Are you an avid scuba diver? Maybe you’re a newbie joining the leagues of underwater photographers, or you might already be one of those professional photographers heading out on an advanced dive.
If you are planning a trip to an island paradise, or even just want to take a picture of the Loch Ness monster, you’ll need the best camera for the job. We’re here to help you get the best camera for underwater photography.
To get the best results in traditional photography, this usually means using pro equipment that is heavy, bulky, and often fragile.
These are probably attributes that we want to avoid in an underwater setting.
If you aren’t phased by carrying a Bond-esque bit of gear on you whilst diving, you can skip to the final category and find the masterpiece of all underwater cameras that will take in every detail of a Great White’s toothy grin.
We have laid out the key categories for you to identify the best option and the perfect camera for you. We’ll follow these 7 steps to make it easy to choose the one fits your needs best.
After noting down the top characteristics, we’ll segment our cameras into five different categories:
- Action cameras
- Smartphones with an underwater case (the best choice if you have a smaller budget and a good smartphone)
- Underwater cameras
- Compact cameras with underwater housing; and
- DSLR cameras with housing for excellent image quality.
Best Action Camera For Underwater Photography
The action camera is a must-have if you travel a lot or you want to record and share your adventurous activities. GoPro and DJI are the most famous brands for this type of camera.
These cameras have been specifically designed with ease of use in mind to suit all ability levels and can be a good camera for underwater photography.
With amazing image stabilization and a huge range of accessories available, these little buddies are your best friends when you need to capture real experiences on the go.
GoPro HERO 12
$399 usd
MAX DEPTH
10m / 33ft without case
60m / 200ft with case
PICTURE QUALITY
27.13MP (5568 x 4872)
USABILITY
Excellent
BATTERY LIFE
1.5 hour runtime 5.3k 30fps
2.5 hours at 1080p 30fps
ISO / APERTURE
Up to 6400 ISO (video) / f2.5
VIDEO
5.3k 60fps
4k 120fps
CONNECTION
USB C / WIFI / BLUETOOTH
DJI Osmo Action 4
$399 usd
MAX DEPTH
18m / 60ft without case
60m / 200ft with case
PICTURE QUALITY
10 MP (3648 x 2736)
USABILITY
Excellent
BATTERY
2.5 hours at 1080p 30fps
ISO / APERTURE
Up to 12800 ISO / f2.8
VIDEOS
4k 60fps
2.7k 120fps
CONNECTIVITY
USB C / WIFI / BLUETOOTH
Winner
GoPro Hero 12
Both of them are great action cameras, but if we are aiming for good quality underwater photography the 27 MP (5568 x 4872) GoPro with HDR would be a better choice due to the higher image quality.
Best Smartphone Underwater Housing
As mentioned above, this may be the best choice if you already have a good smartphone. You don't have to buy a camera, and it's super easy to access your pictures and videos.
If you are interested in using your phone as a camera for underwater photography, you'll simply need a waterproof case or underwater housing.
DIVEROID Universal PRO
$428 USD
MAX DEPTH
60m / 200ft
PICTURE QUALITY
Phone spec
USABILITY
Excellent
BATTERY LIFE
Phone spec
ISO / APERTURE
Phone spec
VIDEO
Phone spec
CONNECTIVITY
Phone spec
SEALIFE SportDiver Housing
$349 usd
MAX DEPTH
40m / 130ft
PICTURE QUALITY
Phone spec
USABILITY
Very Good
BATTERY
Phone spec
ISO / APERTURE
Phone spec
VIDEO
Phone spec
CONNECTIVITY
Phone spec
DIVEROID
Both of them are worthy competitors, but we personally prefer the usability and slick interface of the Diveroid APP, and it can also reach greater depths (60m) than the SEALIFE (40m).
Best Waterproof Cameras
Let's dive right in to our top picks for the best camera for underwater photography.
Firstly, we have the new big brother of the classic Olympus TG-6 (now under the brand OM System) - the OM System TG-7.
As we enter this category, we start to see cameras with greater technical capabilities such as full manual mode, requiring more specialised skill level and know-how to operate than some of the options in the previous two categories. Our first option has the possibility of adding an underwater housing as well as interchangeable lenses.
OM System TG-7
$549 usd
MAX DEPTH
15m / 50ft without case
45m / 147ft with case
PICTURE QUALITY
12MP
USABILITY
Good
BATTERY LIFE
Arround 330 shoots
ISO / APERTURE
Up to 12800 / f2.0 - f4.9
VIDEO
4k 30fps
1080p 60fps
CONNECTION
Built-in WI-FI / BLUETOOTH / USB
SEALIFE Micro3.0
$599 usd
MAX DEPTH
60m / 200ft with case
PICTURE QUALITY
16 MP (4608 x 3456)
USABILITY
Very Good
BATTERY
3+ hours at 1080p 30fps
ISO / APERTURE
Up to 3200 ISO / f2.8
VIDEOS
4k 30fps
1080p 120fps
CONNECTIVITY
Built-in WI-FI / USB
Winner
SEALIFE Micro3.0
Both of these are great camera choices, however, if we need to buy the housing for the OM System TG-7 we'll be looking at adding another $500, whereas the SEALIFE Micro3.0 has a better picture quality 16MP (4608 × 3456) and does not require the additional case.
Best Compact Camera For Underwater Photography
The compact cameras are a good compromise between high-quality images and manual advanced features without going too far into the full manual mode.
Supposing that you travel a lot as well and that you of course would like to take great photos, the compact camera is an ideal choice. With a price range of ~$1000, these digital cameras feature superb usability, good image quality, manual controls and a huge advantage for travellers due to their compact and portable size.
The two Japanese giants Sony and Canon have been creating their own compact models for quite a while. Since 2012, Sony has produced its popular Sony RX model, and Canon has been releasing the Canon G since way back in 2000. Over all these years, they have updated their models a few times to unleash the current competitors: Sony RX100 VII and Canon G7x Mark III.
Of course, we won't jump in headfirst without our underwater housing.
To transform the below into a functional camera for underwater photography, allow me to recommend some trusted brands where you will find quality housing options for each compact or digital camera. You can easily find these via Nauticam, ISOTTA, Ikelite, Sea and Sea and Aquatica.
My top recommendation for the Sony RX100 VII is the Nauticam NA-RX100VII Underwater Housing for $1500. For the Canon G7X Mark III, I'll recommend the Ikelite Underwater Housing for $595.
Sony RX100 VII
$955 usd
MAX DEPTH
See the housing
PICTURE QUALITY
20.1 MP
USABILITY
Very Good
Manual Controls
BATTERY LIFE
330 shots with 50% using Flash
ISO / APERTURE
Up to 12800 ISO / f/2.8-4.5
VIDEO
4k 30fps
CONNECTION
USB / WIFI / BLUETOOTH
Canon g7X Mark III
$699 usd
MAX DEPTH
See the housing
PICTURE QUALITY
10 MP (3648 x 2736)
USABILITY
Very Good
Manual Controls
BATTERY
235 shots / 320 shots Eco-mode
ISO / APERTURE
Up to 12800 ISO / f/1.8-2.8
VIDEOS
4k 30fps
CONNECTIVITY
USB / WIFI / BLUETOOTH
Winner
Canon g7X Mark III
Both of these are a solid compact. However, consider that we still have to buy the housing to allow us to go underwater, so the price of the Canon is better.
Canon's aperture of f1.8 is a very good feature for low-light performance.
The competitive price-point makes the Canon the winner on this occasion. If the price doesn't put you off, I would go for the Sony due to the superior image quality and better zoom.
Best DSLR Camera For Underwater Photography
Now, we enter into the big leagues. You may be dropping by as a professional without a restrictive budget, or a content creator who is in need of the perfect camera producing the highest quality images.
Do you want the quality of a Nolan movie at your fingertips during your dive session? You'll need DSLR cameras for a job like this. Though they may be a bit bigger than the best mirrorless cameras out there, they're only going to reward you when you see the picture perfect pinpoint detail in your coral reef snaps.
Your new sidekick will need some help of his own before launching straight in the depths below.
We'll head up two megaliths of the photography game, the famous models Nikon D and Canon EOS. For today, let's push aside our preferences and speak specifically about the features as they relate to underwater photography.
First, let's discuss the lens. I'll go easy on you today and simply provide one lens to start off with. After, you can add a bunch of different lenses to your arsenal which could be better for specific instances of wildlife photography or wide angle shots.
By using the Nikon D850 with 105mm f/1.4E bundle you'll have a great first lens with very good aperture.
For our housing, I'll do as before and recommend to you two housing options. For the Nikon D850 I suggest the Nauticam NA-D850 Underwater DSLR Housing. For the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV I would go with the Sea and Sea MDX-5DMKIV Underwater DSLR Housing.
Be aware that the housing will need wet lenses.
Nikon D850
$2455 usd
MAX DEPTH
See the housing
PICTURE QUALITY
45.7 MP
USABILITY
Manual Controls
BATTERY LIFE
Approx. 1800 shots (CIPA)
ISO / APERTURE
Up to 25600 ISO / Lens spec
VIDEO
4k 30fps
CONNECTION
USB / WIFI / BLUETOOTH
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
$2699 usd
MAX DEPTH
See the housing
PICTURE QUALITY
30.4 MP
USABILITY
Manual Controls
BATTERY
Approx. 900 shots
ISO / APERTURE
Up to 32000 ISO / Lens spec
VIDEOS
4k 30fps
CONNECTIVITY
USB / WIFI / NFC
Winner
Nikon D850
These two are amazing full frame cameras and at this level, whatever you choose is an excellent choice. However, for my personal choice, the Nikon D850 takes the cake due to its spectacular 45.7 MP image resolution.
I hope that my guide has helped you to find the best camera for underwater photography that truly fits your needs.
If you have any question about the cameras or just want to chat, leave us a comment 🙂
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