In search of a good underwater digital camera

Now a “fresh” idea popped up in my mind is a digital camera that is water-proof. The search is quick — there are not many of them.

Speak of which, sometimes I really wonder what gets into the mind of these manufacturers. Just as I do not understand why there is a group of manufacturers producing blue-ray DVD and another producing the HD DVD players — Why does it take so long for some (only two so far) to come up with the idea of producing one DVD player that can plays both blue-ray and HD formatted DVD?

Pentax Optio W20 7MP Waterproof Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom
This camera gives you:

• 7.0-megapixel CCD and 3x Pentax optical zoom lens
• JIS Class 8 Waterproof and Class 5 Dustproof performance allows underwater photography and video
• 2.5-inch low reflection LCD monitor; 115,000 pixels
• Ultra-fast 9-point auto focus; Portrait mode utilizes Face Priority AF for perfect results
• High-quality extended movie captures QuickTime motion JPEG (640 x 480) at 30fps; built-in editing functions

The manufacturer claims that “the generous 2.5 inch LCD monitor offers an LCD Bright Mode that can adjust the brightness of the screen as necessary for improved viewing in the sunlight.” It ”also features both Digital and Movie SR modes to reduce blur in both image and video capture”, ”the Face Recognition function and Macro Photography mode to allow image capture at under half an inch for stunning close-ups of photography subjects such as flowers, insects, jewelry and much more.”

More important, it uses SD memory card and can go 10 feet deep for 2 hours. But boy this camera is plain and urgly!

Olympus Stylus 790SW 7.1MP Waterproof Digital Camera with Dual Image Stabilized 3x Optical Zoom

This camera gives you:

• 7.1-megapixel CCD captures enough detail for photo-quality 15 x 20-inch prints
• 2.5-inch HyperCrystal LCD screen minimizes glare
• 3x optical zoom; Face Detection technology
• Waterproof (down to 10 feet), freeze-proof, and crush-proof design
• 27 Shooting modes; in-camera editing options

And more importantly, it is stylish and comes with a lot of colors: orange, lime, blue, silver…

What I hate is it uses XD card. Is anyone else in this world besides Olympus uses this stupid card? Yes it is smaller than the SD card, but, these dudes at Olympus: ever heard of mini SD card? If I get this one, then I have to buy another type of media memory card just for my camera….

Given what these cameras cost — above $230 — it really makes me think hard of just getting waterproof/underwater case for digital cameras. These soft ones are about 30 bucks. But then, only if I do not want to worry about the leaks…

What’s the problem with single-used underwater camera

The trip to Hawaii taught us a new lesson: Buy a underwater camera instead of purchasing the single-used one if you plan to take frequent trips to tropical regions.

The problems of single-used water-proof camera: Guest what, the list can go on and on…

(1) You will be reluctant to buy one before your trip because you never know what happens to the film when the camera passes the X-ray screen at the airport.

(2) If you plan to buy one at your destination (in our case, the Waikiki area), then be prepared to pay more, even double the price. Ours cost about $15. Later we found out at the Costco that they sell a pair of these for $15.

(3) You have no control of how many pictures you take. You certainly do not want to come home with half roll of film wasted…

(4) You would want to develop the film locally because, hey, they say that the local shops are more experienced at handling pictures from underwater camera than the shops back home. It makes sense – as long as the local ones do not mess things up.

We decided to use the one-hour photo at the Costco of Honolulu after we snorkeled at the Hanauma Bay. One hour later, we were told that our film was wet and cannot be developed. It was kind of odd that a film can get wet in an underwater camera, but, well, they sounded so sure about this, there is no point of questioning their judgement. We then tried the film at a store in Waikiki. It came out –wait a minute, not a pile of pictures of tropical fish, but a whole set of pictures of a kid playing at some playground! It turned out that Costco gave us the wrong roll of film!

So after we came back from Hawaii, Nick went on a three-way conversation with Costco and the shop at Waikiki: We certainly want our pictures back, but it would be guilty if the owner of that pile of kid playing pictures cannot get his/hers — so the owner of that pile of pictures should really be grateful that we, not some other mean peopl, were given the wrong roll of the film.

Snorkeling in Hawaii

Snorkel here, snorkel there, snorkel everywhere in Honolulu…

Sharks Cove has more colorful corals and beautiful fishes. I saw purple, yellow and pink colored corals of various shapes. Too bad we forgot our underwater camera. I have to admit that we were not planning to snorkel there initially, but then, we could not help. So we rented two sets of snorkel gears and jumped in that crystal clear and calm water. 

It was quite windy the day we arrived at Hanauma Bay. And my mask kept leaking water. Just when I exchanged mine, Nick’s mask also leaked. Fighting with the mask took longer time than we planned, but eventually we both ended up with better (more brightly colored) maskes. 

Although it was quite windy and waves were big, there were still tons of fish! We even chased Humuhumunukunukuapua’a, the state fish of Hawaii, around a couple of times.

Before you purchase snorkel equipment

http://scuba.about.com/cs/snorkelgear/bb/snorkelequip.htm

Before You Purchase Snorkel Equipment

Snorkeling is one of the easiest, safest and most pleasant ways to explore the underwater world. Snorkel equipment is quite simple and you only need three essential pieces of gear: a mask, a snorkel, and a set of fins. The right equipment will make your experience an event to remember.

The Mask

If you are going to purchase only one piece of equipment, buy a proper fitting mask. It is the most important piece of equipment for snorkeling; it is your window to the underwater world. A correctly fitted mask will keep water out. The most common reason a mask leaks is that hair is trapped under the skirt. Brush away any stray hair before trying on a mask.

• How to Select a Snorkel Mask

The Snorkel

Your snorkel allows you to breathe through your mouth while floating face down in the water. Using the snorkel efficiently and comfortably requires practice. After all, humans are used to breathing through their noses. To make matters easy, you can buy a snorkel with a purge valve to help remove unwanted water. Also, there are special masks for left-handed people.

The Fins

Snorkel fins ought to be flexible and lightweight. There are two basic styles: full foot and adjustable strap. Full foot fins are typically lighter, but adjustable strap fins allow you to protect your feet by wearing booties. Neoprene booties guard your feet from jagged coral and any sharp objects on the bottom or in the sand.

• Top Adult Sized Fins

Balcony view of Waikiki

Hawaii always has the best weather. Even the rest of the world is freezing cold.

From our balcony at Hyatt Regency of Waikiki, the ocean looks amazing.

Even in this Christima holiday, the Waikiki beach is still full of activities. Nice to spot the view of the street from the second floor of the hotel lobby.

This one reminds me the old TV show Hawaii Five-O.

Later on, we saw surfers waiting for the next big wave. Again, a pleasant view from our balcony with the help of a good digital camera.

A rainbow from the sky!

Later afternoon the weather seems to get cloudy. Of course, this is not a view from our balcony.

The Diamond Head crater appears much darker under the cloudy sky.

Finally, beautiful lei for me for this vacation.