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ScubaLab: Underwater Camera Systems - Bonica for the Sony T90

By Scuba Diving Partner | Published On August 19, 2010
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ScubaLab: Underwater Camera Systems - Bonica for the Sony T90


Specifications

Sensor 12.4 MP, 6.16x4.62 mm CCD, 43 MP pixel density per square cm
Image Size Large: 4,000x3,000 to 640x480 at lowest resolution
Sensitivity ISO 80-3,200
Image File Formats JPEG, RAW
Auto Focus 9-point TTL, manual focus override
Exposure Modes Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Manual
White Balance 10-position including Auto and Manual
Weight 7.3 ounces
Monitor 3-inch, 230,400 pixel LCD
Zoom 35-140 mm
Video Mode 1,280x720 or 640x480 (30 fps)
Special Features Lightweight, image stabilization, exposure compensation
System as Tested Bonica DSC-T90 housing, Sony T90 camera with a Bonica Wide Angle Conversion Lens with 58-degree view, Bonica Neon XP Strobe
Price as Tested $1,049
www.sony.com
www.bonicadive.com

The Pros Say

Bonica has developed a compact housing for the thin and streamlined Sony T90, a camera that you could easily pop out of the housing and into your shirt pocket for a night on the town after a day of diving. This camera would be really good for the photographer looking for a camera you don’t have to fuss over and can use on dry land as well.

The Test Diver Says

The Sony Bonica is easy to use and light enough to carry on all of your dives. A hardy frame houses the camera. A very large, bright LCD screen gives instant feedback on all shots. My first impression of the Bonica was the attention to color brightness. The camera captured vivid color, and I managed to take it on a dive with limited visibility and limited light, and still got bright, vibrant photos. The camera is great for macro shots and close-frame photos. There is, however, a shutter delay that made capturing moving fish difficult, and any shot located beyond five feet lost a lot of definition and depth-of-field. The ease of use made it responsive to spontaneous shots. The various modes were easy to access, with an Underwater mode that enhanced color for limited-visibility shots. I was most impressed with the ability of the camera to intuit colors and light with the limited light available at depth. Almost every shot within the camera’s range delivered vivid, clear pictures. There are a lot of really nice features on the Sony Bonica that make it attractive to photographers who want vivid color capture and great light for still shots. I didn’t have as much luck with spontaneous shooting or capturing depth in longer shots. I also wanted more variety and mode adjustments once I learned how to use it. All in all, it performed impressively in varied light conditions and had amazing color definition. — Andrea Beck


August 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Optical Cameras
---
Canon Powershot D10| Fisheye Fix for the Canon G11
Fisheye Fix for the Canon S90| Sea&Sea; DX-2G
Bonica for the Sony T90|
Micro Four-Thirds Camera
---
Olympus PT-EP01 for the E-PL1
Digital SLR Cameras
---
Ikelite for the Nikon D90| Nauticam for the Canon 7D

Specifications

Sensor 12.4 MP, 6.16x4.62 mm CCD, 43 MP pixel density per square cm
Image Size Large: 4,000x3,000 to 640x480 at lowest resolution
Sensitivity ISO 80-3,200
Image File Formats JPEG, RAW
Auto Focus 9-point TTL, manual focus override
Exposure Modes Auto, Program, Aperture Priority, Manual
White Balance 10-position including Auto and Manual
Weight 7.3 ounces
Monitor 3-inch, 230,400 pixel LCD
Zoom 35-140 mm
Video Mode 1,280x720 or 640x480 (30 fps)
Special Features Lightweight, image stabilization, exposure compensation
System as Tested Bonica DSC-T90 housing, Sony T90 camera with a Bonica Wide Angle Conversion Lens with 58-degree view, Bonica Neon XP Strobe
Price as Tested $1,049
www.sony.com
www.bonicadive.com

The Pros Say

Bonica has developed a compact housing for the thin and streamlined Sony T90, a camera that you could easily pop out of the housing and into your shirt pocket for a night on the town after a day of diving. This camera would be really good for the photographer looking for a camera you don’t have to fuss over and can use on dry land as well.

The Test Diver Says

The Sony Bonica is easy to use and light enough to carry on all of your dives. A hardy frame houses the camera. A very large, bright LCD screen gives instant feedback on all shots. My first impression of the Bonica was the attention to color brightness. The camera captured vivid color, and I managed to take it on a dive with limited visibility and limited light, and still got bright, vibrant photos. The camera is great for macro shots and close-frame photos. There is, however, a shutter delay that made capturing moving fish difficult, and any shot located beyond five feet lost a lot of definition and depth-of-field. The ease of use made it responsive to spontaneous shots. The various modes were easy to access, with an Underwater mode that enhanced color for limited-visibility shots. I was most impressed with the ability of the camera to intuit colors and light with the limited light available at depth. Almost every shot within the camera’s range delivered vivid, clear pictures. There are a lot of really nice features on the Sony Bonica that make it attractive to photographers who want vivid color capture and great light for still shots. I didn’t have as much luck with spontaneous shooting or capturing depth in longer shots. I also wanted more variety and mode adjustments once I learned how to use it. All in all, it performed impressively in varied light conditions and had amazing color definition. — Andrea Beck


August 2010 Issue Scuba Lab Review Quick Links
Optical Cameras
---
Canon Powershot D10| Fisheye Fix for the Canon G11
Fisheye Fix for the Canon S90| Sea&Sea; DX-2G
Bonica for the Sony T90|
Micro Four-Thirds Camera
---
Olympus PT-EP01 for the E-PL1|
Digital SLR Cameras
---
Ikelite for the Nikon D90| Nauticam for the Canon 7D