Cheap Digital Waterproof Cameras Worth a Look

If you take a look at the bestselling digital waterproof cameras on Amazon, you might be surprised to see that some of the most popular cameras are just over $100. While you can pay considerably more for top models like the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 or the Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX10, which offer a lot of features you won't get in cheaper waterproof cameras, you don't need to spend that much if you just want an underwater camera for shallow depths. Here are some cheap digital waterproof cameras worth a look

(Image of Kodak EasyShare Sport C123 from Amazon)

The Fuji FinePix XP30 is currently (April 2012) the third most popular camera in the Underwater Cameras category on Amazon, trailing behind two different colored models of the bestselling Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3. But the XP30, currently priced a little over $100 on Amazon (MSRP is $239.95), is nearly $200 cheaper than its competitors. Consumers love this little camera because it packs a lot of features into a tiny price tag. It was the first waterproof digital camera with GPS and it shoots 14 megapixel still photos as well as 720p HD video. It's also waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof, and consumers have given it a 4.5-out of 5-star average rating. Pretty impressive for a camera that's barely over $100. Click here for a more complete Fuji FinePix XP30 review.

Nikon has been promoting the Coolpix S30 as a camera that's easy enough for just about anyone to use, from young kids to grandparents. It has large easy-to-use buttons that make navigation simple, and you can capture both video and still photos with a 10 MP sensor and 3x zoom. This camera is tough enough to withstand drops from 2.6 feet and is waterproof to 9.8 feet (3 meters).

The Kodak EasyShare Sport C123 doesn't offer fancy styling or HD video capabilities, but what it does offer is a reliable 12-megapixel sensor with a 2.6-inch display, VGA video, an underwater mode to give true-to-life colors and the ability to go underwater to 10 feet underwater white balance mode. With a price tag around $100 (prices subject to change and vary slightly by color), what more could you want?

There's only one other cheap digital waterproof camera in the top 30 bestsellers in Amazon's Underwater Cameras category, and that's the Intova CP9. It doesn't have the brand name recognition of the other cameras, but this little compact model can go to 130 feet underwater, which makes it suitable for recreational scuba diving, as well as swimming and snorkeling. Of course, you'll need an external light source to get the best results if you're diving, but it's a great choice for anyone on a budget, particularly scuba divers who want a camera that can go as deep as they go.

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