HeyYou Loc: SE Michigan

We are going to be in the Galapagos in a few weeks, several days snorkeling etc. I am taking my SLR with me so what I'm looking for specifically is a camera with best possible quality for use in the water, something in the way of a high-quality camera that is waterproof.
I am not interested in a housing for my SLR. That will be staying on the boat !
Would like to spend no more than $250 - $300 but would consider options beyond this range.
I have done some Internet research on cameras for this purpose, I am asking fellow UHH members for personal experience and related advice. Thank you

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

A GoPro might be what your looking for.

Mike D. Loc: Crowley County, CO.

Two suggestions.

Nikon AW110 or Olympus Tough TG-860.

The Nikon I have used in saltwater the Olympus I have not. But out of the water, the color balance on the Olympus is better.

Fortunately, there are many choices these days.

GENorkus Loc: Washington Twp, Michigan

*Make sure you remember to wash salt residue off whatever case you use.

Mike_B Loc: St. Louis, MO

Look on youtube. I just came back from Key West and I used a Olympus TG4 with an orange floating plastic handle. I got both on Amazon. The camera worked great.

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

I have a Nikon 1 AW-1 on sale here on UHH, but it is a complete kit with two lenses and a converter for regular nikon lenses, extra battery, and a Think Tank bag that holds everything, but the price is more than what you're looking for.

arousey Loc: Morrison, Colorago

I second the GoPro option. It's a nice alternative to a DSLR and with the Hero 5 coming out soon you should be able to find a deal on a Hero4 or a really good deal on a used 3.

Revet Loc: Fairview Park, Ohio

I have the Nikon AW-120 and it is great for snorkeling or shallow dives. In the past we have used those cheap box cameras (throw away) and they actually work pretty well up to about 15 feet (even deeper if there is good light). I have also rented some underwater cameras and it is my experience that you either need a really good professional camera with the whole flash set-up or just go with the cameras like the AW-120 (or 120, 130, etc.). I rented a dedicated underwater camera that was in-between these extremes and it was no better than the Nikon AW type.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Olympus Tough is a good range of cameras at reasonable prices.

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

Oly TG-4 is a great little camera. Shoots RAW or if you insist on JPEG its underwater mode works well

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

as i only use film, i rely on my nikonos cameras and lenses. they consistantly deliver excellent results.

Ghery Loc: Olympia, WA

I use a GoPro. Head strap mount and it is looking wherever I am looking. I just take videos with it. Works great.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I went to the Galapagos Islands in Nov of 2014. Galapagos Travel, aboard the TipTop IV, 15 days at sea. I can tell you with experience, that the GoPro is the way to go. I would only take video. My mistake was that I didn't reserve a weight belt so going down and staying down to video the fish was very difficult. I suggest you either bring or make sure you tell your travel agent you want to reserve a wetsuit, fins, mask, snorkel and most importantly, a weight belt.

I bought a new GoPro silver with the LCD built into it and it works great. Play with it before you go so that you know how the controls work before you are in the water. I suggest you set it up so that it starts to record video everytime it's turned on. I would just press the on off button to start and stop video. Don't take really long videos. Take a clip every time you take a breath and go down. Stop the video when you surface. That way you can put together your clips in a really nice video. Here's a youtube link to one of my videos from the Galapagos Islands. Oh, I almost forgot to say, they wouldn't let me use my 4' long pole. I had to keep it telescoped IN or they pitched a fit. So don't bother with a pole. Also, I had no use for a GoPro once I was done with it in the Galapagos, so I sold it for about 2/3s what it was new to one of the crew members. He was happy to get it.

https://youtu.be/5Me8dx_yiFE?list=FLGTYrEnA4xvwW1uCO5-GCoQ

https://youtu.be/aqN4vo0dDd0?list=FLGTYrEnA4xvwW1uCO5-GCoQ

https://youtu.be/4iQgQm-NVFc?list=FLGTYrEnA4xvwW1uCO5-GCoQ

https://youtu.be/CkBson0Qtu8?list=FLGTYrEnA4xvwW1uCO5-GCoQ

dlmorris Loc: Loma Linda, Ca

On the low end of things, I just came back from WalMart, and they had a couple of Vivitar cameras that had waterproof cases on them...for $39.00 and up. Might be worth looking in to. I think I will....

TommiRulz Loc: Corpus Christi, TX

CANON D30 !!!
I have had the Canon D10, Nikon AW130, Sony TX30, Olympus TG860, and Canon D30. ( We live near the beach, lake, river, and 5 water parks) The Sony was the only one that actually broke and took on water. The others were tough as nails in the water BUT the Canon D30 had the best image quality !! The Nikon was a close runner up.
I liked the Oly TG860 because of the Selfie Screen (that is fun under water) and it has a lot if fun auto features BUT the battery life SUCKED and if your on the boat taking lots of fun underwater pics - it will not make through the evening without a charge. I know Oly makes a more expensive version for deeper water and colder places -- maybe that camera does better. But I'm selling my Oly TG860 - just staying with the D30, great battery life, awesome image quality, super tough! ( The things we have done to our D cameras OMG) The canon D30 is on sale right now at QVC for $250