Canon and Pentax Announce New Waterproof Shooters

For all you Canon geeks out there.

The new Canon PowerShot D20 is a water-, shock, freeze- and dustproof 12.1-megapixel compact camera with a stabilised, 28-140mm equivalent zoom lens and built-in GPS to mark all those secret spots.

Available in May, $349 is the target U.S. retail.

LINK (Via: Photography Blog)

Pentax has announced two new models, the WG2 and WG2-GPS.

The Pentax Optio WG2 and WG2-GPS are two new waterproof, dustproof and shock-resistant compact cameras. Both models can be used at a depth of up to 12 metres and can withstand a drop of 1.5 metres, cold to -10°C and a weight up to 100kg. The WG2 and WG2-GPS also feature a 16 megapixel back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, Full HD movie recording, 5x optical zoom lens with 28mm wide-angle coverage, 3 inch high-resolution LCD monitor with 16:9 dimensions and 460,000 dots, and six built-in LED macro lights. The Optio WG2-GPS additionally comes equipped with an upgraded GPS module.

The WG2 and WG2-GPS will be available in March 2012.

LINK (Via: Pentax)

Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT4

The new 2012 waterproof digital point and shoot models continue to roll out.

The Panasonic DMC-FT4 is a new, 12.1-megapixel dustproof, waterproof, shockproof point and shoot camera. The FT4 features a 28-128mm equivalent Leica lens and a Hi-Speed CCD sensor that makes it possible for the camera to record Full HD videos. In addition to an on-board GPS module; compass; altimeter and barometer, the camera has three new shooting modes, time lapse shot, miniature effect and panorama shot. The FT4 will be available in a choice of black, blue, white or orange.

Pricing to be announced.

LINK (Photography Blog)

Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V

Sony leads off the 2012 crop of waterproof digital point and shot cameras with a new high resolution offering. What it lacks in shock proof or depth proof capability of competing models it more than makes up for with image quality. 

The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX200V is an 18.2-megapixel dust-and waterproof ultra-compact camera with extremely fast auto focus, 5x optical zoom, optical Steady Shot functionality and Full HD movie capture. The 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor, gives this camera the hugest resolution of any point and shoot camera.

The camera features a polished glass camera front, think iPhone, without protruding lenses or control buttons, making it one of the thinnest cameras in its class. Other highlights include an internally stacked zoom lens, on-board GPS and compass, as well as a background defocus filter that allows the camera to simulate the shallow depth of field achievable with larger-sensor cameras and fast/long lenses.

All this comes at a price,  the Sony TX200V will be available sometime in March at an MSRP of $499.99.

LINK (Via: Photography Blog)

Gizmodo weighs in:

Sony's new glass-faced TX200V is a decidedly opulent stab at something we've been asking for around here: a waterproof camera that doesn't sacrifice optics and design. It's just that it does it at a pretty painful price point.

Compact Waterproof Camera Group Test

Looking for a new waterproof compact camera?

Here is a somewhat dated, but very detailed, Digital Photography Review of some of the best selling models in the category.

The Mocean Armor FourPro Dive Housing

The FourPro iPhone underwater housing was field tested by Emmy winning National Geographic cameraman Ken Corben while filming great white sharks.

The Mocean Armor FourPro dive housing will allow anyone with an iPhone 4 or 4s to capture incredible footage that would otherwise be economically out of reach for this quality of HD video underwater. The alternatives to capture HD video at any depth below a kitchen sink run thousands to tens of thousands of dollars. You can achieve the same results Hollywood spends millions to produce in the palm of your hand.

A Kickstarter donation of $400 secures one of the underwater housings for yourself, the actual MSRP will be $700.

LINK (Via: Gizmodo)

Optrix HD Sport

While you won't want to ditch the SLR or point and shoot, the Optrix HD Sport waterproof case transforms your iPhone 4, 4S or iPod Touch into an action sports camera.

Currently available for pre-order, the Optrix HD Sport can be purchased for $79.99 through their website.

Via: Photography Blog

While we're talking iPhone, I just picked up an Olloclip lens kit. The Olloclip is a slick quick-connect lens for the iPhone 4/4S that includes fisheye, wide-angle and macro lenses in one small, convenient package that easily goes on and off your phone. 

Here are some hipster instagram shots taken with the macro and fish eye, works in video mode too.