Reviews of Canon Waterproof Case WP-DC800 for Powershot S500, S410 and S400

Customer Ratings:

I am an experienced scuba diver with some experience in underwater photography. I bought this housing on a lark, because I had the camera and wanted something small to take along when I wasn't diving for photography but wanted to take some snaps.

*WITH THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS AND CHECKS* I found this case worked and was easy to use. I definitely recommend it.

The warning is:

* TAKE THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS

* MAKE THE PROPER PRE-DIVE CHECKS

* YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN

* GET FLOODING INSURANCE OR DEAL WITH THE CONSEQUENCES

I was advised from the beginning to take a course on underwater camera maintenance and use, and to get flooding insurance. I still accept that despite my best efforts, I'll get flooding. The insurance will protect me. You *cannot* assume that a manufacturer will warranty an underwater housing against leakage. It's not possible. Even a tiny bit of sand on an O-ring can cause a leak, and at 60 feet the leak will let in water at twice atmospheric pressure.

Fancy underwater housings for $1000+ cameras are *not* warranted against flooding. Don't expect that a $170 housing will be. Don't blame manufacturers for your complete lack of knowledge and experience in a very specialized photographic discipline that most divers take years to learn.

Get flooding insurance. Learn how to protect your camera. Test the housing. Ask other divers.

The only possible limitation is that the rated depth is only 100 feet. But considering this housing is only $170, and an Ikelite pro-level housing is $500+, this little gem is a great deal.

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I purchased this housing to go with my S400 for a trip to the Great Barrier Reef. This was the first time I had used an underwater housing. My background: I have been diving for 12 years. Typically in diving and especially when assembling equipment, you apply a liberal amount of silicone grease. Not too much, but plenty. With this housing, this method will cause leaks. However, if you use just a touch and evenly coat the O-ring with it until the O-ring is shiny and make sure that there are no areas where you can actually see the silicon, only the shiny coating you shouldn't have a problem with leaks.

Two other suggestions: One, you want to be sure that there are no small objects on the o-ring, even hair or fluff or that fine fabric stuff that kind of floats in the air. Two, you will want to assemble the camera and the housing in an airconditioned space before the dive to minimize the potential for fogging. Once assembled, leave it assembled until the battery runs out or you have another reason for removing the camera, as each time you seal the casing you risk a flood.

Overall an excellent product that needs to be used with care, but that performs excellently (and is positively buoyant so it will float if you drop it over the side of the boat!).

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I was a little scared to try this out after reading some of the horror stories posted around the 'net about it leaking. . . .

Well, just to be on the safe side, we got some insurance for our new S500, then stuck it in this housing and took it on multiple dives over a week.

I'm happy to report that it worked flawlessly!!!

Now I just need to save up for an underwater strobe. . . . .

UPDATE -the above was posted in July 2004. It's now Jan 2006, and we just got back from our third or fourth dive trip using this thing. There's never been any problem with it at all, it's worked flawlessly. I RELIGEOUSLY follow the directions regarding cleaning & lubing the o-ring, and I've replaced the o-ring once just to be on the safe side. Never a drop of water inside! PS -also got the strobe I wanted, I highly recommend a strobe for any underwater photography, we've taken some great pictures with this so far!

Last but not least -the S500 is perhaps not the #1 choice of camera for underwater photography -it's a bit TOO automatic, there are really no manual settings on it, even when in "manual" mode you cannot manually adjust shutter speed, film speed, focus, etc. If you have an S500, then I highly recommend this housing. If you have not yet bought the camera, there are other models better-suited to underwater photography available from Canon and others (I think Canon even has a new S500A or some such that is very similar to the S500 but gives you the manual controls -note that the S500A uses a DIFFERENT housing from this one!).

Honest reviews on Canon Waterproof Case WP-DC800 for Powershot S500, S410 and S400

Being in Hawaii, I spend plenty of time in the water...so having an underwater housing for my camera is almost a necessity. I have been very happy with the results, shooting in the water (snorkeling, etc) and above the water (surf footage-just watch out for water spots on the lens). Some of my photos are up for view in other parts of the page for this housing.

I treat things pretty roughly, and have been using this for about a year with no problems. And I am in the water with it on an almost daily basis. I like being able to use all the features of the camera (minus downloading images or changing the battery or CF card) while the camera is in the housing-something you cannot always say when looking at aftermarket housings that are non-Canon manufactured. Everything mates up cleanly and works great, I am very happy with my purchase.

Just remember to rinse it off/soak it in freshwater after taking it in the ocean or the pool to keep the corrosion at bay, and put a little light silicone grease on the o-ring for trouble free use.

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Canon Waterproof Case WP-DC800 for Powershot S500, S410 and S400

I recently bought this accessory for my S400. I didn't buy it from Amazon, but I should have since it's cheaper here. I was so excited to test it to make sure it doesn't leak before I put my expensive camera in it. I read the manual and filled the WP-dc800 with toilet paper for a test. I then stuck the camera housing into a sink full of water and let it soak for a while. I pressed all the well-built little buttons and levers underwater to make sure that every seal was water tight. When I took the item out and inspected it, everything checked out ok and the toilet paper was dry as a bone, just like I want my camera when I take this thing snorkeling later this summer. They ask a little much for this accessory and they don't offer any type of warranty with it at all. They warn you enough times in the manual not to let even a strand of hair interrupt the waterproof seal or it may leak on your camera, but they never tell you what to do if this item is faulty and floods your precious camera inside. I doubt Ill have any issues with it and it stood up to my tests at home. The WP-DC800 appears to be a solid product. I like how the buttons perfectly align to the buttons on the S400. Every feature is accessible while the housing is on your camera except, of course, removing the battery or CF card. The lens is double plated, anti-condensation glass. It attracts fingerprints like a magnet though. IT also comes with some sealant goop, a wrist strap and a cool Canon neck strap that shows the world how eccentric you are with your digital camera housing.

What I don't like about the WP-DC800 is the large part on the front that makes the item more huge than it has to be. This is for the added diffuser plate feature for your flash. It makes the WP-DC800 seems a little bulky

What I dont like about the WP-DC800 is the large part on the front that makes the item more huge than it has to be. This is for the added diffuser plate feature for your flash. It makes the WP-DC800 seems a little bulky. The realease to open the unit is a little hard to open. There is a push button that you hold while pulling on the top. I always fear that I might break the thing, but at least there is no worry that it will open underwater.