best digital camera on a budget

brokenarrowjbe · Post by **brokenarrowjbe** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 7:42 pm

Wife will not let me take the canon SLR kayaking, what is a good water proof digital camera. Also looking for a gps for keeping track of mangrove turns. Thanks, John

MrSpectaculous · Post by **MrSpectaculous** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 8:36 pm

Pentax Optio W30 is my choice but i'm of limited experience....I got mine based on reviews from right here on P-F.com and have not found reason to change.

Chief1600 · Post by **Chief1600** » Sat Nov 28, 2009 10:38 pm

Been using the Optio W10 for 3 years and am very satisfied with it. I haven't used the newer versions but hear they are excellent as well, considering they are point and shoot. Wife and daughter both have different Olympus models which are very good as well but the Optio has much better gattery life.

ChrisR · Post by **ChrisR** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 10:02 am

I would go with whichever Optio you can find within your budget. They truly are great little cameras. My W60 takes excellent pictures.

bigstins · Post by **bigstins** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 1:53 pm

Amazon has the pentax w80 with float strap for $199

skinnywater · Post by **skinnywater** » Sun Nov 29, 2009 2:52 pm

I have the W60 and love it. Battery life has never been an issue, and the picture quality is great.

cruiser · Post by **cruiser** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:09 am

I going for the Panasonic DMC-TS1

mudfish · Post by **mudfish** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:29 am

cruiser wrote:I going for the Panasonic DMC-TS1

Curious as to why? Checked out the specs on both and are very similar. Wondering what pro or con might have made the difference in your decision?

cruiser · Post by **cruiser** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:43 am

teamshaft3 wrote:
cruiser wrote:I going for the Panasonic DMC-TS1
Curious as to why? Checked out the specs on both and are very similar. Wondering what pro or con might have made the difference in your decision?

Been very satisfied w/ my DMC-FZ18 long zoom and these reviews.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/

trash.can.slam · Post by **trash.can.slam** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 12:20 pm

Do most of you use a waterproof camera, our keep a regular camera in one of those waterproof "shoot-through" bags?

mudfish · Post by **mudfish** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:48 pm

cruiser wrote:
teamshaft3 wrote:
cruiser wrote:I going for the Panasonic DMC-TS1
Curious as to why? Checked out the specs on both and are very similar. Wondering what pro or con might have made the difference in your decision?
Been very satisfied w/ my DMC-FZ18 long zoom and these reviews.

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/

No doubt, Lumix shoot some sweeeet pics, but all the one's I've seen have Leica lenses. This little guy I'm not too sure.

dunfly · Post by **dunfly** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 3:16 pm

trash.can.slam wrote:Do most of you use a waterproof camera, our keep a regular camera in one of those waterproof "shoot-through" bags?

I think waterproofs are the way to go. The current pricing is not that much more than the typical point and shoot and they are a lot easier to used than a camera in a bag or waterproof case. I have a Pentax W60, but there are now several others to choose from.

Based on the recent tests, I would probably go with the Cannon D10 if it weren't so bulky. The Panasonic TSI looks very interesting but I would probably stay with the Pentax just because of its excellent history.

Snook712 · Post by **Snook712** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:59 pm

I used an Optio 10 for several years and was OK with it. I jsut got a Panasonic DMC TS1 and really like it. Great video (including HD) and good outdoor shots. The indoors with flash is pretty poor but outdoors blows away the Optio. I would go waterproof rather than fooling with a box or bag. I keep it in my pocket and can pull it out whenever I need it.

DoubleM · Post by **DoubleM** » Mon Nov 30, 2009 10:31 pm

check the older Optios like mentioned above. I bought a used W20, it's pretty solid, waterproof and takes great photos.

Tree-Bone · Post by **Tree-Bone** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 3:55 pm

I have this: (Store in Palm Harbor or order on line.)

http://www.lakeshorecamera.com/spec_she ... b9f419ca2b

brokenarrowjbe · Post by **brokenarrowjbe** » Tue Dec 01, 2009 8:12 pm

How is the fuji viewing screen in bright sunlight?? Thanks, John