Cameras? - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

dorf · 03-15-2008, 09:09 AM

I have had my Olympus 720 SW for over a year and a half now and love it. Takes great pics on land as well as shore. I took my family Christmas card pic with it las year. It takes okay video with sound above and under water. If you have young kids it is great for videoing their first time swimming at La Jolla and things like that.

I have a retractable leash for it when I am on the water. It DOES NOT float! I have dropped it from about 4-5 feet and have not had any problems with it.

This camera is about the size of a pack of cards so it easily fits into a Life Vest pocket. Other water cameras I have looked at are way to bulky to have on the yak.

I had a Sony water camera once but the battery life was about 20 minutes. The 720SW has a rechargeable battery that lasts for a couple of days.

Good luck on your choice.

sbsyncro · 03-15-2008, 09:17 AM

One "nit" I forgot to mention is that the PENTAX Optio W30 has a proprietary USB connector, so it is another cable to worry about. it does NOT use the standard "mini-USB" connector that a lot of other cameras and DVRs use. Most of us probably have several of these cables lying around and use them interchangeably - unfortunately with the PENTAX, you have to keep track of this specific cable.

I also bought a 4GB SD card and an extra battery. With these, I am able to go on multi-day outings away from power sources and computers.

Oh, and I agree with the idea of having a silicone skin - definitely helps with grip-ability and keeps it from getting banged up while rolling around with all the other gear on deck. Here's a video review I posted to Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Optio-S...5601498&sr=8-1

Here are also some more snapshots taken with the PENTAX that show a variety of lighting and range situations - all taken in true "snapshot" fashion (e.g. no regard for the settings, just using the full auto settings):
http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen#100094

GHOSTHUNTR · 03-15-2008, 12:40 PM

I have the Olymus 770sw and I think it is great. I agree that a slow shutter speed is very annoying(especially for taking pictures of your kids).The 770 doesn't have that problem. One thing, make sure you hold the camera under fresh water and open the shutter several times to clean it up. This will keep the shutter cover from freezing up.

MVC · 03-15-2008, 12:43 PM

I was in Target a few weeks ago and they have the Olympus for $199.00

mg2969 · 03-15-2008, 01:03 PM

vivitar 6200w
@ $125
AA battery
Standard SD card
waterproof to 30 ft
seems to be identical to sealife models just lower rated depth
comes with extra 0-ring

http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-6%252e...5614896&sr=8-1

nunyabizness1 · 03-16-2008, 04:29 PM

Nathan,

I had the SW770 Olympus and was not happy with it at all. On the plus side, it's great for water use and no problem dropping it due to the shock absorbing feature. On the serious negative side, it's only a 3X zoom and the quality of the pics is really poor and grainy. That's a huge disappointment to me for the price of the camera. If you are counting on that camera to record pics of your kids that you want to come out good, forget it. Also, it's not user-friendly to switch from pic mode to video mode or other settings. You wiill miss the shot if you need to quickly switch from video to still shots. I lost some great opportunities due to that. I do not recommend the Olympus camera at all.

PerryC · 03-16-2008, 05:46 PM

I also have one of the Olympus 790SW's and really like it. It does take a few seconds to start up, so you do have to take a few seconds to setup your shot. It is nice and compact and fits into most PFD pockets and fishing vests very well. Sure beats keeping a non-waterproof camera in a peanut butter jar

h2ofishfo · 06-23-2008, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mg2969

vivitar 6200w
@ $125
AA battery
Standard SD card
waterproof to 30 ft
seems to be identical to sealife models just lower rated depth
comes with extra 0-ring

http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-6%252e...5614896&sr=8-1

---------where did u get that camera the model just above that one on the amazon link looked nice

TheSherThang · 06-23-2008, 08:01 PM

Just picked up the Olympus 1030SW. Used it on the water but not in it yet. Great pictures out of the water so far. Also dropped it from about 4 feet and still ticking though there is a dent in it

.

03-15-2008, 09:17 AM	#2
sbsyncro Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Posts: 80	One "nit" I forgot to mention is that the PENTAX Optio W30 has a proprietary USB connector, so it is another cable to worry about. it does NOT use the standard "mini-USB" connector that a lot of other cameras and DVRs use. Most of us probably have several of these cables lying around and use them interchangeably - unfortunately with the PENTAX, you have to keep track of this specific cable. I also bought a 4GB SD card and an extra battery. With these, I am able to go on multi-day outings away from power sources and computers. Oh, and I agree with the idea of having a silicone skin - definitely helps with grip-ability and keeps it from getting banged up while rolling around with all the other gear on deck. Here's a video review I posted to Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pentax-Optio-S...5601498&sr=8-1 Here are also some more snapshots taken with the PENTAX that show a variety of lighting and range situations - all taken in true "snapshot" fashion (e.g. no regard for the settings, just using the full auto settings): http://gallery.mac.com/bpchristensen#100094 Last edited by sbsyncro; 03-15-2008 at 09:47 AM.

03-15-2008, 01:03 PM	#5
mg2969 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Long Beach / Lakewood Posts: 85	vivitar 6200w @ $125 AA battery Standard SD card waterproof to 30 ft seems to be identical to sealife models just lower rated depth comes with extra 0-ring http://www.amazon.com/Vivitar-6%252e...5614896&sr=8-1 __________________ Hobie Mirage Revolution Prowler 13 - Look ma no hands

03-16-2008, 04:29 PM	#6
nunyabizness1 Maggie Join Date: May 2007 Location: Nunya Posts: 126	SW770 Nathan, I had the SW770 Olympus and was not happy with it at all. On the plus side, it's great for water use and no problem dropping it due to the shock absorbing feature. On the serious negative side, it's only a 3X zoom and the quality of the pics is really poor and grainy. That's a huge disappointment to me for the price of the camera. If you are counting on that camera to record pics of your kids that you want to come out good, forget it. Also, it's not user-friendly to switch from pic mode to video mode or other settings. You wiill miss the shot if you need to quickly switch from video to still shots. I lost some great opportunities due to that. I do not recommend the Olympus camera at all.

03-16-2008, 05:46 PM	#7
PerryC Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Orange County Posts: 13	Cameras I also have one of the Olympus 790SW's and really like it. It does take a few seconds to start up, so you do have to take a few seconds to setup your shot. It is nice and compact and fits into most PFD pockets and fishing vests very well. Sure beats keeping a non-waterproof camera in a peanut butter jar __________________ Visit us online at All KayakFishing.

03-15-2008, 09:09 AM	#1
dorf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 279	I have had my Olympus 720 SW for over a year and a half now and love it. Takes great pics on land as well as shore. I took my family Christmas card pic with it las year. It takes okay video with sound above and under water. If you have young kids it is great for videoing their first time swimming at La Jolla and things like that. I have a retractable leash for it when I am on the water. It DOES NOT float! I have dropped it from about 4-5 feet and have not had any problems with it. This camera is about the size of a pack of cards so it easily fits into a Life Vest pocket. Other water cameras I have looked at are way to bulky to have on the yak. I had a Sony water camera once but the battery life was about 20 minutes. The 720SW has a rechargeable battery that lasts for a couple of days. Good luck on your choice. __________________ Don't try to confuse me with facts! I hereby reject your reality and submit my own.

03-15-2008, 12:40 PM	#3
GHOSTHUNTR Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Poway Posts: 160	I have the Olymus 770sw and I think it is great. I agree that a slow shutter speed is very annoying(especially for taking pictures of your kids).The 770 doesn't have that problem. One thing, make sure you hold the camera under fresh water and open the shutter several times to clean it up. This will keep the shutter cover from freezing up.

03-15-2008, 12:43 PM	#4
MVC Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Costa Mesa Posts: 278	I was in Target a few weeks ago and they have the Olympus for $199.00

06-23-2008, 08:01 PM	#9
TheSherThang Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 82	Just picked up the Olympus 1030SW. Used it on the water but not in it yet. Great pictures out of the water so far. Also dropped it from about 4 feet and still ticking though there is a dent in it .