2000

Key events

The Nikon Coolpix 990 (3.3MP) launches, representing a major resolution jump for digital compact cameras used underwater. Canon releases the PowerShot G1 as a direct competitor. Underwater housing options multiply as the digital transition accelerates. Articles on Wetpixel begin advocating for digital over film.

February

• 2000-02: David Breitigam reviews the MCD/Arrow aluminum housing for the Agfa ePhoto 1280/1680, noting the tension between quality built-to-fit housings and rapid digital camera obsolescence. (^[1])

June

• 2000-06: SCUBA 2000 in Long Beach, CA showcases Olympus PT-005 housing with C2020 and dual slave strobes, plus Olympus C2500L prosumer housing. (^[2])
• 2000-06: David Breitigam publishes “The Digital Advantage” on Wetpixel, advocating for digital over film in underwater photography — an early editorial argument for the transition. (^[3])

Also this year

• Nikon Coolpix 990 (3.3MP) released — the camera Eric Cheng would later buy for his trip to Palau, leading to Wetpixel’s founding
• Canon PowerShot G1 launches as a compact camera competitor

References

Note: Only 3 Wetpixel articles survive from 2000. This page combines web research (Batch 0) with raw source ingestion (Batch 1).