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

Well, now you can listen to your favorite tunes from Michael Jackson to Taylor Swift um, Pink Floyd all while you’re swimming, snorkeling or even Scuba Diving! Enter the Underwater MP3 Players or Waterproof MP3 Players. Yes, these amazing pieces of modern technology actually allow you to enjoy music underwater.

You listen to music while working out, jogging, cycling, driving…then why not while swimming?

To start with we have the and the Intova H2O Man G3 Waterproof MP3 Player and the Finis Waterproof Swim MP3 V.2, both waterproof up to 3m or 10 ft, it’s not exactly suitable for Scuba Diving but great for getting your groove while doing laps in the pool. The Intova Waterproof MP3 player takes an Micro SD card of 8GB maximum capacity and up to 10 hours playing time whereas the Finis SwiMP3 player can store 256 MB of music. The SwiMP3 uses bone conduction – when the device is placed on any bones of the skull results in the direct transfer of sound vibrations from the cheek bone to the inner ear – which provides the swimmer with exceptional sound clarity.

Another way to splash around while keeping the beats is by using a waterproof MP3 player housing just like underwater digital camera housings. Underwater housings like the H2oAudio S4-1A2 SV-iP4G come with a waterproof headset and silicon earplugs. They support different MP3 players like the Apple iPod. Again the H2o Audio MP3 player housing is submersible up to 10ft/ 3m making it suitable for swimming, surfing and snow/wake boarding.

Lover’s of the outdoors will love the underwater MP3 Player housing from Aquapac. The Aquapac Waterproof MP3 Player Dry Bag is a guaranteed 100% waterproof protection for your MP3 Player or new iPod. The housing is designed to be hands-free as it straps to your arm with a velcro armband allowing you the use of both your hands whatever your favored water activity is. The Best part of this housing is it’s guaranteed submersible to 15 feet (5 meters). However if you plan on using your player while swimming, snorkeling or other water sports you’ll need waterproof headphones, which Aquapac does make but it is sold separately- Aquapac 100% Waterproof Headphones. Although the headphones are tested to a depth of 10m/30ft it’s not suitable for depths beyond 10ft/3m where water pressure may cause hearing damage.

Music while swimming…that’s great! But what about Scuba diving where you dive below 10ft you ask?

There’s a housing out there for that too. H2o Audio’s new iDive300 waterproof case with speakers that clip to your mask strap or can be tucked under a dive hood are just the answer. Waterproof down to 300ft/90m underwater it’s deeper than you’ll be using it for recreational diving. Compatible for Apple different generations of iPods, the iPhone and iTouch, this is a great way of playing music and videos underwater. A fun toy or means of entertainment for divers on decompression stops or simply for recreational purposes, it does however have a drawback. The sound can carry a bit underwater and this might not be much to the liking of your dive buddy nor the fish. It’s also important to remember that, you should no way use these products if you aren’t comfortable with your diving skills and get easily distracted by new contraptions. Have fun but Always Dive Safe and respect the space you dive in.

*All products pictured above available at LeisurePro.com (*except H2o Audio’s iDive300 available at www.h2oaudio.com)

Underwater Entertainment? – Try Waterproof MP3 Players was written by Noreen for Aquaviews - SCUBA Blog - Bringing You The Other 70% Of Our World