cheap waterproof camera?

monkeyspank · 13 Sep 2008 at 12:29

I was going to buy 2 or 3 disposable waterproof cameras but was wondering if there is a reasonable digital camera for around £100 instead?
Will only be going 3m deep at most, but getting sandy and wet and muddy. just for holiday snaps and outdoors getting muddy etc

Kodac disposables are about £8 for 27 shots plus developing as well, plus I hate disposable stuff.

Any idea if the cheap digicams will be any good or am I better off with the disposables? Don't want to spend more than £100 really but less is better, it won't get much use tbh

AtlanticP · 13 Sep 2008 at 12:59

Just stick to those mate, you wont get much of a water 'resistant' digicam for the price you're looking at.

monkeyspank · 13 Sep 2008 at 13:50

fair enough

any idea what the least i'd have to spend on a new decent digicam that fits the bill?
i found a marine case for my old minolta x50 for about a hundred, very tempting but now i'm thinking if it would be worth spending a bit more on a new cam?

any market leaders in this area?

AtlanticP · 13 Sep 2008 at 13:57

Take a look at the Sealife ECOshot Digital Underwater Camera £149.99 from the Large local Highstreet camera store.

Some of the specs:

This is a 6M pixel Digital Underwater Camera which has a a depth rating of 23m.
* Depth rating 23m
* Land and UW exposure modes.
* 2m drop tested
* Fixed focus, and fixed focal length 42mm
* AF macro to 45cm (3ft)
* Built-in flash.
* 2" colour LCD monitor.
* SD and MMC compatible, +14MB internal memory.
* Video mode: 320x240 QVGA 24fps. Motion JPEG (.avi)
* Power: 2 x AA batteries
* Dimensions/mm: 78 x 120 x 43
* Weight: 295g

Looks like an ideal, cheap option mate. There are more expensive ones but take a look at their website which I wont post here but am sure you will know where I mean.

monkeyspank · 13 Sep 2008 at 14:17

sweet, thanks

3dcandy · 13 Sep 2008 at 14:38

also don't forget that fuji do waterproof cases for loads of their p&s's - that's always an option. I believe it's the same with canon etc.

monkeyspank · 13 Sep 2008 at 14:46

bloody expensive though, even without the camera!
I found a case for an oldish minolta cam i have but its about 90 plus shipping from usa and tax
I'd get that but it doesnt look like you can open close the lens cover, which is how you turn it on and off :/

3dcandy · 13 Sep 2008 at 21:27

never really looked but thought some were like £45. Suppose if you haev the camera that's ok....but if not

Mr Jones · 14 Sep 2008 at 08:16

Disposable is the way to go if on a budget, can pick 2 for a fiver, Polaroid Water Proof camera at Superdrugs.

Youstolemyname · 14 Sep 2008 at 10:32

I got a waterproof digital camera from a large supermarket for about £30. Pics out of it were reasonable and it offsets the costs of buying disposibles and getting them developed after about two uses.

Also, how deep do you plan to dive with it? Anything over about 10M and you are going to need some serious strobes to get enough light to make the pictures decent.

I would have a look at some of the supermarket offerings myself.

monkeyspank · 14 Sep 2008 at 11:29

Youstolemyname said:
I got a waterproof digital camera from a large supermarket for about £30. Pics out of it were reasonable and it offsets the costs of buying disposibles and getting them developed after about two uses.

Also, how deep do you plan to dive with it? Anything over about 10M and you are going to need some serious strobes to get enough light to make the pictures decent.

I would have a look at some of the supermarket offerings myself.

Nothing special, splashing about in the pool, on the beach or in a muddy field in the rain. just want reasonable snaps without throwing away a whole camera each 27 shots. Will go and have a look

Mr Jones said:
Disposable is the way to go if on a budget, can pick 2 for a fiver, Polaroid Water Proof camera at Superdrugs.

Good to know, thanks

might pick a couple up if i dont find anything better