Compact camera suggestions: Hi! We are going to the Galápagos Islands in May and I would rather not carry my Canon 5D MarkIII and lenses. Especially because we’ll be snorkeling and on...

photomama Loc: Anacortes, Wa

Hi! We are going to the Galápagos Islands in May and I would rather not carry my Canon 5D MarkIII and lenses. Especially because we’ll be snorkeling and on a boat. I’m looking for a good compact camera possibly waterproof but not a deal breaker. I would love to hear about small cameras you have used for your adventures.
And any Galopogos photo advice would be awesome!

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

I've never used one, but many love the Olympus Tough TG-6.
You get a 1" sensor with my Lumix DMC-ZS100 (or the DC-ZS200D). Much more expensive is the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 VII .
You get the 1/2.3" sensor but much greater zoom range with the Lumix DCZS80.
I'm very happy with both my Lumix cameras. Don't think they are waterproof, though. Not sure the TG-6 is either.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

If you’re going to be possibly exposing your camera to water, then probably your best choice would be the Olympus TG-6 Tough. It’s waterproof and just plain tough. You won’t be able to do a lot of controlling of settings as it’s pretty much automatic or semi-automatic, but it’s a great camera for that type of environment.

daledo Loc: Billings, MT

I bought and brought a nikon b700 with me to England for the same reason and left my dslr gear home. Not water proof but shoots in raw, has good pixel size and image quality and a great zoom. With a little fanny/belly pack it was great. Not a pocket camera.

tradio Loc: Oxford, Ohio

I bought the Olympus TG-6 tough and it has done well in the snorkeling arena as well as on dry land.

Tote1940 Loc: Dallas

Love my TG5!
Have used earlier versions also, washable sand proof and this one can save as RAW then upload with adapter to iPad

jeffhendy Loc: El Dorado Hills, CA

I have a Sony DSC RX100 VII which I now take on trips, and it does a great job. It is a little noisier than my Sony A6600 at high ISO's, but Lightroom latest De-noise takes care of that. And it's much smaller and lighter, has a great pop-up viewfinder and built in flash.
Highly recommended!

jimpitt

photomama wrote:

Hi! We are going to the Galápagos Islands in May and I would rather not carry my Canon 5D MarkIII and lenses. Especially because we’ll be snorkeling and on a boat. I’m looking for a good compact camera possibly waterproof but not a deal breaker. I would love to hear about small cameras you have used for your adventures.
And any Galopogos photo advice would be awesome!

OLYMPUS !

Scruples Loc: Brooklyn, New York

photomama wrote:

Hi! We are going to the Galápagos Islands in May and I would rather not carry my Canon 5D MarkIII and lenses. Especially because we’ll be snorkeling and on a boat. I’m looking for a good compact camera possibly waterproof but not a deal breaker. I would love to hear about small cameras you have used for your adventures.
And any Galopogos photo advice would be awesome!

When ever I intend to photograph near or under water, I resort to a sissy approach. I don’t want to put my “baby” at risk! I will buy a water proof disposable film camera. Am I going to get the high quality photos from my digital? Probably not as much. I am not skilled in underwater photo as yet. Later on, I will buy a digital
disposable camera or even invest in a waterproof case. These are somewhat on the expensive side and I would trial it with a dip in a swimming pool.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

photomama wrote:

Hi! We are going to the Galápagos Islands in May and I would rather not carry my Canon 5D MarkIII and lenses. Especially because we’ll be snorkeling and on a boat. I’m looking for a good compact camera possibly waterproof but not a deal breaker. I would love to hear about small cameras you have used for your adventures.
And any Galopogos photo advice would be awesome!

You have a unique situation. You need something rugged and water proof like the OM Systems TG-7. Then you need something with some telephoto strength. The Sony RX100-VII is good to an equivalent of 200mm and that might be enough. Both are true pocket sized and are fabulous cameras. They are good enough that they remain popular when herds of small cameras have gone away. If 200mm (equivalent) isn't enough, you might consider the much bulkier Sony RX10 IV.

A Galapagos trip is so unique that you might consider buying cameras for the trip and selling them back to the vendor when you return if you don't think you'll use them much. B&H in New York does this.

My bet would be that you'll keep the TG-7 because you live where the weather is so bad so often!

JimBart Loc: Western Michigan

You may want to post this same thread on the underwater photography section of UHH and see what cameras the guys there are using. Then you can choose the best of both worlds

photomama Loc: Anacortes, Wa

Great idea! Thanks!

photomama Loc: Anacortes, Wa

Thank you this is very helpful!

photomama Loc: Anacortes, Wa

Thanks!😊

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

photomama wrote:

Hi! We are going to the Galápagos Islands in May and I would rather not carry my Canon 5D MarkIII and lenses. Especially because we’ll be snorkeling and on a boat. I’m looking for a good compact camera possibly waterproof but not a deal breaker. I would love to hear about small cameras you have used for your adventures.
And any Galopogos photo advice would be awesome!

Olympus Tough TG-6