Camera Selection

Is there a really good camera that everyone uses? What do you folks use in saltwater and what is a better protection plan.

A few guys have the Pentex Optio WP and its seems to work great.
There is also the new Olympus 720SW.
 Both are waterproof the Pentax to 5',Olympus to 10' is also drop resistant and has image stabilization but it costs quite a bit more.

 Here are review links to both.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0601/06012602olympus_720sw.asp

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0501/05010501pentax_optiowp.asp

Thumbs up for the Pentax, great little camera!

Hey Blue, the Pentax W10 comes in 6 and 8 MP's but the 6MP is the waterproof one. I think the are fazing out the older model. I will purchase mine from a camera company called Beach Camera because they have an acc. package at a price I can afford.This company is not the cheapest btw.

I have the 6 megapixel Pentax Optio WPi.  It usually sells for about $350, but I got mine brand new from PrestigeCamera.com for only $225.  I'm very happy with it so far.

I have the Optio 43 and it kicks a$$ good pics and tough as nails...love it.

I have the 5MP Pentax optio - water proof. LOVE IT!!!

The amazing thing about the Pentax Optio WP line of waterproof cameras is that they even have an "underwater" setting for taking photos below the surface.  I guess Pentax is pretty confident it'll work under water. 

....and it fits inside my PFD pocket perfectly    It's very small and not bulky at all 

I intend to freedive off my kayak a lot.  Anyone using a digital dive camera as their primary trip / memory capture tool?  If so, what kind?  Thanks.

The new Fujifilm F30, soon to be released (June or July?)

Haven't used it, but I own its most recent little bro (the F11 - nice!)... 

Should be around $399 for camera; accessories are extra

Will feature:

Underwater shooting mode
Waterproof case to ~30m with full controls access ($150 for case)
6.1 MP (will print full res 8x10 easily)
Excellent low light - 80-3200 ISO (should be great for underwater)
Big bright LCD (230,000 pixels, 2.5 in.)
Intelligent-Flash, built-in and powerful (20+ feet on land)
PS (Picture Stabilization)
30 fps hi-res 640x480 movie mode w/sound (get a 1MB xD card - ~ $100)
Manual priority may be given to Aperture or Shutter Speed
Quick startup - 1.5s
Amazing rechargeable battery life - to 500 shots

Based on current F10 and F11 superCCD technology

Downsides:
Somewhat clunky interface for charging and downloading photos
xD cards are most expensive memory (but coming down...)

Here's a summary:

http://www.pma-show.com/2006/digital_camera/fujifilm_review/007_fujfilm_finepix_f30.html\

When i get my yak, I'm gonna get the underwater case for my F11... Can't wait!

here's a sample of the what the Pentax Optio can do - photo taken by Fred / Savage

Nice jpb  Fred

WOW, very impressive camera, guess I gotta ditch the ole SLR, and get me one of those!

Wow,  I thought the end of my spending for this new recreation was over.  As a newbie, I always wondered how you guys take those great pictures.  Anyone want to volunteer any good places to buy the pentax or should I just go with the major internet retailers like amazon.

Thanks,
Luis