Camera List with Weatherproof Models

If you are looking for the film comparison table, here it is.

Waterproof Digital Cameras
Other Good Digital Cameras
Water-Resistant Film Cameras
Other Good Film Cameras

News: Five new waterproof cameras were announced in February 2009. Canon, Olympus, and Panasonic all introduced models with image stabilization, sorely missing from this market until now. Pentax followed suit in June 2009. Now that these models have been reviewed and have appeared in stores, the choice between them is not clear-cut. Pentax models remain the top choice for features and flexibility. The Panasonic model has the best image quality by a small margin, but is least waterproof. The Canon model seems best for underwater work. 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.

The Olympus Tough 6000 and 8000 are shock resistant and waterproof to great depths. One downside is that they take xD memory cards, which are slow and expensive. If you buy one, I recommend use of the provided xD to micro-SD (μSD) adapter and μSD memory. The Pentax Optio W80 and W90 are slightly less expensive, and takes mainstream SD memory cards, but is not quite as tough as the high-end Olympus model. I have seen great results from previous Pentax models, although sometimes pictures get ruined by droplets of water on the lens cover. Pentax has been king of water-resistant cameras since introducing the WR-90 almost two decades ago, and only recently has their crown been threatened. Reviewers have praised the quality of underwater images from the Canon D10, and the Panasonic TS1 (same as the FT1) has even better image quality top-side.

For a good collection of digital camera reviews including database search with useful feature queries, see the Digital Camera Resource website.

Pentax W80		Olympus Tough 6000

Within categories, cameras are listed in alphabetical order. Prices as once quoted by B&H Photo or Adorama.

Waterproof Digital Cameras

                   sensor      pixels     zoom/aperture   shutterSpeed  Mem     IS?  HD?  LCD   wgt.  cost

Agfa DC600uw       ? CCD       3680x2760  36.5/3.2        1/1000-8sec   SD(HC)  no   no   2.4"  131g  $150
Canon D10          1/2.3"CCD   4000x3000  35-105/2.8-4.9  1/1500-15sec  SD(HC)  yes  no   2.5"  190g  $320
Casio EX-G1        1/2.3"CCD   4000x3000  38-114/3.9-5.4  1/1250-4sec   uSD     no   yes  2.7"  124g  $299
Fuji Z33WP         1/2.3"CCD   3648x2736  35-105/3.7-4.2  1/2000-8sec   SD(HC)  dig  no   2.7"  110g  $170
Fuji DS-260HD      1/2" CCD    1280x1024  35-105/3.8-11   1/1000-1sec   SmrtMd  no   no   ?     648g  $250
General G3WP       CCD?        4000x3000  38-152/3.5-5.2  ?             SD(HC)  no   no   2.7"  120g  $199
Kodak DC5000       small CCD   1760x1168  30-60/3.0-7.6   1/755-1/2sec  CF      no   no   1.8"  454g  $30
Olympus Tough8000  1/2.33"CCD  3968x2976  28-102/3.5-5.1  1/2000-.3sec  xD,uSD  yes  no   2.7"  179g  $400
Olympus Tough6000  1/2.3"CCD   3648x2736  28-102/3.5-5.1  1/2000-.3sec  xD,uSD  yes  no   2.7"  179g  $300
Olympus Tough3000  1/2.3"CCD   3968x2976  28-102/3.5-5.1  1/2000-.3sec? xD,uSD  yes  yes  2.7"  159g  $230
Olympus 550WP      1/2.33"CCD  3648x2736  38-114/3.5-5.0  ?             xd,uSD  dig  no   2.5"  127g  $200
Olympus 1030SW     1/2.33"CCD  3648x2736  28-102/3.5-5.1  1/2000-.5sec  xD,uSD  no   no   2.7"  203g  $277
Olympus 1050SW     1/2.33"CCD  3648x2736  38-114/3.5-5.0  1/1000-1sec   xD,uSD  no   no   2.7"  152g  $267
Olympus 850SW      1/2.35"CCD  3264x2448  38-114/3.5-5.0  1/1000-1sec   xD      no   no   2.5"  176g  $234
Olympus 790SW old  1/2.3"CCD   3072x2304  38-114/3.5-5.0  1/2000-4sec   xD      no   no   2.5"  155g  $205
Olympus 770SW old  1/2.3"CCD   3072x2304  38-114/3.5-5.0  1/2000-4sec   xD      no   no   2.5"  195g  $370
Olympus 720SW old  1/2.3"CCD   3072x2304  38-114/3.5-5.0  1/1000-4sec   xD      no   no   2.5"  190g  $280
Panasonic TS1/FT1  1/2.33"CCD  4000x3000  28-128/3.3-5.9  1/3000-8sec   SD(HC)  yes  yes  2.7"  163g  $379
Pentax W80         1/2.3"CCD   4000x3000  28-140/3.5-5.5  1/1000-4sec   SD(HC)  yes  yes  2.5"  136g  $299
Pentax W60         1/2.3"CCD   3647x2736  28-140/3.5-5.5  1/1500-4sec   SD(HC)  no   yes  2.5"  165g  $246
Pentax W30 old     1/2.5"CCD   3072x2304  38-114/3.3-4.0  1/2000-4sec   SD(HC)  no   no   2.5"  155g  $216
Pentax W20 old     1/2.5"CCD   3072x2304  38-114/3.3-4.0  1/2000-4sec   SD      no   no   2.5"  150g  $135
Pentax W10 old     1/2.5"CCD   2816x2112  38-114/3.3-4.0  1/2000-4sec   SD      no   no   2.5"  140g  $85
Pentax WPi old     1/2.5"CCD   2816x2112  38-114/3.3-4.0  1/2000-4sec   SD      no   no   2.0"  135g  $75
Pentax WP old      1/2.5"CCD   2560x1920  38-114/3.3-4.0  1/2000-1sec   SD      no   no   2.0"  120g  $65
Pentax 43WR old    1/2.7"CCD   2288x1712  37-104/2.8-3.9  1/2000-2sec   SD      no   no   1.6"  160g  $55
Pentax 33WR old    1/2.7"CCD   2048x1536  37-104/2.8-3.9  1/2000-4sec   SD      no   no   1.6"  160g  $45
Sony DSC-U60       small CCD   1632x1224  33mm f/2.8      1/2000-.2sec  MemSt   no   no   1.0"  191g  $10

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 Pentax W60. I carry my camera in a waterproof Pelican box, and usually stand on dry land to take a picture. Canon, Leica, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic, Pentax, Samsung, and Sony all make digital cameras with interchangeable lenses, often usable on 35mm film cameras. The choice between these brands is a major commitment, because most brands are incompatible with each other.

Other Good Digital Cameras

                   sensor      pixels     zoom/aperture   shutterSpeed  Mem       IS?  HD?  LCD   wgt.  cost  

Canon A590 (AA)    1/2.5"CCD   3264x2448  35-140/2.6-5.5  1/2000-15sec  SD(HC)    yes  no   2.5"  225g  $117
Canon G11          1/1.7"CCD   3648x2736  28-140/2.8-4.5  1/4000-15sec  SD(HC)    yes  no   2.8"  375g  $499
Canon S90          1/1.7"CCD   3648x2736  28-105/2.0-4.9  1/1600-15sec  SD(HC)    yes  no   3.0"  175g  $429
Canon SX10         1/2.3"CCD   3648x2736  28-560/2.8-5.7  1/3200-15sec  SD(HC)    yes  no   2.5"  600g  $370
Canon SX20 new     1/2.3"CCD   4000x3000  28-560/2.8-5.7  1/3200-15sec  SD(HC)    yes  yes  2.5"  600g  $400
Fuji F200EXR       1/1.6"CCD   4000x3000  28-140/3.3-5.1  1/1500-8sec   SD(HC),xD yes  no   3.0"  175g  $380
Fuji S200EXR       1/1.6"CCD   4000x3000  31-436/2.8-5.3  1/1500-8sec   SD(HC)    yes  no   2.7"  820g  $499
Kodak Z1012 (AA)   1/2.33"CCD  3648x2736  33-396/2.8-4.8  1/3200-.3sec  SD        yes  yes  2.5"  375g  $250
Panasonic FZ35     1/2.33"CCD  4000x3000  27-486/2.8-4.4  1/2000-60sec  SD(HC)    yes  yes  2.7"  397g  $390
Panasonic GF1      4/3"liveMOS 4000x3000  28-90/3.5-5.6   1/4000-60sec  SD(HC)    yes  yes  3.0"  285g  $899
Panasonic LX3      1/1.63"CCD  3648x2736  24-60/2.0-2.8   1/2000-60sec  SD(HC)    yes  yes  3.0"  256g  $409
Panasonic ZS3/TZ7  1/2.33"CCD  3648x2736  25-300/3.3-4.9  1/2000-60sec  SD(HC)    yes  yes  3.0"  206g  $399
Ricoh CX1 HDR      1/2.3"CMOS  3456x2592  28-200/3.3-5.2  1/2000-8sec   SD(HC)    yes  no   3.0"  180g  $370
Sony HX5 GPS new   1/2.4"CMOS  3648x2736  25-250/3.5-5.5  1/1600-2sec   SD(HC),MS yes  yes  3.0"  170g  $350
Nikon P6000 GPS    1/1.72"CCD  4224x3168  28-112/2.7-5.9  1/2000-30sec  SD(HC)    yes  no   2.7"  280g  $449

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.

Water-Resistant Film Cameras

                              focalLength  aperture(Min)  shutterSpeed   wgt.  cost

Canon Sure Shot WP1        UW  32mm        f/3.5 (16?)     1/250-2sec      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 (?)   1/370-99sec     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)      1/1000-4sec     134g  $100
Olympus Stylus Wide 80     WR  28-80mm     f/4.5-8.4 (11)  1/500-2sec      255g  $180
Olympus Stylus Wide 100    WR  28-100mm    f/4.6-11.9 (11) 1/500-2sec      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) 1/400-4sec      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)    1/700-1sec      200g  $150
Yashica T4*Zoom         nonWR  28-70mm     f/4.5-8 (16?)   1/360-120s ±1½  195g  $199

For an even-handed evaluation of the best compact film cameras, see John McCormack's Zoom Point & Shoot Comparison Table. There are links to discussions of non-zoom compacts. For helpful hints about using a compact camera, see John's Tips and Tricks For Better P&S Photography. It is well worth reading John's links to related information.

Other Good Film Cameras

                              focalLength  aperture(Min)  shutterSpeed   wgt.  cost

Bronica RF-645 mFmt            45/65/135mm f/4-f/4.5 (22)  1/750-8sec  ±2  810g $1799
Canon 5D 4368x2912 DSLR        24-105 f/4.0 S full-frame   1/8000-30s  ±2 1565g $3000
Canon 20D 3504x2336 DSLR       17-85 f/4.0-5.6 S crop 1.6x 1/8000-30s  ±2 1160g $2000
Canon 350D 3504x2336 DSLR      18-55 f/3.5-5.6 S crop 1.6x 1/4000-30s  ±2  675g $1000
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?)     1/1200-3min ±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 (?)   1/500-1sec  ±2  202g  $239
Fuji Zoom Date (Silvi) F2.8    24-50mm     f/2.8-5.6 (16)  1/350-1sec   ?  170g  $208
Fuji Zoom Date 1000            28-100mm    f/5.8-10.5 (?)  1/500-1sec      175g  $200
Fuji GA-645Zi mFmt P&S         55-90mm     f/4.5-6.9 (22)  1/700-2sec  ±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 5D 6.1Mp 3fps DSLR     18-70mm   S f/3.5-5.5 (22)  1/4000-30s  ±3  830g  $900
Minolta 7D 6.1Mp 3fps DSLR     24-105mm  S f/3.5-4.5 (22)  1/4000-30s  ±3 1155g $1200
Minolta Freedom Explorer       28-75mm     f/3.5-8.9 (16)  1/500-4sec      240g  $145
Minolta Maxxum 5 3fps SLR      24-105mm  S f/3.5-4.5 (22)  1/4000-30s  ±3  730g  $690
Nikon D70s 6.1Mp 3fps DSLR     24-120/3.5-5.6 S crop 1.5x  1/8000-30s  ±5 1170g $1489
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)  1/2000-4sec ±2  649g  $280
Olympus IS-5(K) ZLR            28-140mm    f/4.9-6.9 (22)  1/2000-4sec ±2  649g  $350
Olympus IS-3(K) 2fps ZLR       35-180mm    f/4.5-5.6 (22)  1/2000-4sec ±4  961g  $450
Pentax istDS 6.1Mp 2.8fps DSLR 16-45/4.0 S crop 1.54x      1/4000-30s  ±3  870g $1230
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) 1/400-2sec  ±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)      1/500-2sec  ±2  178g  $350
Rollei Giro 70 WA              28-70mm     f/5.6-10 (22?)  1/250-1sec  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?)  1/400-1sec 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)

Camera List with Weatherproof Models

Contents

Waterproof Digital Cameras

Other Good Digital Cameras

Water-Resistant Film Cameras

Other Good Film Cameras

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