waterproof digital cameras

I'm in the market for a waterproof digital camera. I have a couple criteria that seem to be tough to find. 1) Obiviously it needs to be water proof, preferably deeper that just a few feet, and the tough one. 2) Able to use regular batteries in place of a rechargable battery pack for those times when your away from 110 power for a few days. Anyone know of a camera that meets these needs? If you have one, what do you think of it?
Thankx, Jonesz

Jonesz -

The battery requirement is tough and I would just but a 2nd or 3rd battery for long trips. The Olympus goes alot deeper than the Pentax. http://www.dcviews.com/_olympus/s770.htm

Scott

I know the battery thing is what's holding me back so far, but I'm tired of coming up with a low battery more often than not. I charge it, it sits for a while, then when I want to use it it's already flashing low battery. My existing camera, I've bought two expensive batteries only to have the same problem. They make plenty of non waterproofs that will use regular batteries. Why not the waterproofs?...

I took 60 pictures, large size and frequent flash, with my Pentax Optio W30 on Turkey Day with no battery issues. The Olympus is supposed to be shock proof, but no pro reviewers have tried testing that claim. The Pentax is NOT shock proof...I have the repair bill to prove it. Or maybe I'm just unlucky. When shooting video, the camera gives a clicking noise...but that could have been a result of dropping it.

We have the Optio w10 and love it.
Just bought the Optio w30 for a gift. Got it new for $195 including shipping off the internet.

That's a very good price, Tote, even with the shipping.

HobieSport, Adam (FishHunter) takes terrific underwater shots with his Optio. I don't recall him ever saying he had issues with leaking.

I have the Pentax Optio 7mp and absolutely love it.  So easy and intuitive, with good optics.  $200. at Amazon after $30. mail in rebate.  Get a 2 gig mem card and the neoprene 3-way case.   The case is really great.  The picture and description of the case at Amazon is not up to date and doesn't list all the features.  Read the customer review.  I got the case last week on Amazon for $20., free shipping, but this link says $27..  Shop around at Amazon and elswhere.  Sometimes I see the same items at very different prices.
http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-PTX-L105-Neoprene-Digital-Cameras/dp/B000G0HQ6A/ref=pd_sim_e?ie=UTF8&qid=1197575795&sr=8-1
-Matt

Thanks Ho-Jo!   it's the Camera!   
Jonesz......I've had my optio on four day trips w/o any batt. issues.  it is the factory issued one and usually lasts many of shots like Howard mentioned.   
  No probs with leaks either, I know Ben/others forgot to lock the bat/mem-card door and then had their probs.

storing the bat/camera in the cold will deplete it of power as well as storing your FFbatt in the cold, in the yak, outside, throughout the winter, like i did! the bat only lasted 1.5yr, but will only hold power for a few days. I keep it in the car as an emergency back-up now.

that $195 deal is a steal...but you will still need a memory card $20 - 60 bucks

I took 60 pictures, large size and frequent flash, with my Pentax Optio W30 on Turkey Day with no battery issues. The Olympus is supposed to be shock proof, but no pro reviewers have tried testing that claim. The Pentax is NOT shock proof...I have the repair bill to prove it. Or maybe I'm just unlucky. When shooting video, the camera gives a clicking noise...but that could have been a result of dropping it.

I'm quite satisfied with the shockproofing of the Oly 720SW. First of all, my wife interpreted "shockproof" to mean that our one year old could play with it at Elk. So it survived being beaten on the deck where we had our tent. I've also demonstrated it's ability to be dropped at least 4 feet a couple of times. Granted, mine has a silicon cover, but still, it's not led a sheltered life...

The batteries have not been an issue, even though they are specific to the camera. Picture quality is quite good. I got mine as a package that included a 1 GB card, a spare battery and the silicone cover for $300 delivered. I'd buy the 790 SW in a hearbeat.

Regards,
Scott

that $195 deal is a steal...but you will still need a memory card $20 - 60 bucks

Yea, it WAS a good deal. They called to confirm my order and of course tried to sell me extras. I declined the extras and they said it would be packed and shipped that same day.
I get an email today saying they are out of stock and should get some in the next 5-6 weeks ( just in time to miss Xmas).
I think they are full of $#!T personally.
The memory card was cheap if you were into Black Friday.
I never did it before. Went with my brother-in-law who lives for it.
Wallmart had 2 gig kodak SD cards for $12.88 and 2 gig memory sticks for $12.88. I loaded up!
Now to find that damned camera.

that $195 deal is a steal...but you will still need a memory card $20 - 60 bucks

Wallmart had 2 gig kodak SD cards for $12.88 and 2 gig memory sticks for $12.88. I loaded up!
Now to find that damned camera.

can i buy one?(just kiddin)    i paid $60 for the 2gig, was supposed to get $20back on mail-in-rebate, that NEVER ARRIVED! so i paid around $280 a year ago. thanks for pissin me off Tote!    

http://www.abesofmaine.com/item.do?item=PNOW30&id=PNOW30&GSID=73060543&GSESID=gsdbqeafw10qot55b4vzyhia&GSCID=1

I haven't taken any underwater photos yet, but I'm happy with the phone so far:
http://www.casiogzone.com/type_v/

And we all need waterproof phones anyway, right?

By the sound of it, trying to get a waterproof that can use reular batteries is just a fantasy at this point... The problem with camera specific batteries is two fold. First they are expensive, don't last and when the camera is a few years old you can't get the batteries any more. same problem with my cell phone... thanks for the input boyz.

there is a good one in dec.07 issue of seakayaker magazine. it is the ecoshot/sl321 by sealife. 6megapixels,2 aa batteries,shockproof,waterproof to 75ft.