I LOVE cameras. I love to play with cameras. After I get to know a camera, I like to buy accessories for my cameras! The camera becomes my friend, so to speak. I know so many people with huge cameras, DSLRs, expensive housings for underwater and for photography on the go (hiking, kayaking, gliding, boating, etc), and they take amazing photographs. Professional level photographs. The problem with these fabulous cameras and housings? Most people cannot afford them. Not being able to spend thousands of dollars on professional camera equipment is certainly not unusual, and those who cannot spend that kind of money still want to capture great images. If this describes you or someone you know, here are my two favorite lower cost cameras for both land and underwater.
GOPRO cameras are awesome. They aren’t perfect, but they are awesome. I just purchased a GOPRO Hero+ with an LCD screen. The GOPROs that come with an LCD screen are necessary for me…I’ve spent many years using GOPROs without LCD screens and I usually miss what I am trying to film! So completely aggravating! I either hold the camera up too high, or too low. So, I bought the Hero+ with an LCD screen, and I love it. It is not the top of the line GOPRO camera, but so far I’ve had pretty good luck with it. And the best thing? All GOPRO cameras come with cool accessories! The GOPRO can go anywhere…parasailing, diving, climbing, skiing, hiking…just any activity at all! There are chest mounts, head mounts, and mounts you can put on a surf board! There is no end to where these little GOPROs will go. If you are a beginner, I highly recommend the Hero+ with an LCD screen and wifi. Yes, they are wifi enabled! There are accessories for anything you can imagine! Whether you want a beginning camera or a higher level GOPRO, you can check it out through these links to Amazon. Amazon even sells used GOPROs! Many of them have barely been used because the owner has just “traded up” the GOPRO line. You absolutely cannot beat it for the price.
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Another camera that is fantastic for the money is the Canon Point and Shoot. I use the Canon Powershot G15 as both underwater camera and land camera. There is a newer version out, the G16, but I haven’t traded up yet because I have been so happy with the G15. The day when I trade up is coming though, because unlike the Canon Powershot G15, the G16 is wifi enabled. There are a few underwater housings that will house the Powershots, from the Canon housing to the Recsea housing. It depends on how serious you are about taking underwater photos. If you are wanting a land only camera, it is small yet powerful, with a lot of accessories such as macro lenses, telephoto lenses, and great filters. Again, Amazon has terrific prices for Canon cameras, whether you are looking for a Powershot Point and Shoot, or a DSLR.
Over the years I have used a lot of still cameras from Sony to SeaLife to Sea & Sea and Canon. The Canon G15 has been my favorite. One of these days, I tell myself, I am going to buy an amazing DSLR with a huge housing…but so far, the Canon Powershot G15 and the GOPRO Hero+ has kept me entertained. I have several friends who are professional level photographers who use Nikon and Olympus and are extremely happy with them. I’ve never tried those brands, though I would certainly like to! Strictly from my own experience, to beginners and intermediate photographers, I can happily recommend the GOPROs and Canon Powershots.
Happy shopping!
