Review of SeaLife SportDiver Smartphone Case, Offering Underwater Smartphone Photography
The SeaLife SportDiver, a compact underwater camera solution, is now available for shipping and can be ordered at Bluewater Photo. This smartphone housing offers several notable advantages for underwater photography, making it an accessible and versatile option for divers who want to explore the depths without the expense or hassle of dedicated camera systems.
Using your smartphone inside the SportDiver housing is a more cost-effective choice than investing in a dedicated underwater camera and housing, which can be significantly more expensive. The housing works with your phone’s existing camera capabilities through the free SportDiver app, allowing you to operate the camera via Bluetooth with physical controls for shutter, playback, focus, and zoom, as well as access advanced camera settings.
One of the key benefits of the SportDiver is its user-friendly interface. Since you’re using your smartphone, you benefit from immediate access to your photos and videos for quick editing and sharing, which is less convenient with traditional underwater cameras. The housing supports a wide range of phone models, including those with multiple lenses, thanks to a horizontal window design.
The SportDiver Ultra housing ensures protection with a vacuum seal test before diving and a moisture detector alarm in case of leaks during the dive. It also includes seven 1/4"-20 threads for mounting on trays, tripods, and attaching accessories like lights, enabling versatile underwater shooting setups.
For a more neutral buoyancy and enhanced image quality, adding a video light and tray to the housing is recommended. The housing is depth-rated to 130 ft/40m and comes with a vacuum pressure alarm to detect leaks.
The US MSRP for the SeaLife SportDiver is $349.95. While the app allows users to control some aspects like exposure and white balance, it lacks full manual control, which could be beneficial for more accomplished photographers. The housing is not compatible with external strobes, but a SeaLife SportDiver Pro 2500 Set is available, which includes a powerful video light.
The housing is built from tough polycarbonate material, making it scratch-resistant and protective against drops, bangs, and scrapes. Despite being smaller in size compared to most underwater camera systems, it offers a built-in leak detection system that tests the vacuum's integrity for five minutes before allowing diving. This system works even while on dry land, providing an extra layer of protection.
The SeaLife SportDiver is compatible with almost all modern smartphones, making it a future-proof investment. It features a Bluetooth-controlled app for easy operation and includes a large shutter button and four easy-to-use buttons on the back. The housing is compatible with both iPhone models (from iPhone 7 onwards) and most Android phones.
In summary, the SeaLife SportDiver housing offers an accessible, versatile, and well-protected option for underwater photography, enabling divers to leverage the convenience and quality of their smartphone cameras without the expense and complexity of a dedicated underwater camera system.
- The SeaLife SportDiver, a compact underwater camera solution, can be ordered at Bluewater Photo, making it an affordable choice for divers.
- This smartphone housing uses your phone’s existing camera capabilities through the free SportDiver app, allowing you to control shutter, focus, and zoom functions.
- The housing supports a wide range of phone models, including those with multiple lenses, ensuring compatibility for various photography needs.
- The SportDiver Ultra housing has a vacuum seal test before diving and a moisture detector alarm, providing protection against leaks.
- For improved buoyancy and image quality, additional gadgets like video lights and trays can be attached to the housing.
- The housing is depth-rated to 130 ft/40m and includes a vacuum pressure alarm to detect leaks.
- While the app offers control over aspects like exposure and white balance, it lacks full manual control, which could be beneficial for skilled photographers.
- The housing is built from tough polycarbonate material, making it scratch-resistant and protective against drops, bangs, and scrapes.
- The SeaLife SportDiver is compatible with almost all modern smartphones, making it a future-proof investment for underwater photography during trips and travel.
