The 5 best underwater cameras

Looking for underwater cameras? Whether you’re a water sports enthusiast or an underwater photographer, if you want to take photos and videos both under and above the water, you’ll need one of the best underwater cameras this year .

So that you can choose your next underwater camera, we have compiled a top of our five favorite models from brands such as Olympus, GoPro, DJI, Fujifilm and Nikon . And it is that from models with compact designs and reinforced finishes, to action and adventure cameras, we have tested the best underwater cameras so that you find the one that best suits you.

In this buying guide to the best underwater cameras we have included models for all skill levels and budgets. Although if you need a good camera and do not want to spend too much, why not buy a second-hand underwater camera? At Cash Converters there are models in perfect condition with 40% discounts and a two-year guarantee. Learn more about kupujem prodajem crna gora.

The best underwater cameras in 2022:

To choose the best underwater camera, some things must be taken into account, especially depending on the use that we are going to give it . From the degree of waterproofness of the camera (for those who want to take photos and videos while diving) to the image stabilization (for those who want to use it while practicing water sports).

Whatever you want to record and photograph, our comprehensive guide to the best underwater cameras includes models for every need and budget . And it is that whichever one you choose, they will all go like a fish in water.

Olympus Tough TG-6

We start our top with one of the best underwater cameras for photographers who have just started in the world of underwater photography, as well as for more experienced people. And surely you did not imagine seeing an Olympus heading this top! If we had to highlight two things about the Olympus Tough TG-6, it would undoubtedly be its resistance and its technical specifications. And it is that this underwater camera is capable of both recording 4K video, as well as taking raw photographs and why not, a built-in GPS so that we do not get lost when we go out into nature.

Olympus Tough TG-6 Specifications

  • Sensor: 1/2.3 inch, 12MP
  • Lens: 25-100mm f/2.0-4.9
  • Water resistant: 15m
  • Frost resistant: -10ºC;
  • Shockproof: 2.1m
  • Monitor: 3 inches, 1,040K dots
  • Video: 4K
  • User Level: Beginner/Intermediate

As far as photography is concerned, the Olympus Tough TG-6 has a lens with a maximum aperture of f/2 and a very close focusing distance (1cm), making this one of the best underwater cameras for photography . both on land and under water . This off-road camera from Olympus has a 3-inch LCD screen (1.04 million points) and an exterior design with an anti-reflective coating in front of the 12 MP sensor (25-100 mm) that we can submerge up to 15 meters in waters of up to -10ºC.

The good

  • Raw recording capacity
  • Minimum resolution at 4K

The bad

  • It has a small sensor
  • Does not have an electronic viewfinder

GoPro Hero 9 Black

If in addition to photography you love to practice sports such as surfing, canoeing, scuba diving… or in short, all sports that involve getting wet, the GoPro Hero 9 Black is the best underwater camera, 100% submersible, with which you can get . With a very small design and compatible with dozens of adapters and supports, what stands out most about this camera is its power and versatility. Although the best thing about this underwater camera is that it is specially prepared to record videos without denying the photographic section.

GoPro Hero 9 Black Specifications

  • Sensor: 1/2.3 inch, 23.6MP
  • Lens: 16-39mm
  • Water resistant: 10m
  • Monitor: 1.4-inch screen (front), 2.27-inch touch screen (rear)
  • Videos: 5K
  • User Level: Beginner/Intermediate

Priced slightly higher than previous GoPro models, the Hero 9 Black is better value for money than most other underwater cameras on the market. For those people who want to take pictures in aquatic environments, the camera incorporates a 23.6 MP and 1/2.3-inch sensor. In a complementary way, for those who want to dedicate their time and talents to recording videos in the water, this same sensor is capable of recording at 5K/30p and 4K/60p combined with a “high” bit rate of 100 Mbps and an anti-theft system. -vibrations. And it is that, not for less, the GoPro Hero 9 Black is by far the best underwater camera to record videos underwater (up to 10 meters without accessories),

The good

  • Ability to record 5K video
  • Great battery life

The bad

  • Low sensitivity on the touch screen
  • Does not have a slow motion mode at 4K/120p

DJI Osmo Action

If you liked both the Olympus Tough TG-6 and the GoPro Hero 9 Black, but they are out of your budget, you should consider the DJI Osmo Action. And it is that although it does not sound familiar to you, this model has established itself as an affordable and high-quality alternative within our list of the best underwater cameras. And why? Among other reasons, because of its price and its water resistance capacity, up to 11 meters from the base, expandable up to 60 meters if you add a casing.

DJI Osmo Action Specifications

  • Sensor: 1/2.3 inch, 12MP
  • Lens: 145º FOV, f/2.8
  • Water resistant: 11m
  • Shock resistant: 1.5m
  • Monitor: 1.4-inch screen (front), 2.25-inch touch screen (rear)
  • Videos: 4K
  • User Level: Beginner/Intermediate

As for its performance, although it has a maximum resolution of 4K at 60 fps, somewhat lower than that of the rest of the models, it far exceeds the GoPro Hero 9 Black thanks to its slow motion at 240 fps at 1080p . The rest of the features of the DJI Osmo Action make it a more than adequate underwater camera, with details such as image stabilization, the capture of low-light environments, and also a fairly decent battery life.

The good

  • good video quality
  • Stabilization system

The bad

  • Average low light performance could be better
  • Slow motion only at 1080p

Fujifilm XP140

Versatile, economical, compact and submersible up to 25 meters, the Fujifilm XP140 is one of the most complete and best underwater cameras, thanks to the relationship between its multiple features and its price. Its photographic section is made up of a 16.4 MP sensor (stabilized and backlit) and a 5x optical zoom. As for its design, robust and almost indestructible , it incorporates a 3-inch 920K-dot touch screen, which makes it easy to frame even under water.

Fujifilm XP140 Specifications

  • Sensor: 1/2.3in, 16.4MP
  • Lens: 28-140mm f/3.9-4.9
  • Water resistant: 25m
  • Freeze resistant: -10°C
  • Shock resistant: 1.8m
  • Monitor: 3-inch touch screen, 920K dots
  • Video: 4K/15p
  • User level: Beginner

In terms of performance, the Fujifilm XP140 can record slow motion at up to 100fps in 720p, which is a bit low, but that is offset by 4K capture. In short, the best is its midpoint capturing Full HD at 1080p. Perhaps in this aspect, what stands out most about this underwater camera is its maximum ISO of 12,800 , which offers a good range of captures in low light, to which are added different subject and scene detection systems.

The good

  • virtually indestructible
  • Generous 5x optical zoom

The bad

  • Disappointing 4K video
  • Screen could be brighter

nikon coolpix w300

We have left the last of our best underwater cameras for diving lovers. We’re talking about the Nikon Coolpix W300, the obvious choice for photographers looking to go deep underwater in order to photograph the seabed. With a large number of features, this underwater camera allows you to record 4K videos on the seabed without fear of getting lost thanks to its GPS system with interactive map and its altimeter with a depth gauge.

Specifications of the Nikon Coolpix W300

  • Sensor: 1/2.3 inch, 16MP
  • Lens: 24-120mm
  • Water resistant 30 m
  • Freeze resistant: -10° Shock resistant: 2.1m
  • Monitor: 3 inches, 921K dots
  • Movies: 4K
  • User level: Beginner

And it is that it will be when we are at great depths, that the Nikon Coolpix W300 begins to stand out thanks to its design. And because? Well, mainly because of its high-resolution OLED monitor , with 921k points, which will allow us to appreciate the environment to be photographed with almost total fidelity, even up to 30 meters underwater.

The good

  • Water resistant to 30m
  • wide zoom range

The bad

  • complicated controls
  • Inconsistencies in the exhibition

Other of the best underwater cameras

In addition to our top of the best underwater cameras, there is a large list of underwater camera models that are an excellent purchase for lovers of underwater photography. And it is that either because of their characteristics, their price, the level of depth they support or a set of all of them, these are other aquatic cameras to take into account.

  • Nikon Coolpix W150
  • SeaLife Micro 3.0
  • Ricoh WG-70
  • Panasonic Lumix TS30/FT30
  • GoPro Hero10 Black
  •  Fujifilm Quicksnap Marine
  • Kodak Sport Underwater Camera

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