Top quality camera for kayaking? (Page 2): Most of the small action cameras do a reasonable job so long as there is plenty of light. When the light goes, so does the shot

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

Most of the small action cameras do a reasonable job so long as there is plenty of light. When the light goes, so does the shot - and the flash ain't worth a dime. I've used PENTAX (WP60) and NIKON (AW100) but I think the Olympus TG5 might be the current top performer. Look also at the PANASONIC offerings.

WARNING. I've not got the NIKON because my much preferred PENTAX is at the bottom of the PACIFIC. The camera was secured to the kayak but the moulding between nylon cord and webbing failed. Waterproof they may be, buoyant they are not.

When making your choice I'd look for a strap that fits through to bars and has no joints. I'd also fit a waterbuoy in the case of accidents. http://www.water-buoy.com/

I take a CANON G16 in a small Pelicase for occasional higher quality shots.

SonyBug

Nikon AW 130 or the new AW 300 are waterproof down to 100 feet. Point and shoot with 24mp pictures, and decent video. I bought a 130 to go snorkeling in Mexico and it worked well.

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

ValliPride wrote:

I am looking for a good quality camera that I can use when kayaking, I have the Nikon D500 and the Sony A7R2, I like a nice quality photo, I can not see myself putting an expense camera in a bag! Or spending 1k on a housing, any thoughts on the GoPro5 or a water proof point &shoot, I will be on the intercoastal water ways and in the mangrove s in Florida. Thanks for your thoughts.

GoPro5 for mounting on Kayak and aiming at you and letting it go. For hand held shots I highly recommend the Nikon AW130 and get a floating strap for that in case it falls into the water.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1303163-REG/nikon_32363_coolpix_aw130_digital_camera.html?sts=pi

drcallaw Loc: Milwaukee, WI

I shoot with a Nikon1 AW1. All weather camera with dedicated interchangeable lenses. Non AW lenses can be used on this one as well. It goes with me on fishing trips to Canada and anytime I'm at the beach or near a pool. Nikonusa.com

CatMarley Loc: North Carolina

ValliPride wrote:

I am looking for a good quality camera that I can use when kayaking, I have the Nikon D500 and the Sony A7R2, I like a nice quality photo, I can not see myself putting an expense camera in a bag! Or spending 1k on a housing, any thoughts on the GoPro5 or a water proof point &shoot, I will be on the intercoastal water ways and in the mangrove s in Florida. Thanks for your thoughts.

Cellphone in a ziploc bag

OviedoPhotos

I have an Olympus TG4 and it worked well over the years. Just upgraded to the TG5 and haven't brought it to the outdoors yet.

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

OviedoPhotos wrote:

I have an Olympus TG4 and it worked well over the years. Just upgraded to the TG5 and haven't brought it to the outdoors yet.

please let us know what you think...I'm looking to replace one of our work point an shoots with a new camera, and might go with the TG-5 as we really like the TG-4.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

I have a Nikon AW120, good to 60'. Takes good pictures. Under $300.

jcave Loc: Cecilia, Kentucky

Not to say any of the other choices won't do the job, but I've used a Fujifilm XP which claims to be "Water/Shock/Dust/Freeze Proof". I kayak and have gotten both camera and myself wet on occasion with good results. Camera has a zoom feature which has been great. My only recommendation to the discussion is to attach the camera to a float so when the inevitable happens, the camera doesn't end up on the bottom.

jcave Loc: Cecilia, Kentucky

Not to say any of the other choices won't do the job, but I've used a Fujifilm XP which claims to be "Water/Shock/Dust/Freeze Proof". I kayak and have gotten both camera and myself wet on occasion with good results. Camera has a zoom feature which has been great. My only recommendation to the discussion is to attach the camera to a float so when the inevitable happens, the camera doesn't end up on the bottom.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

ValliPride wrote:

I am looking for a good quality camera that I can use when kayaking, I have the Nikon D500 and the Sony A7R2, I like a nice quality photo, I can not see myself putting an expense camera in a bag! Or spending 1k on a housing, any thoughts on the GoPro5 or a water proof point &shoot, I will be on the intercoastal water ways and in the mangrove s in Florida. Thanks for your thoughts.

A GoPro is perfect for water sports where the camera is bound to get wet.

Bozsik Loc: Orangevale, California

ValliPride wrote:

I am looking for a good quality camera that I can use when kayaking, I have the Nikon D500 and the Sony A7R2, I like a nice quality photo, I can not see myself putting an expense camera in a bag! Or spending 1k on a housing, any thoughts on the GoPro5 or a water proof point &shoot, I will be on the intercoastal water ways and in the mangrove s in Florida. Thanks for your thoughts.

I have the D810, and the D500. Don't hesitate to use them in my Kayak. I just modified it so it is impossible to roll when in it. I use the 150-600mm Sport, 80-400, and 200-500 on them.

I even posted an article on the kayak blind on this site - with photos. Do a search.

(Download)

Mandonan Loc: On the Road full time!

We use an Olympus Tough and a Go Pro when in the water. Both take great underwater pics as well as above water.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

A few years ago I picked up an unused Canon rigid underwater housing at my local Goodwill store for all of $15 (originally sold for around $250 and is rated for 100 feet or more).

Then I researched, went looking for and found the Powershot A640 (10MP point n shoot) camera that this particular UW housing is designed to fit... A working copy of the camera cost me $60 or $70 at the time, off eBay.

I like that the camera runs on standard, easy to find alkaline AA batteries. I don't like that it can't shoot RAW files.... JPEGs only. And the CCD-type sensor in an older model such as this also limits ISO to about 200 or, maybe, 400. But, hey, I ain't complainin'... It's a pretty decent little underwater rig for less than $100 total!

Over the years Canon has offered UW housings for a variety of their P&S cameras, so it would be relatively easy to put together something similar. I found several different Canon housings selling for between $15 and $70 on eBay, just now. I imagine you can find similar for various brands of P&S cameras, if you have another preference.

speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho

ValliPride wrote:

I am looking for a good quality camera that I can use when kayaking, I have the Nikon D500 and the Sony A7R2, I like a nice quality photo, I can not see myself putting an expense camera in a bag! Or spending 1k on a housing, any thoughts on the GoPro5 or a water proof point &shoot, I will be on the intercoastal water ways and in the mangrove s in Florida. Thanks for your thoughts.

Nothing wrong with bags! I used a $7000 movie camera in a ewa maringe bag a lot of times and never had an issue!