Best Waterproof Cameras
Waterproof cameras have been around since the start of 2008. The most common waterproof cameras that can be used in harsh outdoors are the point and shoot cameras. Big brand players like Canon, Fuji film, Olympus, Panasonic, etc., offer at least one camera that is either waterproof and shockproof or outdoor point-and-shoot camera. These waterproof digital cameras are moisture resistant and can bear some physical mishandling and are best suited for underwater photography. These cameras are also useful on the dusty, sandy beaches as well as on the chilling skiing trails.
If your lifestyle is about spending a lot of time outdoors or in moist and humid environment, you should consider buying a waterproof or a shockproof digital camera. The best part about using waterproof cameras is that you don't have to worry about your camera getting wet. Usually, the adventurous guys like the scuba divers, kayakers, mountain bikers, boaters, skiers and serious hikers require small and rugged digital cameras. Each camera presented in the following list can handle water, moisture, dust, shocks, low temperature and its user with equal ease.
Best Waterproof Camera Reviews
Waterproof cameras are being manufactured by brands like Olympus and Pentax for years now. The first ever waterproof digital camera was made by Pentax which was a 5 MP Optio WP.
KODAK EASYSHARE SPORT Camera C123
If you love outdoors and know how moisture and dust can treat your camera then this is the one for you. KODAK EASYSHARE SPORT is a 12 MP camera that is waterproof till 10 feet underwater.
- File format: JPEG/EXIF v2.21 for still photography (16:9 format) and also offers (video) Motion JPEG, AVI 2.0 with audio recording.
- Screen: 2.4 inch color LCD
- Zoom: 5X advanced digital
- Battery: 2 AA batteries (alkaline, lithium, or Ni-MH)
- Other functionality:
- Allows on-camera editing.
- Kodak's Share button allows you to tag pictures for e-mailing.
- Available scene modes include sport, backlight, auto, snow, portrait and fireworks.
- Face detection
- Price: $65.64
Fujifilm FinePix XP30 is a 14 MP camera which gives 4-way protection. It is waterproof to 16.5 feet (5 meters) and is still operational at 14F (-10C) of temperature. It is shockproof to 5 feet (1.5 meters) and also provides protection from the dust.
- File format: For still photography, Fujifilm FinePix XP30 uses JPEG format and for recording a movie, AVI (Motion JPEG) (video) and WAVE format (sound). It captures videos (720p) with sound at 30 frames per second.
- Screen: Screen is high-contrast and anti-reflective LCD (2.7-inch).
- Zoom: FUJINON lens offer 5x zoom.
- Battery: The long-life rechargeable Li-ion battery lasts up to 165 shots.
- Other functionality:
- Fujifilm FinePix XP30 sports Dual Image Stabilization (CIS) system.
- Panoramic pictures can be created using three shots.
- It is equipped with Scene Recognition Auto (SR AUTO) facility.
- It offers face detection, automatic red-eye removal and GPS Geo-tagging functionality.
- Price: $239.95
Olympus Stylus Tough 8010 is a really tough camera that is waterproof to 33 feet and can operate up to the temperature of 14F (-10C). Its rugged features make it shockproof to 6.6 feet and crushproof even under weight of 220 lbs.
- File format: This camera records still photographs in JPEG format and video in MP4 format.
- Screen: 2.7-inch LCD
- Battery: Li-ion Rechargeable Battery (LI-50B)
- Zoom: 5x Optical Zoom + 5x Digital Zoom
- Other functionality:
- Uses user's taps on the top, back and sides to control features such as picture playback, shadow adjustment and flash mode.
- Use of shadow adjustment technology helps the user in capturing great images.
- Offers multi-framed preview on the LCD screen.
- AF Tracking facility keeps track of the movements of the fast-moving objects, and helps in producing sharp images.
- Price: $209
This smart 12.1 MP camera has 18 predefined settings for recording. Canon PowerShot D10 is waterproof to 33 feet and can survive a drop from 4 feet. It can operate up to the temperature of 14-104F.
- File format: Canon PowerShot D10 uses JPEG for still photographs and H.264 format for video recording and Linear PCM (Monaural) for sound.
- Screen: 2.5-inch TFT color LCD
- Battery: Rechargeable Lithium-ion Battery allows the user to take as much as 220 photographs.
- Zoom: 3x Optical/4x Digital
- Other functionality:
- Blink Detection warns the user if a subject closes its eyes during the shot.
- This intelligent camera offers 18 predefined shooting situations.
- DIGIC 4 Image Processor (Face Detection Technology)
- Optical Image Stabilizer System
- Price: $299.00
There are few other things that you should know about the best digital waterproof camera.
- The image quality of a waterproof camera will always be lower than that of the best point-and shoot cameras. The camera manufacturers have not yet come up with cameras that are best in image quality and have water resistance feature too.
- Always buy a waterproof camera that fits into your pocket or in a pouch that can be attached to your waistband. Waterproof cameras are meant to be used when you are on outdoor trips, meaning that these cams should be handy.
- "Freeze-proof" does not exactly mean that your camera will work in extreme weather conditions or below freezing points. Even in case of freeze-proof cameras, there are temperatures below which your camera will not work. You should keep a check on the life of your camera battery.
P.S. Before you go out and buy the camera model that you liked most, be sure to research well, as some of the camera models presented above are available at discounted prices. I hope, you strike lucky, and get a good piece at a bargain price.
