Dive Cameras

It was during the process of researching a replacement for my dive camera that I discovered how far the technology behind underwater cameras has advanced in such a short amount of time. In fact they've sort of crossed the line to where you can now get a great dive camera that's compact and rugged enough to serve as an all-purpose sports & recreation camera.

This is something I've been wanting for years - a digital camera I can take anywhere, in any environment without worrying about damaging it. I've always been annoyed at having to be ever-mindful of the camera when at the beach, on the lake, on even at a water-park, not to mention while trail riding or engaged in some other outdoor activity.

After all, the times we most often want to use a camera are while on vacation or holiday, or while we or our kids are involved in some form of outdoor sport or recreational activity, either as a participant or a spectator. And during those times it's rarely always sunny and clear. Rather we're in the midst of whatever elements happen to be present, be it water, snow, rain, sand, salt, dirt, or mud, not to mention the extremes of hot and cold temperatures.

And if the harshness of the elements wasn't enough, what about the survivability of that digital camera after falling from a pocket onto the rocks, or slipping from our hand to the cement? Of course that's nothing compared to what cameras undergo when they get into the hands of little kids. Yep, kiss that one goodbye.

Whereas it used to be that dive cameras were bulky, cumbersome affairs, requiring huge waterproof housings, things are different now. Today there are underwater cameras that will easily fit in the palm of your hand or even smaller models that will have room to spare when slipped into a shirt pocket.

Depending on make and model, they are waterproof to various depths, shockproof and able to shake off a vertical drop of 5 or 6 feet, plus crushproof when subjected to the pressure of heavy weights. In fact one torture test shows a certain model being run over by a car and surviving to take perfect pictures.

There are two manufacturers leading the way with these waterproof cameras that go beyond just diving. They are SeaLife, long known for their dive cameras, and the Olympus Stylus SW series. The 6 megapixel SeaLife Mini and ECOshot are compact, waterproof to 130 feet & 75 feet respectively, and are protected within a rugged polycarbonate case, that's rubber-armored.

The Olympus Stylus 770SW, 790SW, 850SW, and 1030SW have an image resolution ranging from 7 to 10 megapixels and are waterproof to either 10 feet or 33 feet. This depth can be increased to 130 feet with an external housing but as is, the sub-compact Stylus SW models are perfect for snorkeling or any other outdoor activity. The SW stands for shockproof, waterproof, and the Stylus is certainly tough. It's sensitive insides are suspended within a metal case that can survive 220 pounds of pressure, plus its freeze-proof as well. (Trust me, this works great - lost track of how many times it banged against the rock while climbing)

Aside from very small size and slightly higher cost, the Olympus models differ in that they offer more features, but have shallower waterproof ratings. However they are plenty waterproof for use as an outdoor sports camera, and if you also want to scuba dive with it just get an external housing. The SeaLife Mini may appeal more to divers who can kill two birds at once since its rated to 130 feet with no additional housing.

Any of these digital underwater cameras mentioned here are excellent choices for an all-purpose sports camera. Features are similar with variations mostly in image resolution, depth rating, size, and price, so just choose the one that fits you best.

SeaLife just introduced their most advanced digital dive camera. A leader in underwater cameras, they just keep getting better and better.

Good to depths of 200 feet, it comes standard with 5 color-correction modes specifically for use underwater, so that even a novice can take underwater photos like a professional.

Other features include a 5x optical zoom, 2.7 inch LCD, 8 megapixal resolution for super-crisp pictures, and SD/SDHC image storage media that will hold up to 4GB.

Protected inside a rugged, rubber-armored polycarbonate case, the camera can be removed when on land.

Naturally the camera can be customized just like you want with one or two external strobes, plus a myriad of lenses and ports to suit your needs.

Learn more about the SeaLife DC800 as well as other underwater cameras, along with where to get the best prices.

This great underwater shot of a banded coral shrimp was sent to me from Bob Millsaps in Roatan, Honduras. The small image doesn't do it credit but you can see it fullsize here.

He's got a lot more Roatan photos here, plus info to introduce you to the island, as well as details on things to do, and places to stay. Check it out.