Waterproof Video Cameras Go Wireless With Eye-Fi Memory Card

What is a wireless Eye-Fi memory card?

Well basically it is a SD memory card for your waterproof video camera with a built in antenna which will wirelessly fly your videos and photos when within range of your chosen network (up to 32) to your computer and to your favorite photo sharing site such as Flickr, Picasaweb, snapfish, Facebook and YouTube (over 25 sites even your own FTP server). Sharing your latest action video & photos does not get any easier than this.

Some of the other awesome optional features of Eye-Fi Memory Cards include:

• Hotspot  access (Eye-Fi X2 card required)- provided by Easy Wi-Fi, AT&T Wi-Fi and Harborlink . Upload to millions of hotspot locations worldwide without using a laptop, automatically!
• Endless memory (Eye-Fi X2 card required) – Automatically makes space on your card once your video & photos have been safely delivered.
• Geotagging (Eye-Fi X2 card required) – Using WPS (Wi-Fi Positioning System)           technology the Eye-Fi SD card sensing nearby Wi-Fi networks while taking photos will automatically geotag your photos when they are uploaded. Geotagging is labeling your photos where they were taking and then showing that on a map.

Unfortunately as of this writing there are not many waterproof video cameras that offer Eye-Fi memory card connectivity. Two that do are the JVC Picsio GC-WP10 and the Pentax Optio W90. A quick comparison of the two digital cameras below shows that:

• Price – The JVC Picsio GC-WP10 is less than $200 and the Pentax Optio W90 is over $300.
• Depth ratings (underwater) – Down to 10 feet for the JVC Picsio GC-WP10 and down to 20 feet for the Pentax Optio W90.
• Video resolution – The JVC Picsio GC-WP10 has 1080p resolution and the Pentax Optio W90 has 720p resolution. For best online video all that is required is 720p resolution.
• Still photo resolution – The JVC Picsio GC-WP10 is 5 megapixel and the Pentax Optio W90 is 12 megapixel.
• Interchangeable battery – The JVC Picsio GC-WP10 does not.
• Mini-HDMI output – Both have this feature that allows playback of recorded video directly on a TV.

The latest generation Pentax Optio W90 waterproof video camera is built tough and is ready in every manner for your next adventure. It offers improved waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and cold-proof performance and features an ingenious Digital Microscope mode with LED illumination to capture the minute but interesting topics. Designed with the look of rock climbing gear, the Optio W90 set includes a woven fabric web strap supplied with a carabiner to fasten the camera to a backpack and other outdoor equipment.

The JVC GC-WP10 PICSIO waterproof video camera has a 3-inch touch screen. Recording and playback functions are easily activated with just a touch on the screen icon. The controls are easy to use and can be operated even with gloves on. More features include electronic image stabilization to minimize camera shake during recording, 4x digital zoom and a time-lapse recording mode and you can take digital still images up to 5-megapixel resolution, without interpolation. There is a stereo microphone that can be used to capture audio as MP3 files.

Imagine the possibilities of a waterproof video camera outfitted with an Eye-Fi memory card. When I was captain of a dive live-aboard in the British Virgin Islands there was a wi-fi network that reached all the way to Peter Island, that means you could be snorkeling shooting a video of a just discovered octopus on the bottom and when you came up for air you could instantly send the video to your friends and family back home 1000s of miles away or maybe just to your sunburned spouse hiding in the AC.