canon powershot and waterproof housing case review

I recently purchased a Canon powershot SD870IS (edit: 7/2009 the latest version of this camera is the 880IS and is featured in the amazon box below) and its matching canon waterproof housing and i have to say i'm very pleased with the result.

The combination has allowed me to get shots like this:

as well as take my digital camera places where i wouldn't want to take my DSLR and L lens combinations, like under waterfalls and long hikes where it could possibly rain.

i picked this combination specifically because of the wide angle capability of the camera, so i can get wide shots in tight places, like inside the tube of a wave.

my only problems so far is when getting pounded in shore break, sand gets into the crevices and seals of the case, and it's impossible to get all of it out, unless you unscrew parts of the case, which is not recommended.

there is a little shutter lag as well, but not as bad as my past two combinations of canon powershots and cases. you just have to time your shots about half a second before it happens. i guess i'm spoiled with my DSLR.

outside of the case, the 870IS has been a fun camera to use, it's not as predictable as my Rebel XTi, sometimes the flash is overexposed, etc. but the ability to take video clips makes up for its shortcomings.

you cannot take video in very low lighting, it doesn't really come out.

i included a couple other cheaper options below that will save you up to $100 or more, but the other two combos don't have the wide angle capability (good for tight places and group pictures and landscapes) and does not have Image Stabilizer, to get sharper shots in low light and steadier video shots. so it's a give in take of features for price affordability.

Good luck in your decisions! the only difference in the SD1000 and sd750 is the 750 has a bigger screen and no viewfinder. i'd personally get the sd750 for about $20 more than the sd1000, even if it's slightly larger in size.