Underwater Digital Camera

Hello fellow yakers ... I'm banging my head against the wall trying to figure out what type of affordable underwater digital camera to purchase. The dept range on it only has to be I guess as long as my skinny arms can reach over my yak.. What does everybody else have? For Ive seen some great underwater pics from some of you.Any help would be appreciated. Andy

The Pentax Optio line has been very popular here as well as the Olympus Stylus SW line.

 If you are going diving I would recommend a underwater housing.

Optio all the way, if you can wait just a while longer the new Optio looks sweet!

http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-W60-Waterproof-Digital-Silver/dp/B0019V2CW8/ref=pd_bbs_sr_4?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1212469371&sr=8-4

I bought a olympus 850sw for about 299.00 ..Here some pics I took last week in Hawaii. Water clarity and light really determine the quality of the pics ...

Another Optio user here I've been using the Optio WP (second generation) for years now and never had a problem with it  

Here it is at work - under 5 feet of water......

Optio in Monterey - 10 to 15 FOW....

hey mooch, 10 to 15 fow with or with out A  under water box?

hey mooch, 10 to 15 fow with or with out A  under water box?

without ....but I did not stay down there very long. I took the shot and swam up asap.

I got an AWESOME deal on Ebay for a Optio W20, 7MP, two batteries, and a 2GB flash card.  ONLY $150!!!!  And the guy who sold it, only used it ONCE!!!  Still had all packaging, stickers, etc.  Freeking best deal I have had yet!

I've taken my optio, whatever the current version of it is, down a bit deeper than 15' and it was OK.  I also had it in the water for about 40 minutes, maybe longer, but the batteries died pretty quick.  I don't know for sure but I think it was the coldness of the water.

Hello Yakers thanks for your input on the camera. I ended up buying A Pentax Optio WP, with extra battery 2GB memory card and an Optio skin for about 300.00 dollars seems to be A cool camera looking forward to getting it on and in the water, Andy

Andy, congrats! Looking forward to photo reports from ya! Just remember to keep the battery cover on the lock position (I sometimes forget to lock it back when I'm down loading pics    )

Here's another advice....

I use a sunglass case made out of neoprene and store my optio inside and connect the two with a small piece of rope. This does 3 things:

1) more importantly, if I ever drop the camera in the water, the sunglass case will float it  (tested and approved by EK & myself)

2) the case also protects the camera lense from scratches.

3) provides some padding if dropped on the ground.

...oh, and it also fits in my PFD's pocket

The case is made by Unique Sport / Sun Belt accessories - made in the US.

http://www.sunbeltoptic.com/cases/cases02.html

Here's another advice....

I use a sunglass case made out of neoprene and store my optio inside and connect the two with a small piece of rope. This does 3 things:

1) more importantly, if I ever drop the camera in the water, the sunglass case will float it  (tested and approved by EK & myself)

2) the case also protects the camera lense from scratches.

3) provides some padding if dropped on the ground.

...oh, and it also fits in my PFD's pocket

The case is made by Unique Sport / Sun Belt accessories - made in the US.

http://www.sunbeltoptic.com/cases/cases02.html

  I was thinking of something like that. I may also try getting some of those little buoys you use for your keys when your boating. Thanks for the info.Andy

Is that the W20 or W30?