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Waterproof Cameras for Surfers - GE G3wp Review

Our Finest Camera
G3wp

12.2 Mega Pixels 4x Optical Zoom 640 x 480 Video 35mm Equiv. Lens Weight 4.2

More Features
Actual Surf Camera Shots

2.7 in View Screen Scene Detection Waterproof to 10 feet Shake Reduction Face Detection

OUR REVIEW

WRITE YOUR REVIEW

The GE G3wp is an exceptional camera. Never mind its stylish looks, I like the overall quality of the 12 mega pixel GE G3wp.
The battery life of the G3wp is unlike any other waterproof camera on the market. I took the G3wp out surfing for 3 hours on an overhead day and when I finished the battery indicator was still full. I was even using the video mode which on other camera models is a fast battery killer. Not with the GE G3wp. Just keep the camera turned on during your entire surf session.
It shows all colors throughout the pictures with sharp clarity out to about 20 feet but then further than that the subject’s edges become a little soft. Mind you I’m bobbing around on a surfboard while shooting surfers moving very quickly down a wave. The Pentax cameras beat the GE G3wp on far away surfer shots with picture sharpness but you'll still be happy.
I did use it for family pictures over the holiday and the G3wp worked perfectly with its smile, face detection and picture quality but I’m here to review it out in the ocean with different surf conditions.
It is very easy to get around the different mode selections without ever having to read the directions while you’re out on your surfboard. This is mainly because GE kept it very simple. Unlike the Olympus waterproof models with tons of useless mode selections that you will never use and have to scroll thru them all to find the right one; the GE G3wp only uses the basic modes for selection. This eliminates confusion and big time frustration when you just want to quickly switch modes from continuous shooting to single high quality shots or video for example.
The down side though is you have to re-select the continuous shooting mode after turning the camera off. But it is quick to figure out and switch to that mode even if you never read the directions. That to me is huge!
The shutter response time is par. GE can work that out in the coming years but the auto focus works almost instantly with the shutter halfway down while spotting the surfer in its large 2.7 inch viewer. When the shutter is then pressed the rest of the way down the shot is instant.
The view finder works well. Even with the sun behind you glaring on the view finder, I can still see the surfer and follow him.
I am highly recommending the GE G3wp. At around $200.00 the G3wp waterproof camera is an incredible deal!!!

Check out my surfer shots in a slide show using the G3wp.

3 feet or 10 feet rated camera depth?
For surfing IT DOES NOT MATTER! Even in double overhead surf. My old Pentax WPi of 4 years is only rated to 3 feet and it works fine. I lone it to my friends all the time in big surf. The depths on these cameras are rated after being that deep for 2 or more hours.
Beyond their rated depth they still don't leak, they just simply won't operate.

Shock Proof & Freeze Proof? It matters... not so much for surfing but with other action sports like dirt bike racing if your worried about wiping out or snow skiing in freezing conditions.
Using these cameras with the Surf Camera case in your action sports will greatly increase the protection!

Optical Zoom?
With Video - It matters! You should only use the optical zoom with video because you can not zoom in on your computer with video... Unless you have an expensive edit program... and lots of time.
With Still Shots- It does not matter! (Especially in the water) You will want the widest angle possible with still pictures. The more optical zoom you use the greater chances of a blurry action sports shot and the athleteout of the frame. You can always crop and zoom in on your computer later.

Mega Pixels? It matters. When you're editing your still action sports shots you'll be amazed on how much you can zoom in and crop the action sport shot on your computer.

Weight? It matters. An addtional ounce or two does make a big difference in the feel and comfort in getting a steady action sports shot.

28mm Wide Angel? It matters. It's very difficult sometimes when trying to get an instant last second action sports shot of an athlete coming fast down the line. You'll wind up having a lot of shots with the athlete halfway out the picture. The 28mm wide angle will aliminate much of that.

HD Video? It matters. Specially when your filming a surfer on a nice long wave. 640x480 will take in nice videos but when the surfer gets further away the HD will keep it clearer.

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