Alright, so the GF's bday is coming up next week and she's also going to be taking a trip with the family to Hawaii leaving on Sunday.

While she's not a photo junkie, she does enjoy snapping some photos from time to time at events, parties, etc... A while back I started researching getting a waterproof camera for a trip to a waterpark. Anyway, we never jumped on it but here we are again.

I've already decided on going the Canon route, now the question is what model. I wanted to spend around $300. I found one waterproof one, a PowerShot D10 (overall winner on DP Review for waterproof group) and then stumbled upon a non-waterproof PowerShot SD4000 IS model with some impressive features such as HD vid, 28mm wide and a f/2 lens.

So question is, should I get her the waterproof one that she (and I ) can use all over the place or the slightly better non-waterproof one that will probably have better image quality. Hell, the shot quality on the D10 doesn't look to shabby either...

PowerShot D10 - $299 - http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum.../powershot_d10
Waterproof camera shootout on DP Review - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/Q209waterproofgroup/



PowerShot SD4000 IS - $349 - http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consum...shot_sd4000_is
DP Review - http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canonsd4000is/

you can get a waterproof case for the better one if you want the best of both, but it'll cost you another ~$150 I think?

personally I'd go with the better one. I REALLY want a waterproof camera for on the boat myself, but they have zero manual controls. I just go with a pelican and the normal P&S.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

you can get a waterproof case for the better one if you want the best of both, but it'll cost you another ~$150 I think?

personally I'd go with the better one. I REALLY want a waterproof camera for on the boat myself, but they have zero manual controls. I just go with a pelican and the normal P&S.

Yeah but cases are WAY clunky and would we really be able to differentiate the image difference from the two? Would she?

I doubt the images would be that much different, but the D10 is ugly as **** and clunky feeling and lack of manual controls drives me insane at times.

Originally Posted by jacobsen1

I doubt the images would be that much different, but the D10 is ugly as **** and clunky feeling and lack of manual controls drives me insane at times.

Haha, read the review. They said it was the easiest to hold and shoot with. Hmm... No manual controls at all, thought it had a few.

i am guessing your girlfriend doesnt need manual controls.

does the underwater one have any zoom?

yep, easiest to hold and shoot with is code for bulky and won't fit in a pocket.

also, doesn't she have an iPhone? She wants more than that, or you do?
(I've been loving my iP4 camera).

yeah that is really important ben, cause girls always have useful pockets. particularly when they are on vacation in HAWAII!!!

right, because she's going to throw it away when they get home.

seriously though, what about the camera phone?

No a camera phone isn't an option and she doesn't have an iPhone. She has a basic Samsung phone. Alright, well I need to decide something today after work. Guess I'll just go play with the two and go from there.

Get the waterproof. That's what you originally wanted, and it's at least a feature you don't have on your cameras. The other just doesn't excell in any area.

So I showed up at one of my trusty camera shops after work to check out both cameras. The D10 was really bulky, no one would want to carry one around. The SD 4000 IS had some nice image quality but the buttons sucked. All the same color, not intuitive and plain hard to find.

Buddy Reagan recommended a Sony DSC-TX5 ($349). He actually had one hanging from his neck strap and said it was his. Anyway, I was instantly sold. It does everything the two Canons do plus has some very cool features. Instant panoramic done via stitching, a creative HDR mode, big easy to navigate touch screen AND waterproof. Being available in pink was also nice .

I played with it for a bit while setting it up and it's pretty sweet. Anyway, just wanted to update this post.

Sony DSC-TX5 ($349) - http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...om%2Findex.php
On B & H - http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...l_Digital.html

Model Highlights:

- Waterproof
- Dustproof
- Shockproof
- Freeze-proof
- 3.0" Touch Screen Display
- 4x Optical Zoom w/ 25mm Wide-Angle
- "Exmor R" sensor
- iSweep Panorama Mode
- 10fps at full 10.2 megapixels
- SteadyShot Optical Image Stabilization

that looks like an really excellent choice.

nice, I didn't realize they had a waterproof one with the pano and hdr toys. I've played with both in BB and they're both fun and honestly helpful on a P&S.

Wait, it fits with the aftermarket grip? I just might have to get that grip now!