Water Proof camera

[JohnT]

With winter a few months off I have been looking for a waterproof camera and thought I might ask the experts here who have used one. I have a SLR and P&S but neither can be used in the rain unless I put my camera rain hood on the SLR and I would just like to grab a camera and shoot without having to prepare it for inclement weather.
I am not looking at going into the ocean or pool just outside in the rain.

I have not seen real solid reviews on very many of them so am open to recommendations.
P&S 10mp and up, w/IS. TIA

[johnske]

Try the Pentax K-5, but you'll also need to buy the Pentax WR (water resistant) lenses. They're sold as water resistant, not waterproof and hence not suitable for diving, I have seen videos of these on youtube (do a search) with the camera being used in a shower, with a bucket of water being poured over it etc.

EDIT: The Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS 14 MP P&S is advertised as waterproof to 33feet and suitable for diving http://www.pentaximaging.com/digital-camera/

[Chip]

Originally Posted by JohnT

With winter a few months off I have been looking for a waterproof camera and thought I might ask the experts here who have used one. I have a SLR and P&S but neither can be used in the rain unless I put my camera rain hood on the SLR and I would just like to grab a camera and shoot without having to prepare it for inclement weather.
I am not looking at going into the ocean or pool just outside in the rain.

I have not seen real solid reviews on very many of them so am open to recommendations.
P&S 10mp and up, w/IS. TIA

When I was looking for a waterproof P&S, I didn't see any with IS that looked worthwhile, either.

We ended up buying a Panasonic DMC-TS3 and have been happy with it. No IS and it doesn't shoot RAW, but it does have an exposure adjustment that's pretty easy to use. After some trial and error, I've grown to like this Panasonic quite a bit.

We've taken it rafting, beach, pool, etc.

[SwissJon]

I seem to recall that the Nikon D3 is an excellent camera to take rafting and has excellent water resistance..

So it seems I've killed my D3..... WWYD?

Oh.. No, that's right.. ISN'T a good camera to go rafting... Sorry, no help.

[Bruce A]

Without paying much attention to them I have seen underwater bag kits for Dslr's in camera shops suitable for around couple of metres depth from memory (which isn't always reliable).

[inkista]

'Compact Waterproof' Camera Group Test (Q3 2011) Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

[Doug Pardee]

Originally Posted by inkista

'Compact Waterproof' Camera Group Test (Q3 2011) Review: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Just to add, since IS was a specified desire... from the linked review:

• Fuji XP30: sensor-shift IS
• Oly TG810: optical IS
• Panny TS3: optical IS
• Pentax WG1: digital IS ("pixel track" or increased ISO)
• Ricoh PX: sensor-shift IS
• Sony TX10: optical IS

[Niresangwa]

Originally Posted by johnske

Try the Pentax K-5, but you'll also need to buy the Pentax WR (water resistant) lenses. They're sold as water resistant, not waterproof and hence not suitable for diving, I have seen videos of these on youtube (do a search) with the camera being used in a shower, with a bucket of water being poured over it etc.

EDIT: The Pentax Optio WG-1 GPS 14 MP P&S is advertised as waterproof to 33feet and suitable for diving Optio Point and Shoot Digital Cameras - Official PENTAX Imaging Web Site

You don't necessarily have to go with the K-5, I'm assuming you're looking for something to be more budget conscious, (though the K-5 is incredible).

The previous generation Pentax DSLR bodies, like the k20d or the k7 are weather sealed with the appropriate weather sealed lens, and you should be able to pick them up for a good deal...

If a DSLR isn't on the cards, I"d vote for the pentax WG-1 as an almost indestructible outdoor-oriented compact.

[Krusty79]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I seem to recall that the Nikon D3 is an excellent camera to take rafting and has excellent water resistance..

So it seems I've killed my D3..... WWYD?

Oh.. No, that's right.. ISN'T a good camera to go rafting... Sorry, no help.

You had to rub it in...

[NgaiHill]

Depends on whether you are after a SLR or a P&S. If you just want something small then I would highly recommend one of the Olympus Tough range - my first one was lost in a river for five months and returned to me when a member of the public found it, still lying in the river. It still works and spits out out the odd bit of sand every now and then. My replacement camera(also an Olympus Tough) turned up on a friends lawn the other day when she was mowing - my son must've dropped it out of his pocket. It'd been on the lawn in the rain and weather for nearly a week and then nearly got run over by the lawn mower.
So not only are these cameras robust & weather-proof but its very hard to lose them!
I would highly recommend the Olympus Tough if you are after just a P&S camera.