With the right underwater camera, you can take gorgeous, clear photos and videos even from deep depths. If you’re in the market for a new underwater camera before your next trip, there’s plenty to consider—image and video resolution, storage space, waterproof ratings, lens compatibility, and wireless capability for transferring photos. Divers may have different needs as well, as you’ll want to make sure your camera is waterproof to the depth of your dive and can adjust color discolorations found in underwater photography. Whether you’re looking for something cheap and cheerful that the kids can use on the beach or you want a more serious camera with adjustable lenses and manual controls, here are the best waterproof cameras from brands such as Nikon, Olympus, and GoPro. The Tough TG-6 also includes GPS or compass tracking, so you can link locations to photos and videos—a useful feature when categorizing and editing your work. It’s also compatible with plenty of Olympus accessories and lenses. If you’re looking for a camera that’s built tough and delivers beautiful images, the Tough TG-6 is a winner. You may want to find out everything you need to know about troubleshooting underwater cameras before picking a camera for diving. It’s also a good choice for anyone looking to film or take photos during extreme sports, like biking, as you can capture all the action in 4K Ultra HD video. You also have a 5x zoom and LCD screen with anti-reflective coating. While it’s a high-performing camera, note that it does struggle a bit in low light. From a user perspective, comfortable grips and intuitive button placement make it easy to shoot underwater or on the go. A built-in GPS, eCompass, and altimeter add to this camera’s more adventurous features, and the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities let you upload photos to another device. The Coolpix range is known for its photo quality and ease of use, and the W300 lives up to this reputation. While you shouldn’t expect the same photo resolution as you’d find in a more premium product, you do still have an impressive 16MP sensor, along with image stabilization, panorama mode, time-lapse shooting, and a 220MB built-in memory for in case your SD card fills up. We also like the Advanced Underwater Mode, which automatically compensates for red tones that tend to get lost when shooting underwater, creating more natural underwater photos. The DMC-TS30 also includes fun filters in Creative Control mode, letting you alter the color and look of your photos. For any entry-level camera or anyone wanting to take decent underwater photos on a budget, there’s plenty to like about the DMC-TS30, available in black, red, or blue. For more options on the lower end of the price spectrum, check out our picks for the best cameras for under $250. The interior has a lot to offer as well, including a 16-megapixel, 1/2.3-inch sensor behind a 5x zoom 4.3-21.5mm (24-120mm full-frame equivalent) f/2.8-4.9 lens. Like most underwater cameras, it performs best in bright light. The smaller sensor means more noise than most interchangeable lens cameras will produce, but most adventure-seekers won’t find it to be a deal-breaker. We also like that GPS is included in the AW130, which lets you track the location where each photo was taken. After you’re doing shooting, connect via the device’s Wi-Fi to upload your favorites to your smartphone or another device. If design is a big factor to you in a camera, check out our roundup of the best ultra-thin cameras. Images of clear, especially in bright light, thanks to an ISO range of 100-12800. A 5x optical zoom lets you capture all the detail, plus ‘Smile Shutter’ mode lets you take pictures automatically. Plus, the addition of Bluetooth lets you instantly transfer images to your phone and it also attaches both the time and your location. The XP140 is probably best for photos, rather than videos since users report the microphone quality isn’t the best. However, for the price point, this shouldn’t be a deterrent. Still haven’t found what you need? Take a peek at our pickings for the best five-star cameras this year. It’s a small, compact camera, offering 12MP photos, that will fit just about anywhere, and can be paired with plenty of accessories and housing, depending on your needs. The camera is waterproof to waterproof to 33 feet and rugged enough to withstand drops. Users also have plenty of creative choices, with the GoPro offering time-lapse video, slo-mo, live streaming, and the SuperPhoto feature, which gives you automatic enhancement on your images. You also have built-in HyperSmooth video stabilization, which works well to keep your video smooth, even if you don’t have a gimbal. However, if you’re planning on using it all day, you’ll want to purchase multiple batteries, as the HERO7 chews through them quickly. Otherwise, it’s a great companion for travel, underwater use, or extreme sports.
About Our Trusted Experts
Katie Dundas is a freelance tech and travel writer with years of photography experience. She personally uses the GoPro HERO7 Black when shooting underwater. Jeff Dojillo is a writer and photographer specializing in digital and analog photography. His work has appeared in Suspend Magazine, Architecture Digest, and others.
What to Look For in a Waterproof Camera
Depth Limit
Are you planning on taking some deep dives with this camera? Do you want a model specifically for underwater photography? If so, you’ll want to keep those things in mind when picking a camera — some of these models can work at greater depths than others.
Interchangeable Lenses
Most cameras that have switchable lenses aren’t waterproof. But if photography is a serious hobby, you might want to look into one. After all, you often get better-quality photographs when you’re using a separate lens (instead of one built into the camera).
Durability
If you’re looking into a waterproof camera, chances are that your lifestyle is pretty active. That means that you’ll want to consider a camera’s cold and heat resistance as well as its shock resistance. If a camera is waterproof but can’t handle a drop or two, it might not suit your lifestyle.
