Waterproof Case + Digicam Combination

[backpack]

To go along with my SLR lens thread, here's one for the divers/snorkelers out there.

I kicked myself last time I was in Ecuador for not buying the waterproof case for my s400. The snorkeling in Galapagos was nothing short of amazing, with tons of cool stuff everywhere just begging to be photographed.

Basically, I was thinking an s70 and case would be ideal for the RAW support (so I can get the colors right in photoshop and everything isn't blue), plus the s70 case is the 40m version so it's less likely to leak when I dive down to 10-12 feet than a 3m case on the cheaper cameras.

(The SD500/550 is the other option I'm looking at right now, also with a 40m case.)

I'd also use it on the coast for tide pool and swimming photos, in the rainforest swimming, etc.

I know some of you have experience with this stuff... any suggestions?

[Cirquerider]

If you are considering picking up a compact camera and case, don't overlook the Canon A620. With a slight size penalty, it includes more manual and scene features than the SD500/550, including "My Colors" and an underwater SCN mode to compensate for the blue. At $339, its a lot less risky than taking the SLR.

[backpack]

If you are considering picking up a compact camera and case, don't overlook the Canon A620. With a slight size penalty, it includes more manual and scene features than the SD500/550, including "My Colors" and an underwater SCN mode to compensate for the blue. At $339, its a lot less risky than taking the SLR.

Both the SD 500 and 550 include an "underwater" scene mode. I don't think the "my colors" thing would be useful for me.

I also already have batteries for the 500/550, and assuming I end up with a Rebel XT it will share the same batteries as the s80/70.

The real reason for getting an s70 is that it can save RAW files, so I can easily adjust the white balance later to get good colors and not just blue everything. The s80 has some improvements, including and underwater mode, but unfortunately no RAW. Ugh.

That's not to say the A620 isn't a good camera, it's just that my needs are for both an underwater camera and an unobtrusive "don't mug me" camera. Really, an SD 400/450 would be best for that, but not so much underwater.