There’s no better way for a diver to capture the memories of underwater experiences and all they see, than with underwater photography. Today, with the digital revolution in photography itself, he world of underwater photography too has opened up by allowing us to view the results of our shots immediately and share them very easily.

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!

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2010. | Scuba Gear Buying Guide: Underwater Cameras is an original article from Aquaviews.net | Be the first to comment!

One of the most innovative and fascinating scuba diving gadgets to hit the underwater photography arena in a long time is the line-up of Liquid Image’s underwater digital camera and video masks. The built in digital camera into the scuba mask allows the diver/swimmer to have both hands free underwater for swimming, until he needs to take a picture, where the integrated cross hairs in the tempered glass allow for lining up the subject, before pressing the shutter button to either record video or the image depending on the model. Perfect for night diving where you can free up your hands to carry your dive light, or for that shark cage dive or spear fishing trip where you can capture the moment and have your hands free.

Featured above: Liquid Image 5.0 MP Underwater Digital Camera Mask with Anti-fog Lenses – Rated up to 16′ available at LeisurePro.com

Explorer Series 3.1 MP & 5 MP
The Explorer Series camera masks available in both 3.1 or 5.0 megapixels with a depth rating of 15ft / 5m has been designed with the snorkeler, swimmer, water sports enthusiast or spear fisher in mind. The Explorer series comes with 16MB of built in memory but  has a microSD card slot which allows you to expand memory up to 2GB for additional pictures or videos. The mask requires two AAA batteries, and can record both images as well as 20fps VGA digital video without audio. The  information display LCD is located on the top of the mask, however an LED inside the mask visible to the user indicates that the camera is on and changes color based on the mode, video or still camera. The 5.0 MP mask retails for around $99.95, which is real value for money to capture those snorkeling holiday moments.

Product featured above is a Liquid Image Digital Underwater Camera & Video Mask – 5.0 Mega-Pixel Rated up to 33′ available at Leisurepro.com

VideoMask Series D1
The VideoMask Series D1 from Liquid Image allows the underwater videographer capture high resolution 30fps video at D1 or 720×480 and operates to a depth of 33 ft/10m, allowing for both snorkelers, and scuba divers to use. Additionally the D1 Video Mask can take 5.0 Megapixel still shots offering the user additional versatility. Once again operating on a pair of  AAA batteries, the Video Mask’s microSD/SDHC card slot allows you to expand memory up to 8GB for additional pictures or videos. Audio recording is supported using an integrated microphone in the mask unlike its other siblings in the product range. Image and video transfer is carried out via a high speed USB 2.0 interface that is located in a waterproof compartment.

Featured above: Liquid Image Scuba Mask with Camera & Video – 5.0 Mega-Pixel Rated up to 115′ available at LeisurePro.com

Scuba Series HD
The Scuba Series allows for High Definition 720P digital video camera  recording, plus 5.0MP photographs. Operating to a depth of 115ft / 35m , the Scuba Series is an ideal hands free companion on your next Scuba diving trip. Unlike the other masks in the series, the HD uses 4 AAA batteries which allows for a longer battery time, and also uses a microSD/SDHC card slot  which allows you to add memory up to 32GB. With a TV output for both PAL and NTSC, and video resolution of 1280×720 at 30fps with audio recording, the Scuba Series HD mask is simply a delight to have.

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2009. | Underwater Digital Camera Masks from Liquid Image is an original article from Aquaviews.net | One comment

Are you a SCUBA Diver that is just getting started in underwater photography? Or are you looking for a reasonably priced underwater camera that you can take along with you on your next dive vacation which won’t cost you more than your trip? Well look no further; we have compiled a list of 5 reasonably priced underwater cameras available at LeisurePro.com that will allow you to capture your underwater adventures.

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

© Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog, 2009. | 5 Affordable Underwater Cameras For Under $400 is an original article from Aquaviews.net | One comment