Waterproof digital cameras and camcorders

I like water sports and always exercise it when on holidays. Of course catching and keeping unforgettable moments likewise while on and in the sea has always been my wish that not long ago could become true. For the past couple of years I studied galore available underwater photo gimmicks for DSLR cameras being both anxious and nervous to deep a precious “normal” camera into water inside a plastic case.

After a great deal of considerations, investigations and comparative analyses my choice failed on a reputable Ewa-Marine bag for $320, but settles for a straight off the $100 DiCaPack WP-S10 waterproof camera housing. I decisive that it is worth giving careful consideration to and gave it a try due to lowcost price and promising features.

General overview: It was a plastic bag – no doubt. Thick plastic that seems to be strong and protective enough. Plastic has a mixed structure – a great deal of elements are transparent, some parts are opaque. Friendly interface and back panel buttons that may be pressed through the plastic without any efforts. The case has also a finger pocket that makes it possible to press shutter button. Two further and added finger buttons are placed in the lens sleeve, designed for the zoom control (more when it comes to that in a minute). Lens is not attached at all to the lens port. Plastic lens port may be dismantled and screwed back. Pack closes at the top by a zip-lock type strip and then folded over and secured by Velcro.

Practical testing: Step 1 – To test the case safety and choices I put introductory an old cheap film camera in as it was advised by the manual. Then I closed and sealed the case according to instructions and dipped it underwater for a great deal of time, then took out and check for leakage. The camera inside the case was arid and safe. Some drops were found in folds but not one thing inside.

Step 2 – Pool test was the second step of the experiment. The real camera was put inside the case. Diving weights were placed inside the DiCaPack underwater camera case together with the camera to see to it that it may sink on the right depth and keep camera lens on the level with the sleeve. This test likewise went OK, the camera was arid and ready to operate in the pool underwater conditions.

Pictures for life and memories: Now it was the time for stimulating underwater picture capturing. I purchased the DiCaPack waterproof camera case not for testing reason, but to take and part unforgettable underwater pictures and now my dream came true. As the camera fitted into the bag I chose D2H – full body DSLR, and 18-70mm Sony lens. Now I may part my fresh impressions of the funny on-water activenesses and colourful underwater world with friends and family. What do I think of the case after having tried it for a while? Practical, easy, user friendly and operational: that is my assessment of the process. Highly recommendable and the best reference price-quality. If DiCaPack waterproof camera housing may make the occupation and fetch the full gratification – why pay more?

Waterproof Camera Test

Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS3 12.1 Megapixel Compact Camera – 4.90 mm-22.80 mm – Blue DMC-TS3A 31

Panasonic’s Lumix DMC-TS3, quintessentially designed for active users who want to capture high-quality photos and 1920 x 1080 full-High Definition videos, incorporating a powerful rugged design and new outdoor-friendly features, such as a built-in GPS function, a compass, altimeter and barometer. The new 12.1-megapixel Lumix TS3 further strengthens it is toughness, when equated to it is Lumix TS2 predecessor, and is now waterproof to approximately 40 feet (12m); shockproof to approximately 6.6 feet (2m); freezeproof to 14ºF (-10 degrees C); and dustproof.

The Panasonic Lumix TS3 likewise features the new Panasonic 3D Photo mode, which develops a realistic 3D photo by taking 20 successive photos and overlays the two best to invent a 3D effigy that may then be played on a Panasonic VIERA 3D HDTV. The format of 3D images is compatible with MPO, and may likewise be played back on other MPO-compatible instrumentation such as a televisions, digital photo frames and printers. Panasonic likewise adds the Lumix Image Uploader, for seamless and instant sharing thru Facebook (for digital photos) or YouTube (for videos). Users may checkmark the photo or video files they want to share, connect it to a PC with the included USB cable or by inserting the SD Memory Card directly into the PC’s SD Card slot, and then the uploading mechanically launches with an easy-to-follow menu option.

The Panasonic Lumix TS3 features a 28mm wide-angle Leica DC Vario-Elmar lens, finish with a folded optics design. With an optical zoom up to 4.6x, the Lumix TS3 works even while shooting video–giving the user the flexibleness for a potpourri of dissimilar scenes–especially underwater, where motion is ofttimes restricted and the angle of view becomes essential for composing shots. Thanks to the newly integrated Intelligent Resolution technology, the Intelligent Zoom is available and extends the zoom to 6x equivalent.

Empowered by a newly invented 12.1-megapixel Hi-Speed CCD sensor, the Lumix TS3 is compatible with high-speed, large-capacity signal processing required for 1920 x 1080 full-HD AVCHD video recording and high speed continuous shooting. The innovative effigy processor, the Venus Engine FHD, powers Panasonic’s Intelligent Resolution and the Sonic Speed AF, allows for a shutter release time lag as short as approximately 0.005 second. Beyond full-HD video recording capabilities, Lumix TS3 excels in shooting videos with a Dolby Digital Creator so audio quality is also high. The built-in LED light primarily supports shooting in dark situations. The Lumix TS3 also features a 2.7-inch, 230,000-dot Intelligent LCD screen with wide-viewing angle and Anti-Reflection coating.

Panasonic’s iA Mode, a suite of technologies that engage automatically, has evolved for more powerful effigy stabilization while video recording and taking still photos with Active Mode which boosts POWER OIS to excel in suppressing blur when recording videos at wide angle while walking. Other features of iA include: POWER OIS, Face Recognition, Face Detection, AF Tracking, Intelligent ISO Control, Intelligent Scene Selector and Intelligent Exposure. With iA, taking beauteous photos is possible for users at any skill level. In addition, the Intelligent Resolution engineering science is always activated in the iA mode, which helps formulate even clearer photos by incisively performing signal processing pixel by pixel to aid see to it clear and sharp images.

The newly-integrated GPS function shows the name of the Country/Region, State/Prov./County, County/Township, City/Town/Village and Landmark by using the internal selective information to give users details on where the photos or videos were taken. The area data covers 203 countries or regions for global users. Plus, more than 1,000,000 landmarks over 78 countries or regions are in the database. Using the included software PHOTOfunSTUDIO 6.1 HD Lite Edition, photos and videos may be searched by emplacement and names. The Lumix TS3 likewise features an internal clock that mechanically adjusts to the local time when GPS is enabled–a handy feature for travelers.

Panasonic Lumix TS3 Highlights

3D Photo Mode
The newly added 3D Photo Mode^* develops a 3D effigy in the camera. The image-processing method used by LUMIX records beauteous images with less distortion or visible effigy links. Take 20 panning shots and the camera mechanically selects the two most suitable images–one for the right eye and one for the left eye–to synthesize a 3D composite.

The 3D effigy may be viewed on a VIERA HDTV. The 3D effigy format is compatible with MPO, so it may be played back on other MPO-compatible instrumentation such as TVs and digital photo frames, or printed.
_{*The picture size is fixed to 2-megapixel (16:9)}

3D Image Viewer/VIERA Link
Photos or movies recorded in AVCHD on the SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Cards are easy to view on a Panasonic VIERA TV. Simply insert the card into the VIERA Image Viewer (SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card slot) on VIERA TV or DIGA Blu-ray Disc Player to playback your contents. Alternatively, you may use an optional HDMI micro cable to output the still and motion images you took from the DMC-TS3 directly to the TV for VIERA Link. Most of the control is possible using only the TV’s remote control.

Leica DC Lens
The DMC-TS3 features a high-quality LEICA DC VARIO-ELMAR 28mm wide-angle lens with a 4.6x optical zoom (35mm camera equivalent: 28-128mm). The folded optics of shaft guide method is adopted to secure the toughness of the lens unit. This lens unit comprises 10 parts and a prism unit in 8 groups, including an ED lens and 5 aspherical lenses with 6 aspherical surfaces passing the Leica’s stringent standards to deliver particular optical performance to the edges.

The DMC-TS3 is drop proof from a height up to 2.0m in accordance with the “MIL-STD 810F Method516.5-Shock” test standard. In addition to reinforcing the exterior of the camera with shock-resistant material, the DMC-TS3 uses folded optics to prevent it is lens unit from taking harm when dropped for the duration of operation. The lens unit is protected by a supplementary damper to absorb the strength from shock impact. All elements including the lens unit are reexamined to endure the temperature as low as -10 degrees C to make the DMC-TS3 freezeproof.

2.7-inch high-resolution LCD
The DMC-TS3′s huge 2.7-inch LCD features a high 230,000-dot resolution, and a wide-viewing angle that lets you frame your shot in a potpourri of ways for both shooting and viewing. LUMIX’s acclaimed Intelligent LCD function also mechanically adjusts the luminance in 11 steps according to shooting conditions. In addition, the AR (anti-reflective) coating LCD minimizes glare and provides clear images, for high visibility even in outdoor brightness.

This LCD provides sharp, clear images in almost all shooting situations, ranging from nighttime to bright daylight scenes and from low-angle to high-angle shooting. And it lets you share the fun of watching images with family and friends.

Lumix Image Uploader
The DMC-TS3 gives you a new form of communication by letting you portion your photos and movies. All you have to do is checkmark the photos and movies you want to portion and connect the camera or SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory Card to a computer. Uploading mechanically starts by plainly following the guidance. It’s easy to part photos and movies on the spot, which means that your friends don’t have to wait for you to come back home to see them.

Waterproof Camera Test Picture

Waterproof Camera Test Photo

Waterproof Camera Test Picture

Waterproof Camera Test Picture

Waterproof Camera Test Photo

Waterproof Camera Test Pic

Most helpful customer reviews

166 of 169 people found the following review helpful.
Wonderful Camera
By B Legate
This camera has exceed my expectations in every way. I’ve had the opportunity to use in the rain, the sea and in a pool. The image quality is far superior than I imaged, especially underwater. The HD video is very good both above and below water. The unit seems sturdy based on the abundant amount of metal use on the body. I wouldn’t be worried if I drop it.

126 of 128 people found the following review helpful.
Good Camera, but…
By Vincent M. Gonzalez
I am a serious photographer and I usually shoot with a pro Nikon camera. I purchased this camera because I did not want to expose my pro Nikon to the elements, and this camera is wonderful for that purpose.

See all 237 customer reviews…