Bluewater Photo announces the New Sea & Sea YS-D12s Cubee Underwater Strobe

Designed specifically for compact camera systems, the new Sea & Sea YS-D12S CUBee introduces native OM SYSTEM RC compatibility and a shared-battery ecosystem to reduce travel logistics for underwater photographers.

The latest release fro Sea & Sea, the Sea & Sea YS-D12S CUBee, a palm-sized underwater strobe engineered specifically to integrate with compact camera builds, most notably the OM SYSTEM/Olympus TG-series (such as the TG-6 and TG-7).

Targeting macro and wide-angle entry-to-intermediate shooters using compact setups, the CUBee addresses a common logistical hurdle in underwater imaging: battery and charger fragmentation. The Sea & Sea CUBee uses the exact same battery and charger that compact cameras (specifically the popular Olympus/OM SYSTEM TG-series) already use. Instead of juggling multiple different chargers and backup batteries, a beginner can pack just one model of battery and a single charger to power both their camera and their strobe. It cuts down travel weight, simplifies packing, and removes the confusion of managing separate power ecosystems underwater.

Key Purpose and Target Audience

The CUBee is built for compact system users—particularly TG-series housing owners—who want to step up from native camera lighting without adding cumbersome gear weight or managing separate charging accessories. By streamlining output control and sharing a power ecosystem with the camera itself, it functions as a lightweight, dedicated entry point into external strobe photography.

What is New and Key Technical Features

• Shared Battery System: The CUBee runs on the genuine OM SYSTEM LI-92B lithium-ion battery and utilizes the UC-92 charger. This allows photographers to share spare batteries and charging hardware directly with their TG-series camera bodies, minimizing travel weight and gear footprint. (Note: The battery cannot be charged inside the strobe body itself and requires the external UC-92 charger).
• OM SYSTEM RC System Compatibility: The unit features native support for the OM SYSTEM Wireless RC Flash System. When paired via a fiber-optic cable, the camera regulates precise exposure control digitally, removing the need for complex manual external settings.
• Physical Specifications & Output:
  • Flash Output: 12Ws
  • Color Temperature: 5500K
  • Beam Angle: 100° × 110° (50° × 105° without diffuser)
  • Depth Rating: 60 meters (197 feet)
  • Weight: 242g on land (excluding battery); approximately -7g underwater including the battery.
  • Recycle Time & Capacity: 3-second recycle time with approximately 400 full flashes per charge.
• Rear-Facing Color LCD: A high-brightness color display provides operational menus and current settings visibility in dark underwater environments. The interface orientation can be rotated in 90-degree increments to match arm positioning.

Availability

The Sea & Sea YS-D12S CUBee is available in three body colors (Yellow, Red, and Gray) through Bluewater Photo Store.