What are your top 3 features of a DSLR for UW

I recently asked a question about DSLR's and was fascinated by the diversity of opinions around the many viable options that exist out there. I don't mean, or want, to start any discussions here about which brand is better or why someone elses opinion isn't correct. What I'm looking for is generic opinions from the talented photographers on this forum. So give me your 3 top features in a camera and a brief reason why you think you couldn't do without them. Examples might be sensor size, quality of the available glass, housing, pixel count etc etc. After owning a P&S for some time here's what I would want

1. Good AF speed in low light

2. A good way to connect fiber optics to the camera housing

3. Good high ISO performance

Great question!

If you're just interested in the camera (not the camera/housing combo) this is my hit list:

Big bright viewfinder

Never have to wait for the camera (this covers a lot of things)

"Sellable" image quality at ISO1600

Cheers

James

From a P & S, never having to wait for things as James said - particularly shutter lag and shot to shot RAW with buffer for them

Here is my list:

1. Fast and accurate AF.

2. Big, bright viewfinder.

3. Good image quality (which involves not only MP but DR, etc).

I never shoot above ISO 400, so good high ISO performance is not a priority for me.

1. Colour - better sensitiviy and richness
   
2. Megapixels - never too many for macro
   
3. Rear battery and CF card access (rear is soooooo much better for housed cameras)
   

I was going to say viewfinder - but thats more an issue with the housing IMHO ... so I didn't make it #3

1. Big, bright viewfinder

2. Fast and accurate auto focus

3. Good colour and defintion in the images

Fast AF.

Good ISO 800 performance (I can live without 1600).

Much better dynamic range for scenic sunbursts in balanced strobe shots.

Sounds like my D200!?

Do I have to start all over again with a D300....

Tim

B)

1. Dynamic range more is better

2. Auto focus - Fast and accurate

3. Side access to battery and CF card (rear is soooooo much better for housed cameras in Ikelite)

1. Image quality, mostly dynamic range

2. Fast Auto focus and no shutter lag

3. High ISO range

1. Large bright viewfinder
   
2. One wheel one function... ie one control for shutter speed, one for aperture
   
3. Saleable image quality
   

I don't really care about high ISO at this time, I rarely shoot @ greater than iso 100.

1. Looks Cool

2. Big and Heavey

3. Costs a lot of Money

that covers all three things I would want out of my dream DSLR

but the reason i got one in the first place:

1. They just because affordable

2. Got rid of most delays

3. The image taken is fairly accurate to how i'd expect.

Most important real features

1. Big Bright Viewfinder (i lack that right now)

2. Speed (in every aspect, which I would upgrade for)

3. Perfect Autofocus