paddling with a camera

Tag: camera

  • 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.



  • 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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  • Poll: Your Paddling Camera

    Pentax Optio waterproof cameras

    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?

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  • 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.

    Olympus Stylus 1005 SE blue

    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.

    Olympus Stylus 1005 SE silver

    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.

    Olympus Stylus 1005 SE black

    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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