The Best Waterproof Camera - Review

Waterproof cameras are designed to be used in rainy weather, capturing images and videos underwater or in humid conditions. Going for an outing during rainy season with an ordinary camera is a recipe for disaster. In such conditions, waterproof cameras come in handy. Buying the best waterproof camera requires research and comparative analysis of the different models that are available on the market. Here are some of the great underwater cameras.

Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 takes impressive photos from a 14 megapixel lens. More so, it is a go anywhere do anything model. It has a capability of up to 33ft waterproof and up to -100C freeze proof capacity. It records HD videos and is able to handle falls of up to 6.6 feet. It has a crush resistance of up to 220 pounds. These features are in addition to the standard functions available in other models from Olympus.

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2 has a shock proof of up to 6.6ft, waterproof resistance of up to 33ft, -100C freeze proof and also it is dust proof. It also has a 14 megapixel camera that comes with four modal selections that is beach, surf, snow and sports mode and it is further coupled with a 4.6x optical zoom.

The Pentax Optio W90 is deemed as the toughest waterproof camera. It is 20ft waterproof, shockproof of up to four feet as well as freeze proof and it's also dustproof. It comes with a 12. 1 megapixel camera that has 5x optical zoom. It also has the ability to record 720p HD clips at 30fps. It comes with a price tag of around $275.

Canon Power shot D10 is a 12megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom that take excellent snapshots. It is 33ft waterproof capability, -100C freeze proof and is able to handle falls of up to four feet. It has a rugged body besides the standard features available in other models from the manufacturer. The price of this camera ranges between $300 to $350.

Casio EXilim EX-G1 is a slim rugged compact camera that incorporates shock proof, freeze proof and dust proof features. It has the capacity to take pictures as deep as ten feet for one hour and it handle falls from up to seven feet and is able to withstand temperatures of as low as -100C.

Another best waterproof camera is the Fujifilm FinePix XP10 model that has protection from water, fall, dust and freezing temperatures. It is 3.3ft shockproof, -100C freeze proof with a metal body that is dust proof. It can take pictures as deep as three meters underwater.

Sony TX10 Review - What to Expect From This Waterproof Camera

It was initially announced for launching on March 2011 but was moved for one more month. Now that the Sony Cybershot DSC-TX10 is finally out in the market, it looks like buyers will face another hurdle as majority of TX10 camera colors have limited stocks left in online stores. Some say the Japan tsunami has affected the number of electronic products coming from the devastated country.

In this article, I will give you a review of the Cybershot TX10 camera so you can decide if you'd rather buy it now before stocks run out or just wait for the cameras Sony has yet to release.

Slim Form Factor

If you are familiar with a lot of Sony cameras, you might already know that the TX series models are known for their sleek and stylish form factor - one that you can easily slip in and out of your pocket for spur-of-the-moment shots. I personally prefer these types of cameras than heavy, bulky DSLRs.

Better Picture Quality

You'll be surprised with the picture quality too. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of a DSLR, Sony claims that the light sensitivity of their cameras this year has greatly improved, thanks to the Exmor-R technology that captures more light than conventional CMOS sensors. In other words, expect sharper images even on low light environments.

3D, HD Movie, Panoramic Shots, and a lot more features

Yes, you're reading it right. The Sony TX10 is capable of taking 3D pictures using only one lens. Just follow the on-screen instructions to help you take three-dimensional images. Obviously, you will need a 3D TV to better appreciate your shots.

You get to enjoy recording in full high definition videos too - and by full, I mean 1080i resolution. This is probably the most future-proof point-and-shoot camera today. The popular Sweep Panorama feature of Sony cameras is also included for easier capturing of panoramic shots.

For those who enjoy the outdoors, this camera is highly recommended as it is freezeproof, shockproof and waterproof. You can literally take it anywhere without having to worry about where you place it. While some older TX versions are also great for extreme outdoor use, the TX10 simply has better protection - up to 16 feet of waterproofing and it can survive falls from nearly 6 feet.

Pros and Cons

So far I've talked only about the features. But the more important question is, is it worth upgrading to TX10? User reviews have been generally mixed on this one.

On one hand, users reported a more snappy user interface and a more responsive touch screen. But on the other hand, some people expressed disappointment when they found out some missing features.

The Best Waterproof Video Cameras

Waterproof Video cameras or waterproof camcorders can help you capture all of life's fun and exciting moments in the water. Image being able take a video under water without your video camera being destroyed in the process, now that is amazing. There are a wide range of water proof cameras on the market today with brands like Sanyo Xacti, and many more. Finding the underwater camcorder that is right for you can be a little difficult if you do not know what to look for. So what you should look for before buying a waterproof camcorder? Well I will give you a list of things you should pay attention to before you buy any type of waterproof video camera.

Camcorder resolution: you should find out what type of resolution your Waterproof camcorder has weather Standard Definition (SD) or High Definition. For a better quality video a camcorder that captures HD video is the better choice.

Optical Zoom: a camcorder with more optical zoom (30x optical zoom ) takes a better quality video from farther away than a camcorder with less optical zoom (10x optical zoom) just to give you an example.

Waterproof depth: How deep your waterproof camcorder can go. You should always check this before you purchase your camcorder to see if the depth on it suites the activities you want to do with it.

Media Type/storage: This is the type of storage of video on your water proof camcorder. Here are the main types MiniDV Tape this is the old fashion way of storing video data. The quality is pretty good but it takes a while to transfer it from the tape to your computer. Hard Drive Storage this type can record many hours of video footage and you do not have to worry about changing tape, memory card or DVD when the drive is full. The drive can be erased and reused easily but the disadvantage is this type of storage makes the waterproof camcorder a little heavier and more sensitive to shock but this is still a great type. Flash Memory is the type of the future. This type is cheaper (more storage (GB) for your money), uses less power than the other types, it is small and takes less space. It is also good for taking pictures.

Battery life: the length of time your camcorder will work without having to be recharge. You do not want a camcorder that dies regularly in the middle of capturing great, once in a life time film.

Simplicity: You also do not want a camcorder that is complicated to operate. You want to be able to capture all your important shots in an instant. You do not want to be fiddling around to find the right settings and when you finally got them your shot is gone.

Image stabilization/ still images: This helps you to take better video when your Waterproof Video Camera is moving around. These eliminate some of the movement caused by your hands, body and the environment you are in (the waves in the ocean or by the wind).

Waterproof Digital Camera Canon D10 Honest Review

Hearing so many great information about Canon D10, I was immediately convinced to purchase one for me. I normally go mountain climbing on weekends and need a reliable camera that would stand on changing weathers that is common on mountains. When I read on one of the reviews that it can take crisp photos on different weathers, I did not hesitate to get one. Looking at its photos online, the Canon D10 looks handy enough for any adventure and the price is ideal for a good quality camera from Canon.

As a Canon user, I'm pretty satisfied with its quality. After deciding to get a D10 for me, I immediately rushed to a local store near my place and bought one. It even comes with many accessories like the shoulder, neck and carabineer straps. I was also really happy that Canon D10 has a waterproof feature. After purchasing, I can't wait to try it. So when I got home, I came rush to unboxed it and was impressed of its sporty form. I say it is sporty because true to one of the Canon Powershot D10 review that I have read, it is bulky to be called as fashionable.

To prove the quality of this digital camera, I can't wait till weekends. The Canon Powershot D10 review that I have read is true. I got crisp and bright photos with less noise even on higher ISO just like any other Canon camera does. When you are a user of Canon camera, the features are in tacked in this model plus the shock proof and waterproof feature. Now that I have the Canon Powershot D10, I will never have to get worried of the mountains changing weather and will again worried if I drop my camera due to a mountain's uneven grounds. The lens can be uncovered but it has a scratchproof glass shield, so the missing lens cap is no big deal.

I also tried to take photos underwater and it really works. At first, I was skeptical, afraid of it being ruined by the water, but finally I was brave enough to try it. The pictures are bright despite of it being taken underwater, and the colors are very realistic.

When you are just new in using a Canon camera, you will not be having a hard time taking beautiful photos with its numerous scene modes that you can easily set to take photos for the right scene. These scene modes include night exposure, panorama, programmable mode, portrait, sunset, beach, fireworks, aquarium, underwater, snow, indoor, kids and pets, foliage, long shutter, color accent, and color swap. The auto mode is also present wherein the camera will automatically detect your current condition. Canon digital camera also has a feature that will allow you to take photos just an inch or two from the subject and still look perfectly fine.. Overall, I love my new Canon Powershot D10 Compact Digital Camera.

Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 12MP Digital Camera Review (Waterproof)

Design: The Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 combines the durability of a tough metal body along with a shock-absorbing system to survive almost anything. Weighing in at 7.1 ounces and measuring 3.7 x 2.4 x 0.9 inches the camera fits into a large pocket. Coming in silver, blue and black the camera's body is entirely metal and grips well in a pair of gloves. Featuring Olympus's Tap Control the camera uses a 2.7-inch LCD and also has an LED light for darker situations.

Specifications: Featuring a 12 Megapixel resolution and a 3.6x optical zoom, the Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 can handle drops of up to 6.6 feet, is crush-proof by weights of up to 220 pounds, withstand temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit and is waterproof down to 33 feet. The lens offers f3.5-5.1 aperture and a focal length of 28-102mm (35mm equivalent) taking still images at 3968x2976 pixels and 640x480 at 30fps for video. The camera uses xD memory cards with an adapter for microSD and microSDHC cards.

Features & Performance: The Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 offers most of the basics with up to 1600 ISO sensitivity and various white balance options. Recording modes include Intelligent Auto and more, along with some focusing options. The camera delivers Digital ESP, Spot and Face Detection AE metering functions with Black & White and Sepia color effects. Intelligent Auto is particularly useful while the 19 scene modes offer plenty of shot options including underwater options and in-camera Panorama.

Performance-wise, average shutter lag in bright conditions is a slow 0.7 second and 0.8 second in low light. Continuous shooting speed is good at 1.1 frames per second but shot-to-shot times of 2.5 seconds without flash and 5 seconds with it is rather long. A start-up to shot time of 1.8 seconds is quite fast. Photos were good with natural colors and at lower ISOs.

All in all the Olympus Stylus Tough-8000 is an excellent camera if you're doing something rugged outdoors, above sea level, in a cave or underwater. While a bit slow, its impressive toughness more than make up for it.