Intova CP9 Compact Waterproof Digital Camera Review

Intova CP9 Compact Waterproof Digital Camera Review
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[caption id="attachment_1232" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Intova CP9"]Intova CP9 [/caption] The Intova CP9 compact waterproof digital camera is a 9 megapixel camera released as an update on Intova’s popular CP8 offering. The CP9 comes with a removable waterproof housing shell that is waterproof to depths up to a massive 130 feet. With prices now starting as low as $65, the CP9 would appear to be an ideal cheap waterproof camera. However, can it really be that simple, or does the price reflect the quality?  Key Specs for Intova CP9 Compact Waterproof Digital Camera   RRP: $140 Release Year: 2011 Resolution (megapixels): 9 Dimensions (inches):  3.6 x 2.2 x 1.1 Weight (oz.): 3 Zoom: 4x digital Waterproof Depth: 130 feet Memory:  32MB  

Intova CP9 Compact Waterproof Digital Camera: The Pros

Price: With prices starting as low as $65, the Intova CP9 really does come in at the low end of the pricing scale when it comes to bargain waterproof cameras. By separating the waterproof requirements from the camera itself and applying them to the shell casing, Intova have been able to drastically reduce the cost by not having to waterproof the entire camera itself. At this price, it’s no wonder that many people see the CP9 as an ideal starter camera for first time divers, snorkelers and children alike. Most waterproof cameras in this price range are only suitable for dives up to a maximum of 30 feet, and you will struggle to find a cheaper digital camera that will offer you comparable depths of dive.   Waterproof: Speaking of dives, the Intova CP9 offers water resistance to depths that you simple will not get for less than $250 anywhere else. The removable waterproof housing is not pretty – it makes the camera look like a child’s toy. However, what it lacks in aesthetic beauty it more than makes up for in functionality. With a simple pinch and twist unlock system, the waterproof shell is both easy to remove and almost impossible to accidentally open. The buttons on the shell are large and comfortable to use, and in many ways provide a greater degree of control and accuracy when adjusting settings mid dive. In fact, there's only one limitation to the waterproof housing, which we will deal with below. Ease Of Use: The Intova CP9 is delightfully easy to navigate. For the price you pay, you wouldn’t expect the CP9 to have a whole range of modes and features to cover every eventuality, but it does have several scene modes such as sports, landscape and night. The CP9 also features a macro mode which can be very simply activated by flicking a switch on the side wall of the camera to toggle between on and off. Similarly, you can switch into video mode easily and quickly at the push of a button. Overall, a very intuitive camera that requires little to no user instruction. Intova CP9 Compact Waterproof Digital Camera: The Cons Macro Toggle Button: While the waterproof casing that surrounds the CP9 is excellent for the most part, it does not allow the user to adjust the slide which toggles between normal shooting and macro shooting. This huge oversight is a big mistake by Intova, and unfortunately not something you are likely to notice until you’ve already dived with the camera. The point of a camera that can dive to 130 feet is that not only can you get excellent photos on the way down, but that you can take quality photos of the seabed itself. With the CP9, you effectively have to choose before starting your dive what kind of photo you are looking to take, and serious divers looking to photograph these lower depths will be massively disappointed with this limitation. Battery Life: The Intova CP9 uses AAA batteries, and while this might sound ideal for a long day’s diving at sea, you may find that one set of spare batteries is not enough to see out the day. Any kind of heavy usage will result in the CP9 shutting down long before you have finished with it. Again – counter intuitive for a camera that can facilitate such deep depths. If you do choose the CP9, lithium batteries are a must.

Is the Intova CP9 Compact Waterproof Digital Camera Worth Buying?

Somewhat paradoxically, this is not the camera to take on deep dives with little light. If you are serious about the quality of both your photos, do not expect to be overwhelmed. However, for young children, first time snorkelers and those looking for a bargain, the CP9 is a perfectly acceptable little camera that will remain bone dry in all situations. With very little set up required, and an extremely user friendly interface, the Intova CP9 waterproof camera is the absolute definition of a point and click camera, ideal for family fun around the pool or in the water.