Waterproof cameras, will Canon replace the D10?

[bill_tuthill]

The recent DPreview test of waterproof cameras showed the Panasonic TS3 to be the clear winner among tested

models, however looking at comparisons from their previous test, the Canon D10 remains competitive. With CHDK,

the D10 is definitely more controllable. If and when Imaging-resource tests the TS3, direct image comparisons

will be possible. Both are 12 Mp cameras.

 

This is not the time of year to introduce a waterproof compact, but might Canon do so next spring, or do you

think they have abandoned that market segment? Several friends are looking to replace their old Pentax WPs.

[JDMvW]

<p>Here's the best source for such questions: http://8ball.tridelphia.net/ - also at http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~ssanty/cgi-bin/eightball.cgi. The answer when I asked was "absolutely!"<br>

That's not a joke. These companies hold their future plans very tightly, lest they damage current sales, and Canon <em>seems</em> to like to hold things back so they can "one-up" some new product from a competitor.<br>

I doubt that Canon will abandon this market segment, so your question is not really whether they will replace it, but rather "how soon will they replace it?" An area where the magic eight ball does not do so well.<br>

Maybe some 'insider' here knows or has seen some recent reliable information, but usually, we just have to wait and see.</p>

 

[frank_skomial]

<p>"<em>This is not the time of year to introduce a waterproof compact"</em> - why not ?<br>

New contender in underwater class is Nikon Coolpix AW100<br>

<a href="http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26293/COOLPIX-AW100.html">http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Compact-Digital-Cameras/26293/COOLPIX-AW100.html</a></p>

[richardsnow]

<p>Cross posted with Frank S. No need to read it twice.<br>

RS</p>

[robert_landrigan]

<p>The Panasonic is a fantastic camera, and looking at the design ideas between the two, I'd go for a TS3 over whatever canon puts out next. They view their waterproof line as very simple, basic cameras that don;t leak. Which is great, but the TS3 or AW100 will have more features - even if most of those are to turn off other features - than the more basic D10 type camera.</p>

[frank_skomial]

<p>"<em>cameras that don;t leak"</em> - this is the key feature here.</p>

<p>Not sure about the latest Olympus cameras, I would assume that they learnt from prior experiences ? <br>

But a bit older Olympus models leaked after few underwater uses, if you did not service them annually and did not replace the rubber seals at Olympus service department. (excuse given at Olympus). Some information that was only discovered after water damage of the camera.</p>

[bill_tuthill]

<p>Nikon AW100 is interesting, I am looking forward to seeing full-size samples. It might have the same biCMOS sensor as the Sony TX10.<br>

Frank, to save you reading time, the Olympus model was at or near the bottom of DPreview rankings.<br>

As I alluded, the Canon D10 has a huge advantage: the CHDK firmware hack, which allows you to use shutter priority with sliding ISO capped at 400. This produces superior results when other waterproof cameras are just guessing.</p>