DIGITAL CAMERA

[davo]

Check DP review on the web. The main thing is get one that runs AA batteries and not lithiums. The batteries are very expensive and if you are stuck you can't put anything else in.

Also it still gets down to the lense. After several months looking the Canon Powershot A70 was my choice. Almost went for the MJU300 Olyumpus but I figured I'd never had a weatherproof camera before and my old Minolta SLR is still trucking after 20years. I bought my daughter a Fujifilm Finepix A205 2Mega pix. 3xop.zoom for $240 and it's excellent for the money. Basically a good 3.2 mega pixal will do a A4 print. The A70's are going for about $570 at the moment. The main advantage is that it can run in manual as well has plenty of options and shots an excellent movie as well as great picture quality.

[keen_as_mustard]

I bought a Fuji FinePix S602 - 2.1 megapixel, 6 x optical zoom. It is reasonably bulky for a digital but I really wanted the extra optical zoom (don't forget digital zooms are a waste of time!). I am a graphic artist and although I would like more megapixels I am yet to need them - just my opinion. This camera uses 4 x NMHD batteries which i think is the best option for a digital. These rechargeable batteries are cheap compared to lithium ion and at a pinch you can throw a set of alkaline AA's in it (I always cary a set of these) which are available anywhere!

I would love a compact waterproof job but don't have the budget for 2 digitals so bought one that would do everything!

I know heaps of people with digital cameras and everyone has different needs and subsequently owns a different camera. Working out what you will use your camera is the secret - then buy a quality brand.

BTW - the camera I bought is now available with 3.2 megapixels for around $600

[Gorilla_in_Manila]

Oh ... I can take mine underwater - it's just the extra $500 I had to pay on top for the marine housing

Bret,
I just got a P8. Are those housings good. I have had a quick look at one and can get one here for the equivalent of around A$375, so sounds like it would be pretty good value. Not really planning to take it diving, but sounds like it will be much better for the camera if I have it in one of them when around the beach or in the boat.
Says on the box its rated to 40m depth.
Cheers,
Jeff