Buzzillions.com - Bonica Snapper XP S5, 5.0MP 8x Zoom Digital Still Camera with Skin & Underwater Housing & Water-Tight Hard Travel Case, Rated to 180' Reviews www.buzzillions.com

Good waterproof housing, bad camera

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Good waterproof housing, bad camera

James, Professional videographer/photog from Shadyside, Maryland, USA

The housing system works great. Unfortunately, the camera does not - specifically, the LCD viewfinder, which is very dark when the camera is used outside of the housing, and completely unviewable when used inside the housing. In daylight, underwater, there is NO way to see the LCD AT ALL! You cannot view any of the frames you've just shot, and are forced to shoot "blind", guess-timating what you're framing in the shot. On my dives, of the 100 or so photos taken in this manner, only about 40 were "good" - the rest all had terrible framing. Of the "good" frames, all were very wide shots. Only a few close up/detail pictures were ever framed properly. Using this camera is like trying to fire a rifle without a scope - you'll almost never hit what you aim at. The menu system for the camera is not well thought out, either. It's confusing to operate, and requires many button presses to review pictures... Assuming you could see them - which you can't. This camera would be acceptable if … Read more

Poor performance, much too dim

Tue, 15 Jan 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Poor performance, much too dim

WDS from Monterey, CA

I had thought that this was an excellent deal. As a biologist I rely on photos of field work. Poorly suited for photos above water, view finder too dim for focusing in well-lit underwater conditions. Service response time poor. User-interface not nearly as straight-forward or advanced as other cameras. Read more

Do Not Buy!

Wed, 04 Mar 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Do Not Buy!

Subliman from Phoenix, AZ

I thought this camera would be a nice upgrade from a disposable point and shoot for my next underwater adventure. I was sorely mistaken. If it was possible I would rate this as zero stars and that would be generous. Why is this camera so bad? 1. Takes horrible pictures. Full light and still they came out dark and grainy. Couldn't even edit with photoshop. 2. The viewer is way too dim to be useful. 3. Overall the camera is cheap plastic. 4. Very few features for a 5MP camera I am glad I never took this camera in the water. B&H was very good about my returning it. Read more

Horrible camera

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 00:00:01 GMT

Horrible camera

Rebel from San Antonio, Texas

Bought camera to use on vacation in the Caribean. Camera is absolutely worthless in the water. You are unable to see what you are shooting with the LCD screen. The LCD is black. Pictures are simply point and shoot taking your chances of getting anything at all. The housing and skin did keep the camera dry, for what that is worth. Dont waste your money on this one. Read more

Tempting, but don't go there

Sun, 15 Feb 2009 00:00:01 GMT

Tempting, but don't go there

Kodachr0me from Tennessee

I am a professional photographer and thought this camera would be great for the sand and surf. Could not see the LED screen to compose pictures. Could not review pictures. Worked well only indoors - a waterproof camera is meant to be used outdoors and in the water. Missed many great shots. Would NOT recommend to anyone. Returned immediately. B&H staff were very helpful. Read more