Canon is wading into the waterproof digital camera market with the new12-megapixel PowerShot D10. The new D10 is waterproof to 33 feet, can withstand a 4-foot drop and is freezeproof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. But what really sets it apart from other waterproof and shockproof cameras is the 3x image stabilized zoom lens. Panasonic just introduced a 12-megapixel waterproof camera with optical image stabilization, but it can only handle depths of about 10 feet. Olympus’ top-of-the-line waterproof camera can be submerged to 33 feet but it doesn’t have any mechanical image stabilization. The real-world performance of Canon’s new PowerShot D10 remains to be seen. But right now it’s got the best basic specs of all the current waterproof and shockproof point-and-shoot digital cameras.
The Canon PowerShot D10 will debut at the annual PMA tradeshow at the beginning of March. It’s scheduled to be in stores in May at an estimated cost of $329.99.
Canon 2009 PowerShot Digital Camera Lineup Press Release >>
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Cute!
Cute, an probably the best image quality of the current batch of underwater point-and-shoot cameras. I was excited about the Panasonic TS1 because it has their MEGA O.I.S. image stabilization. But this one has optical image stabilization and it should also have Canon image quality, which I think is the best for compact digital cameras. Right now, I’m most curious about the actual size of this little camera. Is it a pocket camera or not?
Yep, size matters… I love my Pentax Optio W10 waterproof, but it’s getting a little long in the tooth… Still good for the random storm day in the snow, or trip down to the beach, but that’s about it… This one looks a bit “thick”, but still pocketable… Guess we’ll find out soon!
It looks small, but there’s no reference for comparison, is there?
Patia-
I looked up the dimensions in the D10 specs page on the Canon site. The D10 measures 4.08 x 2.63 x 1.92 in. (103.6 x 66.9 x 48.8mm). That’s a bit on the large side for a real pocket camera. Compare to the Olympus Stylus 1030 SW waterproof camera, which I know fits in my pocket and measures 3.7 x 2.4 x 0.84 in. (93.6mm x 60.9mm x 21.3mm). It doesn’t seem like much difference. But look at the dimensions on a ruler and you’ll see that the D10 might be hard to fit in a pants pocket. On the other hand, the extra bulk might make it easier to hold onto in the water.
Interesting point you raise about being able to hold onto it in this water. Now that you mention it, there is no real grip to it. With all that smooth roundedness, I wonder.
in the market for a new camera, and with an active lifestyle the new family of waterproof/shockproof seems like the way to go. Canon has all the practical with their design, but god is that thing UGLY! looks goes to the panasonic for sure! and with a similar feature content the extra couple bucks is worth it. It’ll be great to see a full comparo in the comming months.
nice camera
but you wrote 10 feet under water but it is 10 Meter!
how does this camera compare to the 1030 sw? i hope that the d10 is a good pocket size camera.
Which do you think is better for surf vids and action pix. o and how long can the d10 record videos for ?
thanks the loads ya
i already got one for myself. new canon d10.
its pocket size, shots perfectly on moving objects. the only prob i can find is though its pocket size, it doesnt fit my huge hand. its like a submarine style. maybe im just used to regular size digicams, but this ones different,. i can barely grasp it like the usual way i held my sony dsc and canon ixy cams.
whats good about it is the interchangeable designs and of course being waterproof and shockproof. i went snorkeling and i went below 3meters, not enough to test its performance. i got to upload pix in my laptop and olah! the pix are taken perfect.
@max, my friend has olympus sw, it got wet and wasnt working afterwards. somehow. i t can be a human error because she asked a diver to take her photograph and she assumes that the reason it got wet inside the equipment is, the diver accidentaly opened the battery case.
I too was wondering about pocket size, I guess I will have to go to the store to find out but the picture look a little bulgy. From what I have read it sounds as though the Canon is the way to go and there are interchangable face plates that don’t look as bad as the blue! haha.
Only the Tough 8000 and the Canon D10 can go 33ft (10m), the others are limited to 10ft. I probably snorkel to 15ft, ugh, why is this such a tough decision!? …hmmmm tough.
Darren-
The D10 is definitely too big for an ordinary pocket. In the water it doesn’t really matter because you can just put it on the lanyard on your wrist. But for carrying around normally, it’s kinda chunky.
the canon camera is a bit bulky, with its egg-like shape. however, it has a color accent and color swap feature, which most cameras don’t have. for example, if your wearing a blue shirt, you can highlight just the blue and the rest of the picture is black and white. or for the color swap, if your wearing a blue shirt, and your friend is wearing a red one, you can swap the blue for the red or visa verse. it’s a really sweet feature and makes the pictures look awesome!! almost as if a professional took it!