Budget camera for underwater snaps

Do you own a compact now? If yes. Maybe a housing is made for yours.

camersunderwater might help : http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/

Nope, I don't have a compact. I do have a Nikon D5100 DSLR but the underwater housing for that costs more than the camera. I don't want to spend a bunch of money as I might only use it underwater 3 or 4 times per year. 

I understand. I'll ask the misses  and see if any of her diving buddies can give any recommendations.

Much obliged BigH

Whilst on holiday in Egypt I tried one of those disposable waterproof cameras. As might be expected the picture quality was poor. Housings, especially for SLRs, are expensive so it might be better to buy a dedicated waterproof compact for the occasional use.

Do you have a budget in mind?

Not more than 200GBP 

Something from the Panasonic Lumix FT range? I have one from about 2/3 years ago, it's surprisingly good and able to go under with you. I think the brand new one (the FT5) is outside price range, about £280 but the previous two models (the 4...) are still on Amazon and under £200. Failing that, something from the Olympus Tough range perhaps, the TG-830 is apparently pretty good and that's £200ish.

If you can find one (it's the last issue) then have a read of this

https://www.imagineshop.co.uk/...apher-issue-135.html

It has a test of 4 cameras that are what you are looking for.

I'm sorry sniper all the replies given have all been way to expensive, I guess hobby divers will use underwater cameras much more than casual divers.

It looks like a couple of the suggestions above may fit the bill though.

Another recomendaton for the webite I mentioned, one of Sallys diver mates said they were very helpful, e-mail or by phone.

http://www.camerasunderwater.co.uk/

I did see a Fuji Finepix XP 150 for £200 from Pixmania, it's a W/P to 10 m, might fit the bill?

Hi Howard, 

Yes, it might very well fit the bill. It seems there are quite a few cameras available that are waterproof down to 10m - least ways that is what the box says. Many of the reviews I have looked at don't really mention the underwater robustness so I will just have to jump into the deep end, so to speak, and buy one. Many thanks for your kind suggestions.  

I'm not sure if cameras are like watches ie a waterproof to 10M is actually not much better than shower proof.

Why not fire an e-mail off to that website and see what they say, can't hurt?

After 30 feet or so the sunlight goes so thats a limit with out lights and then it get really complicated.

Good luck in your quest, I hope we can see the results soon.

Howard, 

I did fire off an email and they recommended a camera already on my shortlist so I will probably go with that (Olympus TG-2) but they also suggested I look into the GoPro range which I had never heard of but looks intriguing to say the least. I will probably end up buying both. Both are over budget of course. 

Cheers

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