Swim with Mermaids - Waterproof Camera Options
Reviewed on 30 May 2008

This summer is promising to bring a heat wave of the fun kind. Whether you're going on holiday to the beach or just a weekend trip to the poolside, there's going to be plenty of photo opportunities you don't want to miss. While most cameras and most gadgets for that matter are water phobic, it shouldn't mean you should miss out on snapping shots of that spectacular dive, or a beautiful wave.

If you already have a camera, you could consider a waterproof case to put it in before you start swimming in the pool with it. Canon and even Sony has several waterproof cases that are waterproof to up to 40 meters, and will keep sand, dust and dirt away from your camera. The advantage of a waterproof case is that they can turn a good bridging camera into a good underwater camera. You can dive, and swim without worrying about the gadgetry underneath the tightly sealed plastic case. The Canon Waterproof Case WP-DC21 will keep out water, dust and sand and is specifically for the Canon Powershot G9.

The downside to waterproof cases is that most of the cases are very specific to a type of camera which means there are only a select number of cameras that have a case that fits them. Rather than buy a brand new case and a brand new camera together, you could just find a waterproof camera. Some are simply weatherproof which means it can withstand a heavy rainstorm, such as the Ricoh G600 who’s armoured body can withstand being dropped, being in the snow and being rained on, but is only waterproof to 1m. Others are waterproof to up to 10 meters. The Olympus mju 1030 SW is waterproof to 10 meters which is great for taking underwater pictures. The Olympus mju SW series are not only waterproof, but shockproof and freeze-proof, which means it’s set for winter and summer. You might not want to take it scuba-diving with you, but you won’t have to worry if you drop it into a pool.

The downside to a waterproof camera is that they are often pretty limited in their functions. So if you want a camera that can do something special, or already have one then you might not be keen on a waterproof camera that is missing a feature you really want. So if you don’t want a new camera, and you can’t find a waterproof case for your own gadget, don’t fret, just find a DiCAPac waterproof bag that will fit your camera. DiCAPac WP-500 DC Waterproof Housing Case can carry a variety of different cameras. They are waterproof up to 5m, are lightweight, flexible and can fit many different size and types of cameras. They’ll even float if you drop them into the ocean so you don’t have to worry about losing them to the depths.

All three choices come with pros and cons, but the best advantage is that you won’t have to fear water and dust putting your camera out of work. The summer is the time to head to the beach and pool and have fun without worrying about protecting your camera from the elements.