Waterproof Digital Cameras

People who have seen the world beneath the waves swear that the seabed, with all its fishes, marine plants, and natural rock and coral formations, is just as beautiful as the land above. Indeed, some actually think the underwater world is much better. You can try to find out for yourself. Put on a diving gear, get into the water, and do not forget to bring back videos of your exploration. You can do this with an AquaCam HDX Series Video Housing.

Engineered to accommodate most HD and SD camcorders, it is a very versatile housing that is limited only by the size of the video camera. There are actually two sizes of the housing that are readily available –one is intended for camcorders with a maximum height of 4.6 inches, width of 4.8, and length of 8; and another for one with the same height and width but a shorter length of 6 inches. Housing for camcorders longer than these will have to be custom built.

Built with a heavy-duty 0.5-inch thick cylindrical shell, stainless steel hardware, 0.5-inch thick optical-grade acrylic ports, the AquaCam HDX can take water pressures even at 200 feet below the waves. At this level, you’d be swimming with sharks and manta rays. If you are not into deep sea diving, but would rather do battle with whitewater waves and eddies, the AquaCam HDX can also shield your camcorder from the onslaught of the water.

The only access into the shell is the front port, with the rear being permanently bonded to the main body. The front port is fitted with an X-ring seal that effectively seals off even the minutest drop of water. Also, there are no hardware penetrations through the shell that would require additional seals, which, of course, are the weakest structures in any waterproofed housings.

Control of the camera can either be through an electronic control or mechanical system. Electronic controls consist of a magnetic joystick mounted on the housing, and a magnetic switch box and control circuit inside the shell. This has a cable that is connected to the LANC interface of the camcorder though which signals from the joystick are transmitted. Mechanical controls, on the other hand, are mounted on the housing providing access to the record, start, and stop functions of the camcorder, regardless of brand or model.

The Sony DCR-HC94 and DCR-HC96 Mini DV Camcorders are two of Sony’s compact video cameras that offer plenty of features but remain easy to operate. Both have a 3-megapixel Advanced HAD CCD Imager providing highly detailed and clear images. They both also have 10X optical zoom and 120x digital zoom allowing you to capture close up photos even from a distance. Glare and flare are reduced by the Carl-Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T lens’ multi-layer coating. This also results in realistic color saturation and vibrant images.

These fine camcorders, however, are confined to taking images on dry land. They cannot record you frolicking in the pool with your kids, braving churning whitewater rivers on an inflatable raft, snorkeling at sea, or diving 200 feet into the deep. To do all these, they have to be housed in an Ikelite 6038-25 Underwater Housing.

The housing is made of seamless clear polycarbonate with an optical glass port that is impervious to rust or corrosion. Because it is clear, you can actually see the camera at all times and check its settings, which you can adjust with the knobs and levers on the housing. These strategically positioned mechanical controls provide access to the camera’s own controls. These include the power on/off button, recording start/stop, zoom control, photo button, and back light.

Apart from the video camera, the sealing surfaces are also totally visible. This allows you to check if the Quad ring seal glands are properly installed before immersing the Ikelite 6038-25 in water.

Installing the camera into the housing is easy as there are guides inside. Once installed, the combined weight of the camcorder and housing results in a near neutral buoyancy which makes handling underwater not only manageable but also convenient.

Underwater photography, both video and stills, always makes cool viewing. With Canon HF Video Cameras housed in an Ikelite Underwater Video Housing, you can capture all the still and video footages you want. The only other thing you’ll ever need is an underwater goggles, or snorkel, or, if you plan on shooting sharks, blue whales, or manta rays, a scuba diving gear.

The housing is designed for Canon HF-S10, HF-S11, and HF-S100 video cameras. All these three have identical outside dimensions. All are equipped with a 1/2.6 CMOS image sensor with a megapixel rating of 6.01 for both video and still pictures. Their lenses have a 10x optical and 200x digital zoom allowing you to capture images of great whites and hammerheads from a safe distance. A 2.7-inch LCD monitor with 211,000 dots provides an image of photos and videos you are about to capture.

These video cameras differ in terms of memory. The HF-S10 uses a 32GB internal flash drive, while the HF-S11 has twice as much at 64GB. The HF-S100, on the other hand, uses an SDHC sized 32GB.

The Ikelite housing is made of clear polycarbonate thus providing you with a full view of the camera inside including the LCD monitor. It has a seamless construction and as it is a thermoplastic polymer, it is rust- and corrosion-free. Control buttons mounted on the top, back, and sides provide access to the camera controls. A superior o-ring seal assures a tight closure preventing the seepage of water even at depths of 200 feet.

Measuring 11″ W x 8″ H x 8″ D, the housing is considered a compact. When its weight is combined with that of the camera, the total adds up to approximately 3.6 kg. This results in a slight negative buoyancy in seawater resulting to better underwater stability.

The Flip Video U1120 Ultra and U2120 HD Series Camcorders are identical when seen from the outside. Both feature a 2.0-inch LCD screen with anti-glare properties that make video composition and playback possible even under the bright sun. They also have an identical 2x digital zoom, and the same user interface that is intuitive and easy to operate.

What differentiates the Ultra from the HD is that the former captures full-VGA videos while the HD records the High Definition kind. Both record 120 minutes of images, but while the Ultra stores them in a built-in 4 GB memory, the HD has an 8 GB because high-definition images need more storage space.

Another thing these cameras share is that they can both be taken swimming by the Ikelite Compact Underwater Video Housing that is dedicated to them. They have identical outside dimensions at 4.25″ H x 2.19″ W x 1.17″ D. With these measurements, they can easily fit inside the Ikelite housing which measures 5.5″ H x 4.25″ W x 3.0″ D. With an easy to open latch, yet sealed tight when closed, installing the camcorder inside is quick and easy.

The housing has a depth rating of 200 feet allowing you to swim with hammerheads and manta rays and capture them in action, and in full color. This is possible because the unit comes with a UR/Pro color-correcting filter for blue water settings. Another filter for green water is also available but it does not come with the housing. Buttons on the housing provide access to all camera controls.

Accessories for the Ikelite Compact Underwater Video Housing for Flip Video Camcorders include the Pro-V8 LED Video Lite. This provides proper illumination for your subjects when you are too deep for the sun to penetrate. External wide-angle conversion lenses are also available for a panoramic view of the underwater world. These also allow you to get close to your subjects to minimize the amount of water between you and them resulting to truer and more vivid colors.

There are two things that differentiate the Light and Motion BlueFin Underwater Housing for Video Cameras from other underwater casings. First, while most casings utilize manual mechanical knobs and levers to access camera controls, the BlueFin relies on a combination of wireless buttons and manual controls. Second, it has its own high-resolution LCD monitor at the back of the housing.

Wireless fingertip buttons are mounted on the handles on both sides of the housing. Using lithium batteries, these connect to the video camera via a sealed port. With this design, there are less apertures on the housing that are potential sources of leaks. Among the wireless controls on the handle are on/off, zoom, record, auto and manual focus, mode, and play/pause/stop buttons.

At the back of the casing is a self-contained rear plate with a 2.7-inch high-resolution LCD monitor made by Sony. Instead of flipping out the video camera’s LCD monitor, this rear-mounted monitor is used for image composition and playback. It is this feature that enables the construction of a compact housing as it is no longer necessary to provide a space for a flipped-out camera LCD monitor. The monitor incorporates adjustment controls for brightness, color, and contrast. There are also indicators for low battery, recording light, and an alarm in the event of a leak into the housing.

The casing is made of extruded aluminum making the BlueFin lightweight and corrosion resistant. Its front and rear plates are machined. The few manual controls on the housing are all equipped with double o-rings to minimize, if not eliminate, the possibility of leaks.

The Light and Motion BlueFin Underwater Housing for Video Cameras has six variations. These are intended to support six different camera models. These are: Sony XR520/500, Sony CX500/520, Sony SR11/12, Sony HC9, Canon HF S-10, and Canon S100. The variations are necessary because of the differences in the physical layout and placement of the control buttons of these cameras.

With a 2.96-megapixel CMOS sensor and a 10x optical zoom, Canon’s HV-20 Camcorder allows you to record high-quality HD videos as well as still photos. It has both HD and SD recording modes so you do not have to give up your SD equipment while moving up to HD.

The camcorder features the DIGIC DV II processor that guarantees excellent color reproduction and fine detail. Its 2.7-inch LCD color viewfinder shows you precisely what is being recorded and what you will see on your HDTV.

While the HV-20 can capture excellent videos and stills on land, it is not rugged enough to withstand even just a splash of water. This severely limits the area where the camcorder can operate as more than 70% of the planet is covered with oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers, not to mention swimming pools and water parks.

The Ikelite Underwater Video Housing for Canon HV-20 Camcorder does away with this limitation. Once encased in the housing, the camcorder can capture all your water adventures from the swimming pool to 200 feet under the sea.

Made of clear polycarbonate, the Underwater Video Housing has superior optical properties allowing an undistorted view of the camcorder’s LCD monitor and viewfinder through the housing. Also because of its polycarbonate construction, it is impact- as well as corrosion-resistant.

As it may be difficult to look into the viewfinder when wearing a diving mask, the housing is fitted with a Super Eye that magnifies the image in the viewfinder. A threaded housing port allows the use of conversion wide angle or zoom lenses. The camcorder’s most important controls, such as the Record Start/Stop; Zoom, Focus, and Function Controls; Photo/Snapshot Button; and Manual Focus Dial, are accessible via buttons on the housing.

The Sony Handycam HDR-SR11 and HDR-SR12 are almost identical twins except for their hard disk drives. The former has 60 GB while the latter has two times as much. Both have the same ClearVid CMOS sensor and Bionz Image Processor that produces high-definition videos in a full 1920 x 1080 resolution, and 10.2-megapixel stills. These are recorded either directly to the HDDs or to a Memory Stick Duo or Memory Stick Pro Duo.

Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* lenses that reduces glaring assure realistic colors and vivid images. A 12x optical zoom reinforced with a 150x digital zoom can bring distant subjects within an arm’s reach. A Digital Zoom Interpolation feature minimizes distortions that could result from digitally zooming in.

The camcorders feature a wide 3.2-inch XtraFine LCD screen with a 921k resolution that provides bright and well-defined images even in sunlight. It also has a wide viewing angle. These are great for composition as well as playback.

Expanding the world of the SR11 and SR12 is the Ikelite Underwater Video Housing which is especially designed for them. This can take the camcorders under the sea where there is an entirely different world and an endless opportunity for capturing breathtaking videos and stills.

The Ikelite housing has a depth rating of 200 feet. It is made out of corrosion-proof polycarbonate in a seamless construction. As the polycarbonate is clear, you can see right though the housing. You have full unobstructed view of the camcorder and its controls, including the O-ring seal allowing you to see if it is properly seated.

The housing provides access to the most important controls such as the power on/off, recording start/stop, zoom, and the LCD touch screen controls. Its port is threaded allowing the use of optional conversion lenses.

Along with the removable handle bar, the housing measures 11 inches. With the detachable base, it is 8 inches high, and also 8 inches deep.

Most parents just love to record their kids romping and frolicking wherever they are allowed to play. These could be at playgrounds, amusement parks, swimming pools, waterparks, or beach. Taking videos where there’s plenty of water all around, however, can pose a potential danger to your camcorder. It has to have some form of protection. If you’re looking for a video camera that has available protective gear, try looking at the JVC Everio GZ-HD320 Video Camera and its diving suit, the JVC WR-MG250 Underwater Housing.

The 1 /4.1″ CMOS sensor of the Everio GZ-HD320 coupled with its Konica Minolta HD lens guarantees clear and crisp HD video and still images, and with its 20x optical zoom, distant subjects can be brought up close. Picture composition and playback is a breeze with the 2.7″ LCD which provides a 16:9 display. Navigating the controls and menu on the screen is possible with the camcorder’s Laser Touch Operation system.

Video and still images are recorded in a 120GB hard disk drive. In spite of this large storage capacity, it incorporates a slot for microSD/HDSC cards. These images can also be watched on iPod or iPhones by exporting them to the user’s iTunes library. Uploading to YouTube is also quick and easy as is the creation of DVDs or AVCHD DVDs. All these functions can be launched with a single touch.

The JVC WR-MG250 Underwater Housing is dedicated to the Everio GZ-HD320. All of the camera’s major controls are mated to knobs and dials on the housing allowing their unhampered operation, such as the power off/on switch, zoom, recording start/stop, and still picture buttons.

With its solid construction and special o-rings, the WR-MG250 can take the camera to depths of 130 feet. Its lens port can accept different types of lenses, from wide angle through telephoto to macro.

Described by some reviewers when they were first released as the Rolls Royces of video cameras, the Sony HDR-SR7 and SR8 deliver exceptional video and still images. In video HD mode, they can generate 1,080 lines of resolutions while in SD this is reduced to 530 horizontal lines. With the stills, resolution is at 6.1 megapixels.

The SR7 records videos and still photos into its 60GB internal hard drive. For the SR8, this is increased further to 100GB. You have the option, though, of directly recording them into a Memory Stick Duo Media to facilitate downloading to your PC. A 10x Carl Zeiss Vario-Sonar T optical lens complemented by a 20x digital zoom brings distant images up close without discernible distortion.

Shooting is made convenient with the 2.7-inch Clear Photo LCD Plus™ monitor that can be rotated to a maximum of 270° allowing you to capture images from a variety of angles. An image stabilization system is incorporated to reduce blurring caused by camera shake.

While a Rolls Royce cannot be driven into the waters, a Sony HDR-SR7 or SR8 can shoot videos or still photos underwater, even up to 330 feet deep, with the help of an Amphibico Dive Buddy EVO HD Elite.

The Amphibico housing is made of marine grade aluminum and brass, with stainless steel hardware. For extra protection against rust that can come from frequent exposure to saltwater, the aluminum casing is hard-coated with polyurethane paint.

Electronic controls are mounted on the casing, which provide access to the camera’s record, photo, standby, zoom, and focus functions. It also has an electronic moisture alarm that continually flashes a red light in the unlikely event of water seeping into the housing.

Canon’s FS100, FS10, and FS11 are stylish compact digital camcorders that have exactly the same outside dimensions.

These SD-based camcorders feature a 48x Advanced Zoom that uses Genuine Canon Optics in conjunction with the DIGIC DV II Image Processor to bring distant subjects up close. All three have the same 1.07-megapixel CCD image sensor that assures clear and sharp images. A 2.7-inch widescreen LCD displays images that are being recorded exactly as they will appear on your television set.

The three FS models differ only in memory and color. The FS100 relies solely on flash card memory. The FS10, on the other hand, has an internal 8GB flash drive in addition to a removable SDHC memory card. You have the option of recording your videos to the internal memory or directly to the SDHC card. If you opt for the internal memory and fill it up, you can easily transfer the files to the memory card, or start recording directly to the card. The third model, the FS11, also has an internal flash memory but is expanded to 16GB.

The FS11 is available only in dark gray, the FS10 in silver, while the FS100 sports blue, red, and silver.

You can take any of these three cameras to the seas or rivers to record your water adventures but they will need to be housed in a waterproof casing such as the Equinox Pro6 Underwater Housing.

The Equinox Pro6 is specifically designed for the FS100, FS10, and FS11 models. It is a cylindrical casing made of corrosion resistant PVC. It has a handle, rubber feet, and one-inch cast acrylic face plates. All hardware –hinges and clips— are made of stainless steel. With this construction, it can handle water pressure even at 250 feet deep.

In addition to the handle and feet, the casing also has control knobs that access the power on/off switch, the start/stop record button, photo, zoom, and memory switch on the camcorder.