Liquid Image intros underwater digital camera mask

There's already plenty of waterproof cameras out there for those looking to engage in a little casual underwater photography, but those wanting to step up their game a bit may want to consider Liquid Image's new underwater digital camera mask, which'll let you capture those action packed moments as you fight off a shark, or pick up sea shells. You apparently won't be able to do that any deeper than 15 feet, however, and you'll have to make do without an optical zoom or most of the other features you'd expect from a regular camera. On the upside, you will get crosshairs on the googles themselves to help line up your shot, and you'll be able to capture as much VGA video as you can cram onto a microSD card (or the 16MB of internal memory). No word on a price, but you'll apparently be able to get your hands on your choice of a 3.1 or 5.0 megapixel version sometime in March.

[Carbonize @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:20AM]

WHY????

I mean what's in the viewfinder is going to depend on how you are wearing them. If they are slightly lower than they should be the angle from eye to viewfinder will be wrong.

[DarkLightConnection @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:35AM]

And what do you suggest then?

[Carbonize @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:04AM]

I suggest they stop producing crap. Or a double square viewfinder but that requires distance betwen the two squares so you can line them up. Or even a small, waterproof, lcd screen.

Better yet just use an actual camera.

[Carbonize @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:07AM]

Actually according to the pic it has an LCD screen but it appears to be fixed outside the mask. If it was flip down in front of the mask or even slide down inside the mask that would make better sense.

[silverblackvoid @ Jan 2nd 2008 1:53PM]

@carbonize

can u do one thing: stop bitchin and STFU!

[Carbonize @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:12PM]

Go ask your mother for some prozac little boy.

[silverblackvoid @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:53PM]

i think you need it more than i do. and my mom would be glad to help.

[Carbonize @ Jan 2nd 2008 2:55PM]

Sorry but I refuse to engage in a battle of wits with you as I'd end up dropping to your level and then you'd beat me with experience.

[silverblackvoid @ Jan 2nd 2008 3:44PM]

hey dude, my bad. just kidding. dont take it seriously.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:29AM]

It might resist water...

But will it blend?

[mushrooshi @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:49AM]

I'm sure you would, with or without the mask.

[Brian @ Jan 2nd 2008 5:54AM]

Couldn't they bother to throw in an LED flash / light? Talk about terrible shadows.

[Ernest Lane @ Jan 10th 2008 5:41PM]

I'm taking my grandkids to the Florida Keys over Easter. These sound ideal for the sborkeling we'll be doing.

[BCre8v @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:09AM]

15 feet? That's barely deeper than the bottom of a swimming pool at the Y. Wait... maybe that is the intended purpose.

[Joe Maki @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:48AM]

Adequate for recreational snorkling. At 15 ft. they probably don't need a flash either (assuming the water's not too cloudy.

[Ally @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:26AM]

Enter! Next Gen porn!

[Sean @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:34AM]

Hehe- you said "googles"

[james @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:53AM]

Snorkeling and pools, that's about all this is good for. A hotel dive is even too deep for this.

[Joe Maki @ Jan 2nd 2008 7:53AM]

It's going to photograph whatever your looking at :) I would think focus will be a bigger issue than framing. I doubt they will have much depth of field. Without a flash they will need to be using a relatively large aperture.

[Alexandre Ludolf @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:01AM]

15ft has no use for me.

maybe something with 150ft, and integrated flash would be cool for scuba diving.

maybe a timer, for timed photos or a wireless shutter would be great

[SuperPrime @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:02AM]

Could you enclose metric along with feet? 6.5 billion out of the 7 on this planet use metric

[Wwhat @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:12AM]

That's 4.572 meters.
But depth ought to be in fathoms, so 2.5 fathoms :)

[Wwhat @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:16AM]

Oh and for those interested: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_units_of_measurement

Sigh eh.

[Prokanda @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:30AM]

Oh.. darn.. and here I thought Engadget was followed by a .com. Must have been wrong, it's gotta be Engadget.eu right? Oh nevermind... this is a site that's based in America.. maybe you should check out one of the sister sites.

You europeans are always complaining about the units of measurement or how the Engadget crew doesn't include you in some of the contests. Always something to complain about.. maybe you should focus that attention/frustration to your countries inability to offer acceptable methods of dental options. But you've got some BANGIN cell phones, right? We all have benefits/quirks to where we live, stop complaining because you don't feel like doing the conversion yourself. I have to convert from British Pounds all the darn time.

[Deputy Doffoos @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:22AM]

Someone someone special needs his Ritalin...!

[Carbonize @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:36AM]

.com means a company not an American site. .us would represent an American site.

As to having to convert from £ all the time (why?) it's not our fault you live in a country whose currency's value is currently on a par with Monopoly money.

[Prokanda @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:18PM]

someone someone needs to read while he's typing.

[Wwhat @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:53PM]

You know officially the US adopted the ISO metric standard, that's the united states of america I refer to.
So even if it were .US you could still ask for metric.

[Chris Aubeck @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:05AM]

Shush now.

[JJ Loch @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:21AM]

I love to snorkel. This looks perfect!!!

Thanks, JJ

[Blaktornado @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:57AM]

"On the upside, you will get crosshairs on the googles themselves"

Hehe. Don't we love typos? Would be rather amusing if it wasn't, though... :P

[Optimus Rhyme @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:00AM]

Yahoo i saying it's starting at $100.

Just because this thing is digital doesn't mean it has to be super hi-tech!

Most people use underwater disposables for this type of shooting unless they pan on spending hundreds on a custom waterproof enclosure for their existing camera.

At £50 this is a great little accessory that won't make you cry if it floats off and gets eaten by a shark/whale/tourist

[Derwin @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:28AM]

I love how the nosepiece is made of "silicon". Clearly, silicone was out of the question.

[ReekinHavok @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:56AM]

On/Off button and Shutter button are too close to each other!

[Darayz @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:05AM]

Where's the button that calls for help when a sea-turtle decides to beat you up over of how you look?

[L3 @ Jan 2nd 2008 10:37AM]

F*ck it, I'll try it down a few atmospheres. I mean it is not like the old film days! What's the worst that could happen, a little condensation in the battery compartment? A damp micro SD card? For the money, let's be a little aggressive!

[xB Owner @ Jan 2nd 2008 11:58AM]

Even in crystal clear waters like the Caribbean this is going to be absolute junk. Without a flash, underwater cameras are useless. And even if it had an integrated flash it wouldn't be any better. To take a proper picture under water you have to have a remote flash.

You'd actually be better off with a disposable underwater camera.

[strider_mt2k @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:22PM]

What?

[strider_mt2k @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:24PM]

I would almost pay to watch a video beginning on the surface and ending when the unit fails from diving down below it's rated depth.

Device failure pron.

[Magallanes @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:28PM]

This underwater digital camera mask is the best gift in this..... winter. :-P

[Tachikomatic @ Jan 2nd 2008 12:58PM]

Sounds like a great platform for a small, head mounted laser if you ask me...

[duffman @ Jan 2nd 2008 1:43PM]

The info on the website says that it can go down about 30 Meters, significantly more than 15 feet.

5.0MP Underwater Digital Camera Mask
Item 302 - Ages 8 - Adult

Technical Specifications:
Image Resolution - 5.0MP CMOS Sensor
Internal Memory - 16MB NAND Flash Memory
External Memory Card - Micro SD Card
Video Mode - 18-25FPS @ VGA
Status Display - LCD Display
Interface - USB
Power - 2 AAA Alkaline 1.5V Batteries
Photographic Distance - 1.2m (5ft)
Auto Off System time - 120 seconds

Modes
High Res - 5.0MP (2560x1920) - 29 Pics
Low Res - 3.1MP (2048x1536) - 45 Pics
Video - 53S VGA
(Image Qty is based on 16MB internal Memory -
Add a Micro SD Card to add memory)

Depth: 30M

[Danger mouse @ Jan 2nd 2008 8:48PM]

If it is 30m, then that's more usefull... 25m more useful. It won't be much good for photos, but the video side of it could be a lot of fun for the recreational diver, so long as they have a decent white-balance built in.
It's not going to compare against a dedicated camera/video & housing, but then at $100 it's not trying to.

Might also be of use to commercial divers for taking records of any work performed.

[john smith @ Jan 2nd 2008 9:01PM]

30 meteres-not bad. All you need is a good flashlight

[George @ Apr 30th 2008 11:48AM]

Hi there, Does anyone know where can we buy that cam mask?

Cheers

[Jen @ Aug 11th 2008 3:15PM]

You can purchase the Underwater Digital Camera Mask at www.kidsstuff.com.

[vicki @ May 15th 2008 12:37PM]

does anyone know how the picture resolutions are. and would this be a better choice for white water rafting that a underwater digital