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Waterproof to 10 Feet!

Underwater Digital Camera with 9 Special Photo Effects

8 MP default resolution, 16 MP max resolution

Product Description

Topixo DW-8B 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 8.0 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 8.0 MP (3264 x 2448) 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 B&W, SEPIA, NEGATIVE, GREEN, BLUE, RED and VIVID 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.

Other Functions

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

1. Resolution

The 8.0 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 photo taking 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 : Topixo DW-8B waterproof digital camera

Sensor : 8.0 Mega Pixels CMOS sensor

Max Resolution : 16.0 Mega Pixels (interpolation)

Lens : F2.8, f=4.8mm

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), 8MP (3264 x 2448; default), 16MP (4608 x 3456)(interpolation)

Self-timer : On / Off

Interface : USB2.0

Language : English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, French, 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 / Win 7 / Win 8 and MAC OS X 10.6.8 or above

FREE SHIPPING!

You will enjoy FREE SHIPPING for this item. We will send this item at no cost to you by airmail, which takes about 20 days to reach you.

For customers with delivery address in Brazil and Italy, please note that EMS (express mail service) is the only reliable delivery method. This is due to the extreme high rate of delivery problem in the form of delay or loss. The additional cost is $26 USD for addresses in Brazil and Italy. EMS offers a faster, reliable delivery with full tracking.

VALUE ADDED TAX

Value added tax, usually abbreviated as VAT, is the import tax for the item you purchased. It is also called "customs duty" or "duty". Buyers of this item shall be responsible for paying the VAT.

Different countries will have their own VAT relief threshold, as well as the VAT payable for items above the relief threshold. The following information comes from the Hongkong Post postal intelligence section. The information, which is last updated in November 2011, is given as reference only. Please refer to the relevant authority in your country for updated information.

For accessing the links, please go to the Hongkong Post "postal intelligence" section. Here is a link to this page:

[link removed by eBay]

Please copy and paste this link in your browser to gain access to the page.

According to the information presented in this table, buyers with delivery addresses in USA, Australia, Singapore and Japan will enjoy VAT relief, since the value of this item does not exceed the corresponding VAT relief threshold.

Buyers with delivery addresses in UK, for example, have to pay 20% VAT according to the above table. Please be aware of this hidden cost when you consider to buy this item.

International Buyers - Please Note:

a) Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility.

b) Please check with your country’s customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding/buying.

Best Performance Guidelines

For best performance of this camera, please consider the following useful information:

(A) Opening the latch of the battery compartment

Suppose you are a right hand user, this is what you will typically do when opening the battery door.

Hold the camera with your right hand, with the middle finger near the shutter. Now use the nail of your right hand thumb to push the self-retractable door lock to the up position. Keep the door lock in the up position.

Then slide the battery door to the right with your left hand thumb. While you are sliding the door to the right, you still have to keep the self-retractable lock in the up position.

(B) MicroSD / TF memory card

Sandisk and Toshiba TF cards are more reliable. They have better performance from our experience.

Make sure the AAA battery you use is "alkaline" battery. "Energizer" is a commonly used alkaline battery type which provide a stable performance. There are two types of Energizer alkaline battery: The Energizer Advanced is a more long lasting alkaline battery, while the Energizer Max is an everyday use alkaline battery.

Rechargeable battery can be used for cost saving in the long run. The Energizer Recharge is a typical high capacity rechargeable battery which is suitable for digital cameras. Please choose the highest capacity type (1000mAh) when you choose rechargeable AAA battery.

(D) Use in sea water

To enhance the life time of this camera, please follow these advices as much as possible:

Before using in seawater, user must:
1. ensure the area surrounding the battery door has no sand, dust or foreign objects on it;
2. ensure the battery door is closed and locked properly;

During the time of use in seawater, user must:
1. avoid opening and closing the battery door with wet hands;
2. avoid going to a depth greater than 3 meters;
3. keep the camera away from highly pressurized water such as water jets;
4. avoid bumping or knocking the camera underwater, otherwise the battery door might accidentally open.

After using in seawater, user must:
1. put the camera in fresh water with battery door properly closed. Soak the camera in fresh water for 5 minutes;
2. After that, wipe the camera and the lens dry with a small absorbent cleaning towel;
3. Place the camera in a well ventilated cool place to dry naturally;
4. Wait until the camera is completely dry, then open the battery door. Use a soft cleaning cloth to clean away seawater, sand and impurities around the door cover and the edge of battery compartment;
5. do not use any soapy water, mild detergents or alcohol to clean the camera. They may make the camera less resistant to water.
6. The camera can go for another round of use under seawater after cleaning.

Information about the seller

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The following pictures are taken with Topixo DW-8B underwater camera

Sketch effect