Last Updated on August 13, 2021 by Danosa
Welcome to our review of the best underwater camera. Not all cameras can be used underwater, so when searching for a camera to be used underwater, it’s best you search for the best. To make your search easier, we’ve researched, tested, and reviewed 6 of the best underwater cameras available in the market today.
So, having said that, why not check out the 6 best underwater cameras we’ve reviewed for you below.
Table of Contents
Buyers Guide: Things to Consider Before Buying an Underwater Camera
Shutter delay: Compact cameras all have an unmistakable deferral from the minute that you press the shutter button until the picture is caught. This shutter speed changes as indicated by the jump camera models. This shutter lag can be baffling when shooting moving articles, for example, fish and other natural life on the grounds that the subject may have moved from the minute you squeezed the shutter button. Attempt to choose a model with the most limited shutter speed conceivable. Top of the line minimal cameras have improved significantly and had a low screen slack.
Raw files: The submerged scuba cameras, for the most part, produce various sorts of picture documents. In the event that you don’t plan to alter your submerged photographs in Photoshop or another altering program, shooting in JPEG is great. In the event that you intend to alter your pictures, consider choosing a submerged camera that produces RAW documents, which are uncompressed records that hold however much information as could reasonably be expected, which is an important credit with regards to altering your pictures.
The number of pixels: Try not to succumb to the promotion around the million-pixel race. Multiplying the number of pixels doesn’t double the resolution of your pictures yet expands it by about 40%. Going from 8 MP to 10 MP builds your resolution by just 8%. Different perspectives are progressively significant, for example, the size of the sensor which is a vastly improved marker of the nature of the pictures. That is the reason a 10-megapixel advanced SLR creates preferable picture quality over a 10-megapixel camera. Every individual pixel is bigger, records more data, and consequently creates a greatly improved picture quality.
Best Underwater cameras Compilation Chart
Name | Features | Where to Buy |
Olympus Tough TG-6 | Lens: 25-100mm f/2.0-4.9 | Waterproof: 15m | Freezeproof: -10ºC | Get it on Amazon |
Nikon Coolpix W300 | Lens: 24-120mm | Waterproof: 30m | Freezeproof: -10° | Get it on Amazon |
Panasonic Lumix FT7 / TS7
|
Lens: 28-128mm | Waterproof: 31m | Freezeproof: -10°C | Get it on Amazon |
Fujifilm FinePix XP130 | Lens: 28-140mm | Waterproof: 20m | Freezeproof: -10°C | Get it on Amazon |
Ricoh WG-60 | Lens: 28-140mm | Waterproof: 14m | Freezeproof: -10°C | Get it on Amazon |
GoPro Hero 8 Black | Waterproof: 10m | Monitor: 2-inch touchscreen | Get it on Amazon |
Best Underwater Camera in Picture Quality
GoPro Hero 8 Black
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 12MP | Lens: N/A | Waterproof: 10m | Monitor: 2-inch touchscreen | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner
On specs alone, the GoPro Hero 8 Black offers just a humble update on the Hero 7 Black, which is as yet an outstanding underwater camera in its own right. Dive further, however, and you’ll discover the Hero 8 Black is more streamlined than its ancestor, twice as shockproof and outfitted with another breeze safe mouthpiece.
Low-light picture preparing is better than anyone might have expected – uplifting news for the individuals who visit the dinky profundities – while HyperSmooth 2.0 adjustment is superb and four computerized zoom lengths should make subject exchanging a snap adrift. What truly separates the Hero 8 Black from its forerunner is the approach of Mods, a scope of extra improvements.
Of the three reported up until this point, the waterproof Light Mod, fit for anticipating 200 lumens onto anything inside 1m, ought to have jumpers going after their waterproof wallets.
Pros | Cons |
Superb image stabilization | Could be better in low light |
New Media Mods add versatility | Stills quality trumped by smartphones |
Olympus Tough TG-6
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 12MP | Lens: 25-100mm f/2.0-4.9 | Waterproof: 15m | Freezeproof: -10ºC; | Shockproof: 2.1m | Monitor: 3-inch, 1,040K dots | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner/intermediate
Olympus’ Tough line of underwater cameras has apparently the most grounded notoriety here, and the organization has kitted its latest TG-6 model with highlights unequivocally towards the top-notch end of the scale. raw shooting? Check. 4K video? That’s right, that as well. GPS? Damnation yes. Indeed, even a similar preparing motor as the OM-D E-M1 X mirrorless model highlights here.
Together with a focal point that has the greatest gap of f/2 at the wide end and a pile of close-concentrating treats, what’s more, the underwater camera is absolutely prepared for all way of a land-based and submerged button. We do wish Olympus had moved things along somewhat further from what we found in the previous TG-5, in any case, which was our past top pick and not excessively unlike what we have here.
We’re simply completing our full survey and keeping in mind that we can see it being a more grounded model, the TG-5 would, in any case, be a fine decision in case you’re on a more tightly spending plan.
Pros | Cons |
Raw shooting is a bonus | No electronic viewfinder |
4K rather than Full HD video | Small sensor |
Best Underwater Camera
Nikon Coolpix W300
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 16MP | Lens: 24-120mm | Waterproof: 30m | Freezeproof: -10° | Shockproof: 2.1m | Monitor: 3-inch, 921K dots | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner
The Coolpix W300 comes completely stacked with a large group of highlights – there’s 4K video first off, a stupendous GPS framework, an intelligent world guide, and Wi-Fi availability, in addition to an altimeter and submerged profundity check for sure.
The W300 additionally offers a high resolution, 921k dab OLED screen, yet maybe generally noteworthy of everything is that the W300 can work down to a profundity of 30 meters – to the extent, an Advanced Open Water plunging testament will get you.
Pros | Cons |
Waterproof down to 30m | Fiddly controls |
Wide zoom range | Exposure inconsistencies |
Panasonic Lumix FT7 / TS7
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 20.4MP | Lens: 28-128mm | Waterproof: 31m | Freezeproof: -10°C | Shockproof: 2m | Monitor: 3-inch, 1,040,000 dots | Movies: 4K | User level: Beginner/intermediate
Panasonic’s new Lumix TS7 (called the Lumix FT7 outside the US) is the most recent underwater camera here. Rather than Olympus, which decreased the resolution of its TG-5, Panasonic has gone the other course, expanding the pixel include from 16.1MP in the TS5/FT5 to 20.4MP in the Lumix TS7/FT7. Focal point inclusion continues as before as its forerunner, with a 4.6x zoom extend that covers 28-128mm, yet curiously, the focal point loses its Leica marking.
The Lumix TS7/FT7 has something interesting for an underwater camera: an implicit electronic viewfinder (EVF). The 1,170k-speck, 0.2-inch display probably won’t be the biggest out there, yet it offers a helpful option in contrast to shooting with the back presentation, particularly in brilliant light, which can make piece precarious.
There are parcels to like about the Lumix TS7/FT7, including its phenomenal extreme qualifications yet is let somewhere near a sensor that packs such a large number of pixels onto a moderately little region.
Pros | Cons |
Built-in viewfinder | No raw capture |
Waterproof down to 31m | Image smoothing at high ISOs |
Best Underwater Camera in Price
Fujifilm FinePix XP130
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 16.4MP | Lens: 28-140mm | Waterproof: 20m | Freezeproof: -10°C | Shockproof: 1.75m | Monitor: 3-inch, 920K dots | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner
Contrasted with its ultra-rough rivalry, the FinePix XP130 doesn’t have incredible same accreditation. That implies that it probably won’t be very up to taking care of extraordinary experiences, however, it’s still more than capable of a family beach or skiing occasion.
There are a large group of fun channels included, and Wi-Fi availability, yet no GPS. Easy to utilize, this is an incredible alternative in case you’re after a strong simple to use a minimized camera for family use. It’s since been prevailing by the XP140, however, this model survives from better worth.
Pros | Cons |
Affordable | No GPS included |
Advanced filters | Disappointing image quality |
Ricoh WG-60
Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 16MP | Lens: 28-140mm | Waterproof: 14m | Freezeproof: -10°C | Shockproof: 1.6m | Monitor: 2.7-inch, 230K dots | Movies: 1080p | User level: Beginner
The WG-60 from Ricoh has some truly solid extreme accreditations – it’s waterproof to a profundity of 14m/45.9ft and shockproof from a fall of up to 1.6m/5.2ft, while it ought to withstand a power of up to 100kg/220lbs. It’s likewise dust-proof and can work in temperatures down to – 10°C/14°F.
The 5x optical zoom has a truly wide central zoom go, from 28-140mm, while there are six LED large scale lights specked around the front of the focal point barrel to convey brilliant and formally dressed lighting around your subject – perfect when shooting submerged subjects.
The full-scale lights likewise give other valuable capacities, for example, the LED Lighting mode, that utilizes the lights for adding light to pictures in poor light – it ought to convey a more complimenting look than the WG-60’s committed flash.
Pros | Cons |
LED macro lights | JPEG only |
Good zoom range | Small and low-res screen |
How We Picked
We relied on the opinion of experts and feedback of users based on three major factors: Picture Quality, Durability, & Price.
More facts and data about these underwater cameras were gotten from deep research and online reviews. With the result and feedback we got, we were able to rank each product according to the standard we set.
Looking at our review, each camera has been carefully categorized according to our research result. Also, take note that the underwater cameras that didn’t meet our standard were not included among this list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
If you’ve read this review, then it implies you’re searching for the best underwater cameras to buy. The underwater cameras we’ve reviewed above are durable, comes with top-notch features, and sharp picture quality. Be that as it may, if you’ve found one or two above that you’ll like to buy, ensure you check all the necessary details of your preferred choice above before purchasing.