Photo mask: Underwater photography for the average consumer usually entails picking a waterproof instant camera with a good wrist strap, or in extreme cases, encasing valuable equipment in some expensive one-of-a-kind plastic capsule, either way ending up with often disappointing results.

Just when you had given up on ever being able to savor the precious splashes of your summer memories, an innovation from California toy-maker Liquid Image is finally washing ashore in Japan.

The Underwater Digital Camera Mask being marketed by Hanwha Japan packages a digital camcorder, with the lens built-in just above the nose cover. The user simply wears the bright-yellow camcorder just like they would a regular mask. To take a photo or record video, simply push the shutter button situated above the right eye glass. A second button allows the user to select what mode to use, such as still photo or video. It includes a small LCD screen for viewing the footage, although the mask has to be taken off to check the screen. The mask also has a waterproofed enclosure for a USB plug and a mini SD card slot.