Find Your Underwater Video Camera Using in-Depth Features

GoPro HD Hero Underwater Video CameraLooking for just the right compact HD underwater video camera for your next water adventure or vacation?

Feeling overwhelmed by all the choices and not quite sure what your requirements might be? Whether you are going on a cruise ship vacation or kayaking one of the following compact underwater video cameras will be perfect for you. This review is aimed at beginners and amateurs looking for a compact easy to use HD underwater video camera.

The below in-depth list of features should quickly find you the right underwater video camera so that you can start packing your bags sooner! For depth ratings and more waterproof video camera information for the below cameras please see the home page and the below Underwater Video Camera Comparison Chart, click here to view.

1. Video resolution up to full 1080p HD . For beautiful crisp clips you can play on your 60 inch HDTV opt for 1080p. If you only want to post video online you don’t need more than 720p resolution (for social networking be sure to see features 7 & 8). If price is a concern opt for a 640 x 480 underwater video camera.

  • 1080p resolution HD underwater video cameras:
  1. Kodak PlaySport (Zx3)
  2. Kodak Playsport (Zx5)
  3. Sanyo VPC-CA102
  4. JVC Picsio GC-WP10
  5. GoPro HD Helmet HERO
  6. GoPro HD Surf HERO
  7. GE DV1
  • 720p resolution:
  1. Fujifilm FinePix XP10
  2. Sanyo VPC-WH1
  3. Olympus Stylus Tough 6020
  4. Olympus Stylus Tough 3000
  5. Olympus Stylus Tough 8010
  6. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2
  7. Pentax Optio W90
  8. Liquid Image 310 (Dive Mask)
  9. Liquid Image 320 (Dive Mask)
  • 640 x 480 resolution:
  1. Liquid Image 302 Explorer (Snorkel Mask)
  2. Casio Exilim EX-G1

2. HD still image optical sensor resolution. For amateur photo enthusiasts, a resolution around 5-8 megapixels would be more than enough for your underwater video camera. Higher resolution is really only required if you are planing on editing and modifying images.

  • 2 megapixel HD stills:
  1. Sanyo VPC-WH1
  • 5 megapixel HD stills:
  1. Kodak PlaySport (Zx3)
  2. Kodak Playsport (Zx5)
  3. JVC Picsio GC-WP10
  4. GoPro HD Helmet HERO
  5. GoPro HD Surf HERO
  6. Liquid Image 302 Explorer (Snorkel Mask)
  7. Liquid Image 310 (Dive Mask)
  8. Liquid Image 320 (Dive Mask)
  9. GE DV1
  • 12 megapixel HD stills:
  1. Fujifilm FinePix XP10
  2. Olympus Stylus Tough 3000
  3. Pentax Optio W90
  4. Casio Exilim EX-G1
  • 14 megapixel HD stills:
  1. Sanyo VPC-CA102
  2. Olympus Stylus Tough 6020
  3. Olympus Stylus Tough 8010
  4. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2

3. Electronic image stabilization reduces image blur and compensates for hand-shake so you can capture crisp, clear images even if the subject is moving or while shooting at night.

  • All of the above underwater video cameras have image stabilization except:
  1. Casio Exilim EX-G1 – NO image stabilization
  2. Liquid Image 302 Explorer (Snorkel Mask) – NO image stabilization
  3. Liquid Image 310 (Dive Mask) – NO image stabilization
  4. Liquid Image 320 (Dive Mask) – NO image stabilization

4. Integral LCD color display/viewers (you can aim the camera at arm’s length, much easier than trying to swim and hold a camera up to your eye, or face mask).

  • All of the above underwater video cameras have LCD color displays except:
  1. Liquid Image 302 Explorer (Snorkel Mask) – NO display
  2. Liquid Image 310 (Dive Mask) – NO display
  3. Liquid Image 320 (Dive Mask) – NO display
  4. GoPro HD Helmet HERO – NO display (available as an add on option)
  5. GoPro HD Surf HERO – NO display (available as an add on option)

5. Interchangeable battery, always a big plus to have a spare battery.

  • All of the above underwater video cameras have Interchangeable batteries except:
  1. JVC Picsio GC-WP10 – NO Interchangeable battery
  2. GE DV1- NO Interchangeable battery

6. Mini-HDMI or component video cable output, allows playback of recorded video directly on a TV, so that family and friends can enjoy the days events immediately. For most all of these underwater video cameras the cable is an accessory.

  • Mini-HDMI output:
  1. Kodak PlaySport (Zx3)
  2. Kodak Playsport (Zx5)
  3. Sanyo VPC-WH1
  4. Sanyo VPC-CA102
  5. Fujifilm FinePix XP10
  6. Olympus Stylus Tough 3000
  7. Olympus Stylus Tough 6020
  8. Olympus Stylus Tough 8010
  9. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS2
  10. Pentax Optio W90
  11. JVC Picsio GC-WP10
  12. GE DV1
  • Component video cable AV output:
  1. Kodak PlaySport (Zx3)
  2. Kodak Playsport (Zx5)
  3. GoPro HD Helmet HERO
  4. GoPro HD Surf HERO

7. Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card connectivity for built-in Wi-Fi capability to transfer photos and videos from the camera to a computer or an online sharing site such as Picasaweb, Flickr, Facebook and YouTube. You can upload your videos and stills without using a PC. (Eye-fi cards sold separately.)

  • Eye-Fi card connectivity:
  1. JVC Picsio GC-WP10
  2. Pentax Optio W90

8. Easy web upload on social networking sites for photos & video, built-in software on some allows editing, uploading & sending e-mails so simple!

  • Easy web upload:
  1. Kodak PlaySport (Zx3)
  2. Kodak Playsport (Zx5)
  3. Fujifilm FinePix XP10
  4. JVC Picsio GC-WP10

9. Underwater Video Camera Comparison Chart with depth ratings and some of the above features.

Underwater Video Camera Comparison Chart

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