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View Full Version : Which New Digital Camera



Don S
07-05-2007, 04:16 PM
I'm strugglin'...so what's new? The kids gave me a Canon SD850 IS for my BD. Zhees...guess I forgot ( getting old) to mention to them that it needed to be water resistant and/or proof. Needs to live with me during fishing, duck hunting and g-kid trips. I would also like to be able to shoot some pictures as the dog is retrieving i.e. running in. Not sure that they make one small enough and it still does all of that.

I tried search the site........but thought maybe later technologies have changed the answer. Looking at some of the reviews, spun my head with words like "soft spots" etc. What direction should I throw the money...other than your way ? :D

And NO..putting it in protective case is NOT an option.

Thanks in advance.

Adam Grace
07-05-2007, 06:12 PM
I suggest the Pentax waterproof cameras, their new model is the Optio W30. I own a Pentax and I love it for outside pictures. The majority of my indoor pictures don't always turn out great, my Optio takes a long time to focus inside, but outside the camera works very well. Below is a few sample picture from my waterproof Optio.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/Artistic/IMGP0385.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP2403.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/Steelie4.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v238/flyguyag/fishing/IMGP0357.jpg

There is also a waterproof camera made by Olympus, the Stylus 770SW. The Stylus 770SW has a metal body and is very durable, much more so than the Optio, yet I think the Optio takes a little bit better picture.

These are the only two cameras that I know of that are worth mentioning, other waterproof cameras are larger and bulky, sized just as large as waterproof cases that hold small digicams.

I've been selling digital cameras at Best Buy for a little over 2 years now, I have had plenty of time to play around with the Olympus waterproof series, they are nice but they do not render the rich colors like the Pentax, the Pentax also seems t be a little bit more sharp or crisp.

Like I said before, I recommend the Pentax.

bolden
07-05-2007, 06:37 PM
All of my fish pictures, with the obvious exception of certain close ups, are with the optio w10. It has gotten beaten
around, taken underwater pictures, and is still working great for me.

Like adam said the only other waterproof i have heard of is the olympus. Either should be a great camera.

Adam Grace
07-05-2007, 06:40 PM
Bolden, were the Montana fish pictures taken with your Pentax? If so, WOW, I thought that you used your SLR.

bolden
07-05-2007, 09:56 PM
I thought the "obvious exception" part i mentioned would have been clear enough, but i guess not. All of the hero fish shots,
fish plus person, were with the w10. The close ups, except for one or two, were with the d50.

These were with the w10. They are obviously inferior to my d50 shots, but that is to be expected.

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/IMGP0485-1.jpg

http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a31/bolden916/IMGP0475.jpg

Adam Grace
07-05-2007, 10:39 PM
That makes sense, most of the "hero" shots looked pretty good, I thought that they were also taken with the D-SLR. Now that I look back it makes sense that they came from the Pentax. To be fair, I have taken some great close-up shots with my Pentax. Unfortunately a point and shoot like an Optio cannot fairly match up to a D-SLR.

Don, click on this link to see the "hero" pictures for Bolden's Pentax pictures:

http://www.kiene.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=6506

Don S
07-06-2007, 07:22 AM
Wow nice shots. Awesome pics. Thanks Adam getting me to the URL of the pics. Some nice lookin' pigs ! I knew of the camera. Lee Haskin mention his happiness with it ! Thought others may have some suggestions....

Bill Kiene semi-retired
07-06-2007, 07:29 AM
Hi Don

I need to buy one too.

The Pentax Optio and the Olympus 770 water proof are the two that we have to decide on.

Both are super fine.

My biggest problem with both is seeing the subjects on a bright day without a standard view finder.

I think that most fly fishers should have one of these little digital water proof cameras with them to document those special moments.

I started having smaller water proof film cameras on me a long time ago.

Be sure to get a big storage chip (1 GIG or more) and some extra batteries.

Both of these cameras are under $400 usd.