Anyone familiar with this camera?

[PaulC]

Saw this and had never heard of the camera. Anyone ever tried one?

http://mail-direct.store.buy.com/p/svp-18mp-max-underwater-digital-camera-video-recorder-dual-lcds-screen/230766790.html

[Guest]

Re: Anyone familiar with this camera?

Wouldn't expect too much from that to be honest.

If you want a really good underwater cam at a reasonable cost, check this one out-

http://www.aliexpress.com/store/product ... 36092.html

[giovanni]

Re: Anyone familiar with this camera?

I bought one of these and love it.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GoPro-HD-HERO-9 ... 2a27918e05

[salmon]

Re: Anyone familiar with this camera?

Paul,
I have not seen this brand, so my thoughts would be that you would get no support if it leaked or had troubles with it. Other than that it is a great price, if it is as advertised.
Peace,
tom

[Guest]

Re: Anyone familiar with this camera?

Couple of things worth pointing out out with that cheap camera.

It says 18megapixel, but that is interpolated, what is the native resolution of the camera's sensor? Second it can only record VGA (640x480) movies, which was fine, five years ago, but is woeful when even low end devices can achieve 720P these days.

Second the lens looks tiny, so low light performance is likely to be rank unless the device has a very good sensor chip in it (e.g. iphone type sensors- a very impressive device).

The Gopro camera Giovanni linked to is an excellent bit of kit, the latest version 3 model is breathtaking. They are a bit more expensive, and unfortunately the shape of the camera is rather boxy for submarine use- okay if you're clipping it to something large, but otherwise it will present a problem with drag.

If you want a good quality camera ca[pable of still and film, but don't want to clip it onto a sub, I would seriously look at the Panasonic FT20 or FT3 if you're feeling flush.

http://www.panasonic.co.uk/html/en_GB/P ... index.html

[giovanni]

Re: Anyone familiar with this camera?

I have the Cannon S100 and would love to pair it with the Ikelite WP case.

http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/can_s100.html

Although it might be wiser to build an ROV to house the camera and build my own LED lighting.

[PaulC]

Re: Anyone familiar with this camera?

Wow, guys that's a lot of alternatives. Thanks for the input. I wasn't really in the market but I saw the ad for it in an email and thought I'd see what the experts thought.

[tsenecal]

Re: Anyone familiar with this camera?

I have successfully used the GoPro, and the Contour for HD submarine video:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005GL ... N1QGAHZ26Y

with the following waterproof case]http://www.amazon.com/Contour-3330-Wate ... proof+case[/url]

note that both the GoPro and Contour need waterproof cases to work underwater, both have cases good down way past what the submarines can dive to, since the cases are designed for scuba diving.

the contour has more of a "gun" style shape, with reduced drag vs the GoPro. This may be something to consider, based on what type of sub you own.