8+ megapixels underwater cameras

[vonnagy]

I've been looking around, I am looking for a durable NON-slr underwater digital camera. I am open to pretty much any brand, though the ones I am eyeing are the Canon Powershot Pro, Nikon Coolpix 8800 and the Olympus 8080.

The Olympus 8080 w/underwater casing is about the best bang 4 buck, but I am quite weary of Olympus; its been my experience they are superstars as far as quality images go but pansies out in the field. I typical go where no sane person would go to take photos and I need a solid camera.

The canon powershot pro is solid but the casing is nearly more than the camera as canon doesn't make one for this brand.

the nikon sounds good, but same issues with the casing as with canon.

questions:
Does anyone own the Olympus 8080 and can vouch for its sturdiness?
Does anyone here own an 8+ megapixel camera (non-slr) with underwater casing?

 

[Smith2688]

I would have to answer "no" for both of those questions. However, how inexpensive is the underwater casing for the Nikon? Underwater casings usually aren't cheap and you don't want to purchase a cheap alternative and risk endangering your new, expensive camera.

 

[etaf]

sorry no to both i do own the pro1 and a friend of mine the 8800.
what tyoe of underwater photography - you may want macro facility.
I know an underwater photographer who thinks 1:1 macro is wide angle