Best Underwater Compact Cameras for 2013

Backscatter has exhaustively searched and tested dozens of compact cameras to find the best match between portability, price, and the goals of an aspiring underwater photographer.

Here are their picks for 2013.

Olympus Tough TG-2 Review

While visually similar to its predecessor the TG-1, the TG-2 features improved ruggedness and close up capabilities as well as a water-repellent coating to the front element of the lens to reduce the possibility of water droplets ruining your pictures. One of the best features on both models is their ability to accept an accessory fisheye or teleconverter lens.

LINK (via:Photography Blog)

I replaced my Pentax point and shoot in January with a TG-1, the 2 was not yet available, and have been really pleased with the results. The water repellent lens coating feature on the new model would have come in handy a couple of times however.

Pentax Optio WG-2 Review

See how the new Pentax offering stacks up in this Photography Blog review.

Certainly wins the award for most bad ass looking waterproof point and shoot.

GoPro Hero3: Black Edition vs. Panasonic TS4

It's a cop opera....a copera.

If you're in the market for a new action cam, this video from Weapons of Mass Production takes a detailed and humorous look at the new GoPro vs. one of the better waterproof point and shoots, the Panasonic TS-4.

Check out the full write-up that has a more in-depth discussion of all the tech and what the findings were.

LINK (via:crisislab)

The Best Action Camera Round Two

It wasn't so long ago that Gizmodo rounded up the best action cameras and put them to the test. Just half a year later, and the biggies all have new versions out. They're all better, but there's only one best.

Round Two: Fight! (via: Gizmodo)

GoPro Hero 3 Black Edition Review: One Badass Fixer Upper

Gizmodo has been putting GoPro's Hero 3 Black edition through some rigorous testing.