SeaLife Dc1000 or Sea & Sea 1200HD

[FrankPro1]

I've been looking around for my next camera and have settled between these two. I know that the Sea & Sea has a slightly higher MP but it lacks all the water mode filters that the SeaLife has. The SeaLife's accessories are much cheaper but the Sea & Sea takes video at 1280×720 "v.s. the SeaLife's 640x480". Being Able to shoot video in 720p HD video is a big plus, something that might push me into choosing the Sea&Sea. But what about still photography? It seems the SeaLife has a slightly better optical zoom and has the ability to change lenses under water. Also the Sea&Sea has a wide shutter response time "at best its quicker then the Sealife, but a worst its slower (2seconds)". The SeaLife has a 5v, 1250 mAh battery while the Sea & Sea only has a 3.7v, 750 mAh battery. I've had problems with battery life in the past and don't want to relive it on my next camera buy. I'm not a photography guru and don't know a lot of the technical garble listed on their websites. Any help on figuring out which is a superior camera would be much appreciated.

Sea & Sea USA - Underwater Photography Cameras & Video (http://www.seaandsea.com/)

SeaLife Cameras - Underwater Cameras | Digital Camera Technical Specifications (http://www.sealife-cameras.com/cameras/dc1000_specs.html)

[deeper thoughts]

I am thinking about upgrading my dc800

[FrankPro1]

I am thinking about upgrading my dc800

I was planning on buying a Dc800, but then the Dc1000 was unveiled. That got me looking for other cameras and I was then led to the Dx-1200hd. Its the same price as Dc1000, so its kind of a hard decision. They both have their strong points and advantages. I just don't have the tech knowledge to know which is a better buy.

Also I've been looking on a lot of sites and the Dx-1G is listed as 800 bucks. Again I'm don't know much about cameras, but it seems strange to me that their both Sea&Sea and yet the one with less MP and less quality video is more money. From what I gather the Dx-1G has the capability of wet lenses and closer macro shooting.. but not much more...:confused:

[train_ga]

FrankPro1 - I am going through the same decision making process as I would like to hear any feedback. Although, the DC1000 is not out until April is my understanding.

As you noted, the Sea and Sea accessories seem to be quite a bit more pricey.

[FrankPro1]

FrankPro1 - I am going through the same decision making process as I would like to hear any feedback. Although, the DC1000 is not out until April is my understanding.

As you noted, the Sea and Sea accessories seem to be quite a bit more pricey.

I contacted SeaLife and they told me they will be shipping the Dc1000's on the first week of March.. Expected delivery to dealers would be by the third week of March.

[MindMagick]

Greetings To All,

I too will be purchasing one of these two cameras & am also still undecided. I will be attending the Beneath The Sea Conference in New Jersey the last weekend of March and both of these vendors will be in attendance. I plan on asking both vendor/manufacturers a lot of questions as well as seriously giving both cameras a true hands on look...at least one in a Convention Hall. I'll report back after returning!

[MaxBottomtime]

From what I read they are quite different cameras. I never take video with my DX-1G, I only take still shots. My feeling is that if I want to take underwater video, then buy a video camera that will get you much better pictures for a longer period of time. The DX-1G is a more flexible camera in that it allows you to take shots manually while the 1200 is more of a point and shoot camera. Personally, more pixals does not equate into better pictures. I like the DX-1G because of the flexibility it gives you in taking pictures. personnally, I don't subscribe to the view that more pixels are better. The current number of pixels offered in all digital cameras is sufficient to give you a good print. I also think that the quality of the pictures is more dependent on the person taking the picture than on the camera itself. I would also consider waiting until the DX-2G comes out, not because it is a 12 megapixel camera but because of other enhancements such as a larger lcd screen, a brighter lcd screen, the enhanced ability to take pics in raw mode, etc.
And from the Sea&Sea site;
The optional Close-UP Lens 125 or Wide-Angle Conversion Lens for DX-860G can be attached/ detached even underwater (Close-UP Lens 125 requires the optional Close-UP Lens Ring for DX-1200HD). Using the wide-angle conversion lens, you can get a wider area in the picture even if you get close to the subject. Using the Close-UP Lens 125, you can take pictures with a larger magnification.

[FrankPro1]

Looks like the Sea&Sea 1200HD is an ERGO DS 1200HD from the Ukraine repackaged with some new modes. Check it out: http://ergo.uk.com/shop/1013/575333.html

Is a sensor size of 1/1.72" good? bad? average?

The SeaLife on the other hand is the Minox DC-1033 made in Germany. Link to their site: http://www.minox.com/index.php?id=2278&L=1

The sensor size of the Minox is 1/2.3“....is this a big deal between the two?

[RAWalker]

Sensor size in and of itself means little. There are better and worse sensors in use throughout the digital camera industry. Better sensors generally take better pictures but a manufacturer may try and yeild a higher pixel count and push the sensor too far. In that case even a better sensor will have unimpressive results.
Comparing the specifications of each camera will show some clues to the performance that may be expected.
From what I see listed I'd expect the Ergo to outperform the Minox even with the larger sensor and lower pixel count on the Minox. I say this because the Ergo can be set to the lower resolution of the Minox and the Ergo's lens is rated for better light sensitivity. Also the Ergo has the ability to be set to a higher ISO although at higher settings all digital camera tend to be noisier.
Also the Ergo has the larger screen which should make it a bit easier to compose a shot.
Personally I feel that each of these packages are overprice simply because they are offered as dive camera that can be used topside.
I have found with a little research you can find a number of point and shoot cameras and housings that are capable of equal or better still photography at better prices than the Sea&Sea or Sealife offerings. The money saved can then be used for extras such as strobes, filters, arms or accessory lenses.

[FrankPro1]

Here's a good post for the Sea&Sea

Review: Sea & Sea DX 1200HD - Scuba Forum - Scuba Diving Forums and Discussion Board (http://forum.scubatoys.com/gear-information/19322-review-sea-sea-dx-1200hd.html)

[FrankPro1]

I have found with a little research you can find a number of point and shoot cameras and housings that are capable of equal or better still photography at better prices than the Sea&Sea or Sealife offerings.

I am open to suggestions:D

[RAWalker]

I'm partial to the Fuji F series but Cannon and Olympus have some solid offerings also.
I'd put my Fuji F50fd up against the 1200HD in any regard except video. IMHO Fuji F series sensors have a better color gamut than any other P&S in the compact and ultra compacts.

[Nemrod]

Underwater Housing for Fuji F60fd Digital Camera (http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/fuji_f60.html)

or

Underwater Housing for Canon A580iS & A590iS Cameras (http://www.ikelite.com/web_two/can_a590.html)

N

[RAWalker]

Althought the Ikelite is a nice housing they tend to be a bit more expensive. Fuji does make housings for a number of their cameras which are quite well made and less expensive. The F50FD with a housing can be purchased new with a housing for less than $300. In another thread I read of another SBer looking at a F100fd and housing for the same price.

[FrankPro1]

The thing I'm most concerned about when purchasing the Sea&Sea, is the battery life of the unit. The SeaLife has 500mah and 1.3v more on its battery. With the Sea&Sea LCD being bigger, it should have come with a stronger battery. Is this a credible worry? How long would a typical 3.7v 750mah battery last underwater? I've had a lot of problems with my current Olympus dying on me mid dive and I don't want to repeat the experience with my new camera.

Any suggestions for other cameras with HD video capability?

Some DX-1200HD pics:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3220/3059229002_d83f66ee21.jpg
http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg53/syncitizen/Diving/Cozumel/12-09-08/puntadalila005.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r218/Wizard41/PIC_0013.jpg

[RAWalker]

With the use of the strobe and display needed for underwater photography that is a legit worry for any camera. My Fuji comes with a 3.7 V 1000mah NP-50 battery and the first thing I did was order a pair of replacement batteries rated at 1300mah. Also most of the cameras have some sort of power management with sleep and shutdown. How you set and use it may help or hinder the battery life.

[SeaLife Joe]

There are a lot of good points being brought up in this thread.

As RAWalker has mentioned, it is always a good idea to pick up spare batteries for any camera. I noticed an error in the power rating on the DC1000 batterey somewhere, it is not 500mAh but 1250. We rate it as 2 dives but we have squezzed 3 1/2 dives during preproduction development testing.

As well there was a comment about adding close up lenses. I can't speak for the 1200HD but the DC1000 will focus down to 2 inches camera by itself. Add the wide angle and it gets even closer! Sorry but my buoyancy isn't that great that I don't bounce off something so I tend to hang back about 12 inches and then zoom in which also helps with the lighting and not blowing out my subject.

Another thing to consider is that buying a camera from a one stop comapany, ie Sealife or Sea & Sea means you don't have to deal with three different service centers when things go wrong. One company warranties all.

I will be at BTS so look forward to any questions you may have.

regards,
Joe

[MindMagick]

Hi Joe,

I will DEFINITELY see you at the Beneath The Sea Conference! Will you have the DC1000 there as well as examples of video from it on your PC at your booth?

John, Pittsburgh, Pa.

[FrankPro1]

I noticed an error in the power rating on the DC1000 batterey somewhere, it is not 500mAh but 1250.

I stated that "The SeaLife has 500mah and 1.3v MORE on its battery then the Sea&Sea".... Not that it only has 500mah.


If anyone's interested.. I ended up getting the Canon G10 and Ikelite housing. A little more then I wanted to spend, but with the Manual Controls, super fast shutter speed and large bright clear LCD on the G10... I think it was worth it. I won't be able to get a strobe or wide angle lens right away, like I would have if I bought the DC1000... but once I'm done with my setup "strobes, double handled base, wet lens, video light" I'll have a pretty decent rig. Haven't taken it underwater yet, but the above water pics I've taken are pretty sweet. Also even though the video is only 640x480, the G10 uses a new video compression codec which cuts down on artifacts and other pesky video glitches.

[sabbath999]

Enjoy your D10. Those are sweet cameras.

Still waiting for the DC1000 replacement for my defective DC800 to arrive, as promised (about a month ago).

[FrankPro1]

Enjoy your D10. Those are sweet cameras.

Still waiting for the DC1000 replacement for my defective DC800 to arrive, as promised (about a month ago).

Just got the email from Leisure Pro that the DC1000's are in stock. Seeing as SeaLife probably sent them out to everyone at once, you should probably receive yours soon.

[SeaLife Joe]

Sorry Frank, misread your statement.

John, We will have the DC1000 a the show. We will have both recent pics and videos from the camera.

[hendenburg2]

The thing I'm most concerned about when purchasing the Sea&Sea, is the battery life of the unit. The SeaLife has 500mah and 1.3v more on its battery. With the Sea&Sea LCD being bigger, it should have come with a stronger battery. Is this a credible worry? How long would a typical 3.7v 750mah battery last underwater? I've had a lot of problems with my current Olympus dying on me mid dive and I don't want to repeat the experience with my new camera.

frankpro1: though i can't exactly speak to a definite time limit, i can tell you that the Sea&Sea definitely has a double-whammy flaw in it's design as you mentioned. electronics run on high/low signals. anything above 1.5 volts is considered "high". this means that the sea&sea battery only has 2.2 volts before it "dies". the sea life has an extra 1.3 volts with which to operate. the extra 500 mah is a result of the higher voltage, and a lower total resistance (5 milliOhms for the Sea&Sea, 4 milliOhms for the Sea Life). the second part of this is the larger LCD. LCD screens burn through power, which is why laptops dim their screens when you unplug them. you can combat this by lowering the screen brightness, but it depends on your dive conditions.


i personally am going with the DC 1000 because of reviews taht i have read. the main things taht attract me to it are the fact that (according to professional reviews) the sensor and chipset are specially calibrated for underwater light frequencies (which, to address another person's post, means that taking a regular above-ground camera and taking it underwater causes color imbalance problems to everyone except skilled pros. not to mention waterproof cases for said cameras do not allow them to go to near the depths that cameras built for underwater can go to). the other reason i like the DC 1000 is that it has GUI step-by-step during-dive setup instructions for adjusting color ratios. again, something that usually requires training to do. (sealife joe, feel free to correct me on any of this if i got anything wrong, this is just info i culled from other reviews and literature out there)

[Misa]

The focus on Sealife can be with wide lens 16 mm instead of 35 of Sea&Sea and without the lens Sealife has 24mm vs 35mm.