Underwater Digital Camera Fact-File

The old saying that you get what you pay for is certainly true concerning underwater digital cameras. However, you need to consider exactly what you need from you underwater digital camera before rushing out to buy the latest and greatest.

High-end underwater digital camera

Sealife, for example, has created the ultimate underwater digital camera which includes all the popular accessories and comes with a 2 GB memory card. Its features include a wide angle lens with two Digital Pro Flashes in a deluxe hard travel case. Dual flashes eliminate shadows by illuminating the subject from both sides so you can light up the deep and capture spectacular underwater images with the brightest colours and reduced backscatter.

The manual flash option offers advanced underwater digital photographers manual aperture and shutter speed controls allowing quick shutter response for fast action photography. Depth tested to 200 feet and fully rubber armoured for shock protection. So if you absolutely want the best and have a spare £1,500 then this could be for you. The Sealife DC1000 Elite.

Mid-range underwater digital camera

For the majority of us who would like a quality camera without the high-end price tag, there are lots of options. I like the Olympus mju TOUGH-6000 which is perfect for me: waterproof to 3m, shock proofed against falls of a height up to 1.5m, and freeze proof down to temperatures as low as -10°C, it can take quite a beating and still returns excellent results.

The mju TOUGH-6000 has a versatile 3.6x wide optical zoom. The lens offers a focal range of 28mm to 102mm, perfect for group photos and close-range architectural motifs as well as for bringing distant subjects in close.

Dual image stabilisation ensures that photos deliver the quality with their blur-free fidelity even where some camera shake is inevitable.

Besides an on-screen menu that can be displayed on the 6.9cm/2.7-inch LCD screen (in up to 39 languages!) this underwater digital camera features the additional 'Tap Control' mode which gives users fast access to a range of settings simply by tapping the camera body.

Built for action with high image quality, boasting 10 Mega Pixels. Furthermore it has an 'Advanced Face Detection Technology' allowing it to pick out up to 16 individual faces. This capable underwater digital camera even has a handy 'Smile Shot' feature that enables it to take the picture as soon as the person smiles. Hmm! Could be waiting some time with my folks!

Meanwhile, 'Shadow Adjustment Technology' assures the contrast levels are well defined across the entire image. Shooting ease is also enhanced through the inclusion of 'Intelligent Auto Mode', which identifies the scene being framed and automatically adjusts camera settings. Naturally you can override this feature if you wish, otherwise let the camera do the work.

The resilient mju is my choice for anyone looking for a camera that can keep up with an active lifestyle. With prices ranging from £200 to £380 depending on model and retailer, it is a serious piece of kit at a reasonable price.

Budget underwater digital camera

One of the cheaper models I tried out was the Vivitar V5399 Underwater Digital Camera With Water Proof Case. For the money, I couldn't go wrong. It's not a professional camera, but with a waterproof case and a price tag of only around £40, I can give one to each of my kids and let them go and play.

Low light picture quality isn't brilliant, and close up the flash produces flare and burn out, but as I said it's not a professional camera. It did all basic picture taking with no problems, pictures during the day time were perfect and underwater pictures great too. When I say basic I mean without any additional adjustment or changing settings. At night the flash setting was very strong and needed some adjustments to prevent total whiteout.

I got about 700 pictures on a 2GB memory card at best resolution size of 68x51 cm, which at the end of the day is perfect for those holiday snaps.