Underwater Compact that shoots RAW?

[ahsanford]

Hello all,

I'm off to do some snorkeling soon, and was considering how I might take pics underwater. I've considered both a sealed-up housing for either my iPhone or my 5D3 and I didn't want to risk either. I've decided that I want to rent a waterproof compact camera instead.

LensRentals offers the Powershot D20, but as you can see, the shots it takes are okay but not so hot:
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=%22powershot%20D20%22%20underwater

Given that these shots scream for post-processing (color cast, lack of contrast, etc.), I was wondering if any underwater compacts actually shoot in RAW.

Are you guys aware of any?

- A

 

[preppyak]

You could rent the Nikon 1 AW1, its essentially a mirrorless waterproof camera. It'd be the closest thing to your DSLR.

Other options would be to rent something like a G1X or RX100 and an underwater housing for those.

Last resort, I think you can put CHDK on something like a D20; you'll at least get DNG files. But, you'll probably be disappointed with any true underwater camera, they all offer terrible IQ, and I imagine an uncorrected file looks pretty bad (tons of CA, distortion, etc): http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

 

[ZimUW]

I don't think there are RAW capable P&S cameras that are waterproof. But you can get reasonably priced P&S cameras and a housing.
Try searching flickr with: S110 and underwater. You get the idea what can be done with a RAW capable P&S. Try also G12 and underwater. What you need underwater is light. Changed my underwater photos from butt-ugly to well... almost ok.

The link below has some photos with a Sony RX100.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/xanderwater/

J (Using a Canon 550D, hopefully also a 5D3 this year)

 

[Logan]

here is 2 pictures taken in a fairly murky estuary in mexico, one processed and since printed something like 12x16 and i am very happy with the print. the other straight out of the fuji xp60 (or 90 not sure). happy with the camera considering the low price (paid 190 i think)

i rarely need to take underwater photos, and im not looking to make fine art giant prints with it when i do, so i like it. not sure how much better they would process with raw, maybe the colour cast but i doubt it. you are underwater, the light is blue, you arent going to pull out a lot of red details without coloured flashes, thats what i thought.

have you looked around underwater? there is not much contrast and everything is tinted to blue.

heres a local guy doing some cool underwater work, you need to spend a bit more to get these shots methinks. he uses a ton of lighting, almost every shot is not just natural light.
www.eikojonesphotography.com

 

[ahsanford]

I forgot that the Nikon AW1 was a possibility. It shoots RAW.

Rented. Done. Thanks!

- A

 

[m]

There's CHDK, which brings Raw to P&S cameras including D10 and D20 Canon cameras:
http://chdk.wikia.com/wiki/CHDK

 

[ZimUW]

I forgot that the Nikon AW1 was a possibility. It shoots RAW.

Rented. Done. Thanks!

- A

Please report back what you think about the AW1. I'm considering that as a possible backup camera.

J

 

[ahsanford]

Please report back what you think about the AW1. I'm considering that as a possible backup camera.

J

Glad to, but keep your fingers crossed on my compositions. I am never underwater, so I expect to gather crystal clear shots of my flippers more than any local wildlife.

- A