The right tool for the job - cameras

Canyoneering can be quite a strenuous activity when it comes to approaches and just getting to the rappels, sometimes taking hours of hiking on uneven terrain, bushwhacking, some moderate climbing, wading, etc. The reward at the end always makes it worth it, however. There are many waterfalls few have ever had the chance to see, most probably that only we canyoneers have ever witnessed, as they are only accessible by descending the canyons.

During canyoneering adventures, there are many awesome vistas, pleasant streams and rivers, and some beautiful gems of canyons to be found and descended. Many like to capture memories of their travels in photos and videos to share with friends and family. Canyoneering represents hazards to everyone and everything involved, including electronics like cameras. Gear constantly getting tossed around, rock surfaces and dirt all over, and not to mention everything getting wet! Some take their normal cameras out in drybags or other water-resistant cases, but care must still be taken to keep them from getting wet when pictures are being shot, and so they can only be brought out in somewhat safe areas - limiting some potentially awesome photo or video ops.

For this reason I recommend the Olympus Stylus line of digital cameras.

I personally own the Stylus 1030 SW, which is what all the pictures and videos on this site are taken with. It is:

• Waterproof (not just resistant) to 33 feet
• Shockproof to withstand a 6.6 foot fall
• Crushproof to withstand up to 220 lbs of force/pressure
• Freezeproof to 14* F and by way of being waterproof it is also dustproof

• Takes photos up to 10 megapixel
• Records video at either 15 or 30 fps
• Has a myriad of options and effects to choose from
• Has built-in panorama stitching (blends 3 images together into one wide one)

*A quick note on the Panorama feature that some have made a mistake about: For this feature to be enabled on your Stylus camera, you MUST use an Olympus-brand XD memory card. Using another manufacturer's card will not allow you to use the feature.

Without a doubt it is the most well-suited camera I know of for canyoneering. As long as you don't worry about getting small scratches on it (to which it is also quite resistant). Without having to worry about water pouring on it or even it getting submerged, this camera provides the opportunity for some very special shots, even on rappel. (READ: If you ever do stop to take pictures or video on rappel, be safe! Lock off your rappel device and back it up with a leg wrap or engage your autoblock.)

Some go about buying a camera simply by it's megapixel (MP) rating - how high of a resolution photos it can take. Honestly, the 10MP of the 1030 SW model is incredible overkill. Even 5MP, which I take all my shots at, is very, very detailed. A 2MP image is larger than the average computer monitor can show at full resolution. For the record and comparison... all the images on my Picasa Web Albums - where all the pictures on this site are located - are uploaded at 1024x768 resolution, and can still be zoomed in for some nice detail.

Quite honestly the entire reason I'm even discussing this is to say that if you're just out for recreation and to share photos with family/friends, it's easy to save yourself some cash and get an older model that isn't 10MP, or 12MP like the newer Stylus Tough 8000. In terms of the Stylus SW models, the biggest factor to look for is how strong and waterproof it is.

The Stylus 770 SW is a 7.1MP camera, but is equally as waterproof, crushproof, and freezeproof as it's newer 10MP and 12MP siblings. There is only a small difference in shockproof rating, 5 feet instead of 6.6 feet. So most definitely if you can find a good cheap deal on that older model, go for it, 7MP is more than enough unless you're some avid professional photographer, in which case none of this would really concern you anyway.

When looking at the Stylus models, if you look at the others, don't let the numbers deceive you. For example, there is a 1030 and a 1050 model. I own the 1030. The 1050, though higher in number for whatever reason, is actually only waterproof to 10 feet, instead of 33 feet.

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TECH TIP: This camera is shockproof to 6.6', not indestructible. If possible try to keep it attached to you or your harness at all times. Don't go through all that trouble locking off on rappel for that perfect shot only for your wet hands to drop your investment a hundred feet to its grave. If you don't have one of those fancy stretchy cables with a connection to your camera, here's a quick way to secure it anyway.

If you have an extra carabiner and an extra prusik cord or runner, just girth hitch it around the wrist strap and attach the carabiner to one of your gear loops or pack's shoulder straps. This should give you enough length to easily move the camera around and place it in a breast pocket or shorts pocket, and now it won't plummet to its doom.