Does anyone have a recommendation on a digital video camera that I can use on a yacht. I'm guessing it needs to be waterproof (rather than "water resistant") and something that is about hand sized for ease of use. Budget ? Let's say up to AU$500.
I have recently seen a reference to a GOPRO which seems okay.
GoPro Hero works well as does Oregon Scientific, both of these work very well. GoPro needs a waterproof case available as an extra, Oregon Scientific is waterproof in its own right. Both record in HD quality.
Harry
I have a DVC WD-5 HDMI underwater video camera from China. Paid about $180 for it to my door although they are a bit cheaper now. Good for about 10 metres underwater. Stunning quality stills and videos.
I was thinking along those lines but "SD card " smaller camera.
Seen a few, but pretty hopeless.
Any suggestion on that? Thanks.
Both GoPro and Oregon Scientific utilise SD cards and both support up to 1080P quality. I think max memory size is 64Gb. Both of them water tight to twenty metres.
Mine uses an SD card and is full 1080P. There are numerous cameras that will fit your criteria with out going to the expense of a Hero. There was an interesting thread here a couple of days ago.
forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/filming-under-water-with-a-waterproof-camera.322585/
Dylanwinters makes yachting videos for youtube and is very successful.
I normally carry an old Kodak Easy share 433 when sailing. They are about $20 on eBay.
Takes excellent stills and with a 1.0GB card takes 25 minute videos. I use it for all sorts of stuff, recording details of stuff, poking it down the back of the engine to view bits I can't normally see. Videos of sails I have modified, windvane details etc and its fine for Youtube videos. I sail singlehanded 99% of the time and take videos to show the Missus what I have been up to, especially when I fly a spinnaker. The movie camera I bought was to replace the Kodak and is really a bit of an overkill.
$500 must buy an extraordinary camera these days.
I use this one, its as good as the GoPro but lots easier to use, originally for promo shots of my kiteboards, but then took it on a sailing trip, this would be ideal for inspecting hulls too without getting into the water, there is a mount where you can clip the camera on to a broom stick and video under water, I did this traveling at about 6-7 knots filming some wildlife.
Sorry about the blatant add, but I did do a lot of reasearch on this before I comitted and they use the same Image sensors and chips as tha GoPro, only slightly larger but with a built in display. And smaller than the GoPro with display plugged in.http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/padbury/video-cameras/action-camera-hd-1080p-video-waterproof-sports-helmet-camera/1003786357
Thanks for the feedback. This is what I've found which looks good.
www.tachyoninc.com/index.html
For just over AU$200 (includes batteries, etc) it seems to fit my needs.
Has anyone used this one?
This is the one I have. They are about $130 now. I bought it for general sailing stuff not necessarily under water work.
www.speed-jp.net/1/pda/en/product-detail.php?id=183
The poms used to rave about the Sanyo Xacti in yachting circles but there are dozens of equivalent cameras out there now. Useful to compare specifications with though.http://sanyo.com/xacti/english/products/vpc_ca100/index.html
IPX8 is the waterproofing level you need. There are plenty of choices and the one you select may come down to what accessories are available.
Some good info this morning on the YBO forums and some interesting recommendations.
forums.ybw.com/index.php?threads/wide-angle-capable-small-camera.323003/
We done plenty of sailing vids, and are shameless in our self promotion 
We started with bsic digital cameras & phones , & still occasionally use ihpnes.
A few years ago started using a waterprooof / shock prooof panasonic DMC-FT10, about $300, probably much cheaper now.
Here's an example:
