for Scuba/Snorkel & Land: SD800IS or A640 or ???

[Livin]

I'm getting a new digicam this year and want to be able to use it underwater and on land. Price is not an issue on these for me but I'm not willing to spend more then what these cost since I also need to buy an underwater case for them.

I'm trying to decide between the A640, SD900, and SD800IS or maybe even the A710IS, or something else if you have a rec?

My "likes' for each...

A640 : AA bats, 10mp
SD800IS : Image Stabilization, small size, Digic III chip
SD900 : small size, 10mp, high-res lcd, Digic III chip

Questions / Thoughts...

Will the IS will help underwater?

Does the A640 or SD900 have that much better IQ then the SD800IS?
- I want to be able to print as large as 8x10.


Please respond if you have used these cameras and especially for scube or snorkel... Thank you for any input you have!

[BowerR64]

Have you looked into the underwater cases? im not sure they make one for every camera. You may want to look into that first, then make your decision.

I personaly would want the one with the best flash. You will use flash under water wont you? Do they make a slave flash that has an under water case? that might be cool

[Livin]

All of the cams I'm looking at have housings from Canon. I already have a Ikelite DS-50 strobe.

I'm really looking for opinions from people that have these cameras or compared them, or used them underwater.

thx!

[BowerR64]

Ide go with the A640 or the A710 as i want them both.

[AaronBBrown]

Make sure you check the depth limitations on the Canon housings, since they are only suitable for recreational diving depths. If you do any technical diving, you will need something more robust.

You might want to head over to www.scubaboard.com and check in the Canon (http://www.scubaboard.com/forumdisplay.php?f=309) section.