Camera Questions?

[Zugbug66]

I'm in the market for a new Point & Shoot camera to take fishing with me. I'm just curious what kind of camers people have had good luck with, waterproof, resistent, megapixels, Video?
Thanks,
Wayne

[rosstucker32]

Originally Posted by Zugbug66

I'm in the market for a new Point & Shoot camera to take fishing with me. I'm just curious what kind of camers people have had good luck with, waterproof, resistent, megapixels, Video?
Thanks,
Wayne

I've got an Olympus SW700 or something like that. It is 7 MP, and shock and waterproof (I think it is rated to 10 feet down and a 10 foot drop). I have had it for 3 years or so, it has taken some serious abuse and is still going strong. I would highly recommend the latest version.

The only think I find is that is it isn't so good for VERY close-ups. Like a picture of a size 20 BWO in the vice does not come out that great. You have the have the camera 2 or 3 feet away, then edit the picture down to just the fly once transfered to the computer.

[sadiesassy]

I also got a SW 700 - waterproof.
After about a year - I had to replace the CCD device after lite use. and I am pretty mild in handling it and no water.

Not sure if I am unique, got a bad one, or if that typical of these smaller cameras. Not sure if it means you get a replacement policy - I am not big on them but might be if you are using around the water alot.

I have another one that is larger - not waterproof -by same vendor I have used fr years- drug through snow, dropped on asphalt . No problems - Same company but older camera.

Also - Agree close ups are not as good. I miss that capability

[Wild Chrome]

If you fish solo, get one that's wide enough to set on a rock so you can use the self-timer, or better yet, a remote control. I have an Olympus Stylus 800 that I got off Ebay for less than $100. It's weather-resistant (not waterproof), takes tack-sharp photos (up to 8MP), has decent zoom, and was the last model Olympus made with the remote control option.

[Fisherman_Shane]

I bought a cheap Vivitar digital camera in december for 60 bucks at office depot. I take it fishing with me and u can see lots of photos on my blog. works great for me.

[EugeneFisher]

I also have an Olympus SW700 that's about 3 years old. It's a great camera and has taken some abuse. The photo quality is good for a compact camera; unlike others' experiences, I've had great success with close ups using the two different macro modes. Never had an issue with the camera; after 3 years, the battery is starting to lose it's ability to hold a charge, but I can still get a couple fishing trips out of one charge.

This camera has made a few trips to Hawaii with me and always goes into the salt water when I'm snorkeling. It does pretty good with underwater shots, but they always seem a little cloudy regardless of the water clarity. Simply rinse the camera off really well after each salt water dunk and you wont have any problems.

My one complaint: the camera uses a proprietary USB cord. I wish it used an industry standard USB cable.

[robbiek]

i have the olympus stylus tough 6000!! WATERPROOF ,DROPPROOF and freeze proof. got it for 230$ off amazon its 10mp and comes in different colros. great camera watrerproof up to 10 feet!! great cameras and a great company! the higher end models will be more worth it in the end.

[ommedia]

I have the olympus stylus 550WP and it serves all my pack needs...except some of my shots where showing up with too much backlight or something. Called olympus and they talked me through the settings.

I have dropped it and had it get soaked in my pack with no issues.

Here are some pics with it in the field this year:

overcast, good light, 5 feet away, color and depth
http://www.ommedia.com/graphics/ifis...erations_1.jpg


self-timer, 12 feet away, early morning light
http://www.ommedia.com/graphics/ifish/elk_0809_2.jpg

[AndyK]

I destroyed three digital cameras while fishing that were not waterproof. I now have an Olympus Stylus 770; waterproof to 33 feet and drop proof. This is an "older" model; the newer models have improvements such as more pixels per photo.

Whatever you decide, waterproof is a must!

[Zugbug66]

Thanks Guys, sounds like Olympus is the way to go. I will check them out.
Wayne
ps. The Clack has been fishing well lately........

[sadiesassy]

On the USB cord - They say it is proprietary - but you can get a generic cord for a lot less than what they charge.

I bought mine off the internet - Believe I did a search - USB cable - Camera model - ended up at a site that sales lots of different style cables - many USB types. For some reason I think it was listed as a USB 5 or USB 7. MAy be wrong there.


My one complaint: the camera uses a proprietary USB cord. I wish it used an industry standard USB cable.[/QUOTE]

[shawn k]

I had real bad luck with an olympus. poor Image quality. About 50% of my pictures were dark. I replaced it with the canon D-10.

The canon is larger but take way better pictures and video. I dont have to photoshop most of my pics like i did with the olympus.

[clarkman23]

I have one of the older Pentax WP cameras and it certainly works pretty good for it's intended use. I don't think it's as tough as some of the others out there but the optics are really good. If I were looking for a new camera, however, I'd probably think long and hard about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS1G. primarily because it's both waterproof and it shoots HD video. Other than that, I don't really know much else about that camera.

[salembassin]

I have a waterproof Olympus that is nice since I dont worry about it getting wet but the pictures arent very good. Most of the time I end up using my $150 Nikon because it takes a way better picture.