Waterproof Digital Cameras

Using the Advanced Video Codec High Definition (AVCHD) recording and playback format, the JVC GZ-HH10 HD Camcorder can shoot high quality HD video with smaller file sizes allowing longer recording times.

It has a 1/4.5-inch CMOS sensor featuring CMOS chips with interpolation technology. With this, the GZ-HD10 can generate virtual pixels producing images beyond resolutions of full HD 1920 x 1080. It uses a 10x optical HD lens from Konica that is complemented with a 200x digital zoom. In addition to capturing videos, it can also take still photos at a resolution of 1920 x 1080.

Videos and photos are stored in a 40GB internal HDD. With this size, you can continually record HD videos up to 20 hours. If this is still not enough, a memory card slot for microSD is available.

The underwater housing for the GZ-HD10 HD Camcorder is made of clear plastic and rubber O-rings that resists water up to depths of 40 meters or approximately 130 feet. The portion of the case containing the flip-out LCD monitor is tilted upwards to make viewing better and clearer when diving.

Camcorder controls are accessible via keys and dials mated to them. These are laid out ergonomically on the casing resulting in an easy and comfortable operation. These even allow you to switch between shooting videos and stills while underwater.

If you have a Sony Handycam Camcorder from 2006 to 2008 and you would like to take it for a dive to capture seaweeds swaying to the underwater current, or you just want to take videos of your kids frolicking at the pool, you will need to encase it in a Sony SPK-HCD Waterproof Sports Pack.

This waterproof casing resists water up to a depth of 17 feet so you can really swim with colorful fishes and capture them on video. It also features a built-in stereo microphone so you can record dolphin whistles, clicks, and burst-pulsed sounds. Camcorder controls for power, record, photo shoot, and zoom are all accessible through buttons on the Waterproof Sports Pack.

Made of plastic polymer ABS and glass, the SPK-HCD housing is strong and sturdy and not only shields the camcorder from water, but also from bumps and blows. It also protects the camcorder from snow, sand, and dust. Thus, apart from underwater videos, you can also use your Handycam on skiing trips, sand boarding adventures, or motocross racing, as long as you have it safely ensconced in the Sony SPK-HCD Waterproof Sports Pack.

The housing is light, weighing about 2 pounds and 2 ounces. It measures approximately 6 3/8″ x 5 7/8″ x 8¾”.

Touted by Sanyo to be the world’s first progressive full high-definition video camcorder, the HD2000 features a high-speed CMOS sensor coupled with a high-speed processor. This combination records high-definition videos and captures high-resolution still pictures.

The HD2000 can shoot at a very quick 600 fps allowing you to slow down even Formula 1 race cars in playback. When shooting stills, it can take 8-megapixel photos. Its face detection technology, called the Face Chaser, keeps track of up to 12 faces helping you capture properly exposed and focused pictures.

Unlike its siblings, the VPC CA9 and VPC WH1 HD, the HD2000 is not waterproofed. Thus, in order to be able to take its shooting capabilities to a whole new world underwater, the Epoque EHS-1000HD was created.

The EHS-1000HD is made of stainless steel, tempered glass, and rugged injection molded Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene or ABS. This is a lightweight yet rigid material that can withstand high impacts and pressures, including water pressure at a depth of 150 feet.

A specially designed and molded o-ring compression gasket effectively seals all joints of the housing from water seepage. All button and knob controls, on the other hand, are equipped with a radial o-ring. Seven latching buckles lock and tighten the housing shell.

The housing allows full access to all camera controls. You can even mount a digital strobe light on the EHS-1000HD using a clog adapter. Its lens port is a 67-mm threaded port which accepts conversion lenses, such as wide-angle or macro, as well as optional filters.

The Sanyo Xacti HD2 is a compact digital camera and a high definition digital video recorder rolled into one. It captures 7.1 megapixel still photos and records high-definition MPEG4 videos at 30 fps and 1280 x 720 pixels. Its pistol-grip design allows single-hand shooting and recording.

The Xacti HD2 features a 10x optical zoom with a built-in ND filter, which, in a 35 mm camera format, is the equivalent of 38 – 380 mm. Digital zoom is rated at 10x. The viewfinder is a 2.2-inch LCD display with 210,000 pixels. This flips from the camera body and can be rotated up to 285° allowing the capture of images even from difficult angles.

When used to take still pictures, a built-in image stabilization feature uses a proprietary Sanyo algorithm to compensate for unintentional camera movement thus assuring you of clear pictures. Also in this setting, the Xacti HD2 offers seven shooting programs –auto, portrait, night portrait, sports, fireworks, landscape, and lamps. When these programs are selected, the camera automatically adjusts shutter speed, aperture, white balance, and ISO sensitivity.

With all its great features, it is unfortunate that the Xacti HD2 has not been designed to be waterproof like the Sanyo CA9 or WH1. However, the Epoque EHS-510H underwater camera housing addresses this limitation. It can take the Xacti HD2 for a dive into the waters up to 45 meters.

The EHS-510H allows access to all of the buttons and knobs of the camera, thus you can operate it on land or underwater in much the same way. The lens port is threaded to enable the attachment of filters and accessory lenses such as the UR-PRO filter, and macro or wide-angle lenses. You can also mount a video light or a digital strobe on the EHS-510H’s shoe using a clog adapter.

Canon’s HF video cameras –the HF-10, HF-11, and HF-100– all feature the AVCHD (Advanced Video Codec High Definition) format for true 1080 HD resolution video. A further advantage is that it can record two times as much video images using less storage. This means more recording time.

If you wish to take your Canon HF Video Camera to the river, beach, or under the sea, you will need the Ikelite 6800 Underwater Housing. This case can greatly expand your video camera’s horizons.

The Ikelite is made of clear polycarbonate that shields your camera from water even at a depth of 60 meters. You can follow and capture on video those colorful fishes or even sharks as they spin and sway in their cool world. The case is clear all over so you have a full view of your camera inside, including its viewing screen which is visible from the back.

The case has buttons that accesses the various controls of the camera including on/off control; record start/stop; zoom, snapshot, mode dial, joystick, and function buttons. A thread on the lens port allows the use of optional wide-angle Ikelite lenses which can be installed or removed underwater.

The housing itself rests on a base with handles on both sides. The base allows you to rest your camera atop some support, while the handles make carrying it underwater more secure and stable.

A color filter incorporated in the lens port corrects the effects of tropical blue water on the color of your videos. An optional filter that provides the same correction in green water settings is also available.

With a video camera inside, the Ikelite 6800 weighs 3.6 kg. With the handle and the base, it measures 27 mm wide, 20 cm high, and 20 cm deep.

The Canon WP-V1 Waterproof Case is the wet suit of the Canon’s Vixia HF20 and Vixia HF200 Flash Memory Camcorders. Once inside the case, these two great camcorders can descend to a depth of 40 meters to record marine life, underwater sceneries, as well as videos of yourselves as you go through your undersea adventures.

The case is made of solid polycarbonate which makes it extremely strong and highly resistant to impact. In spite of this, it remains lightweight. It is also very clear allowing you to see right through the camcorder inside.

On the WP-V1 Waterproof Case are buttons that provide access to the camcorder’s controls. You can easily start or stop recording, adjust the lens from telephoto to wide angle, and reset the camera from capture to playback and vice versa. Such buttons are positioned is a way that you do not need to take your hands off from its natural hold on the camcorder to manipulate them.

You do not need to be underwater to use the WP-V1. You can also use it to protect your Vixia HF20 or HF200 from snow, humidity, sand, or dust. You can, thus, take it skiing, sand boarding, or dirt biking.

Along with the camcorder’s 3.89-megapixel CMOS Image Sensor in Full HD, 15x HD video lens, face detection, and advance Auto Exposure feature, you can be sure to have a record of your adventures in extreme environments in full living color and clarity.

The Bonica Snapper captures 720p high definition videos as well as 5-megapixel still photos. It has an optical zoom of 3x allowing for moderate close-up shots. These shots are pre-viewed in a 2.4-inch LCD screen, and are recorded in SD cards of 1, 2, or 4 GB. Each GB can store as much as 45 minutes of video. The camera is small, looking like a miniaturized version of digital camcorders with a vertical design, yet it has features that can stand up to its bigger siblings.

It has a built-in video light to illuminate your subjects when working in the dark. To help keep your videos and still photos clear, the camera incorporates a digital stabilization mechanism. If you feel that the built-in light is insufficient for your purposes, you can purchase a dedicated external video light separately.

The Bonica Snapper comes with a silicone protective skin. This can be thought of as the diving suit of the camera. The skin does not only keep water out but also dust and snow. Of course, it will also protect the camera from scratches. Thus, the camera and the silicone case working in tandem are perfect companions for your extreme adventures, including 180 feet under the sea, a spin on a dirt bike in the desert, or a slalom on snow-covered mountains.

Since the camera can be attached to different stands using mounting mechanisms specifically designed for it, it comes with a remote control. USB and AV cables for connecting to your computer and TV are also included, along with a hard carrying case. Power is supplied by a lithium-ion battery.