Hello


I'll go on a canoe trip to Sweden this summer and I go kayaking on some more living water during winter in Belgium.

I know a waterproof case for my Fuji S5 DSLR would be the best solution in terms of quality pictures, but my bankaccount would be red for the next few years and that is not what i would want to happen.

So i am looking for a waterproof compact thing. What would be the best buy? lets say max 400euro, less is better, but i also know quality has his price.
Does I buy a video camera, or a photocamera with video function, ...

In daily, not paddling life, i'm apart from student also a stillphotographer, mosltly concerts.
This pushes me more toward video, but on the other hand, i like it more to have a good picture in stead of a video, which goes toward compact photocamera.


In short, what the camera (photo or video) needs to do, of what i would take in count:
- low daylight ability (winter in belgium) ->high ISO performance
- waterproof (off course)
- shockproof is also nice
- good general image quality
- good auto/scene mode
- short shutterlag if photocamera (used to DSLR)
- compact (PFD pocket size)
- some OPTICAL zoom would be nice, digital zoom is rubbish, i have a PC for that
- battery life (5days without electricity)
- if photo camera: RAW size pics are nicer to work with afterwards

what doesn't matter
- type of memory cards. I have CF, but need them in met DSLR

Hope to be able to make a decision within the next few days, weeks at most (will leave the 5th of july and will have to test the new toy)

Only you can decide whether you'd want a video or still camera... A waterproof housing for an SLR is big, I have one. It wouldn't be good for rivers in my opinion. I'm no expert on video cameras but here's my advice for a still camera:

If you're used to using an SLR you will be disappointed with a 'point-and-shoot', mostly in low light situations. Many of the small cameras throw up the ISO to crazy levels in low light/rainy conditions and all you're left with is a grainy photo full of noise. Also their shutter speeds and shutter release are not great.

Sony/Canon/Nikon all make good 'small' cameras. Any of these with Leica glass is almost always a good bet, remembering what I said above.

I personally use a digital SLR for rivers and paddle with it between my legs in a Pelican 1300 case. If it's raining, I either leave the camera or bring an umbrella with, which works very well. I don't recommend putting the camera there for safety reasons though. Good luck with your decision!

I think you have made the point that i was thinking of but unwilling to see

If you're used to using an SLR you will be disappointed with a 'point-and-shoot', mostly in low light situations.

have been checking the rest of the forum for more information, but i could only find stuff about the GoPro, so maybe one like that, it is also a 5MB photocamera is need be. only batterylife might be a problem

Haha!

The GoPro is a very fun camera. I wrote a review on it here:
playak.com/article.php?id=10850

Once again, it cannot substitute for a digital SLR in quality. Check this photo a friend of mine took on a river last year. GoPro HD photo in rainy and overcast weather. Not too bad actually for the size of the camera and bad light. Public link:
www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=14263615&...25b4f40&id=666040483

The Nikon D90 is a sweet SLR with video capability too.... But as you know, SLR's are always a bit of a pain to carry around. But then you have to ask yourself, what do you want?

You can charge the GoPro through USB - so through your laptop, or a car charger adapter etc. If it's a problem, buy more batteries.

i went to the shop: 399 euro for a go pro, naked
damn, other solution (such as shipping it myself from the USA)

Naked GoPro for 399 is insane. For a full on one we pay 330 Euro equivalent, and even that is a rip off...

i ckecked gopro.com and tryed to buy: 78$ shipmentcosts, 299$ for the helmet version
douane, VAT, some money for the shop, and you are there fast.

Some paddler(s) who come from the US to Belgium in the comming weeks?

found the gopro helmet for about 350 now in another, online store

anyone who know this one: contour.com/camera/hd_spec ?

I recently researched this on-line. In the past I have used the Pentax W line with good if not great results. Now there are more waterproof point-and-shoots than ever. The ones that top the list for picture quality are the Panasonic TS2/TS3 and the Sony TX10.

A friend of mine uses one and he's more than satisfied
You can check out some of the results:


Make sure to watch in 1080pHD.
D

thank you all!

At the moment, I'm trying to order the GoPro Helmet, but for one reason or another, the shop won't accept my card and I do not have the time to go to the shop itself.
So hopefully, i'll be able to get him within de next week or something like that.

hey try to check the german shops
www.camforpro.com/unternehmen/Versand_cu...d63e8bd8eff14ce.html

free shipping europe

too late, but for batteries and other extras: thanks!!

I went bodyboarding early this morning. Here is a screenshot from the video footage, as you can see, low light, not too bad I guess. Enjoy the camera!!

it's not slr quality, but hey, its cheap and waterproof
my slr was 700 second hand, no lens, no memory, 1 battery, ...
i finally ordered the GoPro Helmet for €370 including shipment

Yes but the SLR will be massive once inside a housing Enjoy

i know, that's why i was looking for a more compact and also cheaper waterproof sollution

I have the GoPro HD Cam and I love it. Check out www.actioncam.de