Optio W60 or Olympus Stylus 1030SW

[AL_N_VB]

What are your thoughts of these waterproof cameras? Which one would be great for surf, pier,wade and boat fishing.

Tired of my point and shoots crapping out.....yeah....mostly my fault.

[Lip Ripper]

i have had the Olympus for about a year and i love it so far. the other camera says it will go to a depth of 13ft. but the olympus is waterproof to something like 33ft. if your a stickler for keeping your stuff like new, you might want to get the silver colored one. i have the green one and the coloring scratches of easily (rubbing against your keys). the olympus also has some cool easy to use features.

ps- the olympus IS waterproof. i have had it in fresh and salt water as well as in a pitcher of beer, and have never had a problem.

also, the start up time from when you push the power button, to when you can take a picture is ridiculously fast (like 1.5 sec.)

[AL_N_VB]

Thanks. Does the Olympus take a standard SD memory card? What's the battery life like?

[Lip Ripper]

Thanks. Does the Olympus take a standard SD memory card? What's the battery life like?

it takes an xd card, and the battery life is great. i barely ever have to charge it.

[emjay]

I just got one, and it seems pretty nice. Mine came with an adapter for micro sd cards as well. The view screen on the back seems nice and bright - can't wait to get my first fishing pic with it.

[AL_N_VB]

it takes an xd card, and the battery life is great. i barely ever have to charge it.


So you got the Olympus 1030SW?....I found a Olympus 850 for $150.00, about half of what the 1030 is goung for.

I hope I am comparing apples to apples. Thanks yall!

[emjay]

in the maximum picture resolution, the zoom range, and the shock and water resistance with the different models (there are some older models that you might still find available as well).
I was only expecting to get the 850, but my wife went with the more expensive model.
If you're just planning on taking dry snapshots but wanted a more "rugged" camera, I think you'll still be good - but I'm not the expert.

[stupidjet]

i just got the 1030sw for xmas. sweet camera so far, but i havent gotten it wet yet.

waterproof to 33 feet is sweet, and it says it's crush proof to 220 lbs.

the 1030sw just seems like the most rugged out of the group.

[AL_N_VB]

Just did a little research and looks like the Olympus 1030SW or 850 is the way to go. The Pentax is a good alternative but the slow shutter lag may be problematic for trying to catch that 'moment'.

Thanks guys and gals for the help!

[sprtsracer]

i have had the Olympus for about a year and i love it so far. the other camera says it will go to a depth of 13ft. but the olympus is waterproof to something like 33ft. if your a stickler for keeping your stuff like new, you might want to get the silver colored one. i have the green one and the coloring scratches of easily (rubbing against your keys). the olympus also has some cool easy to use features.

ps- the olympus IS waterproof. i have had it in fresh and salt water as well as in a pitcher of beer, and have never had a problem.

also, the start up time from when you push the power button, to when you can take a picture is ridiculously fast (like 1.5 sec.)

I don't have either one...just a Kodak digital that is NOT waterproof. I am more interested, as I'm sure others are, as to exactly HOW your camera ended up in a pitcher of beer!!! LOL :D

[AL_N_VB]

I don't have either one...just a Kodak digital that is NOT waterproof. I am more interested, as I'm sure others are, as to exactly HOW your camera ended up in a pitcher of beer!!! LOL :D

:beer::beer::beer:heard of a bird's-eye view, but a beer's-eye view is very new to me:p

[SkunkApe]

I've got the Olympus 850 SW and you see from the pix I post, the quality is pretty good. I've taken it spear fishing about 15' down w/ no problems. Just get the insurance 'cause the last 720 SW I had took a dump on me, because I left the charger hatch open.....and took a dip w/ it...needless to say, user error.:D

Skunk

[AL_N_VB]

I've got the Olympus 850 SW and you see from the pix I post, the quality is pretty good. I've taken it spear fishing about 15' down w/ no problems. Just get the insurance 'cause the last 720 SW I had took a dump on me, because I left the charger hatch open.....and took a dip w/ it...needless to say, user error.:D

Skunk

Thanks Matt. Pretty improsive pics. So...looks loke in '09...there should be more pics in my posts.

[Puppy Mullet]

I bought the Pentax W60 2 months ago.
This is my first quality camera
The images and movies are very sharp and clear.
The micro and panoramic features still blow my mind.
View screen is big and easy to see in sunlight compared to others I have observed.
It feels very solid in hand.
I dropped it on the floor and no harm done. very rugged.
The menu is simple.. for example. Select "pet" to photo your dog. Select dark if he is black. Walla! Perfect picture.
I bought an extra (expensive) battery and it last a very long time.
I really like my new toy and keep throwing money at it.
Now ordering a clear rubber "skin" that keeps it from getting scratched up or sliding around. Also a floating wrist band.
Got it from http://www.abesofmaine.com/item=PNOW60B~item.htm
fast and free shipping. good peeps.

[AL_N_VB]

While waiting for the water temps to get back up and getting the fishing gear together...I've been waiting to push the button for a weather-proof / water proof / NJ proof digi-camera. After doing my homework,either a Optio W30 or an Olympus 850SW were my options.

I would prefer a Optio W30 just for the SD card compatibility and the better/ positive *reviews*. It has the things that I am looking for in a beach / fishing camera. The price is also right, but finding a new in box that is not a refurb is difficult. I will not buy one from Circuit City!

The Stylus 850SW was really nice but the XD card was distracting plus there were a lot more negative *reviews*. This camera was also on the high end $$$ ( even for a used one)!

*all the reviews read were battery compartment issues were water had seeped.*
...Both cameras mentioned also had issues of visibilty with their view finders in bright sunlight and not so good night shots. These factors are not so good when trying to get that picture of a lifetime:D


Price, construction and reliabilty is deffinitely a priority prior to purchase. I did not want a refurb nor a used one. I don't want to blow the $$$$ and then have one crap out on me on a boat or at the beach. I've checked E-Flay, Craigs list, ect

While surfin the web, I found this:

http://www.pierandsurf.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=66&pictureid=365
http://www.pierandsurf.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=66&pictureid=366
FinePix Z33WP

The price is in the ball park I was looking at and the Fugi will support the SD cards that I already have. The view finder is larger and has better resolution. The only grip that it does not come in silver or metalic color. If i got one, it would be black.

Anyone got one? They just came out last Febuary and was wondering if anyone's got a review or know' someone that has one.

[Openboat]

I like my W30, but would like something with sharper optics when zoomed out. The battery has been no problem (as it was in the original Wp), and I have yet to needed the extra battery we purchased.

Have been keeping track of new WP cameras for Spring 2009 (under General Interest on Rob’s site), but have no source for reviews on them.
In addition, dpreview.com reported that:
“General Imaging is launching the waterproof G3WP with a 12.2Mp sensor and 2.7” LCD. “
and in general about WP camera:
“Once the preserve of Pentax and Olympus, this too is an area where most of the major players have decided to compete for what's left of our hard-earned dollars.”

[Ryan Y]

Hey Al, I just saw this thread...Dont know how i missed it...

I got the w60...Had it since late last summer. It's what all my photos and vids have been taken with. It shoots in HD quality and now with an HDSD card, it's the shit. Those under water dolphin I took vids with just holding it under water with the normal video option, not the underwater option.

[EDMboarder]

I have the olympus now, and wish i had gone for another pentax like i used to have. Pentax takes much sharper images and is a better overall camera in my opinion.
But my dang olympus just wont break :p

[AbuMike]

I snaged an Olympus 1030SW the last day of Circuit City for $70. Thats like 80% off. So far so good...

[jhmorgan]

Iv had the Olympus 850 for a couple years now (think my gf gave it to me 2 christmas' ago, but cant really remember). Its a decent camera as far as taking quality pictures, but I can attest to the fact that it IS water/shock proof. Iv gone in salt and fresh and its never had any issues. And Im not talking about it getting sprayed on, Im saying taht I have done underwater shots boatside, dove deep with it etc.

[Lightload]

I've been using a Pentax Optio W20 for several years now. Fantastic camera! This is an older model so reporting on it in this thread may be irrelevent but there's one thing I wanted to add here. During a recent stay in Florida I set the self-timer function on my W20 and propped it up on the spare tire of my camper so I could get in a picture with my wife. It wasn't propped very well because it fell off the tire. The camera dropped four feet onto a concrete pad. I figured that would do it in but to my surprise the camera still works great! A couple scratches on the corner where it hit but other than that, no damage! Don't know if the 60's are as tough but my 20 sure is rugged!

[AL_N_VB]

got the Fuji in...and lemme tell ya..its small!

ps- the olympus IS waterproof. i have had it in fresh and salt water as well as in a pitcher of beer, and have never had a problem


Decided to see what the Fuji see's thu a glass of beer...hmm camera still werks an the beer was quite tasty....

http://pierandsurf.com/forum/picture.php?albumid=57&pictureid=440


Once I get back from Ocracoke, I post a full review...but so far...I'm likin the Fuji WP.