Rosenose

Any suggestions for a digital waterproof camera for snorkeling pictures in the Galapagos. I have a taken a zillion photos with Nikonos II and III cameras years ago before motherhood, but never used a digital camera under water. I am not looking for the same quality as in SCUBA years past--just "trip quality" photos.

hopefulist

I don't have your level of experience but have really enjoyed using my regular digital camera in a EWA waterproof pouch with a glass lens cover:

http://www.keepitdrycase.com/

We've had better luck that way than with the cheap underwater disposables and it's been nice to have on rainy jungle outings, too. You can see some of our snorkeling pictures using the pouch in the Honduras pictures here:

www.flickr.com/photos/staceyholeman/collections

beachbum2

We owned a pentax WP (a few years old ). It could only withstand 30 minutes and up to 5 feet. We used it on 2 snorkeling trips. It made it through fine on the first, but the 2nd trip was well over 1 hour and my husband took several dives to get closer to the fish, so the camera broke. The new version allows up to 10 feet and 2 hours in the water. We were happy with the camera, so we plan to buy the upgraded version. I have also thought about the pouches, but if you go even a few feet under water, I was afraid of the pressure issue. Olympus also has one that is similar to the new pentax.

hopefulist

The bag I have is rated to 30 feet which is great for snorkeling but not for most diving. I never had the slightest leak using it and was sometimes in the water for hours at a time. The hard part was focusing under water; I basically had to get really good at guessing what would be in the frame. The beauty of digital is I could take a thousand pictures and dump anything that wasn't interesting to me.

TC

We have a Sony Cyber-shot, model DSC-W7 with its own, Sony underwater housing. This is the second Sony Cyber-shot we've had (husband fell on the first one and smashed it) and the W7 is better than the earlier model. I like it because:
-it was inexpensive for an underwater outfit. (shop on the Internet, camera approx. $400, housing $160)
-it takes good quality, high resolution photos.
-it uses standard rechargable or (in a pinch) drug store batteries.
-the camera doesn't fog up in the underwater housing like some do. This is really important!
-the screen is big enough to see what you are aiming at underwater. Also it is non-glare which is really important if using for snorkeling.
-it takes video as well as still photos (even underwater) which is a lot of fun.
-you can add on some specialty lens.
-it is a great dual purpose vacation camera so I don't need an extra camera for land photos.
-its easy to use and easy to load into the underwater housing.

Here is a review:

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/so...ew/index.shtml

BillJ

On my recent Galapagos trip I was determined not to come home with unacceptable photos of our snorkeling which is usually the result with those disposables. Niether did I want to spend 500 plus, since I only snorkel.
I ended up with the Pentax W30, discussed above, bought locally for $250. It is supposed to be ok for up to 10 feet. It took wonderful pictures, even out of the water.
See http://www.flickr.com/photos/calbill...7600219089853/
All of the underwater photos were done with it, as well as the birds in flight (with the zoom) near the end of the photos, among many others. I was very happy with the features and performance of the Pentax W30.

beachbum2

Wow, what great photos. That must have been an amazing trip. Can I stowaway next time? I'm definitely getting the new Pentax after seeing your results and my happiness with the older model. Thanks for sharing!

Rosenose

Thanks to all.