Thursday, February 5, 2009

Waterproof Cameras: Read These 9 Tips before Choosing

By Randy Rushmore

If you are often near or in a large body of water, a waterproof camera is a great choice, especially now that these once costly devices are becoming more affordable by the day. Familiarize yourself with the points below to make sure that you will make the best out of it.

1) First of all, the fastenings: Your camera is only just as waterproof as its gaskets, so check these regularly, especially the ones places that are opened more frequently, such as memory card slots and buttons.

2) Resolution: While this is less important than for normal cameras as underwater pictures will tend to be more blurry anyway, but there's no reason not to get a decent resolution, especially for zooming into pictures once you took them. With a modern camera, aim at 5 megapixels or more.

3) Construction and burden: Check that the waterproof camera is sturdy and well-build, with dependable materials. Make sure that you also get the supplementary equipment that you need. For most people a compact camera will do, don't get an SLR just because it looks cooler, unless you really need to exchange lenses it will just load you up with extra bulk.

4) Industry certifications: Often overlooked by people when choosing a waterproof camera, these give you peace of mind about the standard that your camera was built to. You should look at Japanese Industry Standard designation Waterproof 8 for a camera that you can take on shallow dives, up to 5 meters.

5) Features and extras: Check that the waterproof camera has all the things you need. Important ones for underwater use are shutter speed and burst picture mode, good lens aperture, autofocus, and a powerful flash.

6) Once you have your waterproof camera, you should learn about how to clean it correctly. Dust and sand will end your camera's life quickly, and wrong cleaning and maintenance are just as bad. Refer to your user manual to learn about how to extend the life of the device.

7) Another big enemy of waterproof cameras are aggressive chemicals, and this does not just include acids or petrol. That camera is for use in lakes, rivers and the sea, not in pools which are sanitized with chlorine and other substance. Keep your new waterproof camera out of hot tubs and aquariums too.

8) Waterproof cameras have a maximum depth rating related to the pressure the delicate gaskets can bear, know about the one of your device and stick to it. Do not confuse waterproof with splash-proof either.

9) Learn about your waterproof camera and its performance gradually. Don't take it take it to a dive right away, experiment with it in a shallow place first. Read the manual and try out the effect of different picture options, and you will soon be shooting like a pro. - 16651

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