By Anthony T. McReynolds
If you want to get some vacation photos that are out of the ordinary, one way to do it is simply to get an underwater digital camera. Take one of these on your next vacation, and you will come home with photos that are just not possible to capture with a conventional camera.
Surprisingly, you don't have to break the bank in order to get in on the fun of underwater digital photography. Jazz, the company that is well known for its inexpensive and handy camcorders, also offers a low price, three-in-camera that serves as an underwater camera, a PC camera and a video recorder.
The Jazz JDC38W sells for less than $40 and as an underwater camera you will be able to take photos at a depth of nine feet. That's deep enough to get photos of reefs and colorful fish.
Don't expect magazine-like photos because this one only has a 1.3 mega pixel resolution and its storage capacity is limited to 8 GB. For children and first time snorkelers it is an adequate model, but if you want to get into serious, high quality underwater photography then of course you will have to pay more than $40.
The alternative to this camera, in this price range, is to get a single-use disposable, waterproof camera. Another option is to get an underwater housing for an existing digital camera that you may have.
With its plastic case, this camera looks like a toy, but one advantage to this, is that you won't have to worry about anyone stealing it!
The camera also has a PC mode which allows you to hook it up to your computer and use it for video conferencing and you can use it to take quick videos on land. The camera includes a flash, self-timer and a video interface.
The memory is fixed at 8 MB and can't be expanded. The manufacturer says that you can store around 300 images on the memory card, but at the highest resolution you will get around 75, which should be enough for any snorkeling expedition.
It uses AA batteries and has a mini LCD panel. It is not easy to view the images as you are taking the photos, so you will have to be satisfied with pointing and shooting and hoping for the best. Once again, you have to view these limitations from the perspective of the low price.
The third mode of this camera is simply to use it as a quick video camera on land, getting the kind of shots you would normally capture using the video on your cell phone.
If you are looking for a cheaper alternative to disposable cameras, would like to see what underwater photography is all about without investing heavily, or if you want to give it to a child to use as an unusual toy then the Jazz JDC38W could be the camera for you. However, if you want to take the kind of underwater photos like you see in "National Geographic" then you will have to start saving for a considerably more expensive digital camera.
Anthony McReynolds writes frequently about consumer electronics and is the proprietor of the Mac Electronics Store, an online store where you can find discount electronics. Visit his website for great deals on digital cameras: http://www.macelectronicsstore.com
Source:www.isnare.com |
