What to look for in a scuba diving camera for a non-photographer?

Question

My brother just got his scuba diving certification and I want to buy him a camera to use while diving (mostly for stills but also some video). He is not into photography at all so he's definitely not going to be using backlights or other accessories, or fussing with camera settings; he just wants something simple that he can use to take nice pictures of fish and coral.

I'm considering the following:

GoPro Hero 4 Silver
Canon PowerShot S110 with housing
Canon PowerShot G16 with housing

I've heard that the GoPro takes blurry pictures underwater and that it's better for video than stills. I know less about the two Canons and I definitely don't know if the G16 is worth the price.

Any opinions?

Thanks!

Just so you know, once you get beyond 5-6' or so, you really need a flash unless you want to sacrifice color. Then at some point you simply won't be able to get images without a flash. So if he is "definitely not going to be using[a flash]" I would strongly reconsider buying anything at all. You certainly won't be getting "nice pictures of fish and coral" below 10' without the things you said aren't a posibility. — dpollitt, Jan 06 '15 at 03:07
While it's not on your list, I'd toss the Nikon 1 AW on your list. It is designed as an underwater camera (15 meters) from the start with lenses that are likewise designed for underwater use (for example http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/acil/lenses/1_nikkor_aw_11-275mm_f35-56/index.htm ). When looking at the lens block diagram at the bottom there, note the flat front element (mentioned as an issue with the domed gopro housing). — , Jan 06 '15 at 18:58
The Olympus TG-3 is also a good underwater camera that you might want to add to your list. I would guess that these P&S cameras will probably do a better job at photographs than the video centric GoPro's. — Robin, Jan 06 '15 at 19:40

score 2 · Answer 1 · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:43

2

I'll address the one new question here that isn't already answered at this site, and the rest can really be answered by the following links:

Why do GoPro cameras perform poorly for underwater photography?

Specifically GoPro cameras since around 2010 with the HD HERO 960 have included underwater housings that are convex in shape. The domed lens creates an issue where the camera cannot focus properly while underwater. Because of this many third party options appeared in the market to create a flat lens in front of the standard housing.

Two years later, GoPro finally released a flat lens housing that is available as an addition to the Hero Models or alongside the newer models. This flat lens will allow the cameras to focus properly underwater and create very nice quality images and video.

Example of the GoPro curved lens that causes issues underwater: enter image description here

edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:43

Community

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answered Jan 06 '15 at 03:02

dpollitt

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The middle link is dated (from 2011) and the new Hero line that addresses issues is now bargain basement. Performance and caveats on current models will be totally different. – JDługosz Jan 06 '15 at 03:44
@jdlugosz ok? So go update it? What do you want me to do about it? This question shouldn't duplicate it. It should be closed if it is the same and the linked to question updated.... – dpollitt Jan 06 '15 at 04:15
Thanks for the answers! To clarify, I actually did find the three questions you linked above, but (1) is much vaguer and is asking from the viewpoint of an experienced photographer, which my brother is definitely not, (2) is very out-of-date as mentioned above, and (3) is about SLRs, while I'm asking about the brand new GoPro compared to specific point and shoots. Again, thanks for any and all advice! – Lauren Jan 06 '15 at 04:59

JDługosz · Answer 2 · 2015-01-06T03:35:48.167

I have a GoPro Black. I never considered it a still camera at all. It would be difficult to use the button as a shutter release, and you can't see how you are aiming it! The GoPro gets turned on when you start, and stays mounted on your head or chest or whatnot; you don't fiddle with it or pay any attention to it while doing your activity.

However, a GoPro would be nice to have. Used in that manner: you can find strap mounts a lot cheaper than the ones they sell, so much so that I bought a head and chest set figuring I could mod them or use for parts, to strap it however I want. On Kauaʻi they are advertised heavily.

Since he's not a photographer, and it's best not to distract the novice diver with more stuff to fiddle with, the "turn on and forget" thing sounds like a good fit.

Include the waterproof housing, memory chip, and strap mounts, so he'll be ready to go. Set it for 2.5K (or 4K in the newer ones) resolution, and in post you can crop out a high-def section that's composed and stabilied (with niche software that is appearing, or a careful hand in a normal NLE). But that's a conversation for the video stack exchange.

(I wish I had something like that when drift diving in Arrecifes de Cozumel National Park! I'd say get that, and share a link when you upload the footage. :) )

Update: another comment makes me consider the low light. As a novice he really should be below the chop as it's difficult to keep position until you get more than 30 feet down. For shallower than that, use snorkell and stay at the surface! FWIW in sunlight I have no trouble seeing at the (plain) Scuba depth limit, or even inside a wreck. That's another advantage of video is the low-light performance. But check that when shopping! Waterproof to 120 feet is fine but can it still get a picture?

Does the added back mean it doesn't fit in the supplied case? — JDługosz, Jan 06 '15 at 03:40

score 0 · Answer 3 · answered Jan 06 '15 at 16:12

He may not thing he will want lighting now, but he will want it once he sees what photos and videos come out like without one. Even in clear, Caribbean waters, you get a heavy, heavy colorization to blue or green depending on the water. This takes effect as soon as you are more than a few meters down due to the fact that water filters some frequencies of light out more than others and the impact increases dramatically with depth.

Your options to deal with this are either removing other colors to compensate (either by way of special underwater camera white balances, such as found on SeaLife cameras, or filters over the lens), however, both these methods result in even further reducing the already limited light. The other option is to bring your own light, which is by far the recommended way to handle it. The good news is that you can use dive lights attached to the camera as a decent video light, but an underwater strobe is really ideal for stills.

I personally am not a huge fan of the GoPro for underwater applications as it isn't easy to control through the housing while underwater (in my opinion). It works great for an action cam (just capturing everything you see) but not quite as well for specific photos. I love the enclosure on my SeaLife DC1400, but it has some serious lag issues when taking photos (shoots nice video though). I don't have any experience with either of the Canon cameras.

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 07 '15 at 02:30

when i started diving i wanted a go-pro but the price threw me off so i bought a knock off. I got the sj4000 i found it easy to use underwater with a good quality video and photo.So i would go with the go-pro or something similar because of the shear amount of accessories. the quality is great with the newer go-pros and the LCD screen is a must for things like this.

What to look for in a scuba diving camera for a non-photographer?

4 Answers4