Can't decide Canon G5 or Oly 5060

Hi all

Looking for some input on a new digital. Have looked at a range of 4 and 5 meg cameras around the US$700 price and am leaning towards one of these. All the forum topics I have read indicate that both are excellent cameras. Which housing should I get for each camera. Have heard that the new Olympus housing is average.The Ikelite sounds great but is it worth the extra bucks.The Canon housing is very cheap but does it perform cheaply or is it a quality piece of gear.

Is there any other cameras out there that are similar to these in spec and quality that I should consider.

Some of the cheaper models seem ok as well.

Ian Hamilton

The problem with both these cameras is the slow autofocus.

You'll get some great shots with either, but you'll want to tear out your hair sometimes, when the camera refuses to focus, and the subject swims off, before the cam triggers.

I'd say the 5060 is likely to be better underwater, overall, since it has superior macro mode.

However, I'd check out the sony DSC-V1. Surprisingly good at everything, and WAY better AF. Ikelite makes a housing...

Don

But the 5060 allows Ikelite digital SubStrobes to provide real Olympus TTL with a sync cord when installed in the new Ikelite housing.

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/oly_5060.html

Get a camera that allows you to focus manually. I ordered a 5060 yesterday.

The problem with both these cameras is the slow autofocus.

 

You'll get some great shots with either, but you'll want to tear out your hair sometimes, when the camera refuses to focus, and the subject swims off, before the cam triggers.

 

I'd say the 5060 is likely to be better underwater, overall, since it has superior macro mode.

 

However, I'd check out the sony DSC-V1.  Surprisingly good at everything, and WAY better AF.  Ikelite makes a housing...

 

Don

Thanks Don

The Sony looks like a very good camera. Read a couple of reviews.

I aim to get into manual focusing as quick as I can master the technique.

This will eliminate any autofocus lag.

I am leaning towards the 5060.

The 27mm lense and the 3 cm macro focus are the points that might get the Oly over the line.

Ian H

But the 5060 allows Ikelite digital SubStrobes to provide real Olympus TTL with a sync cord when installed in the new Ikelite housing.

http://www.ikelite.com/web_pages/oly_5060.html

Ike

The ikelite housing looks very compatable with the 5060.

Don't know if I can fit it into my budget.

Have emailed the aussie distributor for a price but have not got a reply yet.

Does the oly housing allow TTL strobes to be attached.

Ian H

Get a camera that allows you to focus manually. I ordered a 5060 yesterday.

Anders

I had a look at the underwater shots posted on your website. You have some great pictures there.

Did you take them with your S40.

If the 5060 takes shots like these I would be happy.

Ian H

Thank you! All pictures on my web site are taken with the S40. Apart from the housing and an extra battery I do not own any accessories. A few shots have been lighted with a torch and/or video light.

I feel limited by the S40 and that housing. I hope the 5060 will be a step up.

I just got my 5060 (the battery isn’t fully charged yet). I ordered the camera, the housing and the wide-angle adaptor, but not the wide-angle port.

I’ve also ordered an Ikelite DS-50 with a manual controller.

Later I plan to either get a dome port for the PT-020 housing or swap to an Ikelite housing (with the dome port).

/Anders

All of the current digicams let you manually focus, but none of them make it really practical, since you can't compose and focus at the same time. They have various magnification modes, that will try to let you see if something is in focus, but I don't think any of them work that well.

In some situations, I find it helpful to use AF, and switch over to manual, just to lock it.

Ikelite housings rock! The wired auto flash with oly 5060, or wireless with the canon G series, works great.

Any camera will produce great shots. It's a question of how many misses you have to put up with.