AMPHIBIAN CAMERAS
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Amphibian cameras are compact point-and-shoot waterproof cameras that can be
used at varying depths in the 3-10 meters range without an underwater housing. They are usually also shockproof.
The main discriminating technical features for underwater usage are:
Maximum operational depth: in meters, provides an estimate for the camera's versatility, and whether it
can be used for snorkeling or diving.
Wideangle zoom: rather than the focal range of the lens (usage in tele postion is very
limited), what really makes a difference is the minimal focal length (expressed
in mm as 24x36 focal equivalent), providing as wide as possible a view angle.
Macro: the minimum focusing distance in macro mode, expressed in cm, gives a measure
of the quality of small object images; ina addition, the minimum focusing
distance in tele mode is also important because the strobe light diffusion is
more uniform at not-too-close distances.
Stabilizer: very useful because cameras tend to select long axposure times underwater with
ISO not too high (high ISO's are not recommended for good image quality).
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Manual time and aperture setting: the possibility of choosing time and aperture in underwater photography ensures
better image quality.
Underwater specific programs: for cameras with no manual time and aperture control, dedicated programs
optimize the relationship between ambient light and strobe light and often
introduce chromatic corrections that can worsen image quality.
Viewfinder dimensions: in inches: the larger the viewer the easier is subject framing. Visibility in
strong light conditions is also important.
Megapixels: a higher number of pixels is not necessarily a synonym of better quality, which
instead is mainly related to individual pixel dimensions.
HD video: ensures better video quality.
Price: in US dollars "from"; should be judged considering both camera features and
comparison with equivalent non-amphibian cameras with separate casing.
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LOOK-AND-SHOOT
No-hands camera! With LIQUID IMAGE the camera is integrated in the mask.
Chelonia mydas © Egidio Trainito
Ghiozzo on coral © Egidio Trainito
AMPHIBIAN POINT-AND-SHOOT COMPARISON TABLE - 1
Greyed cells evidence the best features in each group
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BOTTOM LINE
The table reveals that only 2 cameras (with technical features lower than the
rest of the group) can go deeper than 10 m, whereas only 3 other (Canon D10,
Olympus 8010, and Panasonic TS2, 4 if we accept the 6-meters depth limit of the
Pentax Optio W90) can be considered something more than gadgets for snorkeling
or wet conditions. None of the cameras features manual controls, a serious
limitation for good results underwater.
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Notice that 3 Olympus' can be housed in Olympus dedicated casings, or in Ikelite with an optional external strobe, but still with automatic regulation. Also the two Panasonic are equipped with housings that can go as deep as 40 m. For an assessment of the optical features and on-land performance please refer to to the group review, dated 2009, at dpreview.com, where some of the cameras in the table are analyzed. |
AMPHIBIAN CAMERAS INTEGRATED IN THE MASK
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These are compact point-and-shoot cameras that can work at varyng depths, in the
range 5-40 m, integrated in the mask and with both pictures and video
capabilities.
Strictly point-and-shoot, these cameras anly admit two shooting modes: photo or
video. The critical features for
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a choice are: maximum depth, picture quality (number of pixels), and video mode. The lens is fixed-focus and focus range is from 50cm to infinity. No strobe is available but a couple of lamps can be attached to the body. Two crosses on the mask lens can be used for pointing. An LED inside the mask indicates "on" status |
Lysmata seticaudata © Egidio Trainito
AMPHIBIAN MASK-INTEGRATED COMPARISON TABLE
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Liquid Image
301
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Liquid Image
302
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Liquid Image
310/311
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Liquid Image
320/321
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Liquid Image
312/313
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Liquid Image
322/323
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Liquid Image
330
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Megapixel
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3,1
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5,0
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5,0
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5,0
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5,0
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5,0
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1,3
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Video Mode/Speed
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VGA 640x480
20fps
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VGA 640x480
20fps
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D1 720x480
30fps
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HD 720P
1280x720
30fps
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D1 720x480
30fps
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HD 720P
1280x720
30fps
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VGA 640x480
30fps
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Audio
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NO
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NO
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YES
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YES
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YES
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YES
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YES
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Depth
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5 m
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5 m
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20 m
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40 m
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40 m
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40 m
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5 m
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MAx memory
card
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2GB
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2GB
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16GB
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32GB
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16GB
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32GB
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2GB
internal memory
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Power supply
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2 x AAA
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2 x AAA
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2 x AAA
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4 x AAA
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2 x AAA
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4 x AAA
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Lithium rechargeable
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Regolazione
data and ora
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NO
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NO
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NO
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YES
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YES
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YES
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YES
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TV playback
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NO
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NO
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NO
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YES
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NO
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YES
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NO
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Size
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M
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M
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M/L
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M/L
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M/L
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M/L
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Single size
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Greyed cells evidence the best features in each group
© duwphoto.com
2011
