Brief Scenes

Pro photographer’s question??? Underwater camera IQ —?

Underwater digital cameras seem to have a reputation for poor image quality. Even the 11th generation Pentax Optio W90 apparently does not have stellar image quality. I know small sensor cameras have their limits but why can’t a compact digital camera – especially a 11th generation camera – have better image quality? Is it a necessary compromise that needs to be made to make the cameras waterproof? What gives? Thank you.
Thanks “Deep Blue” – I guess I should have specified that I meant ABOVE water as well.

Generally light is very poor underwater, so compact digitals have to boost the ISO to get a decent exposure which inevitably results in high noise (compacts don’t perform well at high ISO’s).

Using on-board flash on compacts underwater is a no-no, as on-axis flash causes any particles on the water to light up, giving rise to ‘backscatter’ which looks like snow in the scene.

Sensor size and the generally poorer lens quality of compacts is a major factor, however, small compacts are ok in very clear water and very close to the subject (macro mode). Supplementary flashes can be added and also external (’wet’ lens) wide angle adapters which help.

User error has a part to play too…most new underwater photographers don’t follow the basic rules, which are to get close and shoot up. This usually results in clearer images (because you’re close) & a less cluttered background (shoot with water as the backdrop if you can). It IS possible to get good images with compacts, but you do need to have regard to the limitations mentioned above & shoot within those limitations.

Edit: this is a shot which I took with a compact several years ago (when I was changing from underwater 35mm film cameras to digital) and the image quality is ok, but not as good as shots achieved with my Nikon DSLR.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deepbluephotography/3334893399/in/set-72157607997086637/

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