Photo / Video News & Reviews
The DC2000 from SeaLife – the Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy full creative freedom, with breath taking images and incredible ease of use. SeaLife introduces their most sophisticated underwater camera yet, the SeaLife DC2000. With a large SONY® 1” type back-illuminated 20 megapixel image sensor and RAW formatting capabilities, the DC2000 will let your underwater inspirations guide you to stunning results.
The best of both worlds: With DSLR-like imaging results you’ll want to make the DC2000’s water-and shockproof inner camera your go-to land camera with the ability create rich landscapes and beautiful close-ups and portraits.
KEY FEATURES
Big image sensor
Sensor is about 4 times larger than most other compact cameras using 1/2.3” image sensors. Large pixels (2.4 μm) results in excellent low light performance.
Waterproof & shockproof inner camera
Ruggedized inner camera is designed to withstand 1.5m drops without being inside its underwater housing and is waterproof.
Easy to use
Quick Set Mode dial with big symbols for changing the modes plus big piano keys. Shortcut-Function to reach your favourite menu-settings very fast.
Depth-of-field-effect
With the big sensor and a large shutter you can create impressive depth-of-field-effects – putting the object you want in the limelight.
RAW-Format
Uncompressed image files allow for virtually unlimited photo editing options. A JPEG is also stored that you can easily share with your friends.
WiFi
Wireless preview, download and sharing of your captures with a smartphone or tablet.
MORE FACTS
- Ultra-fast shutter response of 0.1 seconds – virtually no shutter lag
- 4 Underwater Shooting Modes for sharp, colourful underwater pictures under any conditions
- 3 built-in underwater digital colour correction filters for the most common UW conditions, including shallow water (snorkelling), deep water (diving) or “green” water (algae bloom)
- 25 Land Scene modes automatically adjust camera settings for specific shooting environments
- Intelligent Auto mode automatically selects the optimal land scene mode for effortless shooting
- Continuous Burst Shooting – shoots high resolution 20MP pictures up to 10 frames per second
- Manual White Balance control to customise UW colour correction to your specific depth and water conditions
- Manual shutter and aperture for complete control over image exposure; from F1.8 to F11 in 0.3 stop increments
- Auto focus from 4”(10cm) to infinity
- Micro SD, SDHC SDXC and UHS-1 memory card compatible
- Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) – CCD shift technology reduces camera shake caused by hand movement
- Short-cut key for fast and easy access to favourite menu setting
- Expandable with Sea Dragon Flash(es), Photo-Video Lights and SeaLife SL975 Fisheye lens
- Rubber armoured, shock-resistant for rough handling and tough environments
- Rugged 200ft/60m Underwater Housing
Combine your camera with a powerful Sea Dragon LED light or strobe to boost the vibrant colours in your images and video.
Paired with the DC2000, the Sea Dragon Flash produces rich, deep colours and reduces backscatter. Combined with the powerful Sea Dragon 2500 Light and the DC2000 underwater camera, the DC2000 Pro Light will capture vibrant underwater colours that are typically muted and colourless. The sun-like Sea Dragon 2500 will make stills and videos extraordinary.
Perfect for shooting colourful underwater stills and HD video, the DC2000 Pro Duo comes fully equipped with the DC2000 underwater camera, Sea Dragon 2300 Auto light, and Sea Dragon Flash. The versatile set gives the diver the ability to use the light and strobe simultaneously. The Sea Dragon 2300 Auto Light features Auto Detect Mode that automatically turns off the light for two seconds when detecting an external flash.
All SeaLife products are available now at authorised Scubapro dealers.
MSRP DC2000: £669
MSRP DC2000 Pro Duo Set: £1.299
MSRP DC2000 Pro 2500 Set: £1.029
MSRP DC2000 Pro Flash Set: £955
MSRP Fisheye: £255
For more information visit www.sealife-cameras.info.
Blogs
Diver Discovering Whale Skeletons Beneath Ice Judged World’s Best Underwater Photograph
An emotive photograph showing a freediver examining the aftermath of whaling sees
Alex Dawson from Sweden named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024. Dawson’s
photograph ‘Whale Bones’ triumphed over 6500 underwater pictures entered by underwater
photographers from around the world.
“Whale Bones was photographed in the toughest conditions,” explains chair of judging
panel Alex Mustard, “as a breath-hold diver descends below the Greenland ice sheet to bear
witness to the carcasses. The composition invites us to consider our impact on the great
creatures of this planet. Since the rise of humans, wild animals have declined by 85%. Today,
just 4% of mammals are wildlife, the remaining 96% are humans and our livestock. Our way
needs to change to find a balance with nature.”
Whales dominated the winning pictures this year with Spanish photographer Rafael
Fernandez Caballero winning two categories with his revealing photos of these ocean giants:
a close up of a grey whale’s eye and an action shot of a Bryde’s whale engulfing an entire bait
ball, both taken in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Fernandez Caballero took ‘Grey
Whale Connection’ while drifting in a small boat, holding his camera over the side in the water
to photograph the curious whale. ‘The End Of A Baitball’ required Fernandez Caballero to dive
down and be in exactly the right place at the moment the whale lunged. “The photo shows
the high speed attack,” he said, “with the whale engulfing hundreds of kilograms of sardines
in one bite — simply unforgettable to see predation on such a scale.”
Lisa Stengel from the United States was named Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image of a mahi-mahi catching a sardine, in Mexico. Stengel used both a very fast shutter speed and her hearing to catch the moment. “If you listen there’s an enormous amount of sound in the ocean,” she explained. “The action was too fast to see, so I honed in on the sound of the attacks with my camera to capture this special moment.”
“It is such an exciting time in underwater photography because photographers are capturing such amazing new images, by visiting new locations and using the latest cameras,”
commented judge Alex Mustard. “Until this year I’d hardly ever see a photo of a mahi mahi,
now Lisa has photographed one hunting, action that plays out in the blink of an eye.”
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest is based in the UK, and Jenny Stock,
was named as British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image “Star
Attraction”, which finds beauty in species of British wildlife that are often overlooked.
Exploring the west coast of Scotland, Stock explained “in the dark green depths my torch
picked out the vivid colours of a living carpet of thousands of brittle stars, each with a
different pattern. I was happily snapping away, when I spotted this purple sea urchin and I
got really excited.”
In the same contest, Portuguese photographer, Nuno Sá, was named ‘Save Our Seas
Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024, with his photo ‘Saving
Goliath’, taken in Portugal. Sá’s photo shows beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm
whale. The picture gives us hope that people do care and want to help the oceans, but also
warns us that bigger changes are needed. “The whale had been struck by a ship and its fate
was sealed,” explains Sá. “An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more
injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realise that it happens.”
More winning images can be found at www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com.
About Underwater Photographer of the Year
Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world. The contest has 13 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, as well as four categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. The winners were announced in an award ceremony in Mayfair, London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s UPY judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE.
Header image: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 winner Alex Dawson
News
World’s Best Underwater Photographers Unveil Breathtaking Images at World Shootout 2023
The winners of the prestigious World Shootout 2023 underwater photography competition were announced at this year’s BOOT Show, captivating audiences at the world’s largest diving and water sports exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. Hundreds of photographers from 54 countries competed across nine categories, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical skill.
Grand Prize Winners
- Picture of the Year: Spanish photographer Eduardo Acevedo “secured” the top Honor with the prestigious prize the “boot Dusseldorf Director’s Prize, earning an Andromeda statuette and a €2,000 cash prize.
- Best 5 Images Portfolio: Luc Rooman from Belgium triumphed in this category, winning a dream 4-week diving trip for two to Papua New Guinea, valued at $18,900.
- Amateur Photographer: Alexandra Ceurvorst from the USA impressed the judges with her talent, taking home the 1,000 € cash prize award.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
This year’s competition saw 11,680 entries from 964 photographers, showcasing a remarkable spectrum of skills and perspectives. From the intricate wonders of Macro photography to the beauty of “Black Water”, the “Underwater Fashion” category added a touch of artistry and innovation, while the ever-important ” Environmental & Conservation” category served as a powerful reminder of the need to protect these fragile ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: AI and Ocean Conservation
World Shootout founder and producer David Pilosof unveiled an exciting addition for the 2024 competition: this year the Environmental category will be focusing on the impact of plastic on our oceans and future.
This category will embrace the potential of AI or other editing software as a tool to amplify the conservation message.
Entrants will submit campaigns of three original underwater photographs dealing with plastic pollution, along with their final AI assistance processing. This innovative approach encourages artistic expression while raising awareness about a critical environmental issue.
Explore the Stunning Collection
Discover the complete album of competition entries by clicking here.
For Low-resolution photos of finalist entries in eight categories, click here.
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