THE HIGH END  

High-end cameras such as the Cannon EOS-30D SLR will run about $2500 with its’ companion underwater case.

The EOS-30D comes in two kits: one with the body only ($1399), and another with everything in the body only kit plus an 18 - 55 mm lens ($1499). Here’s what you’ll find in each kit:

The 8.2 effective Megapixel Canon EOS-30D camera body
EF-S 18 - 55 mm F3.5 - 5.6 Mk II lens [lens kit only]
BP-511A Li-ion rechargeable battery pack
Battery charger
Neck strap
USB cable
Video cable
CD-ROM featuring EOS Digital Solutions
179 page camera manual (printed)

The 30D is a power user’s dream camera, with tons of manual controls and custom settings. You’ve got all the usual manual exposure controls plus class-leading white balance controls. The camera now has the same Picture Styles menu as the EOS-5D, which lets you quickly change things like sharpness, color, and contrast. If you’re not an enthusiast, don’t fret: the 30D has an auto mode and several scene modes as well. The camera is fairly easy-to-use, too.

In addition to the cost of camera you will need to purchase an underwater case such as the Ikelite Underwater SLR Camera Housing Marine Case for Canon 30D Digital SLR (687130) at an average cost of $1300.

THE LOWER END

Many underwater photographers are using the “Point and Shoot” digital camera with a companion underwater case. The newer Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-N1 fits this description.

At first glance the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-N1 ($499) looks like another ultra-thin camera. But the N1 is more than just a camera: Sony has designed it to be both a camera and a portable photo viewer. The N1 can display up to 500 of your photos, organized in albums. They can be viewed individually or in slideshows complete with music on the DSC-N1’s huge 3-inch LCD display. Each time you take a picture it’s automatically added to the album (which is stored in internal memory), so putting photos in the album is totally brainless.

Other features on the N1 include an 8.1 Megapixel CCD, 3X optical zoom lens, limited manual controls, VGA movie mode, and an AF-assist lamp

The Cyber-shot DSC-N1 has a design unlike any of Sony’s other ultra-thin cameras. The body is made entirely of metal, and it feels very solid in your hands. There are very few buttons on the camera, with most things controlled via the touchscreen LCD that you’ll see in a moment. While it’s thicker than the T-series cameras, it will still fit in your smallest pockets with ease.

The Sony companion underwater case runs about $150

The Higher-End Cannon EOS 30D-SLR (with underwater case) runs about $2500, while the Lower-End Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-N1 (with underwater case) runs about $600 -$700.