DX-1G vs. dc800

[scubadds49]

I have a sealife dc500 with strobe and wide angle lens. I am thinking of upgrading to the new dc800($500). I am also considering the 10mp Sea & Sea DX-1G.($2400 for the camera, wide angle lens and strobe). Does anyone have any experience with the DX-1G? I would like to know if it is worth the considerable investment. Third option, a housing and strobe for my Canon 8MP EOS SLR.

 

[gustele]

Hi scubadds49

I went from your current setup to the Sea&Sea DX-1G, similar setup as what you are considering. It is indeed a considerable investment. I did upgrade because I wanted to have more control over my camera. The DC500 is a very nice camera and is able to take good pictures, but the shutter release is slow. That means that it is a great camera for rather static objects. Most of the time the fish is gone before the shutter releases. That problem seems to be solved with the DC800, although I don't know if it is done through the "shark mode" that was available on the DC500. That is not a real solution.
The main difference is that the DC800 is still an automatic camera and the DX-1G is defenitely not when used under water with a strobe. So that means that you have a bit more work under water, but that is the consequence of wanting more control over the camera. Also the DX-1G has a RAW-mode and the DC800 does not. When you have worked with RAW-mode you don't want to go back to images that are already processed and compressed in the camera.
So, in my opinion, a lot depends on what you are looking for: a better automatic camera, then go for the upgrade to the DC800, or a camera that allows you more control over the result (while shooting and in the processing afterwards). If the latter is the case then you have to go for the DX-1G (when coosing between these 2 cameras).
There is one major disadvantage of the DX-1G and that is that the LCD panel is dark when used under water in manual mode. You have to work in manual mode when using a strobe and that means that the use of the LCD-panel is very limited. Other than that it is a great camera. If you really want everything out of your camera than you should consider a DLSR-camera in an underwater house.

 

[scubadds49]

Thanks for the valuable input! I have taken some very nice pictures with the DC500. My main question is-are the pictures taken with the DX-1G that much better than the DC500 to warrant the extra &2500 investment? For $1000 I can get the DC800 with their new digital strobe and add the digital strobe that came with the DC500. I understand that 2 strobes make a great difference in picture quality.

 

[Kinetic-]

I would say go for the DC800!

A month ago I was in the exact same position as you, trying to choose between the DC800 and the DX-1G. I read up about the DX-1G camera, and the camera itself had gotten some mediocre reviews (as an above-water camera).. Of course, reviews are for guidelines and inputs, not decisions.

I guess what made me finally decide, was the price. I spoke to a lot of UW photographers at my dive trip yesterday, and they all praised the DC800. But the one thing they all said: The thing it all comes down to is the person behind the camera. Of course, the equipment really helps too.. but I would go as far as too say this: If you get the DC800 Pro Setup (with a strobe) and add the second one you've got.. you got a really impressive setup that is guaranteed to produce good photos!

As gustele pointed out, some divers/photographers want to be able to control everything. Me, I'm a sucker for automatic settings Who knows, maybe that'll change as I progress. But during my first dive with the SeaLife DC800 yesterday.. I could just drift along, follow the fish around, dive into caves.. all this while looking through the LCD of the camera!

I hope this helped, and that I did not confuse you more!

EDIT: Right.. 5 months old thread.. Did not see that