Optio W30

These camera are now very cheap and I am tempted to get one as a cheap underwater camera and a tough camera for just general purpose record shots.

Can anyone recommend / comment on the camera? Is it much worse image quality than the latest W90 / WG-1 cameras, or does the lower pixel count actually work in its favour?

I could spend a bit more and get a used Sony TX5 or W90, but there's quite a jump in price and even the comparitively well reviewed TX5 isn't 'amazing' IQ wise - all these cams are a bit ropey if you're used to DSLR quality!

Review here.

Hmm not too bad. I'd probably rather go for one of these than one of those Kodak fixed lens jobbies, which are about the same price new.

A shame about the 38mm wide angle though.

I have had a couple of fairly expensive 'tough' compacts - an Olympus and a Sony TX5 and neither of them have been all that impressive. The IQ is o.k. but not great and I find the menu on the TX5 fiddly to use. I like the convenience of them though and when the TX5 needs replacing I will probably go for a less expensive 'toughie'. In theory the seals need replacing yearly but I doubt many people do. In practice they seem to last for 2 or 3 years without attention then fail. So I reckon it makes sense to buy a bit cheaper, work the thing to death then replace.

Thanks, yes that's my thinking too - but I'm a little concerned about the seals going on such an old model now!

If money was no object I'd be getting the Panasonic Ft2 which seems very good in and out of the water, and has a good video mode.

Excellent, incisive, informative! Rude not to go and buy some new windows now