Recommendation needed for waterproof camera

[zig]

I am wanting to buy a compact waterproof camera for an upcoming trip to Iguazu Falls.

Have been looking at Panasonic FT25, Fuijifilm models and an Olympus TG-630. My other camera is a Panasonic Lumix, so I am leaning towards the Panasonic.

I welcome any recommendations or experiences.

 

[craven morehead]

I have had good results with the Olympus

 

[OzEire]

I have treated my Olympus micro 'tough' to some really hard wear over several years, its still going strong.

 

[jetlagger]

I liked my Olympus till I upgraded it to a Nikon.
IMO the Olympus was much better.
Durable & excellent picture quality as a compact.

 

[kpc]

Olympus Tough TG-2 iHS Review & Rating | PCMag.com
I bought the one above for our trip to Maldives earlier this year....great underwater pictures and video. Only negative is the noise of the zoom which is picked up while taking video above water.

 

[Happy Trails]

We've been using TG2s at work for the past year.
They've had a hard life but have proven very rugged and reliable, with decent optics too.
Maybe a bit heavy though.

 

[maninblack]

Don't go near Panasonic.

 

[zig]

Thanks for the feedback everyone, looks like a strong trend towards Olympus as a brand. I'll have a look at the TG2 as suggested by kpc and Happy Trails, although I am looking for something light.
maninblack, were there any specific problems with the Panasonic?

 

[Cynicor]

The Olympus were first in this area really, and they started out really poor with lots of production issues. You may get more experiences over on whirlpool because the panasonics were better last time I looked, but that was 2-3 years ago.

I've had 2 of the Olympus toughs break, and used the Panasonic no issues but only for a short while. I'm surprised experience here is so one sided.

 

[k_sheep]

The Olympus were first in this area really, and they started out really poor with lots of production issues. You may get more experiences over on whirlpool because the panasonics were better last time I looked, but that was 2-3 years ago.

I've had 2 of the Olympus toughs break, and used the Panasonic no issues but only for a short while. I'm surprised experience here is so one sided.

I have near identical experience - have been through 2 Olympus toughs (1030 then 6010), whereas after getting my Lumix at least 3 years ago now, it's still going strong. And that includes taking it snorkelling for hours (I think the first Olympus died because of condensation in the electronics, because it got quite hot) and diving with it to *generally* maximum 12m.

In terms of above water usage - I find the flash on the Lumix not so great, but picture quality and sharpness better than the Olympus. In under water, there's no comparison, the lumix is streets ahead.

*shrug*. Make sure you also check what card they use - the XD on the olympus (if they still do that) is super annoying and more expensive.

 

[maninblack]

maninblack, were there any specific problems with the Panasonic?

We've had two fail in shallow water. After that you just give up and go elsewhere.

 

[zig]

*shrug*. Make sure you also check what card they use - the XD on the olympus (if they still do that) is super annoying and more expensive.

Thanks, will check that out.

We've had two fail in shallow water. After that you just give up and go elsewhere.

Fair enough.