Compact/Low Budget DSLR Recommendations for freediving

My needs: I will be freediving exclusively - so I need something small - will shoot available light almost all the time.

My budget is thin at best but here are the choices I'm looking at:

Olympus:

E-520

Olympus 9-16 lens

Olympus PT-E05 Housing with Dome Port

Nikon:

D60 Body

Tokina 10-17

S&S RDX-D60 Housing

S&S Dome port

Canon:

Canon XSi Body

Tokina 10-17

S&S RDX-D450 Housing

S&S Dome Port

I'm having to piece this together as the funds come in - any thoughts on one of these setups? I'm kind of leaning towards the Nikon D60 option, although Olympus has my interest but not sure on how image quality compares on the 4/3 format versus the other two setups. The Canon seems overpriced for an entry level camera body. The other lens I am looking at is the Tokina 50-135 f/2.8 lens as a second one for above water if I go the Nikon or Canon Route. Olympus is more limited but has some options worth looking at as well.

Once I decide on the body - everything else is pretty much determined based around that decision.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

How about a used Rebel XT or XTi and used Sea and Sea housing? You can get the combo for <$1000

Cheers

James

How about a used Rebel XT or XTi and used Sea and Sea housing? You can get the combo for <$1000

 

Cheers

James

Got any leads an that kind of setup? I'm more than interested in finding such a setup

There have been a bunch on Ebay lately and a few here in the classifieds. Just keep your eye out.

Cheers

James

Seatool seems to make the smallest of the housings i have seen.

They have one for the 450

You can learn all you want about the 4/3 here. www.fourthirdsphoto.com The bottom line is its tough to beat on price. The area the camera may struggle for you is higher ISO's. IMO as an owner ISO 1600 just isn't that usable on the camera unless you're happy with smaller prints. ISO 800 is about as far as I push it topside. Of course being a scuba diver, I use strobes so underwater I'm never above 100. As far as image quality goes, I really doubt you'll notice much difference between any of the entry level cameras. I hope this helps.

Gary