Compact Sized Digital Camera

I need some advice on selecting a compact digital pocket sized camera that gives acceptable results. I usually dive with my Nikon D70, Subal housing and 2 x DS125 Strobes when taking photos - but I am looking for something just to stick in my pocket for use during Dive Classes etc. Up until someone stole my Sony T1 camera (I still have the empty case), I used this to produce some acceptable quality images, but I am looking to replace the camera with hopefully something better. In particular, I am after a camera that will be able to use the internal flash rather than hooking up to a strobe (as this defeats the purpose and I would just take my D70).

I am not concerned with the price of the camera and housing. I will be also using the camera topside for a general carry arround camera - so small size is important. Does anyone have any suggestions on what would make a reasonable setup. Only needs to be in the 4MP range. PS I also have a Nikon CP5000, so I am not interested in something that size either - must be a compact.

Thanks

Pat

Hello Pat

have you looked at the sea&sea dx8000

http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/sea-and-sea-dx8000g-review/

there is also a 5mp version dx5000

and a 3mp one dx3000

worth a look

regards

matt

The Coolpix 7900 looks pretty good with a 7MP (!) JPG file and very neat; and the Coolpix S1 for size and sex appeal........

Thanks for the replies. I have actually just ordered myself a Coolpix 7900. I have heard from a few others that it is a good underwater compromise between size and photo quality.

Has anyone had good experiences to share using this camera?? What about tips for shooting it underwater? I will be waiting for about another week before the housing arrives to test it out.

Cheers

Pat

Customer photos on following URL but appear as though they have been "massaged"

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/triv_gautier.html

Aloha Pat,

How has your 7900 been? I'm looking, and that is one that I'm considering. Care to share any photos? Thanks!

I recently had a similar question and ended up plumping for the Nikonn S3. My main purchasing reasons were to have a compact, fit in my pocket camera to take out with me. But I also wanted something for UW shooting.

My main reasons were:

1) a camera for models to pose with

2) a small backup camera that would fit in my BC pocket (so had to be thin) and would take decent shots without the need for accessory flashes and lenses - which quickly turn a compact camera into anything but compact.

This gallery shows some snaps (note the first two are actually taken with my DSLR - showing the camera in its modelling role). EDIT - I have just noticed that the second shot is actually a different camera - whoops. Most of these shots were taken on 3 dives, and I even tried the camera in turbid seagrass conditions - where I must admit that the flash just really causes backscatter. Here is the gallery:

http://www.amustard.com/s3/

None of these pictures are cropped. I think that the noise levels are quite high - and the camera definitely produces as "processed" look straight from the camera.

Wide angle with the internal flash really isn't going to happen, and the wide angles were taken with a new AUTO-WB filter I am working on (so no flash, just point and shoot)

Alex

Alex,

Why did you choose this model? Many of the new compacts are small and have proprietary housings. Why not something from the Canon power shot line for example?

I'm looking for a simple compact camera with a compact housing as well. For me the most important features in addition to size and housability are a true manual mode and reasonable speed. Custom white balance and RAW would also be a plus.

From dpreview it looks like the Nikon allows custom white balance--which would be useful for the Magic filter. But wouldn't you have wanted something with a manual exposure control?

The two that I am looking at are the Panasonic DMC-LX1, which you mentioned in a previous post and the Casio EXZ750. Both of them are very fast and responsive with loads of features including manual and manual white ballance. The main problem with both of these is that there don't seem to be any housings available. Casio has made housings for their cameras before but Ikelite doesn't seem to support either brand. Perhaps a custom Ikelite housing could be made to solve this?

Perhaps there is something in the Nikon that I'm overlooking?

Thanks for the help.