Liquid Image's underwater digital camera mask now available... in Japan

What's up with Japan getting all the cool toys first? Yeah, we can claim little victories like Pleo and basketball (shared with Canada, some say), but the two 1.5 of those don't even come close to measuring up to Her Cuteness. Differences aside, we're thrilled to see that Liquid Image's underwater digital camera mask is available anywhere after missing its March launch date by quite a bit. These face-swallowers pack a 3.1- or 5.0-megapixel CMOS sensor, LCD screen, 16MB of built-in memory, a microSD card slot, a USB port and even a VGA video mode. It's supposedly available as we speak in Tokyo and the surrounding 'burbs for just over $100, and yes, the urge to import is extraordinarily high.

[Via AkihabaraNews]

[papafew @ Aug 8th 2008 5:09AM]

SHARK! >> REC

[LondonConsultant @ Aug 8th 2008 5:16AM]

Silence of the Sharks, Clarice.

[Derek @ Aug 8th 2008 5:37AM]

Scuba Steve would be impressed!

[oZone @ Aug 8th 2008 9:51AM]

I watched Big Daddy just the other day. :]

[hiko36 @ Aug 8th 2008 5:43AM]

Now when I go to the lake/beach I can get pics of all the girls in their bikinis...

[Darwin @ Aug 8th 2008 6:45AM]

... by wearing scuba goggles on land. Let us know how that works out for you.

[iHoppipolla @ Aug 8th 2008 8:09AM]

Seriously, you would frighten the children. Have you no heart?

[Paul Brown @ Aug 19th 2008 4:36PM]

Dude, if you are that hard up grow a pair and buy some porn!!

[Gowtham @ Aug 8th 2008 5:50AM]

5 mts is ver bad :(

[rento @ Aug 8th 2008 5:54AM]

Snap!

[Grindboy @ Aug 8th 2008 6:02AM]

I'm fairly sure these have been in the uk for a while. They were reviewed on the gadget show about a month ago and it said nothing about preordering. Maybe I'm wrong?!?!?

[matt @ Aug 8th 2008 6:20AM]

Ye you are right, they did say there availiable in the uk and gave a price of about 100pound so about $200

[ks @ Aug 8th 2008 6:58AM]

I work at a computer retail store in France and we've received these cameras earlier this week. They're pretty fun.

[rock99rock @ Aug 8th 2008 10:07AM]

Yea, but do they protect against rave lasers?

[azanobrown @ Aug 8th 2008 7:03AM]

AVAILABLE IN THE US!
Can't wait to see the inside of a shark's mouth!

5mp: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544514-REG/Liquid_Image_302_Digital_Underwater_Camera_Mask.html

3mp: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/544512-REG/Liquid_Image_301_Digital_Underwater_Camera_Mask.html

[Ghen @ Aug 8th 2008 7:26AM]

5 meter depth? Whats the point? Just get a disposable underwater camera if you're just taking shots of dangling legs because there's certainly nothing more interesting at that depth.

[Mojo_Yugen @ Aug 8th 2008 9:38AM]

Interesting. The link Engadget has say 30 meters. B&H say 5. Pretty big discrepancy.
Even if it were to work down to 30 meters I can't imagine getting anything very good out it that deep without a flash.

[Nick @ Aug 8th 2008 12:30PM]

You can take pictures of peoples feet when at depths of 5 metres? You sure have tall friends. (5 metres equals approximately 15 feet)

[pacozorro @ Aug 8th 2008 8:01AM]

Am I the only one who read underwear digital camera?

[Harry S @ Aug 8th 2008 9:21AM]

Um these have been available in the US for month already. Skymall baby =)
http://www.skymall.com/shopping/detail.htm?pid=102674245

[Scott Hardy @ Aug 8th 2008 9:47AM]

VERY cool idea, just extremely poor implementation. As a diver I'm with Ghen on this. You'd never use it unless you're snorkeling or want to take pictures of the girls at Spring Break. Typical dives go down to 50 feet at a minimum, and around 75 - 100 feet on average. If they released a camera that could support depths of up to 100 feet it would sell like HOTCAKES to divers worldwide, especially if it was less then $300.

Now, after saying all of that, if you're not a diver and heading to Hawaii then this might be a fun option. It would be great for snorkeling, just don't get adventurous and swim down to the bottom or else your mask and camera may go CRACK!

Anyone else notice the damn odd + signs in the glass? Those wouldn't get annoying after 30 seconds... No way....

Scott
http://www.topclassactions.com

[Madhadder @ Aug 8th 2008 9:57AM]

If you read the Orig. Linked story the max depth is stated as 30 Meters.
The above linked items states 5m, so either one of the links is wrong or the 30m one is a new and improved model.

[anonymousaversa @ Aug 8th 2008 11:19AM]

Am I the only one a little surprised this thing has an LCD screen?

Pretty sweet though...

[skiverdiver @ Aug 8th 2008 12:07PM]

Too funny: the website for Liquid Image lists the depth rating at "Depth = 5 M - 30 M Depending on model rating" What does that mean?

http://www.liquidimageco.com/home/specs.html

[Ryan Trevisol @ Aug 8th 2008 2:34PM]

Is the LCD screen inside the goggles? Because otherwise it's pretty useless, as you can't take off the goggles to check the picture underwater. So if you want to use the LCD to check to see if your shot is crappy (which with a CMOS sensor is likely) you have to surface, take the mask off, check the picture, put it back on and dive to try and get it again . . .

Now, if these things projected the image onto the goggle glass . . . then you'd have a quality gadget on your hands (or face).

[Melanie @ Aug 8th 2008 9:16PM]

The 5 meter Explorer Series is available now in the US, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Middle East, New Zealand, Tahiti, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong and Australia.

The 30 meter Scuba Series will be available in the above regions and more in approximately 6 months. We are working on a light attachment and some other modifications, possibly including color filters. We have tested at 35 meters and the video was good minus the lack of colors which an added light source will improve. The scuba weight belts keep the video smooth. I will try to post on YouTube soon at LiquidImageCo when I have free time (?). We currently show tests of the Explorer Series with Tutles and fish. The video is compressed on YouTube of course.

Regarding the LCD screen. It is difficult to use one while underwater or at the surface in bright sunlight. Not including an LCD keeps the price low and saves on battery power. Use a 2 GB micro SD card to take 1700+ photos or over 1.5 hours of video, and review when you return to your hotel. The 5.0 MP Camera also includes Energizer Lithium batteries so that you can continue your water activities without the worry of loosing battery power.

I hope that answers most of the questions. For a list of retailers in your region, you can sign up on our website or search for Camera Mask online and you will find some retailers.

[Melanie @ Aug 8th 2008 9:49PM]

I have posted the Dive test of the 3.1 MP previously on YouTube - search Cozumel Dive 3MP Camera Mask Test.

You will see the lack of colors at the 30 meters depth, but you can see some fish. I personally think there is more to see in the 5 meter range (turtles, fish, etc), but I like to snorkel and free dive and can't say I've gone deeper than 25 or 30 feet.

Regarding the + sign on the goggles, they are cross hairs to help you line up your view. Everyone's eyes are positioned a little different in relation to the lens. I barely notice them, but do utilize them when I see something I really want to capture on video or in an image. It's important to try out the cross hairs to see where they land in your image. They could be at the bottom, or somewhere in the middle, depending on the location of your eyes.

[chad @ Aug 9th 2008 12:14AM]

Helmet Camera Central has these in stock and ships UPS ground for free to US as well. Great support and customer service as well.

Liquid Image Swim Mask @ Helmet Camera Central.

-chad

[Denver_80203 @ Aug 9th 2008 2:41AM]

dive masks are a not created equal. That may be fairly obvious but, I'm talking about fit. you'll find dozens of models out there that are going to fit differently the same way any give pair of jeans do. except wrong fit here means a water logged mask

[-Tj- @ Aug 9th 2008 8:37AM]

Hammacher Schlemmer catalog, Mid-Summer Supplement 2008, pg. 78. Catalog number EL-75126, 5MP, $99.95.

Just came across it through my bro's catalog last week in "America's Longest Running Catalog." Stuck out in my mind because I couldn't imagine someone snapping photos underwater while holding something already attached to their face. A remote would have gotten this thing a +1 for cool.

[ctunnah @ Aug 9th 2008 11:34AM]

Been available from Firebox for a while...

[linuxamp @ Aug 11th 2008 12:29AM]

Damn, I got hello kitty rolled!

[Jeff @ Aug 22nd 2008 6:15AM]

5 megapixels is plenty for underwater. But, if this thing can't do macro then it's basically useless for underwater IMHO. It's a novelty pure and simple.

[Guy @ Aug 22nd 2008 7:07AM]

It's available at LeisrePro too
http://www.leisurepro.com/Prod/LIM5.html?refby=ralpmxe

[Marla @ Aug 25th 2008 6:47AM]

These can be bought at skymall for $99