In this article, I want to review and talk about the “Liquid Image Scuba Series” diving mask camera. This underwater goggles camera was designed for experienced scuba divers and it’s a part of Liquid image’s line of cameras, including the “Explorer  Series”  and “Summit Series”.  The idea behind this camera is to have a scuba mask with an integrated HD digital camera in is, so you shoot videos hands-free and focus on the underwater sea-life experience, instead of occupying one or even two hands with a waterproof video camera. Those types of underwater photography products are known as “Scuba diving Mask cameras” or “Goggles cameras“, and Liquid Image goggle cameras among the best out there. Let’s dive a bit deeper and have a closer look at this popular product.

Goggles with integrated HD camera, Liquid Image Scuba Series 322

Overview

When you search for an underwater videocamera or stills camera, you have several options. For the highest quality photos and videos, a DSLR with a camera an underwater housing for maximum protection, and of course, best image quality. However, as I mentioned earlier, this equipment is relatively bulky and heavy (depends on the camera size) and can occupy both hands. Some photographers prefer embracing an underwater camera system like the SeaLife DC1200 Elite, due to its compact size, although the camera is a point-and-shoot one, rather than an interchangeable lens camera.

Liquid Image comes to solve some of the limitations related to underwater photography, both related to ease-of-use, price, versatility and performance. The most convenient solution is to use a digital camera that is built-in right into your diving goggles, allowing you to explore the deep sea without holding anything in your hands. This is a great advantage for both amateur and professional divers who want to record their underwater adventure and capture some amazing underwater scenes.

There are a few disadvantages of this “hands-free” solution is that the Liquid image Scuba series. First of all, the camera isn’t in front of you, so you don’t get to have a large LCD to compose your shots. Second, it utilizes a fixed lens with 136°angle of view, which doesn’t give you the optical zooming capabilities as in conventional underwater cameras. However, this solution was intended for photographers who want to explore the underwater world, whether snorkeling or scuba diving, but without the camera getting into their way.  It’s most intended for video recording and wide-angle under water scenery shots. Some will use this video-mask for instructional video or analysis of diving performance.

OK, we’ve talked about some of the disadvantages of this type of underwater camera, now lets get to know the Liquid Image Scuba Series a bit better.

Hands-Free Underwater Camera

The Liquid Image Videomask is a lightweight, bulk-free, hands-free and low-cost solution for underwater photographers and divers. It was built with simplicity in mind, which you can operate the camera with only two buttons. One is the shutter button, and the other is an on/off switch. The power button also operates as a switch for changing between stills or HD video recording.  Although the Liquid Image videomask doesn’t come with an electronic viewfinder of some kind, you have a small LED display that indicates which mode the camera is shooting right now. This is useful, because when you are underwater, you need to focus on your diving experience, and you want to know straight away if you are shooting video or stills at a specific moment.

Liquid Image Videomask HD 322/323 is built with the highest standards and can withstand water depths up to 130 feet / 40 meters. This is the ideal hands-free underwater photography solution for scuba diving, spearfishing, freediving, snorkeling and for general HD video recording underwater.

High Definition Videos and 5MP Stills

The videomask 322/323 model can capture beautiful High Definition 720p30 (1280×720 pixel resolution) videos with excellent clarity and image quality. Furthermore, you can shoot still images at a maximum resolution of 5.0-megapixels.  Because of its unique and compact design, the videomask 322/323 works on micro SD/SDHC memory cards, with support to a maximum capacity of 32GB. This can give you the opportunity to shoot thousands of underwater photos and up to sixteen hours of continuous video recording by using high-capacity memory cards. The camera is very energy-efficient and operates on four AAA batteries. It’s important to note that the current battery setup with 4 x AAA batteries will give you a battery life of approximately 2000 stills and two hours of video recording. Some people prefer having some extra batteries on the boat on shore, so they can quickly replace them and go on shooting more videos and photos. Furthermore, this goggles camera captures HD videos with sound too.

Before we continue, you probably want to get a taste of the HD video capabilities of the Liquid Image wide-angle HD swim mask 322. Here are two gorgeous underwater HD movies taken with it:

Feeding fish:

Bat fish:

The video quality is very good, sharp, saturated and with great amount of details – just beautiful!

The 322 camera mask is compatible with the Liquid Image blue Water lens filter, used for getting natural sunlight in shallow blue-green water, both fresh and salt water. You have the option to correct the colors with video editing software, but this is the most recommended way to get the best image quality and save you time and effort making color corrections on your home computer. You’ll get beautiful vivid colors that will make your underwater videos pop-out and look amazing!

From what I’ve read, Liquid Image still hasn’t released a green water filter yet. You are encouraged to visit liquidimageco.com for more updated information.

Lens and Sensor

The camera utilizes a 1/3.2″ (~ 4.53 x 3.41 mm) 5.0-megapixel CMOS Sensor. A CMOS sensor is used due to its high quality images, even in high-ISO and its ability to contribute to a high quality HD videos and fast data transfer to maximize performance, as well as its low power-consumption.

The Liquid Image hands free action camera utilizes a fixed lens with 136° angle of view lens, which will give you a great wide-angle view which is crucial for transferring the emotional essence that every diver experience underwater.

The camera outputs images in a JPEG image format for stills and H.264 format for videos.

Rap Things Up

Liquid Image Video Mask 322 is the latest model in the “Scuba Series”. It’s one of the most recommended and popular hands-free scuba diving camera-mask in the market today. It’s built with the highest standards, no need to worry about water leakage. The existent of the HD camera in the mask, doesn’t take away from the high-quality materials which this diving mask is made of. With a 3.5″ x 7.4″ x 5.2″ (89mm x 187mm x 133mm) size and 360g (inc. batteries and card), this mask is not heavier than your regular scuba diving mask.

The image quality of both stills and HD is gorgeous as you can see from the above videos (don’t forget to watch it in HD). The vivid colors, sharpness and the wide-angle of view, really produces some gorgeous underwater views. If you want to share your friends with some of the amazing scenes that can be observed underwater, the videomask 322/323 model is certainly a model that you should look at. Liquid Image has another model called “Explorer Series”, which has a higher 8-megapixel camera, but doesn’t have HD video (only VGA 640×480-pixels), can withstand depths up to 15ft / 5m (certified), so it’s mostly useful for snorkeling or swimming pools, but not for those of you who dare to go deeper.
The Liquid Image scuba HD322 wide angle camera mask certainly should be in your top list when searching to buy an underwater camera integrated in a diving mask. For some of us, underwater cameras and housing can be a burden to carry. We want to explore the underwater world and capture videos and stills, but that without interfering with the actual diving experience. That’s where Liquid Image comes into the picture, and the image quality won’t disappoint.