Waterproof cameras

hmmmm thank for the input everybody. Though you are not making it easy, all good points but all different cameras Maybe I cant go wrong??????

I'm still sporting the Optio WP-10!

Another vote for the Panasonic Lumix. very hardy and great pix.

Ok so after many more hours of shopping online and comparing I am currently leaning toward the Olympus Though TG-4 , though for awhile I was going toward the sony cybershot. That little slide door on the front made me a bit nervous, thinking of getting sand in there and scratching everything up. But with 18mp, more compact and cheaper than TG-4 I still am having a hard time choosing. Anybody else have either of these cameras and want to chime in?

Kevin I also need a new waterproof compact and see a lot of things I like about the Ricoh WG 30 W  it is Wi-Fi enabled 14 megapixels. My question for the hard-core camera guys is: Is there a sweet spot  of something like 12 megapixels for these compact cameras where we might pick up something less expensive and also avoid a problem that I've seen referred to as over compression?  Is that even a thing?

I'm still using a 7 year old Olympus Tough. I like it but it doesn't do too well in low light.

Kevin I also need a new waterproof compact and see a lot of things I like about the Ricoh WG 30 W  it is Wi-Fi enabled 14 megapixels. My question for the hard-core camera guys is: Is there a sweet spot  of something like 12 megapixels for these compact cameras where we might pick up something less expensive and also avoid a problem that I've seen referred to as over compression?  Is that even a thing?

12 mega pixels is plenty for a small camera.  Generally, the fewer megapixels for a given sensor size, the larger each photo site is so it captures more light. This means that the sensor  will need less light for a proper exposure.   
Compression occurs by the photo processing software in the camera after the picture is taken. Some makes are better than others at processing the picture in camera to get pleasung results but most are pretty good nowadays
I have the Olympis TG-3 for use on the kayak and am happy with it.  For other stuff I use my dSLR

Again thank you all for the input! I decided to try out the Olympus Tough Tg-4. well see how tough it really is. Ill try to remember to post up a product review after I try it out for awhile.

I'm still using a 7 year old Olympus Tough. I like it but it doesn't do too well in low light.

Dustin is that what you take your surfperch pictures with? Because those are beautiful.

I'm still using a 7 year old Olympus Tough. I like it but it doesn't do too well in low light.

Dustin is that what you take your surfperch pictures with? Because those are beautiful.

Thanks, Amos!  Yup, that's the one. I want to say it's an Olympus Tough 1050. Will verify when I get home.

*Edit - it's an OT8000

My olympus stylus tough has been awesome and I'm not gentle either.

I like my Canon Powershot D20. Too many pixels squeezed onto a small chip can lead to image noise. Compression is a different issue. I'm not aware if different brands have noticeably different compression quality.

Beautiful pic Ken

Beautiful pic Ken

Thanks. The back waters out behind Liberty Island at sunrise.

I use an Olympus Tough TG-4 when whitewater kayaking, kayak fishing, and snorkeling, and really like it.  An advantage of that camera is that you can easily make a water-resistant lens cap for the camera using a scope cover attached to the add-on screw mount for exterior lenses.  This lens cap will also protect the lens from scratches and thumbprints.

What size or model # is that Butler Creek scope cap? I looked & there are quite a few. Thanks.