aztimm

Apologies if this has recently been addressed. I did a search, but the most relevant thread i found was from 2012.


I'm looking for a reasonably priced (less than US$100 or so) camera that I can use in/under water. I swim and would like something I can stick in the pouch of my swim buoy. If I get to an area of interest I can pull it out and take some pictures.
It doesn't have to be perfect, just something decent.

No, I do NOT want a GoPro or anything that sophisticated or expensive.

Here are 2 that I've seen recommended:
https://smile.amazon.com/APEMAN-A79-...3499463&sr=8-3
https://smile.amazon.com/AKASO-EK700...3499278&sr=8-3

Both of those are about US$50, which is a price I'd be happy with, so long as the technology is fairly easy to use. If it got broken or lost (slipped out of my hands and sunk to the bottom of a lake) I would be upset, but it wouldn't be devastating.

I normally leave my phone in my car when I'm swimming, so it would have to be something that can operate independently. I do wear an Apple Watch while I swim.

I'd also prefer not to have to use a special website to upload pictures. Something that can upload directly to my phone or computer would be ideal.

deniah

get a waterproof case for your phone or buy a used olympus tough tg-series phone. not too many choies at 100

der_saeufer

Are you looking for a video camera or something to shoot stills with? And how deep are we talking?

If you're planning on taking mainly stills while swimming or snorkeling, there are tons of point-and-shoots out there from the usual suspects (Nikon, Canon, Pentax, etc.) that are waterproof to ~2m or more. The current crop probably go for $200ish new, but eBay or your favorite used camera retailer should have plenty for less than $100. Anything worth buying will take SD cards, so pretty easy to get photos off.

I have one of these: https://www.dpreview.com/articles/2874670998/pentaxw80 and have taken it scuba diving (officially waterproof to 5m but I got away with 10 plenty of times). There's currently one on eBay US for $50.

If you're going deeper or looking to shoot 'action video', at that price range you're looking mainly at GoPro knockoffs like you linked.

You'll get far better photos off a decent point-and-shoot, even one that's 10 years old, than off a cheap action camera.

aztimm

Thanks for the reply!

I'm looking more for something just to take still pictures. I can't imagine wanting to shoot any kind of video, and I wouldn't know how to handle that anyway (I've never used a video editor).
I'd really rather avoid anything with memory cards or needing to remove/insert batteries. I've heard of doors popping off, which then caused damage to the camera. I've also heard of cards getting lost.

I don't dive, really just swim. Perhaps if I saw something interesting that I wanted to get a picture of I might go down a few feet. I did SNUBA once, but I couldn't imagine having a free hand to take pictures in addition to everything else that was going on.

Used doesn't really interest me, unless I know the seller and they have a good reason why they are selling (such as upgrading or they no longer swim, etc.) Too many horror stories, and I've had mixed luck with my limited forays on eBay.

Sounds like i just need to mull this over for a bit and decide if I really want something. I was given the latest GoPro Hero as a birthday present recently, but ended up returning it because I really didn't think I needed something that extreme (and expensive). I definitely do NOT want to use my phone for something like this, as there is way too much risk of it sinking beyond retrieval. That was my thought with the knockoffs; for $50 I'd be annoyed if I lost it, but it wouldn't be the end of the world.

LIH Prem

there's a whole lot of waterproof cameras good to shallow depths, like 10'.

Travel Photography might be a better forum for your question..

-David

Loren Pechtel

As for it sinking--attach a float. Also, some underwater-capable cameras are built to float.

der_saeufer

All cameras are going to use a memory card of some sort or another; the action cams--including the two you linked--esentially all use microSD. Likewise they have removable batteries, although most 'action cams' charge over USB by default vs. using an external charger. As far as a battery/card door goes, I'm not sure how that's any different than an action cam's case that you have to remove to plug in a charger or pop out the microSD card. The case has more points of failure since it has to seal on all sides vs. a battery door that closes against a flat surface.

I totally get the concern about buying used and would share it if we were talking a larger amount of cash (I bought my good Micro 4/3 body used, but from a well-known camera shop with a warranty), but eBay is full of cameras from reputable brands that are suitable for swimming for well under $100. You may also be able to find one from one of the online camera shops like KEH, but at that low of a price point the big shops tend not to bother, so you're really better off just buying off eBay from a seller with a decent rating or trying your luck with your local camera shop's bargain bin.

Personally, I'd rather have a used camera from a good manufacturer than a new one from a no-name Chinese factory. And no matter how much experience you have--or don't--as a photographer, you will absolutely take better photos with a point-and-shoot from 2010 than a brand new no-name action cam. There's just no comparison when it comes to the glass.

Edit to add: I went looking a little harder on eBay, and not only are there some decent waterproof cameras in the $30ish range, the Nikon AW1x0 series (which were intended for underwater photography and have built-in GPS) are nearly all under $100 these days. I wanted one but wasn't willing to pay $400 new. So now I have to buy one, thanks for that

sea_jeff

I’ve been considering picking up one of these open box Fujis. Stupid cheap.
Hesitating because I’ll probably never use it.

https://fnacpartsaccessories.com/cam...-open-box.html

aztimm

What specific make/model do you recommend?

I've read reviews of floats used for cameras failing. When I'm in a lake/river/ocean, I swim with a tow float and could keep a camera inside it. My fear is when I'm using it that it would fall and sink or float away. Even if it floats, when waves are strong and knock a camera out of your hands, you may not easily find it.

josephstern

I've tried that. They aren't really made for you to use the phone in the case - more to keep it dry. So unlocking the phone and using buttons is basically impossible.

aztimm

So after thinking about this for a LONG time... I'm doing a swim trip to Greece in a few days. I was going to buy a disposable camera, was looking on Amazon, and a cheap digital was $50 (a disposable nearing $30). So I caved and got the digital.

I brought it with me swimming this morning. After I was done, I went back in the water and played with it a bit. Considering that I didn't know what I was doing and the camera is so cheap, I'm happy with how the pictures turned out. And if the camera breaks or I lose it, I don't be terribly upset.
It was actually pretty easy to just plug it into my computer and look through the pictures. I still don't trust the door on the camera with the card/batter/USB, but we'll see how it goes.

I did order a floating strap (about $7).