Sealife DC310 3.3MP Underwater Digital Camera

Sealife DC310 3.3MP Underwater Digital Camera
Manufacturer: SeaLife
Product Type: Photography

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Offering more megapixel power (3.3) with a variety of Land & Sea exposure modes, the DC310 helps users capture sharp, richly colored images, whether in low light underwater or in bright conditions on land. Both are now available nationwide at dive and photo retailers, including Ritz Camera.These 3.3 megapixel cameras offer options for every level of diver and snorkeler. For the experienced diver/photographer who wants more control over the camera functions, the DC310, with Advanced-Dive control system, allows users to manipulate resolution, light sensitivity (EV), exposure modes and much more while underwater. Built to provide exceptional control and excellent results in any underwater condition, or even in harsh above-water conditions such as intense sun, the DC310 is fully rubber armored with black cushioned grips, for soft comfort and ease of handling, and are expandable with all SeaLife accessories. This digital is waterproof and rated to a depth of 200 ft. All ReefMaster Cameras are designed for One-Button-Operation and can be set to Land or Sea modes plus two modes that take into account the unique aspects of underwater photography. Both cameras also feature three dedicated underwater external flash modes, allowing for more exposure control when using an external flash.

Average customer rating:

Decent Entry Level Digital Dive Camera
Recommend against this camera

Sealife DC310 3.3MP Underwater Digital Camera

Manufacturer: SeaLife
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

All Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

3 to 3.9 Megapixels | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Under 4x Optical Zoom | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

SeaLife | Camera & Photo Brands | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Digital Cameras | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
Accessories:

SimpleTech 256 MB Secure Digital Card (STI-SD/256)
PhotoImpact 6.0
Ceiva Digital Photo Receiver
Olympus B-50SU 4 AA NiMH Batteries and Charger
Samsonite Worldproof 1.4 Digital Camera Bag -Blue/Black

Product Features:

Land Mode, Sea Mode and External Flash Mode
Instant delete option after each picture in both Sea and External Flash Modes
One-button operation
Expandable with all ReefMaster lenses, flashes and accessories
Depth tested to 200 ft / 60 m

ASIN: B000098XGP

Product Description

Offering more megapixel power (3.3) with a variety of Land & Sea exposure modes, the DC310 helps users capture sharp, richly colored images, whether in low light underwater or in bright conditions on land. Both are now available nationwide at dive and photo retailers, including Ritz Camera.These 3.3 megapixel cameras offer options for every level of diver and snorkeler. For the experienced diver/photographer who wants more control over the camera functions, the DC310, with Advanced-Dive control system, allows users to manipulate resolution, light sensitivity (EV), exposure modes and much more while underwater. Built to provide exceptional control and excellent results in any underwater condition, or even in harsh above-water conditions such as intense sun, the DC310 is fully rubber armored with black cushioned grips, for soft comfort and ease of handling, and are expandable with all SeaLife accessories. This digital is waterproof and rated to a depth of 200 ft. All ReefMaster Cameras are designed for One-Button-Operation and can be set to Land or Sea modes plus two modes that take into account the unique aspects of underwater photography. Both cameras also feature three dedicated underwater external flash modes, allowing for more exposure control when using an external flash.

Customer Reviews:

Decent Entry Level Digital Dive Camera.......2006-02-12

This camera is a no frills, easy to use dive camera. I would recommend getting rechargable NiMH batteries for this. It does go through batteries. You should not have a problem getting two dives out of a pair of charged batteries.

I have some great pictures using this camera. Most underwater pictures, even with a great camera, are hit or miss. I love it because it is easy to use underwater. You can pick these up fairly cheap these days.

Recommend against this camera.......2006-01-17

I strongly recommend against buying a SeaLife ReefMaster digital underwater camera. While their low-end underwater film cameras were a good buy, their digital cameras are not.

I purchased a SeaLife digital-camera/housing combination for over $400, only to discover later that the camera included in the package is a relabeling of the lowest-end, poorest-quality digital camera available: a $60 Vivitar not even sold by Vivitar any longer. The camera has problems with very basic functions (see flash discussion below) and consumes batteries at 3-4 times the rate of "normal" low-end digital cameras. These days you're far better off buying one of the many waterproof housings available separately from your digital camera: you'll pay much less overall and end up with a much higher-quality setup.

In addition, SeaLife customer service is problematic. I emailed a question about what turns out to be an undocumented flaw in the flash functioning of their cameras. In the initial series of interactions they cut-and-paste generic answers to questions that were clearly not the one I'd asked. Perhaps they were trying to hide the flaw or were simply not reading my email. Once they finally acknowledged the flaw they did not reply to follow-up questions.

Again, I recommend against the SeaLife ReefMaster.

SeaLife DC310 3.3MP Reef Master Pro Set Underwater Digital Camera

Average customer rating:

Recommend against this camera
Great Picture Quality, Rugged Construction, Battery Glutton

SeaLife DC310 3.3MP Reef Master Pro Set Underwater Digital Camera

Manufacturer: SeaLife
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

All Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

3 to 3.9 Megapixels | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Under 4x Optical Zoom | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

SeaLife | Camera & Photo Brands | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Digital Cameras | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
Accessories:

Viking 128 MB Secure Digital Card (SD128M)
Viking 256 MB Secure Digital Flash Card (SD256M)
Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 Plus Photoshop Album 2.0 Bundle
SanDisk SDSDH-256-901 Secure Ultra 256MB (Retail Package)
Ceiva Advanced Digital Photo Receiver

Product Features:

3.3 Megapixel CCD Sensor for detailed, brilliantly colored prints up to 11 x 17
8 MB on-board memory, with SD slot for memory upgrades via optional SD ( Secure Digital ) cards
1.6-inch color LCD monitor
2X Digital Zoom
Movie JPEG capable

ASIN: B0001HAFCU

Product Description

The SeaLife ReefMaster DC310 ProSet is specifically designed for divers to take brighter, colorful pictures underwater. SeaLife's unique Land & Sea exposure modes optimize picture quality in low-light conditions. By adding the SeaLife External Flash (SL960), even brighter more colorful images can be captured at greater depths and under adverse conditions. The DC310, 3.3 mp camera is compact and fully rubber-armored for ruggedness and comfortable handling to a depth of 200 feet. The One-Button-Operation allows even the novice to take great pictures, while the expert can access all Advanced-Dive controls of the DC310 while underwater. The One-Button-Operation also allows divers to review and instantly delete a picture by just another push of the shutter button while prompted. The DC310 also incorporates the new Quick Review feature as well as being totally expandable with all SeaLife accessories. A second flash can be mounted as well.

Customer Reviews:

Recommend against this camera.......2006-01-17

Great Picture Quality, Rugged Construction, Battery Glutton.......2005-06-08

The case is extraordinarily strong, thick, high impact plastic with high quality seals and strong hinges. The closure latches on the camera case and external flash are positive, strong, and are well designed to prevent snagging. I was impressed that virtually every control on the camera is available outside the water-tight case via spring-loaded buttons. The one caveat is that the buttons on the watertight case are not labeled, so you have to "know" the camera pretty well before diving. On the other hand, the icon labels on most digital cameras are not all that intuitive anyway, and SeaLife provides a waterproof rubber quick reference "card" on a cord.

When you open the robust water-tight case the first time, you are likely to be disappointed - inside is this tiny, black traditional-looking digital camera body. Don't be. The 3.3mp resolution gives great pictures for all but the most exacting photographers. You can select 2048x1536, 1024x768, or 640x480 image size. You can also select JPEG picture quality. The good news / bad news issue is that the camera is powered by 2 AA batteries. That makes power cheap and easy to replace. However the camera eats batteries a mile a minute. With alkaline batteries you will have to shut the camera off for several minutes after every 10-20 pictures to let the batteries recover. Overall battery life is not too bad. I've taken 200 pictures on one set, but over a long period of time. As with most digital cameras, you get faster recovery and longer shooting time from rechargable batteries. For those used-to 35mm cameras, also realize the relatively long time between shots - that smiling barracuda will be long gone by the time you can click that shutter a second time. A final nit-pick: no date/time memory when you open the battery compartment, which is also how you get to the SD card slot, so you have to reset the date & time a lot.

With the highest resolution and quality settings, you will get 250-300 or more pictures on a 256mb SD memory card. But this is my major warning: THERE ARE COMPATIBILITY PROBLEMS WITH CERTAIN SD CARD BRANDS. I was very upset to find 1 in 10 pictures corrupted - consistent over 300+ shots on two different cards over multiple dives and dry land photography. It was especially insidious since the thumbnail views on the LCD look perfect. But when you upload the full size pictures to the PC, 1 in 10 looked like it had been cut up with scissors and glued back together wrong. I returned the camera for testing and repair and got it back "no trouble found", with an explanation that there are subtle engineering differences between SD makers, and there were certain ones that just didn't work well with this camera. They didn't say it was a flaw in the SD cards, and that they would work fine in other electronics. I never had this problem with my other camera which uses Smartmedia cards. But, sure enough, I set aside the Lexar cards and tried two other manufacturers and the camera has performed flawlessly. Lesson learned: spend time familiarizing yourself with, and testing the heck out of your digital camera before you go on those once-in-a-lifetime dives in Hawaii.

Back underwater, realize you do not have access to the camera's viewfinder. You have an external target sight which is fine for wide compositions. Then you have the LCD. You can control the brightness of the LCD, and it's a crisp, clear image. But unless you're shooting only at night, the LCD viewer Hood is not optional, you need to be looking down that tunnel to see the LCD. Another point about battery life underwater: Even though the water-tight case holds (at least) 2 desiccant cartridges to keep the interior dry, the instructions recommend shutting the camera off as much as possible to prevent the camera from warming up enough to cause condensation on the inside of the case lens window. This has never happened to me, and it's worth noting that there is an additional rubber gasket that seals the camera lens to the case window isolating it further from the rest of the water-tight case.

I originally used the camera with its built-in flash. My opinion: unless you are only shooting in crystal clear water on clear sunny days, you won't be satisfied. It's convenient, sure. But aside from darker pictures, digital images get "grainy" fast if the subject is not well lit. The external flash (you can actually attach two) is very well designed, the same sturdy construction as the camera case. The flash head used 4 AA batteries (cheap and simple) and is completely self-contained. The "connection" to the camera is based on a light sensor and a plastic reflector that bounces the internal flash up at the external head. When the external flash sees the camera flash, it fires. The external light is powerful and gives wide coverage and the increased lens angle helps cut down on picking up clutter. The head sits on a strong support arm connected to the camera case, and the arm itself is made of 8 stiff joints covered by a thick, comfortable foam handle which allows for a wide range of placement possibilities

I have been extremely happy with this unit, particularly once I solved my memory card problems and bought the external flash. I highly recommend it.

SeaLife ReefMaster DC310 Digital MAXX 3.3MP Digital Dive Camera

Average customer rating:

SeaLife ReefMaster DC310 Digital MAXX 3.3MP Digital Dive Camera

Manufacturer: Pioneer
ProductGroup: Photography
Binding: Electronics

All Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Under 4x Optical Zoom | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

Point-and-Shoot Digital Cameras | Digital Cameras | Camera & Photo | Categories | Electronics

SeaLife | Camera & Photo Brands | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics

Digital Cameras | Used Photo & Camera | Specialty Stores | Camera & Photo Features | Electronics
Product Features:

ReefMaster DC310 3.3 mp digital camera with Land, Sea, Sea with External Flash exposure programs
Quick-Review feature and Instant Delete one button operation
Video mode
Three flash modes
8 Mb on board memory, SD card compatible (128 Mb card included)

ASIN: B0001D7MSO

Product Description

SeaLife has created the ultimate digital dive camera system - SeaLife DC310 Digital MAXX. This system includes everything you need to take professional quality, underwater digital images.The MAXX inner digital camera is SeaLife's 3.3 Mp DC310 that includes three exposure programs - Land, Sea and Sea with External Flash mode. The instant delete function practically guarantees great pictures even for a first time user. Shoot; review; keep or delete all with the push of a button.The MAXX is equipped with two external flashes that will light up the deep and capture spectacular underwater images with the brightest colors you ever imagined. The advanced dive housing is rubber armored and includes a full access control system, allowing users to manipulate resolution, light sensitivity, exposure modes and much more. The MAXX is depth tested to 200 ft.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics

Consumer Electronics

Vivitar ViviCam 3826 4MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

Sylvania 18" TFT Active Matrix Black LCD Monitor - CL872B

Nikon Coolpix 5600 5MP Digital Camera with 3x Optical Zoom

HP OmniBook XE2 - PII 300 MHz - RAM : 32 MB - HD : 4 GB - CD - Win95/98 - 12.1" TFT 800 x 600

1400 mAh Extended Lithium-ion Battery for LG VX 3200

NEC Versa LXi - PIII 850 MHz - RAM : 128 MB - HD : 20 GB - DVD - Win2000/NT4.0 - 15" TFT 1024 x 768

Apple Wireless Pro Keyboard

SIIG AP40 Ultra-Wide 40MBps SCSI PCI Bus Mastering Host Adaptor