Canon PowerShot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-Inch LCD
by Canon
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Canon PowerShot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-Inch LCD
Customer Review: A great waterproof camera (with proper expectations) and some useful tips
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a great camera and I've had no complaints at all. My reason for posting this review it to suggest some expectations based on this being a special purpose camera. Something it isn't designed to do as well as a regular point and shoot because of design considerations for a camera that must work under water and in other tough environments. Then again, lets see how the pictures you take with a Canon PowerShot SD1400IS 14.1 MP Digital Camera with 4x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.7-Inch LCD (Silver) from 10' under water (no sense pushing anything to a limit) turn out. If you are looking for the smallest camera that produces the best images look elsewhere, for example the Canon PowerShot S95 10 MP Digital Camera with 3.8x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 3.0-Inch inch LCD.
However, if you want something that will capture really good images in places not possible with non-waterproof cameras then this is a really great choice.
Two bits of advice from someone who has owned a number of waterproof cameras...
First, right after you get this, and certainly before you go on vacation, fill the sink with water, hold the camera under the water, take some pictures, and make sure they come out. Also, as you're putting the camera in the sink, look for tiny bubbles coming from anywhere in the camera. It might be air that was trapped from some body contour or air that's escaping from the battery compartment or one of the camera points that was supposed to be sealed. If you see any, take it out, check it out, dry it off, and try again until you are sure that the camera is either working properly (probably the case) or is defective and needs to be replaced.
Second, consider using a very, very tiny bit of silicon grease like some Olympus Silicone Grease for O-Rings on Underwater Housings. on the battery/memory every once in a while. And, whatever you do, inspect the gaskets for grains of sand and hairs before you close them. One of either could form a channel for water to get in.
Lastly, your camera flooding is not necessarily the end of the world. I had my Sanyo Xacti VPC-E2 Digital Camcorder and 8 MP Digital Camera (Blue) flood some years back. (My fault, I changed the battery poolside and didn't close the battery compartment properly before jumping back in.) It stopped working and continued to not work for several weeks. The cost for repair was more than the camera so I just set it aside. Six months later, on a whim, I tried it again and it worked. (I was lucky the problem occurred in a fresh water pool rather than a salt water ocean.) It survived another couple pool/beach vacations before being replaced by this, far superior, camera.
Customer Review: First Use and No Problems
Summary: 5 Stars
Bought the D10 earlier this year, and just returned from vacation. Used the camera several times in the salt water (never really more than a couple of feet under water), and had no problems. The controls were easy to use, although I'm sure it helped that I also used it most of the time out of the water. Pictures both in and out of the water were very good, and the video under the water is pretty neat! The IS on this camera is amazing. I do have problems with the AWB on indoor shots, but not a big issue.
A couple of suggestions if you get one. Get a keychain float (like the ones they sell for boat keys) and put it on the strap. The camera does not float without something like this on it. Also take a big plastic cup with you on vacation. After being in salt water, you need to soak it in fresh water for a few hours. This is much easier if you have a cup that you can fill with water and drop your camera in for soaking. Get a large SD card (8 gig or more) and an extra battery. You don't want to open that compartment any more than you have to. Start with an empty SD card and a fully charged battery. The battery does last several days.
A few ideas for Canon. Either include a couple of spare "Strap Mounts" with the camera, or just put metal loops on the corners to attach the straps. You can buy extras from Canon at about $20 each, but that shouldn't be required just to attach a strap. You do get one for the wrist strap, but it would be great to have another for a neck strap. I would also suggest having something around the display on the back of the camera (like a small rubber ridge) just to keep the display off of the surface of whatever you set the camera down on. It doesn't sit well on the "bottom", and most times ends up laying on its back with the display down. I worry about it getting scratched over time.
Great camera, just the right size IMO, and takes good pictures both in and out of the water. Nice to have on the beach or by the pool.
======== Update as of 4/1/2011
Have used the D10 on several vacations now, and continue to have great luck. I always soak it in fresh water after using it in salt water, and work all of the buttons to keep it clean. I have not had a problem with scratches on the back display as I had been worried about.
A few things I've learned... First, you really need to ensure you set the mode to underwater before you take underwater pictures. Makes a big difference (mostly due to white balance). Second, when you have used the camera underwater, you need to have something dry to wipe the lense when back on dry land. A couple of drops of water can ruin your pictures. Third, try not to use the flash underwater. It seems to highlight the small little white floating things in the water, and makes the water look not as clear.
Camera is easy and fun to use. The only concern I would have if buying one now is when is the next version going to be out?
Customer Review: We were the envy of our scuba and snorkel trip with this camera!
Summary: 5 Stars
Prior to buying this, I was considering the waterproof housing for my Powershot S880 IS for a trip to Hawaii. I really like my 880 IS. And despite the great reviews for the housing, you have to admit that it's a $150 piece of plastic that does only 1 thing. For some more money, I thought it made more sense to have a waterproof camera that also could serve as a backup.
Took a few test shots just to get used to the settings and the camera, and they turned out fine. The real test was the manta ray scuba dive, and my wife took it down to 35 or 36 feet, which is 10% more than the recommended 33 feet. It kind of made me nervous as I heard her say she went that low, but those Canon engineers clearly know what they are doing. The camera worked like a champ! After setting it to underwater mode, the pictures (plus sound!) came out beautifully! The other people on our dive boat were amazed and asked if we would share the still pictures and videos with them. We quickly became the envy of the dive. I also took it to Kealakekua Bay, watching dolphins and tropical fish in the bright sunlight (but underwater) and once again, the results were fantastic. You can zoom in/out while you take video with this camera, and I know some cameras do not allow that. If the camera suspects someone may have blinked during the shot, it will display a small icon as you review the picture. I found this feature surprisingly accurate. The camera will turn the LCD screen on in playback mode, if you press and hold the play button. (Other Canon cameras probably do this, but I discovered this by just playing around with the D10 one day.)
What's also great about this camera is that it's good for everyday use. The D10 has auto vs. program modes as well as the usual special ones like portrait, sunset, indoor, etc. and it's a 12 MP camera! (My 880 IS is only 10 MP.) The macro function also worked very nicely as I strolled around one of the botanical gardens in Hilo, taking good close-ups of the flowers. The strap has a unique feature where you can move and replace it at any of the 4 corners of the camera.
Buy a big memory card if you want to take this underwater, because you'll want to mix the still pictures with video and we quickly started to run out of room. The minimum I would recommend is 4G. Also, it was hard to find a good camera case because this camera's lens does not collapse flat. It's got 1 shape (which I totally understand since it needs to stay sealed.) I took the camera to different stores just to make sure it would fit, and ended up with a basic one that I purchased from Target, but about 80% of the camera cases could NOT fit this camera, so be careful on this part.
Otherwise, I consider this money extremely well spent and hope you will, too. I feel bad about the person whose camera leaked... Hopefully just a model with a small defect. Mine worked great!
Customer Review: The go anywhere camera.
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a strong believer that the best pictures are taken by a camera that you have on your person at the time. For this reason I am a big fan of Nokia cell phones because I always have a decent camera with me. As long as the image quality is acceptable, it is more important that you have the camera on your person then anything. While a good cell camera is great, because you always have your phone with you, the Canon D10 takes this a step further. With the D10 you need not worry about the camera getting damaged, so you can take it anywhere and I mean anywhere. It is the ultimate adventure camera, as it is waterproof, shockproof, freeze proof and well just all around life proof. If you have an active life and you want pictures of it, then this is the camera for you. A camera for an active life. The photo quality while not the best in the world is more then adequate, the camera is fast and it is easy to use. If you need the best pictures then get a DSLR, if you want a camera that is ready to take pictures any time and any place get the Canon D10. I also recommend a cell phone with a decent camera, as you will always have your phone.(except in the water, snow, etc.... where the D10 is perfect)
This camera is nearly perfect though I could see a few improvements for the next version.
HD zoom video with auto focus and a GPS receiver for geotagging would put this camera over the top.
My only complaints are that the shutter button needs to be pushed in about a millimeter to far for the focus detent and picture. I also wish the optional AC adapter could charge the battery in the camera, as I do not like taking the battery out to charge it.(Afraid I am gonna break a nail or the waterproof door which is hard to get open and for good reason) Canon might consider making the battery a higher capacity built in battery like Apple has done with the macbooks, then have just one door to access the SD card, usb, charging port.
This camera takes phenomenal photos under ANY circumstance and has no glaring flaws. If you have an active life style and need a camera that can keep up, look no further.
*update*
OK I have an update, this camera is great!
I was at the Waipio Valley beech in Hawaii when this camera really got put to the test. My buddy lost the camera in the surf!(why he was not wearing the wrist band, I don't know!?!?) The camera spent 10 minutes underwater in the big waves pounding against rocks and sand on the beech. Our entire group of friends rushed into the water to look for it and amazingly we found it! It has been beat up and scratched pretty good, but still works great. There is not a scratch on the lens, so it must be well protected. I can't think of a more brutal test for the camera and it came through(and back) amazingly. So there you have it. I will try freezing it during the ski season.
Customer Review: Best camera ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this camera almost a year ago, and I LOVE it! It has been underwater in Key West, with manatees in Crystal River, FL, in waves in the Gulf of Mexico, and in hot tubs, pools, waterfalls, showers, bath tubs, and in the rain! It also goes everywhere to take pictures when I am NOT under water. ;-) It is easy to use, has very good battery life, and is shock resistant so I do not worry about it. My 6 year old niece loves using it too, and takes great pictures with it. Software is super easy to load, and you just plug USB cord from camera to computer to upload pictures from camera to computer. Features are great. Love black and white, sepia, and color accent features. Sunset, kid/pets, and night scene are modes I use a lot.
With all my cameras in the past, I had to worry about not taking my camera in kayaks, canoes, or to the beach, or had to risk ruining the camera if I did take it. Now this camera goes everywhere. It has a cool "submarine" look. My brother bought one after I loved mine so much. We bought an accessory kit (which I would definitely recommend even though it is expensive) and put the camo color panel on his to replace the bright blue. The accessory kit also has optional carry straps which I have found to be useful, and a cool neoprene case.
Everybody asks me about this camera--where can they get one, and so on. I would highly recommend it. A few "cons" or suggestions: 1) I am very careful with the seals, and never open the battery compartment or USB door if camera is damp, or if I am outside near dirt or sand. 2) This camera is not as tiny as some, which was a drawback for me. However, it gets far better reviews as far as picture quality than any of the other waterproof cameras I have seen or heard about, and I have not been at all disappointed with my choice! It fits easily into a purse or backpack of course, you don't even feel it. It just isn't tiny enough to fit comfortably into a pocket. 3) It only has a 3.0 x optical zoom. This was a drawback for me. However, the photo quality is amazing to me even with digital zoom to 12.0 x. (Probably would not be if blowing up big enlargements.) 4) Flash is too bright to me when close up. Really wish it had a soft flash, or half flash. However, camera takes photos without flash in all but the lowest light. 5) Battery life is great. However, it doesn't give you much notice about battery being low before it goes completely dead. I also bought an extra battery--got one for great price on Amazon--and this makes a huge difference...I always have one battery charged.
Buy the camera, and have fun!