Customer Reviews

Canon WP-DC17 Underwater housing for Canon SD870IS Digital Cameras

5 star:		(35)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

We bought the Canon Powershot SD870 IS camera along with this housing just before a vacation, to use while snorkeling. Having destroyed an expensive digital camera on a kayaking trip relying on a more pliable plastic-bag like case, we were looking for a better option. Both the camera and the housing exceeded our expectations. The housing is extremely well engineered, providing full access to the camera's functions and settings. It's light, floats, and easy to use (a weight can be added for Scuba divers to ensure the camera does not float away). We were hesitant at first to buy the case thinking that we do not snorkel very frequently, but have found that there are quite a few applications where this makes sense (canoeing, boating, skiing, anyplace where it makes sense to protect against moisture and/or hard knocks to the camera).

GREAT PRODUCT!

Canon WP-DC17 Underwater housing for Canon SD870IS Digital Cameras

I recently purchased the WP-DC17 Housing for snorkeling and SCUBA diving in Hawaii with overall good results. It is much smaller and lighter than my dedicated UW video housing and I used it with my SD870IS for both stills and video.

I added a 1 oz. flat lead tire weight with peel and stick Velcro to the metal plate on the bottom for good neutral buoyancy. The "Underwater" shooting mode gave reasonable color balance and saturation to about 15-20'. I had better results setting the white balance in Manual Mode to my underwater white slate; once I calibrated it to a light blue t-shirt on land with decent results. I assigned the Print/Share button to WB which made setting adjustments quick and direct. The camera will "hold" these values until changed. I suggest setting the ISO to 200 or higher for faster shutter speeds under available light. The flash performance was fair at best (as expected) with noticeable backscatter, although the diffuser plate helped. Color saturation and balance deteriorated at depths greater than 60' but I was able to easily correct for this in Photoshop.

I suggest taking an extra battery as the supplied battery seemed to drain after only 2 or 3 dives. If planning to shoot video, use the largest SD card you can afford and set the camera to 640X480. Windows Movie Maker worked well for editing. Condensation within the housing was not an issue but I always load the camera into the housing in a cool or air conditioned environment. One small complaint: the o-ring channel is clear plastic and it is difficult to see any lint or debris in the channel. It is imperative that this be clean.

Overall, the WP-DC17 is a solidly engineered product that performs surprisingly well and casual snorkelers and divers will enjoy using it.

I bought the WP-DC17 along with the Canon SD-870 to take on my vacation to Maui. I originally thought about just purchasing a waterproof/shockproof camera, but didn't like the idea of having just "average" picture quality that those cameras output. The Canon housing is well made and having all camera buttons accessible from the housing is brilliant. The SC-870 is easy to drop in / take out and once the housing latch is closed, it's difficult for it to accidentally pop open. A drop of the included silicon grease around the O-ring helps keep the water out. I used it for kayaking, snorkeling, and snuba taking pictures and movies in and out of water. I didn't really get a chance to test the flash diffuser, which snaps on and off, as the choppy waves were stirring up sand and silt which reflected the flash light as an ugly glare. Perhaps in calmer waters. I saw other Canon WP housing on older SD cameras owned by Hawaiian locals while on the snorkel/snuba boat. This is probably a good indicator to the quality of the housing.

I was able to use the case twice while snorkeling. It worked well both times and case allowed access to all features that I needed from the camera. There were no leaks at all but I did noticed that sand got into the hinges. The sand does not affect the waterproofing at all (just annoying) but I can't wash it out. I found that pictures taken w/o the diffuser resulted in a dark corner when I tested the case on dry land...so, I kept the diffuser on at all times when using it underwater. I haven't had a chance to looked through the hundreds of pics but what I saw so far was impressive. The case worked well with the camera and I'm impressed with the pictures so far. Looking forward to next time I get to use the camera & case again.

My wife and I used this housing with our canon sd870is on our Honeymoon in French Polynesia - Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora-bora. Our underwater pictures and videos are clear and crisp! We took it to a dept of 50ft during our diving tour, no problems whatsoever (housing can handle depths of up to 130ft). The housing can take some abuse too during our wild jet-ski tour. There were many times that we decided to just keep the camera inside the housing because it protects the camera from dust, sand, scratches, bumps/rattles, etc. The camera can still capture great pictures on dry land.

I was planning a rafting trip down through the Grand Canyon. I knew my SD870IS would be up to the task, but there was going to be a lot of water and sand. Well, I quickly became the envy of others on the trip because I could have my camera out the entire time taking pictures, while they had to hide theirs in the rapids. It helped make for some great video clips too! The case held up perfectly and it took a bit of a beating with the sun, sand, rocks and water. Not a single scratch or problem at all with my camera. With the memories this case saved, it is easily the best money I ever invested.

I just used this case on a recent trip to the Dominican Republic and St. Martin - where I scuba dived and snorkeled. Between the video and still pictures, I was able to capture a lot of great memories. The case/camera has really spoiled me...it's hard to go scuba/snorkeling without it now!

The pre-set Underwater mode worked great, as did Manual and Digital macro modes using custom white balance (which requires some playing around with to work optimally). Typically, I would switch between the Underwater scene mode, and then have the Digital Macro mode setup too. This way I could quickly switch between macro and non-macro shots just by moving the top slider one click left or right.

Here's a note of caution though: you really want to be a neat freak with the case. There's some care time needed before and after usage. Before, you'll need to clean the rubber seal and remove all debris (about 10-15 mins of prep). After, you'll want to soak the case in non-salt water for a few minutes too.

Overall, if you go in the water at all, get this case! Cameras and water can be compatible - and a whole lot of fun!!

This housing works great for scuba diving depths as well as wet or muddy conditions above the water. I like the compact size. My only complaint is that when using the flash, the diffuser must be attached to the front of the housing--otherwise, part of the housing blocks the flash and the picture ends up half-shaded. The diffuser is awkward, especially underwater. In research situations like mine, where I am carrying multiple things (not just the camera), the diffuser can get knocked off. In high light conditions where the flash is not needed, I have no complaints.

Bought this case to go on a diving trip. Exceeded my expectations. Took this down to 90 feet and not a single drop got inside the case. Camera shooting was perfectly fine as well... the SD870 underwater mode worked fairly well.

Construction looks fine, and applying the layer of thermal grease to the rubber seal was simple. I even dropped the case a few times under the water and it still held.

It's hard to understand what it feels like to immerse your camera in water until you actually do it.

Of course, I followed the instructions and tested the case by putting it in the sink for 3 minutes (without the camera inside). And though the case showed no evidence of leaks, this didn't stop me from wondering "will my camera still work at the end of the day?" as I stepped into the pool. It also didn't stop me from freaking out the first time the camera did an auto-shutoff. "Oh my god! Is it broken?"

Of course, I'm just paranoid. The case does exactly what it says it does. I've used it for probably 4 hours underwater now, and my camera stays nice and dry. Being able to use all the camera's buttons when it's in the case is also a nice touch. It even has a tripod mount.

So, it works! That's about it. Costs half as much as the camera, but I wouldn't recommend taking your PowerShot into the pool without it.