Waterproof and rugged are two adjectives that usually apply to outdoor gear such as my hiking boots. When I’m in the woods or on the slopes, I want to wear equipment that can stand up to the harsh treatment that I’m likely to encounter.
Here, I’m going to describe a different type of gear that I’ve used in the outdoors to record my adventures. I’m referring to several “ruggedized” cameras that I’ve had in past years. Actually, waterproof is too mild a word to use since each of these cameras can be used underwater. While not suitable for scuba diving, you can use them for taking photos in shallow water. My goal is to share my experiences with you in case you have a need or desire to record your own similar adventures.
These are the cameras that I’ve used:
- Pentax Optio WP - a 5 MP camera; 3X zoom; 2″ LCD screen; usable to 5 feet depth; compact, one of the first “ruggedized” cameras
- Olympus 720SW - a 7.1 MP camera; 3X zoom; 2.5″ LCD screen; usable to 10 feet depth
- Olympus 1030SW - a 10 MP camera; 3.6X zoom; 2.7″ LCD screen; usable to 33 ft depth. it’s crushable and operatates as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit
A few years ago with a vacation to Hawaii on the horizon, I purchased the Pentax Optio WP to record our family’s tropic experiences. I found this to be a very compact camera that could record not only our water and beach adventures, but our normal snapshots too. The WP had a few “extra” features such as exposure compensation to make it a versatile pocket camera for everyday use.
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I waded into the ocean to take this picture. The camera is impervious to both salt and water. |
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You can see that this is an underwater shot. The camera is rated to be waterproof for up to 30 minutes at a depth of 3 feet. We may have been deeper than this here, but only for a few seconds. |
A few month later, I gave the Pentax WP to a friend. When it was time to find a replacement, I turned to the Olympus 720SW.
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Here, the subjects are perched on a cliff 25 feet above the river. The zoom lens is “internal” for waterproof operation. I am shooting from the water below looking upward. |
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For this shot, I was again immersed in the water. The location is a fast moving mountain stream in the California Sierras - the water was cold. |
 click to play the movie |
I made this from movie clips captured with the 720SW. While I’ve jazzed it up with music, it demonstrates the versatility of a camera that I originally wanted for water stills. |
When the Olympus 1030SW appeared, I was intriqued by its specs. Here is a camera that can withstand a fall from 6 feet (shockproof), a depth of 33 feet beneath the surface (waterproof) and temperatures to 14 degrees Fahrenheit (cold).
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The scene is a chlorine pool. The bright sun is hot, making the camera hot too. |
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In this underwater shot, I’m in an 8 foot deep pool. The camera is rated to withstand pressure up to 33 feet, so the depth of the pool is not a factor. The flash fired underwater, providing even lighting. |
All of these cameras perform as conventional point-and-shoot varieties. As such they have standard features such as white balance selection, variable ISO settings and built-in flash. In order to seal properly for underwater operation, each as an internal zoom lens. Both Olympus 720SW and 1030SW the built-in flash operates underwater in case the scenery is dark down there. It’s been a while since I’ve used the Pentax Optio WP, so I don’t recall if the flash operates underwater. Keep in mind that unlike most others, the seal on these cameras let you use it when it’s raining - another advantage for all-weather shooters.
Caution. If you choose to add one to your gear bag, remember that they don’t float. I suggest that you use the hand strap or you may end up losing the camera in the water. Olympus and perhaps other 3rd parties make a floating strap, but this isn’t a very practical accessory when your goal is to photograph subjects beneath the surface. They are enjoyable for water and all-weather outdoor use. You can see from these photos that we’ve been able to share some of our outdoor fun.
