Joexx

I am looking for a reasonably good camera that I can bring with me while kayaking. Any suggestions are appreciated. These are my general requirements.
Small, so not a DSLR. Should fit in a shirt pocket if possible, or at least a large pocket.
Under $500 (hopefully).
High quality photos with a reasonable Zoom. 5-10x. I know this is not a FF DSLR, but I would like a camera sensor that delivers quality pictures, so a larger sensor is probably better. Of course keeping in mind that I am spending under $500.
Optical viewfinder so I can see the image in bright sunlight.
I am not going swimming with this camera, but I want it be ok if it is hit with water for a few seconds. I guess the test would be that it can be put in a few inches of water for a few seconds.

Thanks

Quixdraw Loc: x

Check out this link https://products.bestreviews.com/best-rugged-camera
Bought the predecessor to this for my son. Link https://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-products/product-archive/nikon1/nikon-1-aw1.html
I used the Olympus TG 5 on an all weather job - no finder, but not bad.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Joe, with your budget I would go with the Olympus which is highly rated.
Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera $350

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1477204-REG/olympus_v104210bu000_tough_tg_6_digital_camera.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

mikee

Tg-5 and tg-6 are my recommendations for submersible. I've used several fugi's but the image quality of the olympus is much better. I kayak a lot in gnarly conditions In the pacific northwest, so I'm wearing a dry suit all the time and my camera (in a pdf pocket) gets soaked. I've also paddled in Scotland, Mexico, and the Galapagos. Plan for immersion, even if you don't flip. Another option is to take an older model land camera in a zippered dry bag (Ortlieb makes one; for quick sealing). Don't use a standard roll top dry bag, not secure enough and they take too long to open and close. Consider the camera disposable if you flip or it gets a major splash. If you get even a submersible wet with salt water the clock for corrosion starts immediately. Even if you soak in fresh water and use rice they last maybe 2-3 years. Hint, if using a submersible and you have water drops on the lens you can either use a lens cloth to dry it (be careful if you have salt crystals), or lick the lens and dip it in the water to evenly coat it with water. Have fun!

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

As someone that shoots from a kayak pretty much weekly I feel your pain. A long zoom is pretty useless underwater so none of the waterproof cameras have much of a zoom. I basically have two cameras I use kayaking. One is a Fujifilm XP130. It’s cheap but the image quality isn’t great. I’m replacing it with a Panasonic Lumix TS7. It has the second longest reach for a waterproof P&S, (140mm equivalent) and it is the only one with a viewfinder. B&H has it for $200 right now which is at least $75 less than I’ve seen it elsewhere. That will be what I always carry kayaking and also when I SUP.
My second camera is one I only take In conditions that don’t require a full spray skirt. It’s a Fujifilm S1 bridge camera and it’s the only super zoom bridge camera that is weathersealed. It has a 1200mm equivalent zoom. They no longer make it but I’ve bought a few on eBay for about $200, (saltwater spray killed one). I hang that one around my neck on a strap. It has a small sensor but I’ve gotten good images with it.
The only thing I’ve seen with a 1” sensor is a scuba camera made by SeaLife, but it’s around $700 and has limited zoom.
I do sometimes take my Panasonic G9 in a dry bag and just take it out to use it. I’m actually planning on it being my go to kayak camera and this brings up another option, depending on what you shoot. I got an Outex cover. It’s a silicone sleeve with glass front and back. I think it was about $425 and with my G9 I can get full zoom with my 75-300mm, (150-600mm equiv.). I haven’t used it much yet because I’m still working out using BBF and the viewfinder with it and figuring out how to set up the harness and strap best for kayaking. It’s worth looking into. My D500 will fit but not with the zoom range.

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

TG-5 or TG-6. It's a great little camera. Not only submersible but submersible to 50 feet so no worries if you roll your kayak. It can be completely submerged forever and it won't leak. No viewfinder. Not a great zoom out of the box but there is a small screw in telephoto available that gives you a 7x view and it works very well. And all kinds of abilities like RAW, focus stack, micro as well as macro, highlight blinkies, video, etc.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

Olympus TG-6. Not a perfect camera but tough. Easy enough for everyone at my work to use. No viewfinder but does have image stabilization and RAW capability.

Other than waterproof cameras, the only other cameras that I have heard of going in water (half air, half water) and surviving was an E-M5. The Olympus E-M5 series, E-M1 series, and E-M1X are weatherproof but not waterproof. Putting any of the Olympus weaterproof O-MD serie cameras in water for a half and half shot has been done, but does void the warranty. I will not suggest you even try such even though it has been done.

Jeffcs Loc: Myrtle Beach South Carolina

Olympus TG6

Mcwane Loc: Southwestern Virginia

I have an Olympus TG5 and a Nikon AW-130 that I use for wet locations and under water. They both work great and are easy to use but the TG-5 has a little better image quality. The AW-130 strap mounts on both sides and will hang well around your neck for a hands free video such as riding horses in the surf but the TG-5 has a strap only on one side and hangs vertical when hung around your neck and makes video a little harder. Either one should give you pretty good pics. Oh, the TG-5 will shoot in Raw and the AW-130 will not.

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

I would highly recommend the Nikon Coolpix W300. And excellent waterproof camera. No mater what camera you choose, make sure you get a FLOATING CAMERA STRAP, you will thank me later.
And, after you buy your water proof camera, who knows, you might just get lucky and get a shot of a mermaid.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=Nikon%20COOLPIX%20W300%20Digital%20Camera%20(Orange%2C%20Open%20Box)&sts=pi&pim=Y

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1328470-REG/ruggard_rfs_300y_round_floating_wrist_strap.html?sts=pi&pim=Y

banders26 Loc: Illinois

I do a lot of snorkeling when on holiday in the US Virgin Islands. I had a canon A75 with the underwater housing and took many excellent pictures. I have switched to the Olympus TG-5 and wish this would have been out earlier. They Oly takes far better pictures and is much smaller. The oly is starting to become the only camera I take on some of our trips. I do have the floating wrist band for the oly.

Mcwane Loc: Southwestern Virginia

I do agree that the TG-5 is a great camera, I just wish they had put a strap mount on both sides instead on one for video use. I love both my AW-130 and the TG-5. They both have replacements AW-300 for Nikon and TG-6 for Olympus but made very small updates in them. It's great to know that no matter what the weather conditions or where you want to shoot, you are protected from the elements. The rear screens are easily scratched on both cameras and should be protected.

banders26 Loc: Illinois

There are screen protectors for the TG-5

mizzee Loc: Boston,Ma

Olympus Tough TG6. Shoots raw, is submersible, good image stabilization, drop protected to 7(?) feet, great macro capabilities, fits in a pocket, and has attachments you can add for more reach. The image quality, for the type of camera it is, is very good.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Look at the Olympus range of Tough cameras. They are always rated very high.