1.3MP underwater digital camera, 10 feet Waterproof Yellow

Waterproof to 10 Feet!

Underwater 1.3 Mega Pixels Digital Camera

with built-in flash

Product Description

MEGA Underwater Digital Camera is an ultra compact waterproof digital camera with built-in flash and internal memory for 26 super XGA (1280 x 1024 pixels) photos. It captures the motions underwater up to a maximum depth of 10 feet (3 metres). With a fine 1.3 Mega Pixels CMOS sensor, strong flash light and a proprietary double-clip waterproof housing, this underwater digital camera qualifies as the amazing gadget for underwater photo shooting.

This waterproof digital camera has no memory card slot, but provides an internal memory for 26 SXGA photos and uses 2 x AAA alkaline battery. Battery life lasts for approximately 2 hours under general use. For cost saving purpose, you may choose to use hi-power rechargeable battery. I tested Energizer Recharge (1000mAh) AAA battery and found that the performance is excellent.

The camera is designed to withstand water pressure for a specific amount of time under total submerged condition. It can be operated at a depth of 10 feet underwater for a continuous one hour. Thereafter, the camera shall undergo 15 minutes cleaning period for removing sand and drying the sea water. You may download photos during this short break to make room for more photos. After that, the camera can go for another round of one-hour underwater use!

This underwater digital camera can also be used as a PC/Web camera with the waterproof housing off, and certainly it can be used as a normal camera with or without the waterproof housing. It weighs 6.5 oz (186g) with battery and waterproof housing on, and is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, boating, surfing, skiing, as well as beach and pool activities. A detailed English user manual is included with the camera.

Finally, the moment of truth comes. I tested this camera with Energizer Recharge 1000mAh AAA battery and waterproof housing on. The picture quality at the default 1.3 MP (1280 x 1024) is stable, sharp and vivid. Since this camera is not designed for video filming, there is not much to expect for its video output. The video filming mode (320 x 240 at 6fps) of this camera is capable to take one or more short video clips with maximum length of time not exceeding 2 minutes 18 seconds. The quality of the video is undesirable.

Lomography with Underwater Digital Camera

As lomographers, you are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to your photography, and use techniques such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure and blurring. This attitude works for digital camera as well and it applies even in underwater environment. The following 10 "rules" may give you some hints to make some "happy accidents" in your snapshots:

1. Always have your camera with you -- it's handy and light!

2. Use it any time;

3. Make LOMO part of your life;

4. Close up! Be as close to your object as possible;

5. Don't think;

6. Make it fast;

7. You don't need to know entirely what you are capturing;

8. You don't need to remember what you have captured;

9. Take photos from the top, or from anywhere; and

10. Forget the above rules!

Camera Specifications

Description : MEGA IMAGE waterproof digital camera

Model Number : DG130M

Sensor : 1/5" 1.3 Mega Pixels CMOS color image sensor

Max Resolution : 1.3 Mega Pixels

Lens : F2.5 (46.5 deg)

Digital Zoom : unavailable

Focus Range : 0.5m to infinity

White Balance : Automatic

Memory : 26 photos under SXGA (1280 x 1024 pixels) resolution; OR

104 photos under VGA (640 x 480 pixels) resolution; OR

2 minutes 18 seconds video length in one or more video clips.

Shutter Speed : 1/6 ~ 1/5000 seconds

Flash : 1.2 ~ 2.0m with manual On / Off mode

LCD Display : Monochrome LCD panel with image counter and other display for mode setting

Movie Clips : AVI file; resolution at QVGA (320 x 240 pixels, 6fps)

Still Image : JPEG, resolution at 1.3MP (1280 x 1024 pixels, default), 0.3MP (640 x 480 pixels, optional)

Self-timer : 10 seconds delay

Interface : USB transmission interface

Auto Poweroff : Power save in 30 seconds

Power Source : 2 x AAA alkaline battery, or 2 x AAA rechargeable battery (1000mAh type)

Accessories : USB cable, CD-ROM software disc, camera strap, user's manual

Weight : 6.5 oz (186g) with battery and waterproof housing

Dimension : approx. 114 (W) x 78 (H) x 35 (D) mm with waterproof housing

Color : main color is yellow; lens cap, shutter button, mode button and external viewfinder in blue

Max Depth : 10 feet (3 meters)

Packing : original cardboard box packing

Supported OS : Windows 98 / 2000 / ME / XP / Vista / 7 (32 bit OS only)