My opinion on cameras, video or otherwise, is that it isn't a camera if it is in a protected box on the boat when you need it - too many people go out and buy expensive high end equipment that they never use because it is (a) expensive and too much to risk losing by carrying it around and (b) too big/bulky to comfortably carry. I believe the best camera is something small, inexpensive, and easy to replace, something you will have with you when you want to take a picture or video. These days the optics on all cameras are so good that unless you are taking professional photographs it almost doesn't even matter, even the cheapest of digital cameras take amazing digital photographs. It seems like many people who buy high end camera equipment end up never using it, they don't want to get it dirty, are afraid it will get wet or stolen, etc, and keep it locked away somewhere taking up space. Better to get the 50-80$us digital camera that you don't mind stuffing in your pocket, carry a ziplock bag to put it in when you want to take underwater photographs, because that usually works and only risking 50$us, who cares if it doesn't ? The worst that happens is you replace a 50$us camera.
..cheap affords that when the time is right..
