cameras – Page 2 – paddling with a camera

Canon PowerShot G10 with Waterproof Case for Paddling?

I am quite happy to paddle and shoot with Pentax Optio “W” cameras as long as producing pictures to be displayed online. They are waterproof, compact, easily accessible in any conditions. The image quality is OK for a blog or website, but usually there is just too much of digital noise for some commercial applications. So, for my stock photography, I am carrying a DSLR camera, Canon EOS 40D. It may be a rather challenging task if I paddle a racing boat like my Thunderbolt-X kayak.

In the search for some alternative solutions I have been watching evolution of Canon PowerShot G series cameras. Canon offers waterproof cases for them.

The newest Canon G10 certainly looks interesting, and arguably, it may be the best compact digital camera available. It’s not cheap: ~$420 for the camera and ~$190 for the waterproof case at amazon.com.

I have been spoiled by Pentax Optio W10 and W30 cameras with the interval (time lapse) shooting mode. Now, I would like to see that feature in any camera. No luck with the Canon G10, though. However, there is some hope to control this camera remotely since it accepts the same shutter remote as Canon Rebel. How to deal with the waterproof case with the remote attached is a different story.

Here are some reviews of Canon G10.

Trusted Reviews:
“The Canon PowerShot G10 is still going to be the benchmark by which all other high-spec compacts are measured, but it’s no longer the top dog. It is beaten on picture quality and portability by the smaller, lighter and slightly cheaper Panasonic LX3, and is beaten badly on value for money by most entry-level DSLRs. It’s still an impressive camera and can produce excellent results, especially in Raw mode, but the price means its appeal is a little too specialised for some.”

Digital Camera Review:
“At the moment, the advanced compact camera market has settled in terms of price at around the $500 mark. For that kind of outlay, it’s not unreasonable to ask yourself whether your needs might not be better served by an entry-level DSLR: basic models from every manufacturer will do essentially everything the G10 does, provide superior high-ISO and shooting speed performance without exception, and do so for only a little more than this PowerShot’s considerable price tag (not to mention that the G10 weighs almost as much as many of these larger cameras).”

The Online Photographer:
Canon has now demonstrated that a small camera with a small sensor can provide the ergonomics, speed, flexibility, and image quality that would please most serious photographers.

CNET editors’ review:
The primary reason to buy a camera like this, however, is the photo quality, and here the Canon G10 doesn’t disappoint. Color and exposures are great. There’s some wide-angle distortion at the 28mm-equivalent maximum, but photos have very good center and edge-to-edge sharpness at longer focal lengths. ISO 80 and 100 produce relatively pristine images and if you’re alert to it, you’ll see some noise-suppression artifacts starting at ISO 200. But photos look quite usable up to and including ISO 400; at ISO 800 they get visibly soft.

Luminuous Landscape: Comparison of Canon G10 and Nikon P6000.

byThom: Comparison of Canon PowerShot G10, Nikon Coolpix P6000, and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3.
“If you need pixels, you need the Canon, hands down. If you need the fast, wide, defect-free lens, you need the Panasonic. You don’t need the Coolpix.”

Ken Rockwell
“The G10 is the best compact digital camera I’ve ever used, but no compact is as good as any real (interchangeable-lens) SLR.”

December 14, 2008

That Damn Noise in Video Recording from a Digital Camera

hi…we bought the olympus SW 1030..but we have some problems with regards to the audio of the video… there’s this thudding sound that comes once in a while in every video that we take. we went to a service center and they insist that it’s normal…but we really doubt that cause it really disrupts the beauty of every video that we take…..it’s just so damn loud and disturbing…

… Pentax Optio W60 is making a ratcheting type sound while taking videos.

It didn’t make the noise when I first got the camera and took videos of a family event. I thought it might have something to do with the boat but then the same noise is in the other video clips.

I am often getting this kind of comments or questions. It seems that more people is starting to shoot movies with their Pentax Optio, Olympus Stylus and other point and shoot digital cameras.

Good news: Your camera is not broken!

Bad News: It is normal, unfortunately. These little cameras are very good in recording noise from lens mechanism/motor when zooming or autofocusing.

So, the only solution is to avoid using zoom or autofocus when shooting video or just accept the noise.
The zoom noise is usually worse.

This is not a new problem. I discussed it in my post written a couple of years ago:
Audio Recording with Pentax Optio W10 and Other Compact Digital Cameras.

I wonder if or how bad the zoom noise is recorded in compact camcorders like waterproof Sanyo Xacti VPC-E1 or VPC-E2.

November 28, 2008

Olympus 1030SW, 1050SW, Pentax Optio W30, W60 – Comparison of Waterproof Cameras

Pentax has released 5 models in their Optio “W” line of compact waterproof cameras: WP, WPi, W10, W30 and W60. I have been using three of them: the original WP, then W10 and W30. Number of models in Olympus Stylus SW line of waterproof and shockproof cameras is equally impressive: 720, 770, 790, 1030, and 1050 (models available on US market).

Below, I tried to compare selected specifications of the newest models from Pentax and Olympus. Pentax Optio W60 seems to be a progression from earlier W30 while Olympus Stylus 1050SW is adding some new features (a tap control) but at the same time is packed in less robust case than the 1030SW.

Please write some comments if you have a direct experience with one or more of these four cameras.


camera	Pentax Optio W30	Olympus 1030 SW	Pentax Optio W60	Olympus 1050 SW
waterproof	waterproof to 10 feet for 2 hours	waterproof to 33 feet shockproof to 6.6 feet	waterproof to 13 feet	waterproof to 10 feet shockproof to 5 feet
resolution	7.41 Mpixel	10.70 Mpixel	10.00 Mpixel	10.10 Mpixel
max resolution	3072×2304	3648×2736	3648×2736	3648×2736
sensor size	1/2.5-inch	1/2.33-inch	1/2.3-inch	1/2.35-inch
sensor type	CCD
optical zoom	yes
zoom wide (mm)	38mm	28mm	28mm	38mm
zoom tele (mm)	114mm	102mm	140mm	114mm
auto focus	yes
manual focus	no
ISO ratings	auto, 64, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200	auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600	auto, 50, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, 6400	auto, 80, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600
build-in flash	yes
external flash	no
exposure compensation	-2EV – +2EV with 1/3EV steps	-2EV – +2EV with 1/3 steps	-2EV – +2EV with 1/3EV steps	-2EV – +2EV with 1/3 EV steps
video	yes
video sound	yes
max video resolution	640×480	640×480	1280×720	640×480
frames per second (fps)	30fps
voice recording	yes
optical Viewfinder	no
LCD size	2.5-inch	2.7-inch	2.5-inch	2.7-inch
LCD resolution (pixels)	115,000 pixels	230,000 pixels	230,000 pixels	230,000 pixels
self-timer	2 and 10s	12s	2 and 10s	12s
interval recording	yes	no	yes	no
storage media	SD/SDHC memory cards	xD Picture Cards	SD/SDHC memory cards	xD Picture Cards
weight	140g	171g	145g	204g
dimensions	107.5x54x23.5mm	93.2×61.4×21.3mm	98×55.5×24.5mm	93x62x23mm
camera	Pentax Optio W30	Olympus 1030 SW	Pentax Optio W60	Olympus 1050 SW

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November 27, 2008

Poll: Your Paddling Camera

I am adding polls to my blog. Let’s start with the poll about your paddling camera.

What a compact digital camera (i.e., a point-and-shoot camera) do use for paddling? So, this pool does not cover DSLR, prosumer cameras or camcorders.

Multiple answers are allowed. You are welcome to add any comments or remarks, especially, if you have a camera that doesn’t fit into the questions below.

[poll id=”3″]

As visible on the picture above I own three models from Pentax Optio line: WP, W10, and W30. However, my first paddling digital camera was Canon PowerShot S40 with a waterproof case.

Do you have any suggestion for future polls which may be interesting for “Paddling with a Camera” readers?

Related posts:

November 22, 2008

3 Reviews of Olympus Stylus 1050 SW Waterproof Camera with Tap Control

A month ago Olympus introduced a new model to the line of their waterproof and shockproof cameras: Stylus 1050 SW. It features a brand new digital camera feature – Tap Control. Tap Control is intended to help photographers wearing gloves access camera controls.

The Stylus 1050 SW camera can be controlled with a simple tap on its top, back or sides, which is made possible thanks to the new camera’s 3D accelerometer that detects the direction of the force on the camera’s body. For example, to turn on the flash or Shadow Adjustment Technology, tap the camera’s side twice.

I have found three reviews of the new camera. There are rather moderately enthusiastic, but Olympus Stylus SW has its fans.

1. PC Magazine

Unless you’re dead set on a ruggedized or waterproof camera, there are plenty of options that will deliver sharper 10.1-megapixel shots and a lot less shutter lag than the Olympus Stylus 1050 SW, including the Canon PowerShot SD790 IS or the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-T300. If you need a waterproof shooter, the Stylus 1030 SW offers better-looking images (but for a steep $400). If you’ve been holding back on taking shots on the ski slopes or just want more nimble controls, however, the 1050 SW’s innovative tapping controls might appeal to you. Just don’t expect speed or stellar shots.

2. Cameras.co.uk

Without doubt the main attraction of the Olympus MJU 1050SW is its ro

bustness. If you are looking for a family camera or just one you can use around the pool and on ski slopes then the picture quality is fine for snapshots. It is a concern that the camera is so slow to take a photo and this could certainly cause you to miss photo opportunities.

3. CNET Australia

While the 1050SW has some excellent features for casual swimmers, skiers and action lovers, the older 1030SW is a more robust and tough camera for dedicated divers and enthusiasts. However, the 1050SW is much more capable in normal settings, looking and feeling like a standard point-and-shoot. For a camera that can be thrown about casually in a bag, in the water and at a party, the 1050SW is a good package.

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November 11, 2008

Flip Ultra Camcorder + Waterproof Case = Video Camera for Paddlers? Part 1

The Flip family consists of three simple, inexpensive, pocket camcorders: the original Flip Video, Flip Ultra and Flip Mino in several color mutations.

These are popular gadgets and you can find reviews and a lot of information on the web. Here is CNET editors’ review of Flip Ultra:

At the time of this writing, the best selling camcorder at Amazon.com isn’t a model from Sony, Canon, or Panasonic. It happens to be the Flip Video Ultra, the third iteration of Pure Digital Technologies’ simple plug-and-play video camera that features a hideaway USB connector and built-in software that makes viewing and sharing your videos incredibly easy. That may be a little surprising to some, but the fact is that cheap sells–the Ultra starts at $149. And when you combine cheap with easy, you can see why the Flip and its RCA relative, the RCA Small Wonder EZ201, are finding success in the marketplace.
The bottom line:
With improved video quality, a slightly trimmer design, and upgraded software package, the Flip Video Ultra is becoming a force to be reckoned with in the emerging low-end digital camcorder category.

Flip Ultra is the model interesting for paddlers because you can get a waterproof case for it just for $30 or so. Waterproof cases for Canon point-and-shoot cameras are almost 10 times more expensive. Of course, you don’t have so many control buttons in Flip camcorders.

Unfortunately, there is no tripod socket on this waterproof (there is one on a camera) case which limits paddling applications of the Flip from my perspective. I like to shoot movies with a camera mounted on a kayak deck or use it as a helmet cam. There are at least three solutions to this problem.

You can get creative with some foam, bungees and/or duct tape as I did when transforming my Pentax Optio W10 into a helmet cam.
It is not so difficult to add a standard 1/4″ tripod socket to the waterproof case. I’ve found the simplest do-it-yourself approach at PopPhoto.com. I am not sure how strong it is. If you are going to paddle through rapids or waves with your camera mounted on a bow you may considered a more solid design.

Finally, I’ve got a prototype of a “flip grip” together with the Flip Ultra in a waterproof cases from WetStuff.com for testing. It is a neoprene pouch designed for carrying the camera on your chest. I used it for some paddling and inline skating including comparison with a video from my Pentax Optio W30. I am also trying to mount it on the sticky pod suction cup. I will post my comments and some movie examples in the next part (or maybe even parts) of this article.

If you would like to buy Flip Ultra or check other models (Mino looks interesting for dry environment) you are welcome to use my amazon.com affiliate links – just click on pictures.

If you are using Flip Ultra please write some comment about your experience, especially, if you had a chance to compare it to other cameras. The comparison with GoPro Hero or Oregon Scientific video recorder would be really useful.

November 3, 2008

Paddling Photography a Year Ago – September 2007

September 2007. Just local paddling in northern Colorado with some nice sunsets, several posts on cameras and photo gear, finally, a trip to Portugal and Poland.

I mentioned upgrading my DSLR camera to Canon EOS 40D. I bought it in November 2007. Less than a year later, a new model, Canon EOS 50D is coming.

September 15, 2008

Category: cameras