SPECIALTY DIGITAL CAMERAS

Bonica Sea-Pix Underwater Camera

Put a normal digital camera underwater, and the electronics fizzle out. Even if the electronics could be protected, the case would soon implode from the pressure as you take it to greater depths. How, then, do scuba diving photographers take all those cool underwater pictures you see in magazines and such?

Underwater photography is possible thanks to specially designed underwater cameras, such as Bonica's Sea-Pix. The Sea-Pix is designed with a waterproof housing that also protects against high levels of water pressure. It also has special larger controls that are easier for a diver to operate underwater. (Just imagine twiddling the knobs and switches on a typical point-and-shoot camera while you're in the water not bloody likely!)

The Sea-Pix uses a Sony 5.25 megapixel CCD processor, for large, high-resolution photos. You view your shot on a 1.5'' LCD panel, large enough and bright enough to see in murky water. The camera itself has a 3X optical zoom lens so you can get up close to your subject; there's also a macro setting for close-ups of sea life up to just 4 inches away. The lens has a 67mm threaded lens ring that can accept add-on filters, diopters, and wide-angle lenses. Focusing is automatic, which is a necessity when you're diving. Photos are stored on SD cards, and there's even a video mode for recording short underwater movies.

The camera's housing is made of extremely tough polycarbonate, and it lets you take the Sea-Pix as deep as 160 feet. When the camera is in the housing, you have access to just six controls (including zoom in, zoom out, macro, and flash) for easier operation. The control seals are protected by quad rings, and all hardware on the unit is either marine-grade stainless steel, nickel-plated brass, or anodized aluminum. There's also an internal trim ballast, which makes the camera lighter or heavier in the water.

For best pictures, use the Sea-Pix with Bonica's Neon Strobe III ($299). This is a powerful underwater strobe light that helps to enhance picture quality in deep or murky water. The strobe has a fully adjustable arm and a flash head that swivels 360°, so you can flash your subject from just about any angle. The Neon Strobe III fires simultaneously with the camera's built-in flash for best results.

Model: Sea-Pix Manufacturer: Bonica (www.bonicadive.com) Resolution: 5.25 MP Lens: 3X zoom (37 111mm) Shutter speed: 8-1/2000 second Dimensions: 6.25'' x 6'' x 6'' Weight: 17.25 oz. Price: $519.95

Pentax Optio33WR Water-Resistant Camera

If you don't plan to dive with your camera but you still want to take it with you on the water, consider Pentax's water-resistant Optio33WR. As Pentax says, you can splash it, dunk it, or take pictures in the rain or on your boat. You get decent 3.2 megapixel resolution, a 2.8X zoom lens, 1.6'' LCD display, and all manner of auto picture modes and it's all packed inside a small, hard-plastic, water-resistant case.

Model: Optio33WR Manufacturer: Pentax (www.pentaximaging.com) Resolution: 3.2 MP Lens: 2.8X zoom (37 104mm) Dimensions: 3.2'' x 3'' x 1.2'' Weight: 5.6 oz. Price: $349

JB1 James Bond 007 Spy Camera

The JB1 is the kind of gadget you'd expect Agent 007 to carry a digital camera built in to a cigarette lighter case. It's small enough to fit in any pocket and inconspicuous enough not to draw attention if Blofeld's around. The camera's a quick shot flip the top, click the button, and close the top again. There's no switching on required. Even cooler, the camera offers a surveillance mode that lets you record images at preset time intervals of up to 90 minutes. It takes pictures at either 640 x 480 or 320 x 240 resolution; the internal memory holds up to 150 of the higher-resolution pictures.

Model: JB1 Manufacturer: Digital Dream (www.jbcamera.com) Resolution: 0.3 MP Price: $99.99

Photo3-D Kit

Remember 3D movies? Now you can take 3D pictures from any digital camera, thanks to the Photo3-D 303 Kit. Attach your camera to the handheld Photo3-D device and snap a picture; then slide the camera to the second position and take a second picture. This creates a stereo pair of images; use the included Photo3-D Mixer software to combine the images into a single 3D image, which you can view with special 3D glasses.

Model: Photo3-D 303 Kit Manufacturer: Photo3-D (www.photo3-d.com) Price: $129

MagPix SX3 Digital Camera/Binocular

Here's a neat idea: Combine a quality pair of binoculars with a digital camera, so you can shoot what you see. That's what you get with MagPix's SX3, which combines a 3.1 megapixel digital camera with 10x25mm ruby-coated binoculars. It's great for any outdoor activity, from bird watching to watching NASCAR races. There's even a TV-out jack, so you can feed what you see through the binocs to a video display. All these neat features and you only have two buttons to worry about power and shutter!

Model: SX3 Manufacturer: MagPix (www.magpix.com) Camera resolution: 3.1 MP Binoculars: 10x25mm Dimensions: 5'' x 4'' x 2'' Weight: 9.6 oz. Price: $149.99