Ringer

I am strictly a grandmother hobbyist -- and not an adventurous one -- but I'm beginning to think I need a waterproof camera. I wanted a compact point-and-shoot with a viewfinder and thought I had found the perfect camera (for me) in the Panasonic Lumix DMC-Z550. Unfortunately, I have now ruined two of them and have learned they are not compatible with my desire to take pictures while standing out on the deck of a moving cruise ship. First, the Norwegian damp wind and slight rain got the first one, then a cruise through the Canadian maritime provinces nearly finished off the second one. It is still operable, but the zoom is unreliable and it is showing general signs of wear after too short a time. Now, if the European countries on our itinerary loosen their entry restrictions, we are headed for Iceland, various islands, and then Scandinavia -- another damp trip with lots to see from on deck. I have read about the Olympus TG-6 and the Nikon CoolPix W300. They are similar, though at first glance the Nikon may offer more for the money. Suggestions? Does it sound like I am thinking correctly? I'm open to advice and I've learned this is a good place to get it. : ) Oh, and I still need a camera to take pictures of granddaughters in the wildflowers, the occasional birthday party, etc.

fetzler Loc: North West PA

The Olympus TG-6 certainly should be rugged.

ricardo00

I have a Nikon CoolPix (an earlier version, the W100) and have used it numerous times underwater when snorkeling. So I am sure it (as well the Olympus TG-6) should withstand the "damp" trip on the deck (you could get soaking wet without any problems). We also had a Panasonic Lumix DMC that "died" after only a little over a year, a part in the lens got loose and blocked the zoom (forget what exact model it was). What you will give up with these water proof cameras is the amount of zoom. As long as that is okay with you, the waterproof models would be fine. You can even take it into a pool or the beach with the grandkids!

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Ringer

And does it take good pictures? Simplistic question, I know, but I take lots of everyday pictures that don't require the water-proof capability.

Ringer

Love the photos -- and the firsthand experience. I had noticed the zoom trade-off and will have to decide about that. Sometimes I can get a better "close up" by cropping later than zooming too much anyway. I would probably miss that long zoom, though....

ricardo00

Thanks! Do you have a smart phone? The pics a newer iPhone or Samsung take these days rivals most cameras. We have had many point and shoots over the years, Canon, Nikon, Panasonic and most recently a Sony. Each had their advantages and disadvantages. The "specs" do matter, ie. the amount of zoom, the size of the sensor, etc. No one camera is best at everything. We very much enjoyed our waterproof camera, taking it to the beach, into the pool etc. And our Panasonic Lumix had the best zoom. Till it jammed and wouldn't work anymore. The Sony is great for low light (which is why we bought it). So by best photo, it would depend on the conditions. But as the say, the best camera is the one you have with you.

Ringer

How do phones do on a rainy day in the fjords? I haven't gotten used to using my phone as a camera, but I do know some people get good shots with theirs. Is a phone affected by wind and sea spray?

ricardo00

I think the newer iPhone will be fine in the rainy days on the fjords since they are supposed to be somewhat water resistant (don't know much about the Samsung). The biggest problem in my experience is the risk of dropping your phone (I have dropped mine a number of times). Since my iPhone is more expensive than my point and shoot cameras, I have often resisted using mine. There are also cases that one can use. But you should try yours out first and see if you are comfortable using it.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

The TG-6 is a camera that I use all the time at my work. It does not have the viewfinder that you want, but it has great image stabilization. At my work we use the camera to do test setups and macro / micro shots of defects on printed circuit assemblies (it does a better job than the Canons and Nikons we have for these purposes). The TG-7 may come out before your trips and it may have a better zoom range, selectable aperture range, and maybe a viewfinder this time.

One of the other solutions to your travel problems of weather is to get a weatherproof (not waterproof like the TG-6 is) Olympus E-M5 (original, mkII, or the new mkIII) along with an Olympus weatherproof 12-40 f2.8 Pro lens, 12-45 f4 lens, or 12-100 f4 Pro IS lens or similar Panasonic weatherproof lens (4/3rds lenses are all interchangeable for all basic functions). This is not a compact solution to your problem, but rain, salt spray, snow, and dust will no longer be the problem you are having along with you getting a larger, better sensor for your images than that of a compact camera. I have spent all day out in the rain with my then E-M5 and now my E-M1 mkII and the only "problem" is removal of the rain, salt spray, and snow off the front lens element. Well worth look at as a possible solution.

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

I have the Nikon waterproof model AW100 (2011) and it still functioned O.K. last time I used it. I take it kayaking a lot and it has been underwater in swimming pools etc. I also had a Pentax one before that (which I preferred) but the strap broke and it's now at the bottom of La Jolla with some holiday memories.

Can't speak for recent models but both of these were a damp squib in poor light. And you'd get more light from a candle than the flash.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I use the Nikon with excellent results.

Ava'sPapa Loc: Cheshire, Ct.

I agree 100% with fetzler. I bought an Olympus TG-5 for a Mediterranean cruise and it's been a great camera. I did a lot of research and read a ton of reviews which is what you should do also. I have a lot of photo equipment but I would never go on vacation without my TG-5. I don't think you would be disappointed. And you can still get great photos of your granddaughter in the wildflowers. It's because of my granddaughter that I bought it in the first place. Highly recommended.

V2volk Loc: St. Louis area

I have had both the Nikon and Olympic cameras for underwater use. Even though I like Nikon, in this platform I found the Olympus to be superior. I have now owned 2 of them and now the TG-6 is under consideration.

Ringer

Hmm...interesting comment about the flash. Some digitals do not need flash in fairly low light, but I don't know how these handle it. How much did you miss the more powerful flash? Possibly the models I'm considering are improved in that regard, but ???

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

I take my TG-6 in my kayak in Salt water and no issues. I do have a uv filter so I can clean it often from dry salt water and if issues I can replace a cheap filter