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I would reccommend this camera to eveyone the qualityb is exceptional for the price. I took it on a carribean diving trip and loved it.
If I were to buy a waterproof camera today, I most definitely would purchase something that could go deeper. Be warned, it does not do well in low lighting situations; if you think you will using it a lot to take videos indoors or at night I don't reccomend it (the images can be very noisey). I have used the camera underwater, but I'm always wary of the fact that it can't go too deep and that even dropping it in the deep end of a swimming pool may be enough to cause it to leak. I wanted this camera to take camping, so that I would have something I could use outside, even if it was raining, at water parks, in swimming pools, rafting, and tubing. At the time I received this camera, there were few waterproof digital camcorders on the market--but things have changed radically since then. I have also had problems when swapping out batteries to get the camera to power on again; though I am not certain if this is just a quirk of my camera or of all the E-2s.The bottom line is that this is serviceable camera that works well for outside photography and wet weather conditions. I am am very pleased with the still images that the camera produces in well lit, outdoor environments; and it takes standard and widescreen stills. video than this camera can (particularly in low light.
The flash range is also rather limited, so make sure to get close to your subjects. video (including newer models by Sanyo).The video quality if OK for standard definition. There are a lot of cameras that take both underwater (that can go much deeper) and above water stills and video on the market today. Although the camera has a flash, there is no red eye reduction, so unfortunately in most of the stills I took in low lighting conditions my subjects often look like the children of Dracula. Many of the new cameras on the market in this category can also take high res. My Flip Ultra actually took better standard res. The flash works well for backlit subjects as a fill, though, and I frequently use it for that. If you want high defintion or something that can go into deeper water, definitely shop around.
I had always stayed within the requirements - less than 5 feet deep underwater (I never went more than 1 or 2 feet actually), never wet for more than 30 minutes before drying it off. After using it last week, I noticed that the display was upside down. It would get wet, but rarely soaked. I am a kayaker and I bought the VPC-E1 to be able to take the occasional video of my friends running rapids.
I swapped for another battery which I knew was fresh, and it didn't even try to power on. So, another dead Sanyo Xactic waterproof digital video camera in less than 16 months. I bought the VPC-E2 because there really is very little competition out there for a decent quality flash memory camcorder that is supposedly "waterproof". I also never used it in salt water, never dropped it or banged it, or used it in dusty conditions. However, when I tried to show my wife what was happening, it had corrected.
I knew the battery was fully charged, and when I tried re-starting, the power-on light didn't even flicker, which it will always do when the batter is low. If it got splashed, the microphone would cut out, but after drying the camera for a day or two, it would work again.After 13 months of ownership, the VPC-E1 started to do funny things with the display - it showed the image on the LCD upside down for a few days, then it started to fade and eventually went to black. I did use it in low temperatures, but never below freezing, probably never below 40 degrees. Other cameras that come in waterproof versions include the Fujifilm FinePix, Olympus Stylus, Canon PowerShot, Pentax Optio.
I had the previous model (VPC-E1) and even though it crapped out after owning it just over a year, I bought the VPC-E2, and it crapped out after 4 months. Several days later, I used it again, and then it started showing the display upside down again. And yesterday, it was fine again, but while shooting some video, it suddenly powered off. I hooked it up to the USB just in case, and it didn't do a thing. It was even better than the E1 with 60 fps and a better sensor (although I thought the video image on both was just fine), and the E2 seemed to have a better microphone, which worked fine after getting splashed. They all shoot decent video (640x480 at 30 fps) although there is some differences in how well they handle low light and motion, but its really hard to know unless you try them. I kept the camera in a waterproof bag, and took it out occasionally to take some video, then put it back.
I've owned an older model of the Olympus Stylus that was alright for stills, but the video was a bit grainy, especially with motion or low light. The funny thing, is that the rest of the functions of the camera continued to work fine, you just couldn't see what you were doing because of no display.I wasn't happy with the camera failing, but I sold it on ebay for parts and put my $40 towards a VPC-E2. Neither camera takes as nice still photos as a basic sony camera, but they are acceptable - this camera takes good video, and tolerable stills.So, after 4 months of ownership (and careful use) the VPC-E2 also started to do funny things with the display. I had been careful with it, not gotten it that wet, never more than 2 feet underwater, never for more than 10 seconds underwater, never dropped or banged or in dusty conditions.So, I'd recommend that if you want to shoot some video but really want nice stills, get a basic sony (with the Zeiss lens, is only about $150 right now) and a waterproof case ($30). Maybe one of these companies will make a decent digital flash memory video camera that will actually work in the conditions it is advertised to be able to handle.
also the scene selector could have been a simple dial/button. its there inside a menu.
For the traveller who needs to get underwater pics and vids. this one just fits the bill.
I got it for $150 odd knowing this was an older version to the current model which sells at $300. Only things which i ll complain about is the delete button - well its not there.
Under the water the pics come out well depending on the sun over the water. The LCD is not that great under the water as the visibility is pretty bad particularly with sun light which is when u get the good pics :).On land you cant complain.the pics are pretty good.
so cannot quickly delete photos and videos. istead this is also hidden inside the menu.All in all as a dual for $150 this is a good camera/camcorder for the price.
that's it.i hate it's picture quality.i bought sony webbie month before i bought this one from here only. good thing about the portable camcorder is. it's water proof. sony's picture quality is really good. why can't sony come with a waterproof webbie.
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