Thinking about getting a Canon D10 for snorkeling? Good thinking. The Canon PowerShot D10 is currently my top pick of all the available compact digital cameras that have built-in waterproof cases.
The camera has a lot going for it for a snorkeler, particularly since the price has come down a lot recently. Currently you can pick one up from Amazon for about $290 with free shipping. If you compare that with how much you need to spend to buy a point and shoot camera and a separate underwater housing, you can see why it is an attractive option. To get a camera that has similar features you would spend closer to $350 to $500 with a separate underwater housing.
The Positives Of The Canon D10 For Snorkeling
From a technical standpoint, there are several features that make the Canon D10 for snorkeling a good choice.
12.1 Mega Pixels
Optical Image Stabilizer
Nice bright 2.5" LCD screen
Waterproof to 33 feet and also shockproof
Super fast startup and focusing and very low shutter lag
Excellent high ISO performance (good up to 800 ISO)
A Real Lens
The Canon D10 has a bigger lens (larger diameter) and is centered in the camera. Just about every other "waterproof" camera avalable is like the camera on the right above. They have little tiny lenses stuck up in the corner of the camera body. With the Canon the light goes straight through the lens directly to the sensor. With the other cameras the light has to bounce of several mirrors or prisms before reaching the sensor. This reduces image quality.
A Fast Lens
The Canon D10 has a fast F2.8 lens when it is at it's widest zoom range (underwater you almost always will use the camera at it's most wide angle setting). A fast lens means it brings in more light. And that means you will be able to have faster shutter speeds. And all of that boils down to you having less blurry pictures of fish that are moving. And since you will be hand holding this camera, and will rarely use a flash, you will have less blur from hand motion as well. Couple that with the optical image stabilizer and it makes for much sharper images most of the time.
A Bigger Sensor
A bigger lens means a bigger sensor. A bigger sensor means better image quality, better low light performance, and less noise.
A Tough Body That Is Waterproof
The body looks and feels like a camera you can take underwater. And you can. I have known people who have used this camera constantly for six months taking pictures underwater without any failures. Tons of people have this camera. From what I have seen it has the best track record for not flooding of any of these little waterproof cameras.
Very Good Picture Colors
This camera gets better color underwater than any of the other waterproof point and shoots. Check out these pictures from my friend in Curacao who uses the Canon D10 for snorkeling.
The Negatives Of The Canon D10 For Snorkeling
Yes there are a few. And they are why I don't use the camera. Although for most people these are not big issues.
Not Easy To Use Filters
For me, the number one problem with the camera is that I can't use a magic filter as easily as I can with my Canon S90
and housing. And actually there are several external red filters available that you could hold in front of the lens. So maybe this is not a deal killer even for me.
No Manual Controls
I also like to have more control over the camera, and the Canon D10 does not offer any manual controls. But you may also not care about that. And truthfully I don't think any of the cameras with built in waterproof housings have any manual controls.
Longevity of the Canon D10 For Snorkeling
While it is very waterproof, this camera still has very small little doors and seals. And some people have had some failures. If you take care of your seals and are very careful with your camera I don't think you should have a problem.
A friend of mine reported that when doing research he discovered that most of the failures happen through the seal on the AV door. And since he never uses the AV door (who does?), he just sealed the door shut with silicone. That is a great idea and well worth the extra protection.
That's about it. I have handled this camera and really like it. And I have seen so many great pictures taken with it that despite me having an excellent underwater camera I still crave to have one of these also.
A Real Lens