Waterproof camera HELP (by Sunday)

[Rockstar Fisherman]

Ok, I'm in Oregon (NO SALES TAX) till Sunday and am desperate to buy a new waterproof camera. I checked out the Olympus Stylus-6000 Tough and thought the video was crap, sort of delayed and blurry and didn't zoom. Am I wrong or did Costco just have some defunct camera on display?

I really want an Olympus unless someone can talk me into a Pentax which aren't sold anywhere in the Medford/Grants Pass area where I am till Sunday. And for now I'm thinking the Olympus-8000 Tough is a bit radical for me price wise and maybe camera wise.

I know this is last minute but I didn't plan on my severe disappointment with the Stylus-6000 Tough today at Costco and still don't believe what I experienced.

Thanks guys!

Mike

[1mocast]

Mike,
This was discussed not too long ago...and covers some good stuff.
viewtopic.php?f=22&t=2177&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&hilit=olympus

The video mode is one of the weaker points Olympus waterproof cameras. I have a 850sw and it can only shoot 10 sec. bursts!

good luck.

[Rockstar Fisherman]

Thanks Mark, reading that post thoroughly clarified my perspective on this subject. I guess the main thing I'm looking for in my new camera aside from it being waterproof is an improvement on the video.

My Sony blurs if I'm zoomed in and move around, and also I can't zoom in and out once I've started recording. So it's sounding like Olympus is out of my thoughts. I do use this camera for much more than just fishing.

[RiverRat]

I can certify that my Pentax Optio W30 is a piece of crud. $300 down the toilet One thing that is funny..the blogs that said it was the greatest thing since oxygen before it first came out all rip it now...what changed other than the date Must be the free cameras pentax was giving them.

It is bullet proof and can take huges amounts of abuse and does take average video but the pictures stink. The light has to absolutely perfect for it to take a good pic.
That's my input on the Pentax. Don't do it.


shane

[1mocast]

I think that is the problem with all tiny lens cameras - Not enough glass/plastic to let light in. The Canon D-10 that Flybob has is a bigger lens with a smaller f-stop to 2.8.

[NorcalBob]

Really?????? These pics from my Pentax Optio W20 & W30 suck?????
Funny, the guy who published them in a book thought they were great!!!!!

[Rockstar Fisherman]

Well I'm still leaning towards the Pentax W80 but somebody's got to confirm how the video is on it. Can I zoom in and out is my biggest question now.

[darrin terry]

Unlike Shane, I really liked my W30. Until I broke the LCD display that is. It still works, but has been replaced with a new W80. So far I really like it too. Have not dunked it yet though.

I thought Shane had the W60, but never understood his issues. Everyone, with him the exception, that I've talked too about the Pentax W-series cameras, has loved them. Excellent macro, and now super macro, good underwater use. The only issues are taking low light shots. They really like sunlight outdoors shots, especially when fish are around. Grainy night pics though, and indoors shots too sometimes.

All of the reviews I've read have placed the Pentax and Olympus cameras at the top of the waterproof game.

Not sure about the video as I do not use that function often. It does shoot HD video though, if I recall correctly.

OK, I checked the video, and yes, you can zoom in and out while recording.

[RSetina]

I like my W30 too. I think by the time Mike reads this he'll already have bought his new camera.

[fflutterffly]

I've had both the w30 and w20 pentax and have had great service from both. absolutely no complaints.

[RiverRat]

Darrin is right I misthought and have the W60 and it still sucks..worst camera, overall, I've ever owned. I've owned numerous digital cameras since 1996 since I got them at cost. If its only use is for outdoor pics then it will be great. Just don't use it indoors, at all, because everything will be grainy. The flash goes about three feet and the red eye hardly works at all..luckily software fixes that problem. If any direct light hits the sensor then it freaks and overcompensates and makes the pics even darker even though you are using the flash. Just a horrible indoor camera.

All of my forum posts from the last year were with a W60 but I had to buy another camera for indoor photos which is $350 I didn't want to spend.

The Pentax is not a multi use camera...outdoors only but at least that's what it was designed for.


shane

[NorcalBob]

Shoot, I don't think I've ever used my Optio indoors! Never have!!!!! For that I use my high end digicam that I won't carry on fishing trips because it's too big and not waterproof!!!!

[briansII]

Does a cave count as indoor shots?



Some red eye



Too challenging for the flash.




Let me say, I know squat about photography. My W60 seems to take ok indoor pictures. I have had some look grainy, but overall, they come out ok. I wanted to show some of the lesser quality shots, so you might compare to the high quality ones. I have no idea if any of the other warterproofs would've done a better job. My other P&S Canon, with a bigger lens, does take a bit better indoor and outdoor pics.....IMHO, but it's not a waterproof or compact camera. Overall, I am very happy with my W60. Macro is second to none, out of the waterproofs. 5X zoom is better than most. 10 megapixels. Controls and use is very dummy friendly.

briansII