Vivitar Vivacam 5399 Digital Camera

I bought this to take to the Red Sea on holiday as could not find another 6200w which I also own. The macro setting on it really caused some problems as it seems to require you to be less than ametre from subject or ut becomes blurred whereas the 6200w seems to work upto 2-3 metres. It also requires more light for sharp pictures which at anything over a metre down is not there. Dont trust all your holiday snaps to this camera as you may be dissapointed

Had to look for a cheap and cheerful underwater camera. Checked out eBay and cameras of this type tend to be pretty expensive...
I was delighted to see this camera, brand new and under £20 !
I check everything out these days, I looked up what others thought about this camera. They said it was ok, not brilliant but ok, but if you put the photos you take through a photo suite programme on your computer ( which I always do anyway, ) they come out pretty good.
That will do me. Cheap to buy, easy to use, decent pics through a photo manip. programme. Good enough for me.

I purchased the Vivacam before reading any reviews - when I did get round to reading about the camera I was concerned that I might have wasted my money. Major criticisms included the lightweight construction, shutter delay and gross overexposure when using the flash.
The construction is certainly lightweight and the camera body is made of plastic - however, it is adequate and certainly provides a very portable and "pocketable" unit.
Shutter delay doesn't seem to be a problem and the camera is ready to take its next photograph pretty quickly.
Using the flash under normal circumstances does result in horrible, washed out pictures HOWEVER, the main selling point of this model is its accompanying plastic case allowing use underwater. Obviously the flash is set up to deal with use in conjunction with the waterproof case - using the camera in the case (even on land!) results in much better flash exposure. In most lighting conditions the flash isn't necessary but if you do need to use it simply fit the waterproof case.
This isn't a great camera but it is cheap and cheerful for day to day use and really comes to the fore when used on the beach or underwater. I'll stick to my Olympus when quality really matters but the Vivitar will always be in my pocket when I'm out and about.

Better value than a disposable and worth having for snorkelling but of very limited use if diving as below approx 5m, while it is waterproof, the water pressure on all the buttons is such that multiple buttons are constantly depressed so for example you can't switch the camera on or off or it will continuously play photos it has taken.

Yes it's waterproof and it gives you the opportunity to get shots that you wouldn't otherwise be able to but if your looking for top quality photos look elsewhere - and you'll have to spend 5x as much just for the case. I found it easy to use, the case is simple and effective. It's not the quickest camera and the focusing was a bit off. However, for the money you can't go wrong. It's ideal to give to the kids so they can take photos in the sea/pool. Would I buy it again? Yes.

Well what can I say item arrived very quickly and in perfect condition the camera looks new and unused and also the waterproof case and at the price of twenty quid cannot go wrong just the right item for my trip down the black river in Canada would recommend this ebayer +++

The camera is great, compact, smart looking, excellent condition and a great bargain. Plus the added bonus should I ever go snorkeling or underwater for any other reason.

Thank you.