Eric wrote:
Michael Daly wrote:


Significant improvements in lens design technology itself? - not
likely!


I can't help but to think that our increasing ability to manipulate
individual atoms will offer significant improvements in all
manufacturing processes.

But, if you and others wish to believe that it is impossible to offer a
waterproof, digital camera with a good 10x zoom, I cannot stop you - I
simply won't believe you. Mind if I take special note of this post for
potential use in the future?

The problem is that you're looking for cutting edge performance ("good"
10x zoom) and compact size in a niche market product (waterproof
cameras) AND you want it at a low price. Don't hold your breath! Nearly
anything is possible if you're willing to pay for it (Nasa could
probably build you the camera you want), but you're not.

The real question is: "Do you want to take photos now, or are you
willing to forego that while you wait for the "perfect" camera, which
may never materialize?" If we all waited for the "perfect" boat, none of
us would be paddling, would we? We all have our "Holy Grails", but at
some point, reality has to take over.

In digital cameras, the emphasis is on resolution, capture speed and
image storage capacity. There has been tremendous "trickle down" of high
end features into affordable cameras. Unfortunately, "waterproof" is way
down on the list of features that consumers demand.

Typically, consumers who want high zoom ratios (or think that they do)
are less interested in in image quality and aren't willing to spend
thousands of dollars to get a good, albeit bulky, lens. People who are
serious about photography either eschew high zoom ratios or accept the
weight, bulk and price of a good lens and accept that it's not going to
be waterproof. Consequently, it could be 5, 10, 20 or more years before
the product you want becomes available, if it ever does.

So you have a choice; you can have a 10X zoom in semi-bulky,
semi-expensive, not waterproof package, or you can have a lower zoom in
a small, inexpensive waterproof package. Or you can wait for your "Holy
Grail".

Since a high zoom ratio is not practical on the water anyway, your best
bet is probably to use a compact, waterproof, low zoom ratio camera on
the water and carry a digital SLR with a high zoom ratio lens (or a
small selection of lenses to cover the range you want) to use on land.
And don't forget to bring a monopod or tripod.