Hi Wahoo
I have used the predecessor, the DC500 with the Sealife Digital Flash, for 2 years and were quite happy with that camera/strobe combination. The picture quality is good and the options are sufficient in most situations. I found the shutter delay a problem, although according to Sealife you can work in "shark mode", which means that you freeze the focus and exposure settings and then you can shoot immediately. But most of the time the fish don't know so they are at a different distance when you are ready to shoot, so this doesn't really work. Another negative thing is the recycle time of the strobe. This takes too long, so that you are unable to quickly take a second shot. And extreme macro is not possible with this camera. But apart from that (I had a Nikonos V before so I know what is possible) it is a good camera for a very good price. Almost all the pictures on my website -
Welcome to the Curacao Diving Paradise - Curacao Diving Paradise - are made with this camera.
I just sold this camera for an upgrade to the new Sea and Sea DX-1G. That camera is in an entirely different class. It has as many options as a good DSLR in a compact format. But also financially it is in a completely different class.
So it depends on what your friend is looking for. If he is an experienced photographer who wants the same results under water then this camera is probably not what he is looking for. If he wants a camera that is able to get (technically automatically) good shots in most situations then this is a good choice. If he outgrows this camera he really knows what he wants as his/hers next camera.
Regards
John