I recently used this housing in Bonaire and got some decent shots, though nothing that would come close to photos taken by a real underwater camera. The best shots can usually be had at shallower depths where the colors are more brilliant and less filtered. Also, on my last dive where my max depth was 55 feet and the temp was 79 degrees, the lense on the case fogged up when I returned to shallower depths (around 20 ft.). There was no damage to the camera, but I lost some great shots during the last 10 minutes of the dive.

Lastly, be aware that although users are advised to not open and close the case more than necessary, you will need to do so to change out and recharge the battery and/or memory card. I suggest using a 512MB or even a 1GB card, since they won't fill up as quickly and you won't drain the battery by reviewing and deleting the pics you don't.

My wife and I both got one each and took them on 4 different snorkeling excursions while on a cruise. They worked well. The deepest I took mine was around 12 ft. My only complaint might be that the viewscreen can be tough to make out underwater sometimes but that is no fault of the case. Sometimes the fish just blend in to the background so it is hard to tell if you are lined up for the shot or not on the little screen. I just took lots of pictures to be safe. :) Using auto color correction in a photo editor really helps bring out colors in a lot of shots when they have that blue underwater hue.

This is a great item to buy if you have one of the Canon Powershot cameras that fit this case. It is easy to load and and all of the buttons line up. So, all of the camera functions are still usable. The one trick to use it though under water is using the screen to compose your picture rather than a view finder. I was not wearing a mask, so I had to guess on my shots.

Instead of just pool shots of my kids, I plan on taking underwater pictures of the fish I catch this summer. I also plan on having my wife use the case when she goes to the beach. So, a shovel full of sand or a splash of salwater will not be a problem. I am not a diver, so I can't make a recommendation on this item for that specific use.

There is a trick to loading the camera into the case, but Canon's directions are simple and informative. So, despite the rather high price, anyone that has one of these cameras and would like to use it around water should have one of these cases.

After using the case on about 5 dives over the course of 11 months, it leaked. I read the instructions, followed all of the instructions carefully and it still leaked. And now my camera is ruined. I certainly learned my lesson and next time I will buy a specific underwater camera (but first I have to replace my digital camera that got ruined).

Not much to say about this. It promises to keep the camera dry underwater, and has worked as advertised for me on several occassions.

Note: READ THE DIRECTIONS!!! The most important things to remember when using any underwater camera housing are

1) prepare the housing in a cool, air conditioned area,

2) make very sure that the rubber seal and surrounding area are free of hairs, sand, etc.,

3) DO NOT repeatedly open and close the housing after it has been prepared, and before you dive (snorkel, whatever).

Just be mindful of what you're doing, use some common sense, and this will work great.

First things first, the camera leaked on the first use. On my first dive to 45 ft the camera developed a couple drops of water in the rear side of the camera and at that point I decided that it wasn't safe to use underwater anymore and removed it from the water. I must say that I am not impressed that Canon doesn't stand behind their product. What this says is that they know that their product does have manufacture defects, yet they will continue to sell them for outrageous prices since it's not always happening on every camera.

I like my camera, but am weary about using the case again. I am going to clean the o-ring and slightly lubricate it and give it another chance. I have insurance on it now in the event it completely floods in the future.

Advice: Buy insurance that covers flooding damage or buy a real underwater camera if you can afford it.

I have been diving for about five years, and have yearned to have an underwater camera. I couldn't resist buying this housing for the digital camera that I already owned. It was so much less expensive than many other alternatives. On a recent trip, I took more than 100 photos at depths from 5 to 85 feet. I am very impressed with how easy it is to use. Every button and every function of the camera are available, and are easily seen and manipulated even underwater. It was also exceptionally easy to assemble and disassemble. However, I caution buyers to read the instructions very carefully and follow every step to prevent water from leaking into your camera. It is so important to use only a little of the grease on the o-ring included with the kit, ensure that not a speck of dirt, dust or hair is stuck to it, and test it in the sink (without and them with the camera) before submerging it fully. Make sure you are dry and not dripping over the camera case when you open it! I also highly recommend buying silicant dissicants (often called Moisture Munchers) to insert inside the case. There was planty of room for two of them. These will prevent even the smallest amount of moisture or condensation from forming inside the camera which temperature and pressure changes may cause while diving. Finally, I recommend learning as much as you can about manipulating settings for underwater photos to enhance the colors that are lost at depths. I found many helpful online guides for this purpose.

While I have used it only at shallow depths (snorkeling) so far, this case has met virtually all my expectations.

It is easy to use. As far as I can tell, it provides full functionality of all of the camera's features underwater, in an easy and intuitive way, which I found impressive. (The effect of the zoom-in/zoom out lever is reversed, which is a little less intuitive, but a minor adjustment.) The LCD screen was harder to read in the case, but this is probably to be expected. Be prepared to find that, when taking pictures underwater, the display is not as easy to see as it would be with a naked camera on dry land.

I used it only snorkeling, and it did not leak. At one point I noticed some condensation on the lens window, which was disappointing, but it eventually went away in sunlight.

Bottom line: Easy to use, seems quite well-made, and I have some nice shots -- snorkeling and on the beach -- that I would not have gotten without it. The Amazon price seems fair. I'm glad I bought it.

I just bought this waterproof case in order to use my Canon s410 on a scuba diving trip. I was a little nervous at first (I could see me scrapping the camera after it got soaked to the bone!), but I have to say that the waterproof case performed admirably! I used it on 6 dives, and all of them were to depths of 80+ feet. I did not have one leak! A word of caution--I followed instructions and coated the seal of the camera with a fine coat of silicon gel (just a small amount). I would like to think that the camera would not leak without this, but I did not want to take any chances.

I would recommend this case to anyone who wants to use their Canon camera on dive trips or excursions at the beach.

Just got back from the Galapagos Islands and have magnificent pictures from this camera. I took videos of the seal lions underwater and got great close up and clear photos of fish, etc.
No leakage problems at all!

I wasn't sure if it would be worth spending the money on this case. How wrong I was. If you're into diving and have one of these cameras, buy it now!

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.

The case fits perfectly, as a canon product for a canon product should. Took the camera diving several times without a hitch. I'd buy another in a heartbeat.

I would never say anything is "fool proof" but I've enjoyed using this UW housing many, many times and without incident. This is a solid product. I've taken shots down to 100 ft without any problems. I love that I only have one camera for both above and underwater. I do following the directions and use silicone for the o-rings but I'm not overly careful. For the price, you can't beat this combination of camera and UW housing - I looked. You do want to use desicant in the camera to make sure there's no fogging but that seems obvious for all UW photography. Sure, I wish the flash was more powerful but what do you expect for this price. And, you have the ability to click "all" the buttons on your Canon. No complaints here - not for this price. Check out my website if you want to see some pics: http://live.yourcaribbeandream.com All pictures taken with Canon S400 and this UW housing. I don't regret either purchase - I think Canon has made a customer for life!

This underwater case works just like a non-pro hopes it will. You get it out of the box, you put your camera in, and close the lock. You jump in the water and take perfect digital pictures. That's it! You can access all the functions while you're underwater. It's really cool looking. I can't say enough great things about this product!

I've had the S400 and this housing for two years now and I've taken it on at least 20 dives. It's gone with me down to about 80 ft numerous times. No issues, no leaking. I am not exceptionally careful with the camera prep but I do use dessicant - which I think is a no brainer for UW photography. For $170 this is the bargain of a lifetime. I love being able to use the same camera for both land and underwater shots. I don't have to master two camera interfaces. After two years, even if it fails at this point, I got my money's worth about 18 months ago, in my opinion. I can't recommend this enough - for anyone who is nervous, just buy the insurance for your trip like the other reviewers suggested - and see how it goes. Canon has made a fan for life.

Initially I was wary after reading a few reports that this case may leak, but so far I have had no problems at all. I tested it to 12 feet at the bottom of my swimming pool (with a 1lb lead weight inside to make it sink) and then took it to 130 feet on several dives the following day with my trusty S400 camera. Great pictures, clear video, what a great product.

My dive buddy has taken his to over 200 feet and it still works fine. The only problem may be finding a source for replacement O-rings.

Unlike many reviewers I am not diver. I bought this to for the peace of mind that my camera wouldn't get ruined taking pictures of my son at the water park, pool, and beach. This equipment exceeded my expectations with always clear photo and underwater flash.

This case has out lived an S400 and S500.

Well worth the $170 price tag.

Simple, just wear the camera with waterproof case and click.

You dont need to re-learn camera operation.

Nothing is foolproof however, if you read the care instructions for this case, it's pretty close to being so. I have owned the Canon Powershot S410 for three years, it has recieved HEAVY use, for the last year I have used it with this case while diving. I ended up in an intense program at college that involved more diving than some people do in years. I have only been diving a year, but I already understand that if you don't take good care of your gear it will break, even if you do, sometimes it will anyways. You need to double check things all the time to stay as safe as you can, same goes with this camera.

Saying all that, I myself know you forget things sometimes or just can't pay attention to certain things when you need to. I have taken my camera on probably 55 of my dives (anywhere from 0-91 feet) as well as quite a few snorkeling and even two hiking trips. I take it on every dive I can as I tend to miss incredible picture opporunities if I don't. Many of my dives were not focused on taking pictures, and my case has been somewhat beaten up from this as well as some difficult entries and exits on dives. I clean my o-ring every dive and put a thin layer of silicone grease when it seems dry, I had to perform some alterations on it due to a broken button on my camera (Which I would advise you to get your camera repaired if any buttons are broken because I was terrified my alterations would damage the seals, superglue was involved, which I believe the fumes can corrode some materials, anyways, life is easier if your camera is in good shape too.) but despite my questionable care of my case, it has worked amazingly well, I understand that at some point it will probably leak, though I think the camera will break long before as three years in my possesion has left it making a grinding noise when the lens opens and without the use of it's original LCD screen (which if any of you out there break one and have no warranty or don't want to pay for repairs, find someone experienced with computers, buy a replacement screen, and they might be able to fix it free.). The only real issue I have ever had with it would be some fogging problems in French Polynesia, which was fixed completely by merely closing and opening the camera case in an air conditioned room. Either way, both the camera and case have paid for themselves many times over in my opinion, especially with me being the owner.

Some advice would be to read instructions, take a class in underwater photography if you're serious about getting good pictures, and lastly, if you're looking for really amazing super high quality photos and a guaranteed camera housing, pay for it; buy an expensive underwater camera, and an expensive housing, flash, and all that jazz, as well as flood insurance. If you're looking for an all around show your family what you did on vacation (or in my case at school) and maybe even produce some incredible lucky shots that look prize-winning quality go ahead, buy one of these cameras, get the housing, and flood insurance if you feel you need it (I decided I didn't because the camera had already taken thousands of pictures and it was probably going to break soon anyways.) and go have some fun exploring the underwater, or rainy, world!