Animal, Nature, and Travel: COMI Tech Underwater Camera Tutorial Part 1

COMI Tech Underwater Camera Tutorial part 1. In order to teach myself to use this camera, I created these step-by step illustrated instructions.

An Illustrated Tutorial on how to use COMI Tech Underwater Camera

After purchasing this COMI Tech Underwater Camera from Amazon, I was determined to learn how to use it. Since I am more of a visual learner than anything else. I decided to create an illustrated step-by-step tutorial.

Please be aware that I am not an employee of either Amazon or the COMI Tech Company. I am, however, a frequent Amazon shopper.

Even though I have a wonderful Nikon camera that takes amazing pictures, it has three drawbacks:

Drawback number 1: It is not rain-proof. I do have a rain jacket I can use; however, in really torrential rainy conditions, that might not be sufficient.

Drawback number 2: It cannot be used to take underwater pictures of sea turtles and other sea creatures. That is something I really want the ability to do.

Drawback number 3: When traveling in regions of the world where pickpockets are prevalent, I needed a non-flashy and tiny camera that could be easily hidden away in my pocket.

After returning from my South American cruise, I spent hours researching different underwater cameras. After reading multiple reviews, I finally selected the COMI Tech Underwater Camera. Given that it only costs $79.99 on Amazon (current February 2019 price), it looked like it might be ideal for what I needed.

The next challenge was learning how to use it. There are two tutorials on YouTube, but they did not cover all the things I felt like I needed to know. It also came with a manual. It was pretty good; however, it is not as reader-friendly as I would like.

So, the end result, I decided to create an illustrated step-by-step tutorial of how to use this camera. That way, I can refer back to this article if it has been a while since I have used the camera. Also, it might be helpful to other people who have already purchased one of these or might decide to in the near or far future.

Camera Features

Here are some of the features of this camera.

24.0 MP Full HD 1080P

Waterproof Digital Camera up to 10 ft.

2 Screens: Shoot & Self-Point

JPEGS & AVI

Dust-proof & Shockproof

Weight = 10.4 ounces

Dimensions: ~4” x ~2.5” x ~1”

Need SanDisk Ultra 32 GB microSD (separate purchase)

Digital Zoom = 16X

Electronic Image Stabilization

Flash, Self-Timer, Speaker, Microphone

ISO: Auto, 100, 200, 400

Red-Eye Reduction

$79.99 with free shipping on Amazon

At the end of the blog, I will include links to the two YouTube tutorials and to the product on Amazon, in case you decide you are interested to learning more. Plus, you can read people’s reviews of the product, as well.

Please note that this camera requires an microSD card to work. The maximum size it can accept is 32 GB. Amazon has a link to this card in the same page as the camera advertisement.

Front and Back of the Camera View and Functions

The illustration above shows you want both the front and back of the camera looks like.

FRONT OF THE CAMERA:
The front of the camera has a selfie screen, a flashlight, a selfie indicator light, and the lens.

BACK OF THE CAMERA:
The back of the camera has the power indicator light, the main screen, the zoom up to 16 X that doubles as the toggle up button and the zoom downsize button that doubles as a toggle down button, the flash which doubles as the toggle right button, the trash can that doubles as the toggle left button, the mode button, and the menu.

Top of the Camera Plus Wrist Strap Options

There is a rope attachment on either side of the camera. The camera comes with that gray wrist strap. I spent an additional $7.99 to get that yellow detachable waterproof camera float. Naturally, I would only use this if I was going out into the water at the beach or in a pool and wanted to take pictures.

On the top of the camera is the SHUTTER KEY. That is what you push to take the picture or video. It also has the POWER KEY. That is what you push to turn the camera ON or OFF. Lastly, there is the DIGITAL SCREEN SWITCHING KEY. If you want to take ordinary pictures, you don't need to use this. But if you are a person who likes to take selfies, then this will need to be pushed. That way, you can simply look into the front of the camera, detect your face, and then take the picture. When you are done taking selfies, push that button again, and it reverts back to taking photos the ordinary way.

Side Views of the Camera plus Functions

The shows you the two side views of the camera. One side has no special features. The other side has the rope hole and the ZOOM SWITCH.

As for those two other extensions on either side of the Zoom Switch, so far, it does not appear to have any special function. If I learn differently, I will update this section of the tutorial.

So far, I prefer to use the Zoom buttons on the back of the camera. Therefore, I have not yet experimented with the Zoom Switch.

Opening up the Bottom Compartment Part 1

The hardest part of using this camera is the cover on the bottom of the camera. In order to use this camera, you have to be able to open up that compartment. And believe you me, it is NOT easy to open up this area. I think they had to do it this way to keep the camera waterproof, but it is a real challenge.

One reviewer on Amazon said they almost returned this camera for the reason alone. Then, through much experimentation and watching the two YouTube tutorials, they finally figured it out.

What is inside this compartment. This is where you store the battery. This is where put the SD micro memory card. And this is how you charge the rechargeable battery.

Check out the next picture to learn more about how to do this.

Opening up the Bottom Compartment Part 2

In order to open up the compartment, you must use one hand to keep the lever pushed to the left. Then, with your alternate hand, you have to slide the compartment open. It does not slide easily or willingly. It takes me multiple attempts. Even on the tutorials on YouTube, they have to try more than once.

For me, I have settled for using a tiny screwdriver and a nail file to help me. I included the pictures above so you have a better idea where the openings are located.

Good luck on this! It can be done; however, it is not easy. Maybe you could put on some relaxing music while you make the attempt.

The good news is that the battery supposedly lasts 3 hours according to their write-up. If that is true, you can simply charge the battery the night before and only turn on the camera when you actually plan to take a picture. Then, if you turn the camera right back off, hopefully, the battery will last for the entire event you are wishing to photograph.

FYI - I am adding to this blog a few days later, I have found that the compartment is getting easier to open. Either that, or I am just more skilled at doing so. In any case, it is a relief that it does get easier with time and practice. Phew!

Batty and SanDisk Ultra 32 GB micro SD

The camera comes with the rechargeable lithium battery. As I've indicated already, you do need to purchase a SanDisk Ultra 32 GB microSD.

Then, before you begin taking pictures, you need to format this SD card inside your camera. This is explained below.

How to Turn the Camera On and Off

Turn on the camera by pushing the middle button on the top of the camera.

You will immediately see a WELCOME screen.

If you are inactive for three minutes, the camera will turn itself off. This saves your battery life.

The other time options are one minute, five minutes, and OFF. If you select OFF, the camera will remain on until either you choose to turn it off or when the battery dies.

To turn the camera off, you simply push that top middle button again.

Step 8 - Formatting the SD Card

This is how you can format the SD card.

Step 1: Turn the camera on.

Step 2: Hit the MENU button on the back lower right of the camera.

Step 3: Use the TRASH CAN / TOGGLE LEFT button and hit it twice.

Step 4: It will bring you to the screen that states "FORMAT MEMORY CARD."

Step 5: Hit the up arrow (ZOOM UP) to say YES. Then, hit the MENU button to SET that in motion. By the way, you only do this when first starting to use this SD card or if you wish to erase every picture you have taken on the card. Once it is formatted, you do not have to do this again.

Photo Setting is Default Mode

The photo setting is the default MODE.

After the Welcome screen disappears, you will see the following LCD screen will look like this.

The top left icon shows you which MODE is selected. In this case, it is the photo MODE.

The top right icon shows you your SD card and how much room is on it.

The bottom right icon shows you how full or empty your battery is. In my case, it was nearly full.

Dual Screens - Regular and Selfie Screens

The camera defaults to you taking a photo that will be shown on the back 2.7" screen.

If you wish to take a selfie, push the DIGITAL SCREEN SWITCHING KEY on the top of the camera. That way, the display will be shown on the front of the camera. There, you will see your face or body inside a 1/8" screen.

When you are ready to take the picture, push the large round SHUTTER KEY on the top of the camera. There is a short pause while the photo is being stored on the SD card.

Three Modes: Taking Photos, Taking Videos, or Media-Viewing

Like I said before, the camera defaults to you taking a photo. That is the default MODE. You will see a photo icon on the top left corner of the screen.

To take a video, you hit the MODE button once. You will see the top left corner icon change to a video icon.

To view the photos you have taken so far, hit the MODE button again. It will show you your most recent photo first. Then, to see the rest, you can use either the left or right arrows to toggle between them.