Waterproof and water-resistant tech has become increasingly accessible.
Gone are the days of rooting around for bags of rice in case of a hydro-emergency involving a smartphone and a tub full of water. All iPhones from the 12 upwards have an impressive IP68 water and dust resistance rating, which means that they can be submerged in water up to a depth of six metres for approximately 30 minutes and emerge unscathed.
That said, its inadvisable to use an iPhone as a dedicated underwater camera. A smartphone’s waterproofness is a form of protection, rather than a feature which enables users to capture Nirvana album cover-inspired underwater snaps.
Whether you’re looking to snap snorkelling adventures, or you’re a diving enthusiast looking to document impressive plunges, you’d be far better off investing in a rugged, waterproof camera.
Ever wondered how NatGeo photographers take high-definition snapshots of marine life? Well, that’s a whole different kettle of fish. Professional underwater photography requires a serious investment in high-quality mirrorless cameras, an interchangeable lens, and professional-grade housing made for divers.
Holidaymakers and casual underwater enthusiasts should invest in a value-for-money digital camera that can withstand all weather conditions, temperatures and dives.
How do underwater digital cameras work?
Underwater digital cameras aren’t hugely different to the type you’d use on land. The specialised cameras have been designed to withstand changes in pressure, buoyancy and lower light conditions. They are also equipped with reinforced seals and materials that are resistant to corrosion resulting from prolonged exposure to water.
How do you get a good underwater shot?
Patience is a virtue when it comes to shooting underwater. Play with the settings on your digital camera to get the white balance and light settings just right. Remember that even equipped with specialised settings, currents and active marine life can cause sand and debris to murk the waters.
In the meantime, tread water, enjoy the wonders of Mother Nature, and keep an eye out for that perfect shot. You might even take a page out of the professional’s book and invest in a plunge-proof ring light.
Best underwater cameras at a glance
- Best for overall: GoPro Hero11 Action Camera – Black - £299.99, Argos
- Best for a top-notch rugged digital camera: Olympus OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 Black Digital Camera - £449, Amazon
- Best for beach-proof selfies: Іnѕtа360 X3 Action Camera - £439.99, John Lewis
- Best for freeze-proof performance: Pentax WG-90 Digital Camera - £379.49, Scan
- Best for casual underwater photographers: Fujifilm XP140 - £235.80, eBay
- Best for high-altitude waterproof photography: Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2 Rugged Camera - £159, Amazon
- Best for divers: Sealife Micro 3.0 Underwater Camera - £624, Mike’s Dive Store
- Best for beginners: Kodak Sport Underwater Waterproof 800 ISO 35mm Single Use Camera - £19.35, Amazon
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best underwater cameras currently on the market. Keep scrolling to dive in.
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GoPro Hero11 Action Camera – Black
Best for: overall
- Dimensions: 5.08 x 7.18 x 3.36cm
- Underwater depth limit: 10m
- Special features: Footage uploads automatically to the Cloud
GoPro’s latest iteration of the Action Camera, the Hero11 has blown all other digital plunge-proof cameras out of the water. This brilliant adventure-proof piece of tech can snap stills and capture high-quality video in both landscape and portrait mode.
It’s capable of shooting an impressive 27-megapixels and video in 5.3K, 4K or 2.7K. Choose between 16:9, 4:3 and 8:7 aspect ratios when shooting. The all-new extra-large image sensor allows for an impressively expansive field of view for such a small camera (5.08 x 7.18 x 3.36cm to be exact), which makes taking action-filled photos and videos easier than ever.
The Hero11 is also equipped with an array of innovative additional features including Wi-Fi access, GPS, timelapse recording, night vision, webcam function and – of course – waterproofness up to a depth of 10m. Footage uploads automatically to the Cloud, and with a GoPro subscription you’ll get an auto-generated highlights reel.
The battery will fully charge in just two hours, so you’ll be back to capturing high-quality aquatic footage in no time at all. This camera uses a Micr oSD with up to 1TB of storage and weighs just 153g.
Buy now £299.99, Argos
Olympus OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 Black Digital Camera
Best for: a top-notch rugged digital camera
- Dimensions: 3.27 x 11.39 x 6.58 cm
- Underwater depth limit: 15m
- Special features: type C cable for recharging the battery inside the camera.
Clumsy photographers and adventure seekers rejoice, for the Olympus OM System digital camera is the rugged accessory of dreams.
It’s waterproof up to 15m, shatterproof up to 100kg, temperature resistant up to -10°C, shockproof up to 2.1m, fitted with a dustproof housing and equipped with anti-fog technology. No matter the climate, your OM System can withstand dramatic changes in temperature, high winds and accidental drops.
All this without compromising on quality. The OM System captures stills through a F2.0 high-resolution lens with the help of a 12-megapixel high-speed CMOS image sensor and TruePic VIII image processor. It can shoot 4K video underwater and also has macro modes. Newer features include interval shooting, time lapse, vertical video, and a Type C cable for recharging the battery inside the camera.
Buy now £449.00, Amazon
Іnѕtа360 X3 Action Camera
Best for: beach-proof selfies
- Dimensions: 11.1 x 5.8 x 2.3cm
- Underwater depth limit: 10m
- Special features: 2.29” tempered glass touchscreen, included invisible selfie stick
It’s hard to believe that this little rectangular device is capable of capturing vivid 5.7K 360 video, 72-megapixel photos and timelapses in 8K.
The X3’s impressive 48-megapixel sensors allow for crystal-clear images and video no matter the light conditions, while the extra-large sensor size offers incredibly intricate detail. For when you’ve taken a break from surfing swells and capturing underwater tricks, single-lens mode offers 170-degree shooting in 4k at 30fps without framing and allows for instant sharing to social media.
The device is fitted with a 2.29” tempered glass touchscreen for seamless operation, while voice control allows you to snap photos without having to press a button. This is especially useful when you’re using the included invisible selfie stick. The wonderfully robust X3 is adventure and waterproof up to 10m.
Buy now £440.01, John Lewis
Pentax WG-90 Digital Camera
Best for: freeze-proof performance
- Dimensions: 12.25 x 6.15 x 2.95cm
- Underwater depth limit: 14m
- Special features: six LED macro lights encircling the lens
The Pentax WG-90 can withstand depths of up to 14m and temperatures up to -10°C, making it a fantastic companion for cold water swimmers. Compact and lightweight, the Pentax makes use of cutting-edge technology to capture stunning pictures in all conditions.
It’s equipped with six LED macro lights which delivers enhanced illumination for supreme marine photography. This feature is supported by a back-illuminated CMOS image sensor, ensuring high sensitivity and low-noise characteristics. The Pentax WG-90 also has an optical zoom of between 5-25mm.
Buy now £379.49, Scan
Fujifilm XP140
Best for: casual underwater photographers
- Dimensions: 11 x 7.1 x 2.8 mm
- Underwater depth limit: 25m
- Special features: Bluetooth pairing and wireless LAN connectivity for automatic photo transfer
Despite the fact that the Fujifilm XP140 is no longer in production, it remains widely available on second-hand sites and offers a brilliant digital accessory for casual underwater photographers.
Its unassuming exterior is waterproof up to an impressive 25m, and shockproof from drops of 1.8m. It’s powered by a high-performance CMOS sensor and unique colour-reproduction technology for perfectly saturated shots.
What’s more, Bluetooth pairing and wireless LAN connectivity allows for automatic photo transfer and Instax printing.
Buy now £235.80, eBay
Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2 Rugged Camera
Best for: high-altitude waterproof photography
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 2.49 cm
- Underwater depth limit: 15m
- Special features: digital image stabilisation
Built for on-the-go photographers, the Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2 can be used be used in, on and under the water up to depths of 15m.
Dustproof and shockproof up to 2m, this camera has a 4x optical zoom, 1080p HD video capabilities and digital image stabilisation to help shaky hands affected by strong currents.
It’s also powered by a 16-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor.
Buy now £159.00, Amazon
Sealife Micro 3.0 Underwater Camera
Best for: divers
- Dimensions: 9.5 x 13.0 x 14.0
- Underwater depth limit: 60m
- Special features: 64GB of fixed internal memory.
Sea Life’s wide-angle underwater camera is about as close as you’ll get to using a professional mirrorless option on dives.
Permanently sealed with no pesky O-rings and housings to maintain, this camera was designed to operate on a fuss-free basis. It uses a Sony 16MP CMOS image sensor that delivers 4K ultra-high definition video at 30fps or 1080p high definition at 120fps for slow motion footage.
The rechargeable battery captures over three hours of continuous video, and over 1,000 images thanks to 64GB of fixed internal memory.
Buy now £624.00, Mike’s Dive Store
Kodak Sport Underwater Waterproof 800 ISO 35mm Single Use Camera
Best for: beginners
- Dimensions: 12.7 x 12.3 x 5.2cm
- Underwater depth limit: 15m
- Special features: funky aesthetic
A classic Noughties accessory, the Kodak Sport Underwater camera remains a steadfast beach holiday companion for those looking to capture waterproof memories abroad. It doesn’t boast any particularly showy features; it’s simply a single-use camera in a waterproof shell.
While on the cheaper end of the spectrum, just be sure to factor in those development fees.
Buy now £19.35, Amazon
Verdict:
The overall winner for versatility and user-friendliness is the GoPro Hero11. Professional divers looking for a mirrored camera alternative should opt for the Sealife Micro 3.0 Underwater Camera.
