If you enjoy snorkeling or SCUBA diving, you know how difficult it is to work with underwater digital cameras. Liquid Image has come up with a unique and innovative solution by combining a dive mask with a digital camera.

This was another cool gadget gift that we found at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show. Liquid Image’s original digital camera snorkeling mask won honors at the 2009 CES for Innovation. At the show the company introduced several new underwater camera diving masks that will be available to the consumer market in the coming months.

The basic model is the Explorer Series 302 (yellow mask in image below), which includes an integral 5.0 megapixal digital camera that shoots still images at 2560×1920 pixels, and video at 640×480 pixels. It holds up to 2 gigabytes of memory on a standard micro SD card. You can transfer images either by removing the card and plugging it into a media drive, or images can be transferred via a USB cable. This is a snorkeling model that is waterproof down to 5 meters (15 feet). A easy-to-reach button activates the camera shutter. The best part is that it is affordable at less than $100.

The more serious underwater photographers will really enjoy the new product lines, some of which offer high definition video as well as 5 megapixel images. The following new models will become available between now and June of 2009.

The new VideoMask 310 (red mask shown above) is another snorkeling mask and digital camera combination, but this model increases the depth to 10 meters (~33 feet) and it holds up to 8 gigabytes of memory on a Micro SD/SDHC card. The video resolution also increases slightly and an underwater microphone is added that records sound while using the video mode. It also allows for optional headlight attachments (shown below), which are typically necessary for depths greater than 5 meters. The suggested retail on this model is $159. The serious snorkeler will want to get this model.

The next model is the Scuba Series HD320 (blue mask). As the name suggests, this is a SCUBA diving mask, which is certified for depths up to 35 meters (~115 feet). It also add high definition 720p video at 1280×720 pixels. This is the model you want to use to show movies on your high definition television! It holds up to 32 gigabytes of memory on a removable Micro SD/SDHC card. The underwater microphone for audio recording feature is included. You will want to purchase the optional side headlights for this model. The HD320 is also very affordable with a suggested retail price of $215.

The current top end digital camera diving mask is the Pro HD350 (black mask). It includes all of the features found in the HD320 model, but increases the dive depth to 100 meters (~330 feet). This really is the professional model underwater camera for experienced SCUBA divers, including those who engage in spear fishing, search and recovery and surveying, as well as the serious sport diver. Liquid Image has not yet announced a price for this model.

The video on all of the underwater cameras is shot at 30 fps (frames per second). To give you some idea as to how much video each memory card can hold, the manufacturer’s literature states that gigabytes of memory in the Explorer Series 302 holds minutes, the VideoMask 310 with 8 gigabytes holds 160 minutes, the HD320 and HD350 with 32 gigabytes holds 960 minutes. If you are not interested in video, the number of 5 megapixel still images that each camera holds in the thousands.

All models run on standard AAA batteries, so you do not have to worry about charging the masks when traveling to countries with different standards for electricity. All in all, Liquid Image did a real nice job designing these innovative gadget gifts for sport or professional divers. The quality appears to be excellent and the the prices are affordable. I was also told that if you need a prescription dive mask, prescription lenses can be added.

You can see the Liquid Image underwater digital camera dive masks at the following online stores or at your favorite dive shop.