cp5000-what made it so close

This is a question for present and former users of the cp5000. What made it such an almost "semiperfect" choice for an UW camera? I have have one now, and know some of the more obvious shortfalls (ie. Shutter lag, long Raw write time, did I say Shutter lag, etc). But what were/are its excellent points?

The reason I'm asking is that IF I was to upgrade, what details would I look for that keep the best of the 5000, but address it's flaws?

And does any cameras out now come closer to this ideal. (looking names here). I understand the cp8400 is an improvement, but has sacrificed the terrific macro ability of the 5000.

Am a relative novice at UW P&S digital cameras. But have an adequate backround in above water film photography.

I used a CP5000 for about 2 years with a Subal housing. I found its plus points were its size (and travel portability), image quality, RAW availability, good close-up, manual settings, 45-degree LCD with the Subal housing, the wide-angle convertor. But you are dead right: shutter lag and slow RAW write time = missed images.

I switched to a DSLR (Nikon D100/Subal) about a year ago. WOW! Instant camera-on, much faster write, lens options, highly flexible. And now I travel with tons of gear.....

Tim

I had a C-5050. My friend had a CP 5000. In my opinion both about as good as it gets without going to SLR.

Thus, my advice. Be happy with what you have ... it's a fine camera. Or get a Canon or Nikon SLR. But don't bother looking for a better non DSLR camera as your current camera has you 90% as far as you can go on the non DSLR route.

http://www.splashdowndivers.com/photo_gall...aphy/index.html

I used a cp5000 for a couple of years, and still use it from time to time. IMO, what set it apart from a lot of cameras, both at the time and even now, is its ergonomics (virtually one hand operation). It is really easy to use, even in a housing, and with gloves! It is also very customisable, and has great colour rendition straight out of the camera.

Cheers,

Mat

If you put the auxiliary wide angle lens on this camera behind a dome port you can shoot wide angle as wide as that of the legendary Nikonos 15 mm lens. With the same set up you can shoot 1:1 macro. Thus covering the entire range of shots you might want to take underwater.

I know of no other set up to this day that can do this. You already know the camera's limitations.

I've been using a CP5000 in a Subal housing for over 3 years now and agree with all the previous comments on its strong points. With regard to the slow RAW write times other CP5000 users may be interested in my recent experience when I started using a 1GB Sandisk Extreme III CF card instead of a 1GB Sandisk Ultra II CF card. The RAW write times have been reduced by around 25%. It's still slow but not interminably slow like it used to be. Definitely an improvement.