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DEMA 2009: Entry Level Underwater Photography Products
By Matt J. Weiss, November 10, 2009 @ 09:19 PM (EST)
DEMA 2009: Entry Level Underwater Imagery Products
It is sometimes easy to get caught up in the "sexiness" of the shiny new SLRs and large professional camcorders, but the truth of the matter is that the inexpensive entry level products deserve attention, too. This year, DPG's DEMA coverage includes a lot more for the beginner or casual underwater photographer. Products in this category include a new housing that fits over 500 point and shoot models and a underwater camera that shoots video for under 50 dollars. Below is coverage of the booths featuring entry level products.
Seashell
One of the most noteworthy new products came from a company that is new to the underwater housing market, Seashell. Seashell has created an inexpensive, generic housing that they claim accommodates over 500 compact camera models!
The key behind making such a universal housing is that Seashell has limited access to only the camera's on/off and shutter buttons. These two buttons must be placed in almost exactly the same place for most small point and shoot cameras. The housing also includes rubber spacing blocks that are placed inside the housing with the camera so that the housing fits each model.
The housing is expected to be priced at around $130 dollars and because of its ability to be used for so many compact cameras, it should be an interesting option for the casual underwater photographer looking to only capture images in auto mode.
Additionally, it could be an inexpensive way to make your topside point and shoot waterproof for wet boat rides when you want to capture some images pre or post dive.
Goldline
Goldline is a company that manufactures inexpensive camera products including some designed for underwater.Goldline's line of undrewater cameras is meant for the very beginner looking to get started in underwater photography.
One camera on display was the Silver Suprema, a 6.1 megapixel camera with a depth rating to 45 meters. It features a digital zoom, custom white balance, macro mode and comes with a flash light. It is priced at $249.00.
The other camera on display was the Pixsea, a 5 megapixel digital camera with a 2” LCD screen and an SD card slot. The housing can go to 115 feet and is priced at 99.00. If you were thinking of taking a disposable on a few dives, you can get this significantly better camera that will last you for many more dives and doesn’t cost all that much more.
One camera on display was the Silver Suprema, a 6.1 megapixel camera with a depth rating to 45 meters. It features a digital zoom, custom white balance, macro mode and comes with a flash light. It is priced at $249.00.
Ultramax
UltraMax is relatively unknown to the American underwater photography market, but they have actually been around for 25 years. It’s just that they only recently decided to market products under their own name.
They had a very colorful booth that featured their own line of camcorders, cameras, video lights, strobes and housings. New this year was their camera and housing bundle for the UltraMax UXDV-3.
Sealife
Sealife once again had the biggest booth in the photo pavilion. They did not have any new products but were featuring the DC1000 with the digital pro flash and wide-angle lens. This camera is significantly more advanced than other entry level cameras. What is unique about the DC1000 is the easy set-up mode that walks beginners through which settings to use depending on what accessories they are using and what they want to achieve from their images. Look for easy set-up to be standard in many of Sealife’s future releases.
Intova
Intova is a company based out of Hawaii that makes inexpensive products designed for the casual vacation photographer. The do not try and compete with the higher end models, but instead try to offer an imaging solution for people who don't want to spend a lot of money. This makes underwater photography and video accessible to anyone - we are big fans of that concept.
Intova products are popular in resorts and a serve as a gateway camera into the hobby. I imagine many people start with an Intova and then decide to upgrade to a Canon, Olympus or Sealife point and shoots.
A perfect example of their inexpensive products is the new Snap Sights SS-1000 which retails for less than $50.00 dollars. Its electronics are built directly into the polycarbonate housing, removing the need for a bulky and expensive shell. The camera is on the lower end, offering only 3 mp images and with its built in memory it can only shoot 4-5 minutes of video or 90 jpegs. You can upgrade to a 2gb micro sd card and shoot up to 45 minutes of video and take plenty of images.
Intova products are popular in resorts and a serve as a gateway camera into the hobby. I imagine many people start with an Intova and then decide to upgrade to a Canon, Olympus or Sealife point and shoots.
A perfect example of their inexpensive products is the new Snap Sights SS-1000 which retails for less than $50.00 dollars. Its electronics are built directly into the polycarbonate housing, removing the need for a bulky and expensive shell. The camera is on the lower end, offering only 3 mp images and with its built in memory it can only shoot 4-5 minutes of video or 90 jpegs. You can upgrade to a 2gb micro sd card and shoot up to 45 minutes of video and take plenty of images.
For 50 bucks though, it’s the cheapest way to take pictures on a dive short of a disposable camera. While some people may scoff at the quality of the camera, I think its great that Intova makes underwater photography so accessible.
- DEMA 2009 Main Page
- DEMA 2009: Entry Level Products
- DEMA 2009: DSLR Housings
- DEMA 2009: Compact Housings and Beyond
- DEMA 2009: Photo Accessories
- DEMA 2009: Video Lights and Unique Video Systems
- DEMA 2009: Video Housings
- DEMA 2009: The DPG Booth and the Showfloor
- DEMA 2009: Award Party and DPG / Wetpixel Cocktail Party
- DEMA 2009: Closing Remarks
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