Best Cameras For Underwater Photography

In this article, we have reviewed the 10 best cameras for underwater photography along with a comparison table & complete buyer’s guide to help you choose the best camera possible.

Underwater adventures give you the opportunity to observe and experience a whole other world. It is an exciting, mysterious, and almost alien world that one can only find within the depths of the sea. It is good to have a trusty waterproof camera in hand to immortalize those unforgettable sights and experiences.

Underwater photography requires a camera that possesses the features and specifications needed for handling the unique difficulties in underwater shooting. So, if you are looking to buy the best cameras for underground photography.

You need to consider some factors like depth rating, aperture and ISO range, manual capabilities, and image resolution.

If you are looking to capture stunning coral reefs, majestic marine animals, or mysterious underwater caves, we have listed some of the best underwater cameras for you below.

Best Cameras For Underwater Photography:

In this section, as we mentioned above, we will discuss 10 different cameras that are manufactured by different brands and have a separate set of specifications. But all of them have one thing in common – they can be used for exemplary underwater photography.

Without wasting any more time let us have a look at them:

1. Sealife SL512 Micro 2.0

 

Sealife is known for making some of the best underwater cameras made specifically for scuba diving. It is much like the SL512 Micro 2.0 Underwater Camera.

It is waterproof up to 200 feet. It does not need separate housing and has a compact ergonomically designed body. It is sturdy, shock-resistant, and permanently sealed to eliminate the possibility of flooding.

It is armed with a 20 mm fisheye lens. It has a large aperture of f/2.8, this camera allows you to record well-exposed full HD 1296p videos at 30fps or it captures sharp, 16-megapixel photos with a 130-degree field of view.

Some of the special features include a 24-inch LCD screen along with a picture-in-video function. It allows you to take stills while recording a video. It makes you do the time-lapse shooting. It has underwater scene modes that help with color correction and automatic exposure control in both shallow and deep glasses of water.

It has an internal memory of 64 GB. if you can do it with a smaller 32 GB memory. It will be of low cost.

Sealife Micro 2.0 is a great camera for divers. For divers looking for simplicity and a small and compact first camera system, it is a great choice. It has the ability to add the Sea Dragon tray, quick-connect handle, and video lights to make the system more scalable.

You don’t have to deal with any o rings makes.

Some of the key specifications.

• Depth Rating: 200 ft(60.96m)
• ½.3in 16 MP Sony CMOS Image Sensor.
• 20 mm f/2.8 Fisheye Lens.
• Full HD 1296P Video recording at 30fps
• 16MP Still Image resolution(4608+3072)
• Up to 5 fps in Burst Mode, 1-2 fps in Continuous Mode.
• JPEG Image File Format
• ISO range: 100-800
• 64GB Internal Memory.
• 4 TFT Color LCD Display.
• Wifi, USB port.

2. Sealife SL740 DC2000

 

It is another favorite model from the Sealife underwater camera line. It has many great features like it is a more powerful and enlarged 1-inch Sony BSI CMOS image sensor.

The sensor produces higher-quality 20 – megapixel photos and it is full HD 1080p. You can make videos at a speedy frame rate of 60fps for sharper and clearer Imagery.

Sealife camera has a standard waterproof depth rating of 200 feet for deep-sea scuba diving. Users will love its eight shooting modes. Some of them offer the freedom to adjust manual exposure settings.

On the other hand, shooting modes include aperture, shutter, intelligent auto, underwater, land, and panorama. It helps you to achieve the best settings possible for every shooting situation.

The DC2000 has some great advanced features like RAW(Adobe. png) image format shooting, high-speed autofocusing, and fast 0.1-second shutter response. It has three digital correction filters for underwater shooting. It makes it an ideal underwater camera for both mid-level and advanced underwater photographers.

Some of the Key Specifications.

• Depth rating: 200ft
• 1 in 20 MP Sony BSI CMOS Sensor
• 31 mm f/1.8 Lens
• 1080p Full HD Video Recording at 60fps.
• 20MP Still Image Resolution.
• 3x Digital Zoom
• Optical Image Stabilization.
• It has up to 10 fps continuous shooting
• Raw, Jpeg, DNG Image File Formats.
• ISO range: 125-25600
• 3 in LCD Monitor.
• 80 MB of Internal Memory.
• microSDHC/microSDXC/SDHC/SDXC Memory card Slot
• Wifi and Bluetooth.

3. GoPro Hero5 Black

 

If you are looking for a good underwater camera that can be used for adventures above sea level. GoPro has made the latest, sophisticated line of Hero cameras to be used at depths past the regular 33 feet(10 meters) limit with the help of their Super Suit Dive Housing.

It has heavy-duty protective housing. It has heavy-duty protective housing, the GoPro hero5 black edition Action Camera can be used up to 196 feet(59.7 meters) underwater.

It is compared with its predecessor. It has great features of a brighter sharper 2-inch touchscreen display on the back panel. It makes it easier to navigate the menu controls and allows you to tap specific areas of the frame. It lets you set exposure manually.

It captures amazing wide-angle 4k video at up to 30fps, and 12-megapixel images. It takes burst shots at up to 30fps. If you are looking for 4k underwater cameras with a faster frame rate, you can get the GoPro Hero6 Black with Super Suit Dive Housing.

It is inevitable with more features such as better ease of use and waterproofing. It has improved audio capture. The GoPro Hero5 Black is a new king among new action cameras and it is quite affordable too.

Some of the Key Specifications:

• Depth Rating: 33ft( 10m) without housing/ 196ft(59.7m) with housing.
• 12 MP CMOS Sensor
• Ultra Wide Angle Lens
• 4K UHD Video Recording at 30fps.
• 12MP Still Image Resolution.
• Digital Image Stabilization
• Up to 30 fps Continuous Shooting.
• Raw and JPEG Image File Formats.
• 2 in LCD touch screen Display.
• MicroSD Memory Card Slot.
• Wifi, Bluetooth, GPS.

4. Intova HD Edge X with Housing

 

Intova is a Hawaii-based company doing camera business since 1995. Edge X is only the camera that can trigger an external strobe. It has a small light on the top of the camera. It goes off every time you press the shutter button. It can be used to trigger an external flash unit using fiber optic cable.

It is a small, lightweight, and durable body. It is the Intova HD Edge X waterproof Action Camera that makes for a more affordable option than the GoPro. You don’t get to make a 4k video. But, here you can record full HD 1080p videos at a whopping 60fps.

It takes slightly bigger 12-megapixel photos at a resolution of 4k to 3k. It captures slow-motion video at 240fps. It has a motion detection feature for automatically recording video up to detecting moments.

It is a useful picture-in-video function that is similar to the Sealife Underwater cameras. It allows you to take photos while simultaneously recording video.

It has some unique characteristics. It has a unibody design which means its parts are built directly into rubberizing housing. It allows it to be waterproof at up to 330 feet or 100 meters underwater.

Some of the Key Specifications:

• Depth rating: 330ft(100m)
• ½.3in 12 MP CMOS Sensor.
• 160 -Degree Fixed Ultra Wide Lens
• 1080p Full HD Video Recording at 60fps
• 12MP Still Image Resolution
• Up to 30 fps continuous shooting
• Slow-motion video at 240fps
• 60x Digital Zoom.
• 5in TFT LCD Display.
• microSD/SDHC/SDXC Memory card Slot.
• Wifi, USB Port.

5. Intova X2 with Housing

 

If you will notice that the Intova X2 Marine Grade Action Camera is the only camera with a built-in light source. It provides 150-lumen flashes or constant light to aid you in taking well-lit photography and videos in the dark.

It has a great feature of an impressive depth rating of 330 feet and it takes fairly high-quality 16- megapixel photos. It is full of HD videos.

It works with a dedicated Intova application for controlling camera functions. You have a feature to preview live video feeds. You can share media online with your iOS or Android Device.

It comes with a mini USB cable. It transfers files at a reasonable speed but not very fast. You must have all the Windows 10 Drivers installed. The cable is faster than placing a memory card into the adapter and then into a laptop.

If you want to use WiFi for the remote control of X2. you can find applications in the Google Play Store. You can search for Intova and download the application for Edge X2. Intova was founded in 1995 and acquired by the industrial revolution.

It is used to make reusable film cameras in waterproof housings and digital waterproof housing cameras.

Some of the key specifications:

• Depth Rating: 330ft
• ½.3in 16MP Panasonic MN34120 CMOS Sensor.
• 170- Degree f/2.5 Wide Angle Lens.
• 1200p/1080p Full HD Video Recording at 60fps.
• c16 MP Still Image Resolution.
• 60x Digital Zoom.
• Up to 30fps continuous shooting.
• JPEG Image File Format
• ISO range: 100-800(Auto)
• 2in TFT LCD Display
• Built-In Photo Flash & Video Light.
• MicroSD/HC/XC Memory card Slot.

6. Canon G7 X Mark II with Fantasea FG7X II Housing

 

 

Canon G7 X Mark II is a compact camera along with high-quality Fantasea camera housing specifically built to fit each camera. It is the Canon Powershot G7 X Mark II compact digital camera. It is bundled with a dedicated Fantasea FG7X II underwater housing. It gives a depth rating of 200 feet.

It’s housing itself is ergonomically designed and features labeled controls. It allows the protection of the camera without limiting its functionality. It can accommodate 67 mm wet lenses. It filters from both Canon and Fantasea’s Own “F” series line.

As a camera, it boasts a 1-inch back-illuminated CMOS sensor. It is the sensor that allows you to capture 20.1 Megapixel photos and full HD videos.

It has a very own 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens. It has features of 4.2x optical zoom for lossless image magnification. It has max ISO sensitivity of up to 12,800 and high-speed continuous shooting of up to 8fps. It has the capability to shoot RAW+JPEG images.

It has a wide rear tilting touchscreen LCD Monitor for Incredible shooting versatility. It has high-quality results during every dive.

Some of the key specifications.

• Depth Rating: 200ft with Housing.
• 1 in 20.1 mp BSI CMOS Sensor.
• DIGIC 7 image processor.
• 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 Canon Zoom Lens
• 1080p Full HD Video Recording at 60fps.
• 2x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom.
• Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
• ISO range 125-12800.
• High-Speed Continuous shooting up to 8fps
• Raw, JPEG, Raw & JPEG Image file formats.
• It has 3 in-Touch screen LCD Displays.
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory card slot.
• WIFI with NFC, USB 2.0, Micro USB, HDMI D(Micro).

7. Canon G9X Mark II with Fantasea FG9X II Housing

 

It is a striking camera. It is a noticeably smaller and more lightweight body as compared to G7X Mark II. it offers some great impeccable shooting performance and high-quality imaging results.

It has the zoom lens on the G9 X Mark II slightly less wide. It has a focused reach of 28-84 mm. It has a comparable f/2.0 aperture for brighter shots. It has an optical zoom of 3x and the camera can only shoot separate JPEG and RaW images.

It has a wide 3-inch LCD Display on the G9 X Mark II that is also no longer tiltable. It has the same touchscreen capabilities for quick and convenient camera control.

It has matching Fantasea G9 XII housing that’s specifically designed for the G9 X mark II. it is specifically designed for G9 X Mark II. you can also take the camera up to 200 feet underwater with no flooding or water pressure problems.

It is the Canon G9X Mark II and Fantasea FG9 X Mark II camera Bundle. It is a more affordable option since it gives you the same image and video quality in a much slimmer body. You don’t need to spend more than $1000.

Some of the key Specifications.

• Depth rating: 200ft(60.96m)
• 1 in 20.1 MP CMOS Sensor.
• DIGIC 7 Image Processor.
• 28-84mm f/2.0 Zoom Lens.
• 1080p Full HD Video Recording at 60fps.
• 20MP Still Image Resolution.
• 3x Optical Zoom, 4x Digital Zoom
• Intelligent IS Image Stabilization
• ISO Range: 125-12800
• Up to 8.2fps Continuous Shooting.
• JPEG And Raw Image file formats.
• 3 in touch screen LCD Display.
• SD/SDHC/SDXC Memory card slot.
• Wifi with NFC, Bluetooth, Micro-USB, USB 2.0, HDMI D(Micro).

8. Sony RX100 V with Fantasea FRX 100 V Housing

 

It is the new and improved Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 V with its matching Fantasea FRX100V housing. It is a compact digital camera that Features excellent image quality and high-speed performance that the RX100 V line is known for.

You should thank its powerful 1-inch 20.1 megapixels Exmor RS back-illuminated CMOS sensor. you get higher quality 4k UHD video at up to 30fps.

It has the feature of stunning slow-motion video at 960 fps. It is a highly sophisticated fast hybrid AF system with over 300 phase-detect and contrast-detect AF points, and a faster burst mode shooting at up to 24fps. You get the feature of a digital zoom up to 11x, and a 3-inch wide tilting LCD screen. It has a wide ISO sensitivity range of 80-12800.

You can add the Fantasea FRX100V camera housing and you get to utilize these amazing features both on land and 200 feet underwater.

Some of the Key Specifications:

• Depth Rating: 200ft.
• 1 in 20.1 MP Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor.
• BIONZ X processor.
• 24-70 mm f/1.8-2.8 Carl Zeiss Vario Sonnar Lens with ND Filter.
• Internal 4k UHD (2160p) Video Recording at 30fps.
• 20MP Still Image Resolution(5472*3648)
• 9x Optical Zoom, 5.8x Clear Image Zoom, 11x Digital zoom.
• ISO Range: 80-12800.
• Up to 24fps Continuous Shooting.
• JPEG and RAW Image Formats.
• 3in Tilting LCD Screen.
• Memory Stick PRO Duo/SD Memory Card Slot.
• Wi-Fi, Micro-USB, USB 20.0 HDMI D.

9. FujiFilm FinePI XP130

 

Most travel cameras are lightweight. XP130 is impressively tough and it has lightweight. The XP130 also looks part and for the rugged camera, it is armor. XP130 has ruggedized grips on the corners.

It has a large shutter button for easy access when underwater. It has a garish white, blue, yellow, silver, or lime color scheme. It is a tough camera. It has an extra 5 m of waterproofing as compared with its previous version. You can take it down to a depth of 20m/ 65 ft underwater.

It has got the same 16.4 MP sensor. It has a 3½-inch sensor which is the smallest sensor. It has a 5x *28-140 mm optical zoom lens, freeze-proofing down to -10 degrees C/14 Degree F, and it can survive a drop from 5.8ft.

It has also got features like Bluetooth as well as Wifi for hooking up to the free FujiFilm Camera Remote app for remote view and photos transfer.

There is no GPS but it is not necessarily a bad thing.

Some of the Key Specifications:

• Low Price
• Lightweight at 207 g
• Handy electronic Device
• Waterproof to 10m
• Drop prof from 1.8m.

10. Lumix TS7

 

It is known as Panasonic’s new premium waterproof camera. It is the first high-end waterproof camera. It can operate at depths as deep as 31 m (102ft), which, according to Panasonic.

It is deeper than any other waterproof camera on the market. It is shockproof for drops from a height of up to 2, (6.6ft). It is crushproof up to 100 kg. it has a small sensor. On the rear, it has a 3.0-inch display.

It has tempered glass which can withstand high water pressures so, it could be used in water.

It has no touch screen. It has an electronic viewfinder(EVF). It has a 1170k-dot, 0.2-inch display. Its features include Wifi connectivity, an altimeter, and a compass as well as LED light to aid shooting in Low light conditions.

It is able to shoot video footage and not stills. It can shoot 4k videos up to 30fps. It has 4k photo technology for capturing a series of 8mP still Images at 30fps.

Lumix TS7 is available in a wide range of colors.

Some of the Key Specifications.

• Built-in Electronic Viewfinder.
• It has waterproof down to 31m.
• 4k video and 4k photo.
• It has a decent amount of exterior controls.

So here are the top 10 best cameras for underwater photography. All the cameras have been checked and tested by experts and their performance is described in a detailed manner.

So you can read the reviews and get to know which DSLR will suit your needs the best.

Things to Consider While Buying the Best Cameras for Underwater Photography

How to choose the first Underwater Camera?

• It is difficult to choose your first underwater camera. You should know there is no best underwater camera. There are various excellent diving cameras that would be useful for various uses and budgets. With the increase in underwater photography, manufacturers have been making a wide range of cameras for underwater photographers.
• If you want to take underwater pictures you will need a digital camera and a waterproof case. Most of the time the camera along with its case are sold together. You will have a great option to buy them separately.
• Various manufacturers have specialized in waterproofing housings and sometimes offer better waterproof cases than the camera manufacturer. Some brands like Hugyfot, Nauticam, elite, or Fantasea make waterproof cases.
• Some manufacturers have started to produce a type of waterproof digital diving camera that does not require any housing. But, the depth is limited to 10 meters.

The best advice to choose the Best Underwater Photography Camera

You should select your dive camera according to the waterproof boxes available on the market and shooting options. If you have a camera and are comfortable.

You just need to find the right waterproof case to start your underwater adventure.

Compact Camera or DSLR?

If you are a newbie in underwater photography and you want to buy a camera. It’s better to start with a compact camera because of the following reasons. It is easy to use, has less price, and is versatile.

There is no doubt that the image quality will be not the best compared with a DSLR camera. It is not like equipment alone will get your best images. All the SLRs offer interchangeable lenses of superior quality.

It does not have shutter lag and generally possesses better-looking sensors. Some of the benefits increase the cost and weight of compacts. The handling and complexity of the menu require a long learning process.

Some main factors in choosing a scuba diving camera

• Functionalities
• Price
• Size and weight

If you want to find the right underwater camera, you need to find the right combination of these three factors to suit your personal preferences and photographic intentions. So, you need to first determine the features which are important to you.

Features of the Underwater camera

• Sometimes it is most difficult to decide what you want to get from your diving pictures. If you have more requirements with your images, the more options you need for your underwater camera.
• Various manufacturers are constantly trying to cram the maximum functionality into a small-size camera at the best price. You can imagine it goes with few compromises.

Features of the waterproof case

• Several models of waterproof cases. If you are making an order you should check a few features carefully.
• All the different controls of the case and their ease of use.
• All types of connections.
• You should look for additional external lenses that will allow you to shoot with wider angles or macro shots.

Manual checks

It is the most important decision to make before you buy an underwater camera. You would like to take your underwater photo in automatic mode or in manual mode.

How much do you want to control the render feature of the image?

It is important to know sometimes, the automatic mode does not work as well underwater as on land. It is because the camera was not designed to cope with light in water. If you really want to start well.

Sure there will be a time when you want more than just simple pictures to show your friends.

If you want to consider it as advice, automatic mode will satisfy many underwater photographers who do not which to be busy with making adjustments to their dives, if the technical limit does not bother you, there is always a good chance that the other many features will not interest you.

Manual White Balance

It is most important if you plan to shoot underwater without a flash and only use ambient light. Due to the properties of water, images, using only natural light will appear in blue.

Manual white balance is an effective way of eliminating the color cast. If you plan to buy strobes, it is a less important factor.

Photographic Lenses

If you plan to get a waterproof case for your camera, make sure it can fit external lenses. All these new lenses are additional optics that you will place on or in front of the main lens. It will allow you to take underwater wide-angle or macro shots.

If you are interested in taking wide-angle underwater pictures, it is recommended to choose a camera that fits a fisheye lens. All these lenses will allow you to get as close as possible subject and result in more colorful and detailed images.

And if you shoot with a good camera like a digital SLR, each brand sells its own lenses of high quality.

Shutter Delay

Generally, compact cameras have a distinct delay from the moment that you press the shutter button until the image is captured. Shutter speed varies according to dive camera models. Shutter lags are most frustrating while shooting moving objects like fish or other wildlife.

It happens because the subject may move from the moment you pressed the shutter button. You may select a model with the shortest shutter speed possible. Various high-end compact cameras have improved dramatically with low shutter lag.

Raw Files

Most underwater scuba cameras usually produce different types of image files. If you don’t want to edit your underwater photos in Photoshop or any other editing program, shooting in jpeg is perfect.

If you want to edit your images, consider selecting an underwater camera that produces Raw files. Raw files are uncompressed files that retain as much data as possible. It is a valuable attribute when it comes to editing your images.

The number of pixels

You should not fall into the hype of the million-pixel race. If you double pixels it does not double the resolution of your images, it only increases by 40%. If you are going from 8MP to 10MP, it increases your resolution by only 8%. Some other aspects are more important like the size of the sensor.

The sensor is the best indicator of the quality of the images. 10 MP digital SLR produces better image quality than a 10 MP camera. Each individual pixel is larger and records more information. It produces a much better image quality.

Video

 Video resolution is in progress. Diving cameras are no longer limited to taking still images but also videos. Most underwater cameras have a video mode. It allows you to make movies. The video quality may differ from standard HD to full HD. Some new SLRs have impressive image quality.

Size of the dive camera

• For some people, the size of the camera is the most important. It is already overloaded with large bags of diving equipment and clothing and if you add an underwater camera, it will be much. Various cameras have a size that fits into a pocket or small boxes.
• All these cameras have limited features but keep getting better. If you decide to travel with accessories like strobes and extra lenses, the size of the camera is next to negligible and should not be a major factor.
• All waterproof cameras offer great versatility during your travels whether to take pictures at the beach, on a boat, or take snorkeling underwater photos. All cameras are amphibious. All are designed so that they do not require the use of an underwater waterproof case. The major problem is that they can only be used in shallow depths.

Cost of underwater photography equipment

Underwater photography can require a lot of equipment to make underwater photos of very good quality. It may meet your requirements as an underwater photographer. Your final choice depends on your budget.

Even if you want the best underwater camera. It is not all that we can afford. Underwater photography is an expensive hobby.

Several things to be considered when it comes to budget:

• You need to add 50% to your targeted price.
• You need to consider that you will spend more than you thought. You will buy a diving camera and you will add more complex accessories to improve the result of your underwater photos.
• You should not forget the strobe.
• It is highly recommended that you consider buying a strobe within your budget. It is an accessory and will give you a much better quality of your underwater photos. It might be the best solution rather than going upmarket.
• You can get a mid-range stroboscope that you can integrate into your camera and case.

Accessories

With props often seem optional in underwater photography but they will make your underwater photos much more practical, interesting and productive.

Accessories like lenses, tripods, strobe arms or focus lamps, are just some accessories that will help you in your quest to become an excellent photographer underwater.

Extra Equipment

In underwater photography, photographers always have to anticipate the unexpected. You plan to buy additional batteries, spare parts, and a small DIY kit. It is also useful to have additional memory cards, a card reader, and of course a laptop or hard disk. So do not forget to save again and again.

Conclusion

Filming and shooting photos underwater can be a hobby and later can be evolved as a career. It is also a way to live life. If you have never tried underwater before photography and especially if you are a relatively new diver.

It is highly recommended to start with a smaller and cheaper camera before you go all out with professional gear. It won’t matter how expensive your gear is because of no practice.

It is always good to start with small, competent, and cheaper camera gear and put as many practice dives in with that is possible, and make perfect your buoyancy with a heavy object while holding it very still. Once you are good with skills and photos improve then you can upgrade.

It is good to shoot with Canon G7X since it has less weight and size. Also, Canon G7x2 has a lot of accessories and features. If you are professional and looking for the best camera for underwater photography, then go with Sealife Sl512 Micro 2.0