Camera Reviews
Olympus EPL-2 is still the camera of choice over the EPL-3
Nikon SLR stock has been partially interrupted due to the floods in Bangkok, Thailand late Nov. 2011, so call for availability.
Olympus E-PL2 (updated January 4, 2011 with photos)
The Olympus EPL-2 is a great camera. We are currently ignoring the EPL-3 as the housing is not to my liking and the price increase is for several features that are not of great benefit to the diver. I bought up as many EPL-2s as I could and will continue to recommend them until I have to give in to the EPL-3. All of the Pen cameras do an incredible amount of good things, easily, completely, and with a very low cost. The EPL-2, with 14 - 42 mm lens, Olympus housing with standard port, Olympus UFL-2 strobe, full Ultralight arm is ONLY $2075.00!!! This is a fraction of the cost of a minimal set-up with an SLR camera. (Of course, this includes a free one-hour lesson here in Grand Cayman. Sorry, we cannot ship to the US at these LOW prices.) We have several options for other package configurations, including the 9 - 18 mm lens and an external macro conversion lens.
No other camera in the world will allow you full f-stops to f22 AND the use of ALL shutter speeds up to 1/4000th of a second WITH strobe* and full TTL on all modes!!!!!!! (*This works only with the Olympus UFL-2 strobe which we include in our package.)
• The large micro 4/3rds 12 MP sensor produces SHARP, clear images. They are rated above all of the smaller sensors of all compact digitals, but obviously not as good as the larger sensors of SLRs such as a Nikon D7000, etc. but the cost of the PEN is MUCH lower than the cost of putting a Nikon SLR in a housing!! The combination of large sensor and minimal pixels provides the best ability to capture details in a higher dynamic range. (Just as Nikon offers their highest end SLR D3 in both a 12 MP and a 24 MP format.)
• It shoots faster than a compact digital.
• It operates easily on all auto and manual settings.
• The point of focus is easily moved.
• With the standard 14 - 42 mm lens (35mm equivalent to 28 to 84 mm) you can focus down to a subject size about three inches across. There is a wet close-up lens that gets you even closer. With the zoom control you can easily shoot fish or divers.
Sample photos, by Kathleen Ramage, were taken with the 14-42mm "kit" lens.
Taken with the 14-42 mm "kit" lens plus the macro conversion lens adapter PT-MC01
• Unlike the Canon S, G series cameras, your strobe exposure will be controlled by the camera's TTL control even when you are using manual exposure control.
• ISO goes to 3200 so you know that using ISO 200 will be just fine.
• Image stabilization is excellent.
• The HD video (720) is wonderful.
• Like an SLR, it has interchangeable lenses, but it is not a true SLR. It is much smaller.
• The custom white balance is easy to set (best, of course, for video) and will hold it's setting as you switch back and forth from manual photo taking to program-mode video. It also holds the setting when you turn the camera on and off!
These next photos were taken with the 9-18mm lens in the standard housing port with two strobes.
What it does NOT do
• The lens selection is small but adequate and easily serves the needs of those shooting subjects from about 1 1/2 inch across to medium wide subjects several feet across. Those who are shooting large wrecks in dirty water who will need an extreme wide lens may need to invest in a more sophisticated SLR camera.
• It does not have 1080 video, but this would be primarily be important if you were editing your films with cropping and if you are projecting to a large audience. The HD 720 is fine for most of the applications you would use such as facebook and showing on your computer. You will notice some loss showing on a large HD television.
• It has the usual disadvantage of SLR cameras: you cannot change from the normal lens to a wide angle lens underwater.
Olympus XZ-1 is a great option for housing a compact digital camera.
• The hot advantages -- the wide, fast lens makes it the best for low light conditions.
• Full manual control
• Low cost
• Easy to use housing.
• Add-on wide angle and close-up lenses available. The wide lens is sharp, corner to corner, but to make such a fine lens, it is quite large.
Complete system with camera, housing, UFL-2 strobe and full Ultralight arm is only $1725.00.
(Don't forget that we give you a full one-hour free lesson to make sure that you have everything put together correctly.)
You can rent it first to see if you like it. Half of your rental price goes toward your purchase price.
SeaLife DC1400 (Dec 2011)
SeaLife's 14 MP DC1400 includes HD 720p video. The wider 51º shooting angle underwater is great for many types of photography, but no longer allows a wide-angle lens add-on like the DC1200 did -- But there is a lens in development that should be available soon. Also, Sealife has finally addressed the issue of the short strobe arm by offering an upgrade. With the optional longer arm, you can now light subjects at the minimum focused distance, reduce backscatter, and be more creative.
Sealife's "piano-key" style of buttons on the housing helps divers who wear thick gloves. This continues to offer the most camera for the least money.
Nikon AW 100 - -great 1080 p video, and is a reliable snorkel camera.
(This review is under construction...)
Olympus Stylus TG 610 and TG 810 (January 4, 2012)
This section is under construction: Photos do not match.
These great cameras are perfect for watersports enthusiasts -- they are shockproof and waterproof WITHOUT a housing! The maximum depth limit of the 14 megapixel Stylus TG 610 is 10 feet and the 14 megapixel Stylus TG 810 is 16 feet, so it's perfect for pool-side and for snorkelers. Free divers and SCUBA divers who keep it shallow will appreciate the 14 megapixel Stylus 610 which can go to a depth of 33 feet.
Both the 610 and the 810 fit into the PT-051 housing if you plan to exceed the cameras' maximum depth ratings and you can add an external strobe to provide full color.
Pros of Olympus housing and compact digital cameras:
• The small cases are easy to handle -- with a large shutter control, buttons that are clearly labeled and stacked at different heights, and ergonomic aids for one-hand use.
• The large 2.7 inch screen is incredible. As with many digital cameras, the screen can be difficult to see in very bright conditions.
• The built-in flash produces plenty of light for close-ups; but, as with all underwater cameras, an external strobe should be added.
• When I used this camera, after 68 photos with full flash, the battery was still fine and the housing did not fog up.
Cons:
• There is no manual mode.
• It has the typical small sensor of a compact digital camera.
• The small lens required to accommodate a small camera does not have the optical quality of larger systems.
Revised January 4, 2012