3 1/1600-2s SDHC,MS yes yes 3.0" 148g $264
Sony DSC-U60 small CCD 1632x1224 33mm f/2.8 1/2000-.2s MemSt no no 1.0" 191g $10
Other Good Digital Cameras
If you already have a digital camera, you might be able to buy a waterproof case for it,
but the cost of these cases (perhaps due to insurance) is almost as much as the cost of a waterproof camera.
I carry my camera in an airtight Pelican box, and often stand on dry land to take a picture.
Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, and Sony
make digital cameras with interchangeable lenses, often usable on 35mm film cameras.
Choosing between these brands involves a major commitment,
because most brands are incompatible with each other.
sensor pixels zoom/aperture shutter Mem IS? HD? LCD wgt. cost
Canon G12 1/1.7"CCD 3648x2736 28-140/2.8-4.5 1/4000-15s SDHC yes yes 2.8" 375g $499
Canon G1x 5/3"CMOS 4352x3264 28-112/2.8-5.8 1/4000-60s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 534g $799
Canon S95 1/1.7"CCD 3648x2736 28-105/2.0-4.9 1/1600-15s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 175g $399
Canon S100 new 1/1.7"CMOS 4000x3000 24-120/2.0-5.9 1/2000-15s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 198g $429
Fuji F550EXR GPS 1/2"CMOS 4608x3464 24-360/3.5-5.3 1/2000-8s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 215g $350
Fuji F200EXR old 1/1.6"CCD 4000x3000 28-140/3.3-5.1 1/1500-8s SDHC,xD yes no 3.0" 175g $290
Kodak Z1012 (AA) 1/2.33"CCD 3648x2736 33-396/2.8-4.8 1/3200-.3s SD yes yes 2.5" 375g $250
Nikon P7100 1/1.72"CCD 3648x2736 28-200/2.8-5.6 1/4000-30s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 395g $449
Olympus EPL2 4/3 4/3"liveMOS 4032x3024 28-84/3.5-5.6 1/4000-60s SDHC yes yes 2.7" 485g $499
Panasonic GF1 4/3 4/3"liveMOS 4000x3000 28-90/3.5-5.6 1/4000-60s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 580g $643
Panasonic LX5 1/1.63"CCD 3648x2736 24-90/2.0-3.3 1/4000-60s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 271g $499
Panasonic TZ10 GPS 1/2.33"CCD 4000x3000 25-300/3.3-4.9 1/2000-60s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 206g $400
Ricoh CX3 HDR 1/2.3"CMOS 3648x2736 28-200/3.3-5.2 1/2000-8s SDHC yes yes 3.0" 180g $399
Samsung TL500/EX1 1/1.7"CCD 3648x2736 24-72/1.8-2.4 1/5600-15s SDHC yes no 3.0"! 330g $429
" HZ35/WB650 GPS 1/2.3"CCD 4000x3000 24-360/2.8-5.8 1/2000-16s SDHC yes yes 3.0"! 245g $350
Sony HX9V GPS 1/2.4"CMOS 4608x3456 24-384/3.3-5.9 1/1600-30s SDHC,MS yes yes 3.0" 245g $350
Water-Resistant Film Cameras
For whitewater photography with film,
the Pentax IQzoom WR-90 and its successors were very popular.
The Yashica T4 Super and Olympus Stylus Epic produced better results,
though without zoom capability.
The WR-90 and WR-105 can be submerged; the T4 Super cannot.
focalLength aperture(Min) shutterSpeed wgt. cost
Canon Sure Shot WP1 UW 32mm f/3.5 (16?) 1/250-2s 300g $135
Konica Mermaid UW 35mm f/3.5 (22?) 1/360-7s ±1½ 353g $180
Leica C3 zoom +box WR 28-80mm f/3.6-7.9 (?) 1/370-99s 270g $380
Minolta Weathermatic UW 35mm/50mm f/3.5/5.6 only 1/150-1/40 400g $210
Nikonos-V (MFW) UW 35mm+80mm S f/2.8 (22) 1/1000-1/30 700g $1015
Olympus Stylus Epic WR 35mm f/2.8 (11) 1/1000-4s 134g $100
Olympus Stylus Wide 80 WR 28-80mm f/4.5-8.4 (11) 1/500-2s 255g $180
Olympus Stylus Wide 100 WR 28-100mm f/4.6-11.9 (11) 1/500-2s 220g $200
Pentax IQzoom WR 90 WR! 38-90mm+M f/3.5-7.5 (8) 1/400-1/5 440g $200
Pentax IQzoom WR 105 WR! 38-105mm f/4.5-11.0 (11) 1/400-4s 360g $230
Ricoh RW-1 WR 34mm f/4.4 only 1/100-1/40 250g $ 85
Samsung AF 444 WR WR 35mm f/4.5 only 1/125 210g $ 70
Vivitar A35 Splash WR 35mm f/4.5 only 1/125 210g $ 60
Yashica T4 Super WR 35mm f/3.5 (15.5) 1/700-1s 200g $150
Yashica T4*Zoom nonWR 28-70mm f/4.5-8 (16?) 1/360-90s ±1½ 195g $199
Other Good Film Cameras
These film cameras produce generally superior results to the water-resistant film cameras.
focalLength aperture(Min) shutterSpeed wgt. cost
Bronica RF-645 mFmt 45/65/135mm f/4-f/4.5 (22) 1/750-8s ±2 810g $1799
Canon Sure Shot Z90W 28-90mm f/4.5-9.9 (15) 1/640-2s ±1½ 245g $135
Canon Sure Shot Classic 38-120mm f/4.5-10.9 (18) 1/770-2s ±1½ 250g $200
Canon Rebel2K 1.5fps SLR 28-105mm S f/3.5-4.5 (22) 1/2000-30s ±2 707g $480
Canon Elan 7e 3.5fps SLR 28-105mm S f/3.5-4.5 (22) 1/4000-30s ±3 947g $760
Contax T3 titanium 35mm AP f/2.8 (22?) 1/1200-3mn ±2 230g $699
Contax TVS 3 30-60mm AP f/3.7-6.7 (16) 1/1000-16s ±2 312g $1050
Contax N1 3.5fps SLR 24-85mm S f/3.5-4.5 (22) 1/8000-30s ±2 1435g $2498
Fuji DL Super Mini Zoom 28-56mm f/4.5-7.5 (?) 1/500-1s ±2 202g $239
Fuji Zoom Date (Silvi) F2.8 24-50mm f/2.8-5.6 (16) 1/350-1s ? 170g $208
Fuji Zoom Date 1000 28-100mm f/5.8-10.5 (?) 1/500-1s 175g $200
Fuji GA-645Zi mFmt P&S 55-90mm f/4.5-6.9 (22) 1/700-2s ±3 885g $1890
Hasselblad Xpan panorama 45mm f/4.0 (22) 1/1000-8s ±2 955g $1995
Konica Lexio 70 28-70mm f/3.4-7.9 (16) 1/500-1s +1½ 179g $150
Leica Z2X zoom 35-70mm f/4.0-7.6 (20) 1/300-1/4s +2 245g $300
Leica Minilux 40mm f/2.4 (22) 1/400-1s ±2 328g $700
Leica Minilux Zoom 35-70mm f/3.5-6.5 (22) 1/250-1s ±2 417g $850
Mamiya 645AFD mFmt SLR 55-110mm f/4.5 fixd (22) 1/4000-30s ±3 2600g $4648
Mamiya 6MF 6x6 mFmt RF 75mm f/3.5 (22) 1/500-4s +2 1150g $2796
Mamiya 7 6x7 mFmt RF 80mm f/4.0 (22) 1/500-4s +2 1210g $3278
Minolta Freedom Explorer 28-75mm f/3.5-8.9 (16) 1/500-4s 240g $145
Minolta Maxxum 5 3fps SLR 24-105mm S f/3.5-4.5 (22) 1/4000-30s ±3 730g $690
Nikon N80 2.5fps SLR 28-105mm S f/3.5-4.5 (22) 1/4000-30s ±3 991g $790
Olympus IS-50 ZLR 28-120mm f/4.9-6.8 (22) 1/2000-4s ±2 649g $280
Olympus IS-5(K) ZLR 28-140mm f/4.9-6.9 (22) 1/2000-4s ±2 649g $350
Olympus IS-3(K) 2fps ZLR 35-180mm f/4.5-5.6 (22) 1/2000-4s ±4 961g $450
Pentax 645N mFmt SLR 45-85mm S f/4.5 fixd (22) 1/1000-30s ±3 2150g $3550
Pentax 645N mFmt SLR 55-110mm S f/5.6 fixd (22) 1/1000-30s ±3 1782g $2395
Pentax Espio 24EW 24-105mm f/4.9-12.5 (16) 1/400-2s ±3 200g $240
Pentax IQzoom 928 28-90mm f/3.5-9.0 (9) 1/400-1/5 ±3 315g $200
Pentax ZX-5n 1.8fps SLR 24-90mm S f/3.5-4.5 (22) 1/2000-30s ±3 765g $860
Ricoh GR-1v 28mm AP f/2.8 (22) 1/500-2s ±2 178g $350
Rollei Giro 70 WA 28-70mm f/5.6-10 (22?) 1/250-1s y 200g $170
Rollei Prego 90 old 28-90mm f/3.6-9.8 (16?) 1/400-1/3s ±3 320g $170
Rollei Prego 30 30mm f/3.6 (22?) 1/500-1/3s 150g $150
Rollei AFM35 (Klasse) 38mm AP f/2.6 (16) 1/1000-1/2s +2 250g $299
Samsung Evoca 90W Neo 28-90mm f/4.5-11 (22?) 1/400-1s B 250g $150
AP aperture priority mode, includes exposure override
M macro lens setting
mFmt medium format: for 35mm zoom equivalent, multiply by .62
MFW manual focus and manual wind
±N provides plus or minus N stops exposure override
S system camera with interchangeable lenses
UW underwater camera suitable for diving
WR weather resistant or splashproof (! class V)
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