Best S&W Camera

I owned the first Pentax Optio and loved it. It died after 2 years and I bought a second. The second one only lasted 1 year so I bought an Olympus. It lasted 2 years and survived being submerged 50' but the high pressure blast of water from the AI infiltrated the camera. I bought another Olympus on Amazon for $130 and it took terrible pictures. Last August, Consumer Reports reviewed tough cameras and here was the ranking
1. Nikon AW 100
2. Panasonic DMC-TS4
3. Olympus TG-1
This ranking was largely based on the photo and video quality. I have only owned the Nikon but have been happy with the still photography even in low light. It is the low light VIDEO which is of poor quality compared to the Go Pro. The Nikon has a really secure door on the battery compartment. The best I have seen. I would stay away from the low end Olympus and Pentax tough cameras. They once were awesome but not anymore IMHO. I almost bought the TG-1 but it was more expensive than the Nikon. The Nikon is a new camera so only time will tell how it holds up.

Scott

I just recently got the pentax optio wg2 and it's not bad. Pentax is coming out with the pentax optio wg3 soon.

I've owned 4 of the cheap Fuji's from Costco.  They're not great but not too crappy...  Also have an Olympus WP that I've had for years and it still works, but I've never been very impressed with it.

No one's mentioned the Kodak Playsport here - I've seen some good work done on those, and they seem to have decent audio for a WP.

I bought a GoPro years ago and didn't like it - no viewfinder, no viewing your work, crappy audio...etc.  Sold it to a local guy who makes commercials.  Then I was given a GoPro last year at GS - I really appreciated the thought, and I tried to make it work for my process, but I don't like GoPro...  I like being able to see what I'm filming.  Oh, and a GoPro in the WP case doesn't screw onto a tripod either!

I recommend getting one of the affordable WP point and shoots and just start getting a bunch of footage - you'll learn how to max the potential of that particular model as well as forming opinions on what you want in your next model.  The main thing is having a camera at the ready to film extraordinary events like a big shark swimming behind your kayak.   

Oh, and a GoPro in the WP case doesn't screw onto a tripod either!

They have a mount for that 

Groupon is having another sale with the pentax wg2, it is now 50% off. When I paid $190 last month. Here's the link if you are interested.

http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-pentax-digital-camera-1?mobile=false

I have an old Pentax W60. It just keeps working. Great outdoor daylight pics, crap for low light. One thing I *really* like is that it is ready to take pics nearly instantly once you turn it on. Saves them quickly too.

I've been looking at the TG-1 has an F2 lens so low light should be pretty good, here's some review from Backpacker Mag

http://www.backpacker.com/febraury-march-2013-field-test-tough-waterproof-cameras/gear/17283

+2 but it costs a little more than the others.  Also there is a new TG-2 coming out.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/2013/01/08/Olympus-TG-2-iHS

I had a WG-1 and lost it at lake Sonoma   so I bought a WG-2 and love it.  now I keep it on a leash from boomerang tool company and don't worry about loosing it

I like my Nikon AW100.

I have an old Pentax W60. It just keeps working. Great outdoor daylight pics, crap for low light. One thing I *really* like is that it is ready to take pics nearly instantly once you turn it on. Saves them quickly too.

+1 I still have a W60 and it works great.  I'd even take a W30 again if someone sold it to me for cheap! 

I have, and still use, an old Optio WPi. This is my favorite camera. I also have a Fuji xp50 I bought at Costo. It's just OK. Have to take more than one shot each time to make sure one picture is in focus. Three GoPros for video and kite photos.

I'm ready for an upgrade. Maybe a new Pentax with GPS.

Al


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Groupon has the WG-2 for $149
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-pentax-digital-camera-1?p=1&utm_source=pc_goods&utm_medium=email&sid=1eb4e2c6-bd38-46fe-842d-4fbd70c117e2&division=sacramento&user=f44343538bfa63f6b95c0b641b0d9fa1aa36698f0631387410594a6568c0abd8&date=20130308&s=body&c=deal_img&d=deal-

Groupon has the WG-2 for $149
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-pentax-digital-camera-1?p=1&utm_source=pc_goods&utm_medium=email&sid=1eb4e2c6-bd38-46fe-842d-4fbd70c117e2&division=sacramento&user=f44343538bfa63f6b95c0b641b0d9fa1aa36698f0631387410594a6568c0abd8&date=20130308&s=body&c=deal_img&d=deal-

Cool beans - I just bought one of those.   

I decided to go with the Nikon AW100. After Scott mentioned it, I too looked it up on Consumer Reoprts and its the highest ranked model. Reading other reviews online, it seemed to be the most bang for the buck, and shutter lag was one of my biggest features I was after, the AW100 is the fastest on and shortest lag.

Groupon has the WG-2 for $149
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-pentax-digital-camera-1?p=1&utm_source=pc_goods&utm_medium=email&sid=1eb4e2c6-bd38-46fe-842d-4fbd70c117e2&division=sacramento&user=f44343538bfa63f6b95c0b641b0d9fa1aa36698f0631387410594a6568c0abd8&date=20130308&s=body&c=deal_img&d=deal-

Cool beans - I just bought one of those.   

Nice, if you want a wider lens angle you can get the Ricoh dw-5 with a 46mm-43mm step down adapter and attach it to the macro stand it comes with. Just a suggestion, I'm still looking forward in buying the lens to try this out.