Which underwater camera is right for me?

[angelstarfish]

I was looking online for an underwater camera for gigs and photoshoots and now I need to make a decision on which camera I want to buy.

http://www.amazon.com/Panasonic-DMC-TS5A-Digital-Camera-Intelligent/dp/B00ATE7ULY/ref=sr_1_5?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1390155322&sr=1-5

OR

http://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-FinePix-XP60-2-7-Inch-Blue/dp/B00ATM1NBO/ref=sr_1_4?s=photo&ie=UTF8&qid=1390155322&sr=1-4

I need something that will survive for long hours underwater, and that won’t break if dropped like little land dwellers. And I’d like to have it be download-able onto my laptop so that way I can post pictures online and do other fun stuff with them.

Your feed back would be very much loved!!!

“You were born wild. Never let them tame you." -Martha Graham

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[Ariel-Starfish]

Try to find reviews from each device on Youtube! I think there is one where both of these models where tested, but can't remember the video. It should be on there somewhere! :)

[Mermaid Riia]

Oh get a GoPro! :D
I loooove love love GoPro. You can get a used one or a older model fairly cheap, at least here in Finland you can ( and trust me Finland ain't no cheap place we do not have dollar stores , more like 50$ stores lol).
I have GoPro Hero 2. My brother also uses GoPro (Hero 3) to record his snow cross race laps and it delivers like beast dayuum!


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[Rogue Siren]

I just need something cheap to start with so I could see my form and work on my strokes. I grabbed a Nikon Coolpix S30 for about $50.

Personally I prefer Panasonic brand over Fujifilm. :) That's also the more expensive of the two you posted. Lol

[AptaMer]

Hi angelstarfish,

With underwater cameras, always go with the one with better depthratings. Maintaining seals is always easier in better depth rated cameras.

Another thing is that the cameras with the lens in the upper corner don't have as good optics as the ones with a centre-based optical system.

I think the best underwater camera available right now is the Olympus TG-2 iHS. You can read more here

http://www.getolympus.com/us/en/digitalcameras/point-shoot/tg-2-ihs.html

17611
It will also do way more than any of the others, since you can add telephoto and wide-angle lenses to it. Wide angle lenses can be very helpful shooting mermaids underwater. Also, it has an adapter that lets you use optical filters with it. This is important, because when you're taking pictures around the water, polarizing filters can can be used to get rid of reflections. from the water surface (from either above or below, LOL) For example, if your mertender is taking shots looking down into the water while you swim underneath, a polarizing filter is how you get a clear image.

Note: if you decide to go with the GoPro system, be prepared for the fact that there are optical aberrations underwater that are not corrected in the case that it comes with. If you get on online discussion groups you can find out how to fix this.