Paralenz is an action camera built by a Danish agency Moef, and in short, the divers have created it for diving.
“It is primarily a diving camera made to withstand anything”, says co-founder Kristoffer Kelstrup Sabroe.
Therefore, the camera is built to go down as deep as 200 meters and can withstand being knocked into a rock face without being broken.
“Our target group are specialists in the different sports” says Sabroe.
He goes on to explain that GoPro has developed a very good camera for the wider audience, but Paralenz camera is aimed at the more demanding athletes.
Omitting the monitor has allowed Paralenz designers to apply another form factor, one which is well-suited to resist pressure, as it exposes a minimum of flat surfaces. A Snap-Record function allows the diver to share the experience with a single click. This click is easily accomplished even with thick gloves on, because it was made with diving circumstances in mind. Still, there is a display of sorts, a 0.5” OLED screen.
The cam can go as far down as 200 meters depth as is (no extra casing), and it employs a pressure sensor to detect your ambiental depth. Pressure reading can be used for various purposes, such as ambiental color correction, for which some other action cam might require extra filters. The camera also has a temperature sensor, and combines all these extra data saved in a displayable dive log.
There is a wide range of settings which can be pre-programmed using its app. The app generates a dive profile by adding time and depth to the recorded photos and/or videos. The Paralenz thus acts in part as a dive computer. You can connect the device with the App by WiFi, or Bluetooth. There is an USB-C port, used for charging the battery.
The camera can capture 8MP still images or 1080p 30fps videos for impressive 3.5 hours, and 4K lengths for 2 hours and 15 minutes. All is stored on a 64GB microSD card.
An interesting detail can be gleaned from the view of the cam taken apart (below), and that is the blue selector ring. It seems to employ reed switches (magnetic switches on the inside, and a magnet within the outside ring). Position of such magnet selects/closes one of the switches in the camera, thus dialling its function. This principle has always been the most elegant way of selecting functions in an underwater casing. Avoiding mechanical commands through the case wall reduces water ingress risks – as well as a lot of fidgety maintenance. Same goes for the main switch, judging by its look; it seems to have a magnet on one end, and is probably spring-loaded and lockable in the pressed / activated position.
All in all, the concept is safe & sound, even the multiple o-ring sealing reveals the importance of water safety concerns within this design (as opposed to the majority of contemporary camera encasements). Good thinking, overall!
Crowdfunding
It is no surprise that Paralenz is crowdfunded project started on KickStarter. The creators of the camera had an idea to create a camera specifically for diving. They collected the capital via crowd-sourcing and their project has been backed up.
Technical Specifications
- Waterproof to 200 M / 656 FT / 21 ATM
- Video resolution 4K/30 fps, 1080p/120 fps, 720p/240 fps
- Still resolution 3840 x 2160, 8 MP
- Color Correction (WB) Normal + DCC (Depth Controlled Color Correction) (Can be turned on/off)
- Battery Life LiPo – 1600 mAh 3+ hrs recording (1080p - 30 fps) / 2+ hrs recording (4k - 30 fps)
- App Viewing / Sharing / Settings ( iOS, Android, & Windows)
- Usable with gloves Yes
- Shockproof Yes
- LDC - Lens Distortion Correction 140° w/ lens distortion correction
- Weight 155 g (5.5 oz)
- Dimensions 116 x 35 x 38 mm
- Housing Military grade aluminum & polycarbonate
- Video format MOV - H.264 codec
- Audio recording Yes (internal microphone)
- Port USB-C (for fast charging and data transfer)
- Storage 64 GB Micro SD
- Mounts Mask mount included & universal mount included
- Dive log video overlay Yes
- Display 0.5" OLED
- Connectivity Dual band WiFi, Bluetooth & USB
- Temperature -20°C to 85°C / -4°F to 185°F / EVA padding (minimizing battery discharge in cold water
- Sensors Pressure/Temperature
- Extra housing needed No
Accessories
Paralenz arrives with pretty much everything you need to get started. Here’s the content of the package:
- Paralenz Dive Camera
- Mask Mount
- Universal Mount
- Hand Wrist Strap
- USB-C Cable (for fast charging)
- 2 x Extra O-rings with grease
- Soft Box (for action camera storage)
Paralenz received a Red Dot Award in 2017 for the design of this product.
WiFi App
Temperature and pressure sensors which are implemented into the camera measure data which is being logged. Thanks to this kind of information, you will be able to see the diving depths, time and temperature.
Additionally, WiFi App will show you the average temperature, underwater time and maximum depth.
One more interesting feature is the “Overall stats” field that shows quite a lot of diving information, such as the longest dive, the lowest and highest temperatures, a number of videos and images taken, and plenty more.
Pricing
The Paralenz underwater action cam will set you back (or push you forward, depending) for €649 (or US$600). See more on Paralenz website, and maybe order one for your next dive!
Summary
Paralenz certainly belongs to a group of a higher-end action cameras. It is intended for divers, but do not be fooled. It can also be used as a regular action camera, only maybe able to endure even more of rough treatment than others.
If you are interested in its video quality, you can take a look at some of video comparisons published on the Paralenz YouTube channel. This camera certainly has lots of quite specific features and target audience, and we will see how the market accepts the product.
NOTE: In the meantime we have reviewed the camera in depth (pun intended!), so you can find out what we have discovered for you in more detail here.
If you are a diver, let us know your opinion on the camera, we’d love to hear your two cents.
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Now there’s a camera I’d like to find in my Christmas sock! Simple, able and solid, it would be my constant companion.
Let me suggest something for the next model. Consider the form factor that begins as a clipped cone on its lens end, gradually flowing into the square-sided pyramid at the back. This side could accomodate the regular action cam monitor behind the o-ring sealed hatch which could be slightly convex so as to resist depth pressure.
Such form factor could retain the camera’s depth resilience while still having an integrated monitor, which is an advantage during the dive.
By placing the monitor into the hatch, the cam battery could be accessible and interchangeable – always advantageous over built-in power supply!
Outside groove(s) molded into the surface could contain the sliding magnetic command(s) to operate the interior reed switches without compromising the camera watertightness.
The range of accessories should comprise (optional) dive light(s) of sufficiently angled output so as to cover the camera’s field of view, and these lights should be able to reach the same operating depth. Such lighting units could be built into the same kind and form of cases, modified to emit the light on the “monitor side” while the “lens side” could become the connecting point or switching point. The molded groove(s) could be adapted for light mounting purposes.
I think divers would like such equipment, and I’d like to learn your opinion about it.
This looks great but is above my budget. What would you say is the best budget action camera for underwater photography and videography?
Hi, Chimong… depends entirely upon your needs, of course. I’d look for the best bitrate and resolution, and of course the adequately depth-resistant protective casing. From that point of view, look up the Xiaomi Mini 4K, SJCAM SJ6 Legend/Legend Air, ThiEYE T5e / Edge and GitUp’s latest models.
Within those, see which model has the best combination of features for your intention. Pay attention to the quality of underwater case – not all are equaly well-built – and be sure to buy originals!
Outside of that, it might be worth looking into older models from Garmin and/or GoPro, which might’ve become cheaper by now.
Don’t forget to acquire sufficiently wide lighting unit(s) to cover your camera’s FOV if you plan on recording deeper, or during such time of day when the ambient light level is low.
Enjoy, and be safe!