Featured above is the Sealife SL700 DC 1200 12MP Digital Camera

However, shopping for an underwater camera is just as hard as shopping for a regular camera for use above water with the different types, brands and features they offer. Essentially you have two choices in digital underwater photography- Underwater digital cameras or a regular digital camera with an underwater housing.

Digital Camera + Underwater Housing
Housed cameras are a good option for those who already have a compact point and shoot camera or a DSLR camera they want to use. You can buy an underwater housing specifically for your model of camera.

Underwater housings normally consists of a firm box that made of either aluminum or popularly polycarbonate plastic. Some housings are also made of a thick plastic bag with a glass port where the camera lens is placed. When considering an underwater housing make sure to pay attention to the maximum depth specified by the manufacturer as they do differ. Usually the plastic bag type housings are only guaranteed to be submersible to low depths of 15 feet (5 meters) or so. This is okay if you’re snorkeling or swimming but won’t be recommended for scuba diving. The hard case polycarbonate housings are designed for deeper use and have been tested for water pressure and such making them submersible to upto 130 feet (40 meters). Pictured above is the Intova IC12 12mp Digital Camera with 180′ Waterproof Housing.

By using separate underwater camera housings you do run the the risk of springing a leak if it’s not sealed properly and the housing floods during a dive. This could potentially damage your camera for good as it’s not waterproof. Waterproof housings for cameras also make the actual camera rather bulky and are not as compact as underwater digital cameras. Another disadvantage, is that housings are designed for specific models of cameras and brands. So if you want to upgrade to a new camera, the smallest change in size or control button position means you have to buy a new housing for it. Pictured here is the Fantasea Line FL-22 Underwater Housing for Nikon Coolpix L22.

Underwater Digital Cameras
If you’re looking to take underwater photos more seriously or dive very often, you may want to consider a camera dedicated to just that. Also known as amphibious cameras or submersible cameras, they are designed for use underwater and offer a variety of features for better clarity in the pictures you take. They are also smaller, much easier to carry, and they transport better than housed cameras. However, they tend to be on the more expensive side, because they are more specialized and compact. Pictured right is Sea & Sea DX-GE5 12.2 Megapixel Compact Digital Waterproof Camera.

With waterproof digital cameras you don’t run the risk of leaks or flooding as you may in housed cameras. These cameras also come with a variety of attachments you can have like, different lenses, strobe arm attachments and so on allowing you more flexibility than buying a third party housing. For anyone who is looking to document their scuba memories of a lifetime, an underwater digital camera is one of the best investments you can make!

Scuba Gear Buying Guide: Underwater Cameras was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Intova 9.0MP Compact Digital Camera with 130′ waterproof housing

The Intova CP9 Digital Camera is really a kit that includes a 9.0 mega-pixel digital camera and an underwater housing. With this kit you can take photographs as you explore the ocean world both above and below the surface. This easy-to-use camera is good to depths of up to 130′ (40m). The camera features a 2.36″ LCD display which makes composing your photos a breeze. The camera incorporates a fixed-focus lens and the housing allows access to all camera functions. The camera flash can be used to take underwater photos, but an external strobe is recommended to improve color and reduce the illumination of particles suspended in the water.

The Intova 9.0MP Compact Digital Camera with 130′ waterproof housing is available at LeisurePro.com for $104.95*

Intova IC12 12mp Digital Camera with 180′ Waterproof Housing

The new standard in affordable Sports Photography, this full featured 12.0 MP camera, with a rugged and compact housing, fills all your photographic needs.The polycarbonite housing has full button feature controls and is waterproof to 180 feet (54 meters). Other features include a 2.36″ color TFT-LCD display, 18 X zoom (3x optical, 6x digital) and SD/SDHC card capacity up to 16 gb.

The Intova IC12 12mp Digital Camera with 180′ Waterproof Housing is available at LeisurePro.com for $209.00*

Bonica Digital Snapper S5 XP with Neo Strobe and Case

Bonica’s Snapper-XP digital underwater camera is the latest entry into the growing marketplace for digital imaging. The innovative XP system (stands for eXtra Protection) safeguards against moisture by having a completely water-tight silicone skin around the camera, much like a dry suit. Put it inside the hard housing, and it is ready for any submerged use of up to 180 ft. In case moisture gets inside the housing, the digital camera is still fully protected as it’s rated up to 3 ft of water by itself. With protection in and out of water, the Snapper-XP offers unmatched versatility in both worlds.

The Bonica Digital Snapper S5 XP with Neo Strobe and Case is available at LeisurePro.com for$299.95*

Intova 8.0MP Digital Sports Camera with housing waterproof to 130′

The Intova SP8 8.0MP Slimline Sport Digital Camera with underwater housing allows to take photographs as you explore the ocean world both above and below the surface. This easy to use camera in the housing is good to depths of up to 130′ (39.6 m). The camera without the housing is waterproof to ten feet. In case of a housing flood your camera is still protected. The camera incorporates a high quality 3x optical zoom lens and a capture resolution of 8 megapixels to provide beautiful images. Plus it is loaded with features to make shooting easy and fun. A selection of shooting modes built into the camera cover many common shooting situations including portraits, sports, night, landscapes and underwater modes.

The Intova 8.0MP Digital Sports Camera with housing waterproof to 130′ is available at LeisurePro.com for $239.00*

SeaLife DC800 Reefmaster 8.1MP Underwater Digital Camera

SeaLife, the world’s leading maker of underwater dive cameras, introduces its most advanced digital camera. Sleek, modern design meets high-tech functionality in SeaLife’s new DC800 8-megapixel camera. With 5 new dive-specific color correction modes, the DC800 makes it easier than ever to take sharp, colorful underwater pictures. Set the camera to Sea mode to restore lost colors typical for underwater pictures.

The SeaLife DC800 Reefmaster 8.1MP Underwater Digital Camera is available at LeisurePro.com for $364.95*

* Prices as in June 2010, Please refer to the LeisurePro website for availability and current prices

5 Easy & Afforable Underwater Point and Shoot Cameras was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World

Intova IC800 Underwater Digital Camera 8MP ($199)
The Intova IC800 8 megapixel camera with housing is perhaps one of the best value for money underwater digital camera kits out in the market today. Perfect for anyone looking to get into underwater photography as a hobby, without having the equipment cost both an arm and a leg. The IC800 is depth rated to 180 feet and has a 3x optical zoom lens and can accommodate up to 4 GB of memory. Also capable of recording VGA movies with a resolution of 640X680, the Intova IC800 gives the user the flexibility of both video and photographs.

We recommend this Kit for anyone looking for a real value for money kit.

Intova IC10 Underwater Digital Camera 10MP ($249)
The second product from Intova to make our list of truly affordable underwater camera kits is the IC10 (10 Megapixel) Digital camera. Very similar to the IC800 reviewed above, the IC10 has more pixels, offering higher resolution images from the same compact body. Also with a 3X Optical Zoom lens and depth rated to 180 feet, the Intova IC10 is also great value for money providing you with 10 Megapixels of resolution and video and photograph capabilities as well.

Liquid Image Scuba Mask with Camera & Video ($249.95)
This innovative product from Liquid Image, the HD320 is a 5 megapixel digital camera and video camera integrated into a scuba mask capable of operating at a depth till 115 feet, allowing for convenient hands-free operation. The video quality of the Liquid image is a decent 720p recording at 30fps on micro SD storage cards that can accommodate up to 32GB of storage. What fascinates us most about the HD320 is its convenience; no need to have your camera dangling on your wrist off a lanyard, or in your hands, and also the reasonable price of approx. $250 which gives it a place on our affordable underwater camera list.

Ikelite Ultra Compact Housing & Nikon Coolpix L20 Digital Camera Still Package ($ 369.95)
Though from two separate manufacturers, what better combination can be there than pairing Nikon cameras with Ikelite underwater housings?  Despite being on the higher end of our affordable underwater camera list, this perfect pairing makes an appearance purely because of the value you would get from combining two names that you know you can trust. The Nikon Coolpix range of cameras have proved extremely popular and easy to use, and with this package you get the Coolpix L20 which is an image stabilized 10.1 megapixel compact digital camera that features 3.6x optical zoom, 3 inch LCD, motion detection, ISO range from 84 to 1600, face priority, smile mode, in-camera red-eye fix and the list goes on!  The Ikelite Ultracompact digital housing allows for full control functionality and is depth rated to 200ft (60m), and you know your Nikon will be safe in this well-built housing.

In our opinion one of the greatest combo deals for underwater photographers for the great images and camera control options.

SeaLife DC800 Reefmaster 8.1MP Underwater Digital Camera ($399)
From the leading maker of underwater dive cameras, SeaLife’s new DC800 8 megapixel camera is truly a perfect purpose created product.  With 5 dive-specific color correction modes, the DC800 takes sharp, colorful underwater pictures and is reasonably priced as well. Depth rated to 200 feet and equipped with a high capacity rechargeable lithium battery, the DC800 allows you to take photographs all day without needing to swap out batteries.  The Reefmaster DC800 also comes with video recording capability with sound, and 22 land modes allowing it to be used as a terrestrial camera as well.  Paired with the SeaLife external strobes, this camera can be used by amateur and professional underwater photographers alike.

Overall ,an excellent purpose driven camera and affordable as well.

For the Best in Underwater Photography Equipment right from underwater camera housings, digital cameras, strobes, lenses, and more visit LeisurePro.com

5 Affordable Underwater Cameras For Under $400 was written by Nevin for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World