Waterproof cameras

[westoz]

Has anyone bought or had experience with the Olympus 725sw ? The lcd screen on my trusty Sony dsc-u60 has died and I am in replacement mode.

-Tom

[ramone]

no costco in aus. haha. fkrz.
my W20 has held up considerable damage so far this winter including double and tripple OH poundings, rockypoint reef landings and me dropping it on the floor a few times.
highly recommended.

[Bud]

Has anyone bought or had experience with the Olympus 725sw ? The lcd screen on my trusty Sony dsc-u60 has died and I am in replacement mode.

-Tom

HI TOM!

I had the Olympus but returned it after 3 sessions with it. No problems with basic operation, its solid, sturdy well built and takes good pics. But for my use I didn;t like it compared to the Optio. significantly heavier & boxy corners but the biggest issue was - the lens opening is too small & deep - water pools in it too easily and it's very difficult to wipe it clear of water/smearing, especially on the fly with pounders bearing down on you.

[Kelly7873]

Note that Bud had the 720sw, the 725sw isn't for sale in America yet. I see in the ads that the 725sw has a "water-drop free lens", I hope they fixed the problem Bud was having but most likely they haven't. I may try the camera when Costco starts selling it in March.

[Bud]

I forgot you told me about that Kelly, I'm interetsed to see how they accomplish drop free lens. thatd be a huge huge advance, but seems rather easy to accomplish... convex glass maybe?

[westoz]

Hi Bud and crew

I'm suprised the 725sw isn't for sale in the usa yet ?? its been here for some time already, I noticed its water proof rating is up from 3 meters to 5 meters and that's what got me interested, I hadn't considered the water/lense issue. What model camera you are using now bud?

-Tom

[Bud]

Tom-

I'm using the Optio W20, mostly because a particular retailer offers an all-inclusive warranty for $50/year. Bring it to them in pieces and they repair/replace it.

So far it's been great, but given the well known history of the first generation Optio (most everyone I know who had it, went tits up within a few months, although my first gen Optio lasted 1.5 years) I bought it with low confidence; Not sure if I would have bought it w/out this warranty

[westoz]

Bud

That warranty sure would make it attractive, no such warranty over here so the olympus 725 maybe my next choice, I havn't been able to find any reference to the water droplet free lense yet.

-Tom

[Kelly7873]

Bud

That warranty sure would make it attractive, no such warranty over here so the olympus 725 maybe my next choice, I havn't been able to find any reference to the water droplet free lense yet.

-Tom

It's on their European site:http://www.olympus-europa.com/consumer/29_mju_725_SW.htm. Their asian site says "725SW features a newly developed water-repellent coated lens" so it will probably just wear off.
Did you see that Olympus just came out with a new model? The 770SW, waterproof to 10 meters. http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1287

[surfer9joe]

What is the 2007 best camera to use? I know you guys have told everyone a million times, but what is Neil using and what is bud using?

This loos like a nice little pocket sized model, found just from looking online though: Pentax Optio 33WR....?

Edit: i see two replies above bud said he has the Optio W20, Doh!

[red]

Optio series works fine for me. I don't take it out as much as Bud, though because I'm broke and have to use it for movie stuff as well.

My question is where is the warranty place that Bud bought it from? I checked out best buy and circuit city but they don't carry the optio.

[Bud]

Red: Ritz Camera

Local branches at Kahala & Ala Mo.

(thanks to Olly, who will be using his warranty again!)

[olly]

(thanks to Olly, who will be using his warranty again!)

arrrrgh

[red]

Fisher Hawaii has a waterproof olympus for 399, but I didn't check the model number. No special warranty, either.

[Bud]

I got the Olympus from costco for $370ish (If I recall correctly) last October, used it 3 sessions and was able to return it no problem.