Carlsbad, CA (Feb. 25, 2003) – Sea & Sea USA, the global leader in underwater imaging gear, has released the new DX-3000 digital underwater camera. This highly-anticipated product combines the convenience and quality of digital photo technology, with the advanced design features and dependability underwater photographers have come to expect from Sea & Sea products.

A compact underwater digital system, the DX-3000’s features are anything but small. The first camera in its class to offer a 3.24 mega-pixel system, the DX-3000 delivers exceptional resolution and quality images that can easily be turned into large format prints. In addition, the DX-3000’s shutter system is easily the fastest currently available in the compact digital category at .22 seconds. This means photographers will not experience “shutter-lag”, the annoying time delay between releasing the shutter and the camera actually capturing the image.

While divers and water sports enthusiasts are sure to embrace the new DX-3000, its not just divers who can enjoy its many features. In fact, the camera’s innovative options make it the perfect solution for anyone wanting to get started in digital photography – in the water or out! The sleek, simple design of the specially-built camera include a wide preview screen with easy to navigate features. With automatic and self-focusing options, it’s easy to “point and shoot” and capture exceptional images right from the start.

“Digital photography scares some people,” says Ron Pavelka, General Manager of Sea & Sea USA. “We developed the DX-3000 not just to be a superior underwater digital imaging solution, but a superior digital imaging system – period. If a person has never owned a digital camera before, the DX-3000 is a great starter camera. The fact you can take it with you o­n your next dive and bring back exceptional underwater images is a pleasant and valuable bonus.”

Sea & Sea’s strength is its diverse underwater imaging features and this is where the DX-3000 really excels. Weighing less than two pounds and small enough to easily fit into a BCD pocket, the lightweight DX-3000 housing design allows users more than a dozen adjustments. These include is this o­ne touch or o­n-touch menu display, thumbnail reviews, instant telephoto or macro options, mode adjustment and much more.

The DX-3000 also has a quick preview feature that allows for instant review of images helping insure users get the right exposure before moving o­n to another subject. A unique LCD cover, introduced for the first time o­n the DX-3000, helps divers clearly see the preview without interference from other light sources.

Multiple internal flash modes available o­n the DX-3000 give photographers an unmatched level of light and exposure control. Flash options include automatic and manual modes, adjustable white balance and custom settings for unique environments. An innovative “flash shutter” helps to eliminate backscatter problems when using supplemental lighting systems. The DX-3000 is fully adaptable to the popular Sea & Sea DX line of external strobes.

Divers demand versatility in their gear and the DX-3000 delivers, in a big way. Using Sea & Sea’s ground-breaking bayonet lens mount system, underwater photographers can change lenses o­n the fly, underwater using the popular MX-10 system lenses. However, the exceptional range of the built-in macro lens all but eliminates the need for any supplemental macro lens.

With 8 MB of built-in memory, photographers can capture up to 27 images in the average resolution mode. An optional high speed SD memory card, available separately, provides an unparalleled level of storage and imaging space. With the capacity to store up to 256 MB, which is the equivalent of more than 160 individual photo images, the optional SD card lets photographers enjoy the freedom of taking multiple shots and multiple dives without having to download images to clear memory.

Downloading images with the DX-3000 is almost as simple as shooting the images in the first place. With full PC or MAC compatible software and a convenient USB cable included, moving and storing images from the camera to your home computer is a snap. Images can be viewed and edited using common photo editing software.

Available exclusively from retail dive stores that are authorized Sea & Sea dealers, the DX-3000 has a suggested retail price of $899.

For more information go to www.seaandsea.com