Details about  aquapix 16MP max resolution underwater digital camera, Waterproof, lomo effect

Waterproof to 10 Feet!

Underwater Digital Camera with 9 Special Photo Effects

10 MP default resolution, 18 MP max resolution

Aquapix W1024 Waterproof Digital Camera  is an ultra compact IPX8 level waterproof digital camera.  It captures the motions underwater up to a maximum depth of 10 feet (3 metres).  With a high precision 10.0 Mega Pixels CMOS sensor, strong flash light and most amazing of all its special lomo and pencil sketch photo effects, this underwater digital camera qualifies as the ultimate gadget for snapshot photography and underwater video shooting.

This waterproof digital camera supports up to 32GB MicroSD memory card (also called TF card), and uses 2 x AAA alkaline battery.  Battery life lasts for 2 hours.  For cost saving purpose, you may choose to use hi-power rechargeable battery.  I tested Energizer Recharge (1000mAH) AAA battery and found that the performance is excellent.

The camera is designed to withstand water pressure for a specific amount of time under total submerged condition.  It is IPX tested and was graded IPX8, the highest waterproof level in the waterproof scale.  It can be operated at a depth of 10 feet underwater for a continuous one hour.  Thereafter, the camera shall undergo 10 minutes cleaning period for removing sand and drying the sea water.  Then it can go for another round of one-hour underwater use!

For the convenience of user, the camera has a one-touch M button to switch between still photo and video mode.  The macro mode is also easy to reach and the digital zooming mode is in the right place for easy operation.

This digital camera is designed to be waterproof without any external housing.  It weighs 4.5 oz (128g) with battery and strap on, and is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, boating, surfing, skiing, as well as beach and camping activities.  A detailed English user manual is included with the camera, while the on-screen operation menu supports English and multiple European languages.

Finally, the moment of truth comes.  The picture quality at the default 10.0 MP (3648 x 2736) is stable, sharp and vivid.  When the interpolated 16.0 MP mode is chosen, picture quality is sacrificed for the higher resolution.  For video filming, the VGA video mode with sound (640 x 480 at 30fps) give good quality motion pictures.

Lomography with Underwater Digital Camera

As lomographers, you are encouraged to take a lighthearted approach to your photography, and use techniques such as over-saturated colors, off-kilter exposure and blurring. This attitude works for digital camera as well and it applies even in underwater environment. This camera is the first of its kind to bring lomo underwater. Besides lomo "black corner" effect, the "pencil sketch" effect is astounding! Most importantly, several special effects such as CLASSICS, MOSAIC, NEGATIVE, GREEN, BLUE, RED and MONOCHROME can be processed on the camera after the original photo is taken! Simply go to the playback mode, press and hold the menu button, go to the "photo effect" sub-menu, choose the desired effect you want, then press the shutter. The special effect photo will be generated and saved as a separate photo in your memory card. See some samples in the photo section below.

Other Functions

To fully utilise the functions of this camera, here are a brief descriptions of the various functions available in the on-screen menu:

1. Resolution

The 10.0 MP resolution is the default resolution. This resolution matches the resolution of the CMOS sensor and gives the best picture quality. The maximum resolution is 16.0 MP.

2. Quality

Super Fine quality is preferred, while other quality options help to save memory space.

3. Metering

This function helps the camera determine the exposure. "Center" means "Center-weighted average metering". In this mode, the meter concentrates 60 to 80 percent of the sensitivity towards the central part of the viewfinder. The balance is then "feathered" out towards the edges. "Multi" means "Multi-zone Metering". The camera measures the light intensity in several points in the scene, and then combines the results to find the settings for the best exposure. "Spot" means "Spot Metering". In this mode, the camera will only measure a very small area of the scene (between 1% to 5% of the viewfinder area). This will typically be the very centre of the scene.

The "Centre" mode is recommended for general phototaking.

4. White Balance

The "Auto" mode is suitable for most of the cases, while other modes can be used for specific photo environments.

5. ISO

The "Auto" mode is recommended for general photography. Maual modes from ISO 100 to ISO 800 can be selected for specific photo environments.

6. Exposure

The range of exposure setting is from -2.0 to +2.0 in 13 levels. EV +0.0 is the default setting. Subject to the light environment, you may choose different settings to general a better photo output.

7. Self Timer

There is an On / Off setting, with the default set to OFF.

8. Sharpness

Hard, Normal and Soft can be selected to achieve different degree of sharpness or softness to the target objects.

9. Effect

This is an important sub-menu. The default setting is in "Normal", while 9 special effects such as LOMO and Pencil Sketch can be chosen. You will find phototaking a great fun with the amazing photos you create.

10. Date Stamp

The default setting is OFF. When the date stamp is turned ON, the date appears on the photo.

11. Quick View

This function allows a quick viewing of the photo you have just taken before the display goes back to the viewfinder.

Specifications

Description        : Aquapix W1024-I waterproof digital camera (Aquapix is an easypix brand)

Sensor               : 10.0 Mega Pixels CMOS sensor

Max Resolution : 16.0 Mega Pixels (interpolation)

Lens                  : F2.8, f=8.5mm

Digital Zoom     : 4X

Focus Range     : 0.5m to infinity (normal), 11cm to 18cm (macro)

White Balance   : Auto / Daylight / Cloudy / Tungsten / Fluorescent

ISO                   : Auto  / 100 / 200 / 400 / 800

Flash                 : 1.2 ~ 1.8m with Auto / Off / Force Mode

LCD Display     : 2.4" Color TFT LCD display

Memory Card   : Card Slot supports MicroSD cards up to 32GB (MicroSD card is also called TF card)

Movie Clips      : MJPEG (AVI), resolution at VGA(30fps) with sound track, QVGA (30fps) with sound track

Still Image        : JPEG, resolution at 0.3MP (VGA 640 x 480), 3MP (2048 x 1536), 5MP (2592 x 1944),

                           10MP (3648 x 2736; default), 16MP (4608 x 3456) (interpolation)

Self-timer         : On / Off

Interface           : USB2.0

Language          : English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Spanish, Japanese

Auto Poweroff : Off / 1 minute / 3 minutes

Power Source   : 2 x AAA alkaline battery

Accessories       : USB cable, CD-ROM software disc, camera pouch, strap, user's manual

Weight              : 128g with battery and strap

Dimension        : 90.3 (W) x 63 (H) x 25.3 (D) mm 

Color                : Iceblue

Max Depth        : 10 feet (3 meters)

Packing             : original cardboard box packing

Supported OS   : Windows XP / Vista / 7 and MAC 10.4 or above

Hot Summer Day: Test Video of Aquapix W1024 from Eddy Tsang on Vimeo.

Note: The video format has been converted from the original mjpeg to mp4 for uploading purpose. There is a slight deterioration in video quality, and freezes or "hiccups" might happen during your first time viewing. The video improves when you view it for the second time.

The following pictures are taken with aquapix W1024 underwater camera

normal 1x (no zoom)

2x digital zoom

normal 1x (no zoom)

2x digital zoom

4x digital zoom

This picture is taken under macro mode

This picture is taken under macro mode

lomo effect (1): ISO 200, Metering: Multi, auto white balance, 1/8 second exposure

lomo effect (2): ISO 400, Metering: Center, manual white balance, 1/4 second exposure

lomo effect (3): ISO 200, Metering: Center, manual white balance, 1/4 second exposure

lomo effect (4): ISO 200, Metering: Multi, auto white balance, 1/4 second exposure

lomo effect (5): ISO 100, Metering: Multi, auto white balance, 1/4 second exposure

lomo effect (6): ISO 100, Metering: Multi, auto white balance, 1/4 second exposure

sketch effect (1)

sketch effect (2)

sketch effect (3)