Little point-of-view action cameras like the GoPro Hero have revolutionized underwater video recording, but divers have encountered some inconvenient drawbacks, mainly the inability to white balance for good color rendition at depth. To do so, the filters have to be fitted. The cameras also tend to have such limited battery life and housing depth restrictions that they are limited to sport diving only.

Now, a better version has reached the market, which Undercurrent first saw at DEMA in November. The Paralenz, designed in Denmark, has been beta tested by more than 200 divers in 38 countries. Capable of recording 4K video at 30fps for over two hours, it's designed for serious divers, who usually clip it alongside their masks.

Some unique new features include its depthcontrolled color correction capability that eliminates the need for filters; screen overlays displaying current depth and temperature; and easy media sharing and dive logging via the Paralenz Dive App, all combined in a lightweight package with a staggering depth rating of 650 feet (200m) -- without the need for an extra housing. That should be enough for any of us!

Although we at Undercurrent could only give the camera a superficial examination, it looks to be substantially made, wrought out of machined aluminum, with flush controls and nothing to cause an entanglement hazard.

The cigar-sized Paralenz camera is intended to sell for around $730 (649 Euros) with a mounting kit for $28 (25 Euros) extra. At present, you can buy it online. For examples of footage obtained with this camera and more details, go to https://www.paralenz.com

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