Waterproof Chobi Cam WP camcorder is world's smallest way to record the great unknown

Whether you're diving for sunken treasure or just exploring the great expanses of your kiddie pool, waterproof cameras are great. But, swimming freestyle is a little difficult when you're lugging around pounds of photographic equipment. Enter the Chobi Cam WP: a device that is about the same size as cigarette lighter and, when enclosed in its GoPro-style case, is waterproof to 20 meters. It can record VGA footage to microSD, take JPEG photos, and even capture mono audio -- which we figure will sound something like "gurgle gurgle gurgle." It's available today for 12,800 yen -- about $140, which is a bit dear if you ask us, so don't let it get washed away.

[Paul Elmy Posted Jun 15th 2010 3:30AM]

Peeping toms on the rise.

[John Lee Posted Jun 15th 2010 3:39AM]

@Paul Elmy
yeahh... the author should strongly consider editing that first sentence. perhaps a little less "kiddie pool" and a little more, well anything that is not kiddie pools.

[Blackstar Posted Jun 15th 2010 4:32AM]

@Paul Elmy

duna... duna...dundundundundundun Salsa Shark!

"We're gunna need a bigger boat."
"Man goes into cage. Cage goes into Salsa. Shark's in the Salsa. Our shark."

[Wiggy Fuzz Posted Jun 15th 2010 3:31AM]

it's as small as an... eraser?

[Coke Posted Jun 15th 2010 3:45AM]

@Vaio wat?

[Dysun Posted Jun 15th 2010 3:52AM]

@Coke
He means inside a woman

[Matt Miles Posted Jun 15th 2010 3:57AM]

I think this is already available in the UK... http://red5.co.uk/Muvi_Atom_2GB_Black.aspx

[Matt Miles Posted Jun 15th 2010 5:41AM]

@Matt Miles they're actually selling these in the Red5 shops in the UK - saw one on Saturday, they're really small.

[zob Posted Jun 15th 2010 4:46AM]

I'm sure you're aware there's higher resolution micro cameras for $10 on ebay right? same specs othrewise, and not waterproof. (not sure a plastic box is $130)

Look for "keychain spy camera"

[jaketlawrence Posted Jun 15th 2010 5:21AM]

I found it here too:
http://www.japantrendshop.com/waterproof-chobi-cam-p-907.html

Can it really go up to 20m?! Yeah, definitely going to be the tool of choice for peeping toms in the ocean!

[climber84 Posted Jun 15th 2010 5:42AM]

I think these are the OEM guys making it,
http://www.aee.com/en/productshow.asp?Sendid=52

But the Veho Atom is still smaller at 4cm. So I wonder about the "world's smallest" tag in the title.

[AvocadoJim Posted Jun 15th 2010 6:23AM]

It's available worldwide here too it seems. Price not bad for import item either:
http://whiterabbitexpress.com/waterproof-chobi-cam-wp-camcorder/

Not sure I'd trust it down to 20m though! Would be cool for snowboarding - trashed my last video camera in the powder last winter!

[littledictator Posted Jun 15th 2010 7:09AM]

Oh wow! "Chobi" (or "chobhi" as it is probably spelt) is "picture" in Bengali! :) Coincidence??

[wraith404 Posted Jun 15th 2010 7:21AM]

20m really isn't that great or unknown,but I guess these are great for those cute little snorkeling trips and shallow dives. 30m would have opened a lot more rec versatility.

[hj Posted Jun 15th 2010 9:36AM]

@wraith404 "30m would have opened a lot more rec versatility." Because at more than 10 mtrs you do not need a flash light for any object more than 3 inches away?