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Best Underwater/tough Camera


Lollipup
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So we are about to go to Fiji and I'd love to have a camera that is safe to use by the pool and to go snorkelling.

I'm thinking the GoPro HD Hero2. When I went to look at JB Hifi, they didn't have any but they had a new one called a Muvi. Does anyone know what they are like?

Can anyone tell me if the GoPro's are good for underwater. i read that you should get a Dive case if you want decent photos while snorkelling and that costs extra. Has anyone here used one for diving with or without the dive case and how does it go?

Their new model (HD Hero3) comes out in November but I need it in the next couple of days.

Another option is the Sony Action cam. Anyone used one of those to compare?

Thanks in advance for anyone who can give me some tips!

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kja is the person to ask. :)

She's on holidays at the moment, so I think you're out of luck if you need info soon!

However, if you search through her posts there is some good info in there.

Did you want video or still camera? Aren't the GoPro videos?

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Well the GoPro is $399 and thats as much as I want to pay. It does 11mega pixel photos and HD video as well. I'd like both so thats good. I tried to search to find some of kja's photos but no luck. I did think of her straight away but do need to make a decision soon unfortunately. Sort of a last minute thought for the trip. We leave on Wednesday but go to Brisbane today. So I could buy one somewhere in Brisbane where I should have more choice

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Lollipup

Be careful to get one rated to the number of metres you're likely to snorkel to...

Ie "waterproof" - the australian standard defines as rated to 1 metre - which isn't even the bottom of your average backyard inground pool. But it's fine for the beach and wading and getting splashed and then rinsing off.

20m would cover most shallow water scuba diving. And you could probably get away with 10m for snorkling.

Go pro in cases get used a lot for surf movies - so they're very reliable and popular.

if you do get a camera that you want to use underwater and you need to get a case - it's good to find out what works up front, ie most of the flip out videos with touch screen controls - can't be used underwater - because you can't touch the screen, or flip the side out.

You might want to have a look here to see what the regular underwater photographers think

http://www.diveoz.com.au/discussion_forums/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=41

PS the hero 3 go pro looks really nice and comes with a housing rated to 60m. I know if I'm that deep I'm probably dead.

Edited by Mrs Rusty Bucket
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Thanks for the links! The lumix looks awesome. Only thing I like better about the gopro is how you can attach it to things, would love to out one on a dog lol

Does the Lumix take good video?

Gopro can go deeper but maybe not as good quality photos underwater?

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How good the underwater photos are - has to do with water clarity mostly. And skill of the operator.

The best photos are with the big SLRs in housings with flash strobes set 1m either side of the camera - amazing photos.

But the point and click are nice. The latest go pro - they're using it for movies...

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Today I bought the Lumix FT4 in blue :) I also got it on special. The battery is charging now. It looks great and I can't wait to useit. I wouldn't have even heard of this camera if it weren't for dol. Looking through kja's posts and seeing her photos and comments also helped so thank you for directing me to that. Thanks kja for helping without even knowing it lol.

The attachments that fit the gopro and other action cams also fit any camera so if I really want to hitch it to something, I still can so that really gave me no reason to need the gopro over the lumix.

Can't wait to get to Fiji and hopefully get some decent underwater shots :)

You are all awesome!

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Today I bought the Lumix FT4 in blue :) I also got it on special. The battery is charging now. It looks great and I can't wait to useit. I wouldn't have even heard of this camera if it weren't for dol. Looking through kja's posts and seeing her photos and comments also helped so thank you for directing me to that. Thanks kja for helping without even knowing it lol.

The attachments that fit the gopro and other action cams also fit any camera so if I really want to hitch it to something, I still can so that really gave me no reason to need the gopro over the lumix.

Can't wait to get to Fiji and hopefully get some decent underwater shots :)

You are all awesome!

Yay! I have the FT4 in blue too, and it's great. I haven't used it much underwater as I dont go to many clear water places, but it gets wet a lot as I take it dragon boat and it copes really well.

Just have to wipe the lens often, because when water dries on it, it leaves splotchy marks (found that out the hard way lol)

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