Best Underwater Action Cameras

Best Underwater Action Cameras: Especially, when it comes to underwater venture, you become crazy to watch the thrilling images and videos that you captured especially through one of the best underwater action cameras of the wild nature which exists below the earth. Every one of us likes to recall the fond memories that we’ve got while hanging out with family and friends or going out for some adventure in life. These memories even increase our sentimentality when we are captured in cameras and we watch them while missing those moments. We enjoy and feel like we are still living them and are on top of the world.

Here is the review of some of the modern underwater action cameras that we believe would add value to your camera collections.

According to our research, the best underwater camera is the Sony Rx100 VI due to its compactness.

The best action cameras for snorkeling, scuba diving, ice fishing, and kids are the Olympus Tough TG-6, GoPro Hero 7, Marcum VS825SD and OurLife Respectively. Check them all out in the content table below:

SONY RX100 VI Underwater Action Camera (Best Overall)

If you are looking for a compact underwater camera, SONY RX100 VI might prove to be the best choice for underwater photography as it fits in your pocket, consists of 200 mm zoom lens, captures better custom white balance at depth and gives the best quality images and zoom versatility as compared to Panasonic LX10 and Olympus TG-5.

We even added it to the list of

Olympus Tough TG-6 is a low budget camera comprising some exceptional qualities which are the upgraded versions of the previous model i.e. TG-5 model of Olympus.

The camera is portable and pocket-sized and can be used anywhere at any time by anyone even not having extra skills. This camera is specifically recommended to take with you while you are intending for snorkeling.

Snorkeling is a sport where you simply wear a diving mask and observe the underwater environment while staying on top of the surface of the water. You simply stay on the surface of water watching the undersea life. Due to the diving mask, the snorkeler can both breath and see underwater effortlessly.

On the other hand, Scuba diving is an aqua sport where you actually go underwater and do not necessarily stay on the surface of the water.

Olympus TG-5 is still a very good camera for a very good price. It has all the features and things for it to become the best underwater digital camera for snorkeling.

Some of the commendable specs of this camera are discussed below:

• Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 12MP
• Lens: 25-100mm f/2.0-4.9
• Waterproof: 15m
• Monitor: 3-inch 1,040K dots
• Freezeproof: 10ºC
• Movies: 4K
• Shockproof: 2.1m

What makes it best for snorkeling?

• Underwater modes for point and shoot operation
• Fastest super macro autofocus speed besides excellent image quality
• Easy wide-angle with Backscatter M52 Lens

Some Unique Features

This camera is unique for its durability, reliability, easy use, waterproof, shockproof, crushproof, and freezeproof ability.

Some of the commendable features of this camera are discussed which distinguish it from the other digital cameras.

Underwater Modes for Point and Shoot Simplicity

Thanks to this camera for providing a simple point and shoot operation to the beginners.

The simple rotating mode dial to fish icon enables you to select 5 different underwater shooting modes such as Snapchat, Wide, Macro, Microscope, and High Dynamic Range (HDR) as per your requirement.

The most unique feature of TG-6 is its ability to shoot super macro or the tiniest of creatures without the need for accessory lenses which cannot be found currently in any other camera.

The camera can focus even when the object is touching its lens and is difficult to focus on.

The 4K 30p ability of camera makes it suitable for shooting the videos with the correct color of the creatures in three different underwater white balance pre-sets i.e. Shallow, Mid-Range and Deep and you can select any of these depending on the environment.

Images with great Color, Contrast, and Clarity

The camera can provide sharp, vibrant, and seriously good details of the images with its 12MP sensor.

The 4K resolution power makes it commendable for capturing clear, high quality, detailed sharp pictures which increases the worth of the images. The detailed images are obtained with its ability to zoom the images even 8 times.

Fastest Super Macro Autofocus Speed

The TG-6 camera subjugates the other cameras for its ability to autofocus the tiniest object with the fastest ever speed. No other compact camera can autofocus the diminutive objects as quickly and accurately as the TG-6 does.

Easy Wide Angle with Backscatter M52 Lens

Nearly all the compact cameras need a wide-angle conversion lens to expand the field of view and allow the camera to get closer to wider scenes or capturing large creatures.

The Backscatter M52 Wide Angle Air Lens & Backscatter M52 Wide Angle Lens when accustomed to the housing expand an underwater field of view to about 120 degrees and 81 degrees respectively besides sharpening the images and videos.

The Aperture Priority Mode for F/Stop Control of TG-6 helps in maximum exposure control with a certain range of aperture values to view the macro objects with the ability to knock-out the ambient light as well as sharpening their corners for a better view.

Shutter Speed Control

One of the other amazing features of this camera is the high control over shutter speed value, specifically the ability to set a minimum shutter speed which enables the camera to never drop below the designated shutter speed, providing the user with greater-than-ever before control over background exposure and the ability to freeze fast-moving subjects.

Thus, the simple operation, great images, and video quality, some advanced features and its affordability make this camera the right choice to take while you intend for snorkeling.

GoPro Hero 7

So, for scuba diving, we recommend GoPro Hero 7 camera based on some exciting features that we feel are required in the camera while going out for this adventure.

The hyper smooth image stabilization, overall improved image quality, and multiple color editions specifically black, silver, and white colors make this camera a pretty cool choice.

What makes it best for scuba diving?

• Hyper smooth image stabilization
• Best image quality with image contrast and clarity
• Addition of Super Suit Housing with the unit for water protection

Hyper smooth Image Stabilization

This is indeed the most talked-about and driving feature of this camera. As compared to Hero 6 model which consists of only standard stabilization, Hero 7 has got hyper smooth stabilization which gives extraordinary smooth and stable image and video results.

This feature is even more noticeable when you record some shaky movements or bumpy areas.

The effects produced by trembling are nearly stabilized by the camera.

Overall, we find this feature quite cool and can be even more upgraded in the upcoming generations of GoPro Hero.

2. Overall Image Quality

When compared with Hero 5 and Hero 6 of GoPro, we find the enormous difference in the image contrast, color saturation, and clarity that comes out of this 12MP camera.

The shadowed and non-shadowed areas are quite distinguishable with more details with 4K 60p underwater shoots of this camera. Overall, we find a huge improvement in the color and stability results of the images that are captured with this camera as compared to the other models.

3. Super Suit Housing

Out of the three color editions, only the Hero 7 black model is compatible with Super Suit Housing for its protective lens cover which is easily removed. The Super Suit Housing is required when you need to dive to the depth past 33ft/10m and is rated to 196ft/60m.

Besides allowing you going deeper in underwater, it also allows you to use FLIP filters rode on the Super Suit, the color correcting filters and help in obtaining the correct underwater color.

Some other cool stuff that this camera offers is stabilized time-lapse video mode which gives stabled results of the videos while the camera is moving.

Otherwise, normal time-lapse videos usually give better results when the camera is static with all the motion happening around it because footages otherwise get a bit jerky It gives 8 times slow motion with 1080 HD 240p resolution.

Besides, the 2-inch touch screen at the back of the camera is quite crisp, responsive, intuitive and easy to learn. It offers live streaming to Facebook, intelligently applies HDR, local tone mapping or noise reduction to optimize your shots. You can also control your Hero7 hands-free with voice commands like ‘GoPro, take a photo’ and ‘GoPro, start recording’ with 3.5mm Audio Mic Input with Pro 3.5 Mic Adapter.

Marcum VS825SD

What makes it best for ice fishing?

• Long LCD screen for the best view
• Amazing durable battery
• On-screen relative direction

Ice fishing is fun where you catch fish with lines and fish hooks or spears through an opening in the ice on a frozen body of water. You can fish in open or in heated enclosures with bunks and amenities.

So, you need to have a camera where you store your memories of fishing and later showing to your relatives and friends. We believe that Marcum underwater VS825SD is the one that you are in search of.

The 8-inch-long LCD screen helps you to enjoy capturing and watching pictures and videos anywhere at any time.

It is surely going to give you experience in water depth, long and durable battery, and on-screen relative direction.

The two distinguishing features of this camera are 12V 9-Amp rechargeable battery and outstanding camera quality with 800×600 pixel resolution LCD screen.

The display is 3 times brighter than previous models and enables you to switch between “color” and “black and white” modes to produce a breath-taking view of the underwater world as per your requirement.

The camera is calibrated for use in both fresh or saltwater. The display information can even be converted to metric. The unit comes complete and ready for rotation with a MarCum Camera Panner.

Super high-intensity adjustable LEDs and infrared lighting located above the camera help in reducing particulate reflection and increasing picture quality in low light settings. And with the simple keypad functionality, even the kids can use reliably.

Besides, it contains a sunlight-readable waterproof monitor, supports screen folds down for safe storage and portability and a video output jack for recording, contains Sony Super HAD II CCD 1/3” image sensor .01 lux camera, with 75-feet of cable.

Ourlife underwater action camera (Best for kids from 4 to 15 years)

Ourlife underwater action camera (Best for kids from 4 to 15 years)

If you are a parent and worried that your kids demand using your camera which you cannot let them because they could break the screen or could mishandle it. You do not want to break your kid’s heart but simultaneously cannot fulfill their demand.

So, your problem is correctly identified by Ourlife company and thus came up with the best underwater action camera especially for kids.

The camera is waterproof, so no worries for the next time. It can be used by kids of any age from 4 to 15 years.

This camera is the best choice as a gift for a birthday or some other special occasion for your children.

This cheap kid’s underwater camera allows your children to enjoy taking photos and recording videos everywhere while you do not need to worry that they will accidentally break the screen of such an expensive device. It is compact, easy to hold and operate.

The durable body and extra silicon case make it worthwhile. It can withstand the impacts that could happen while playing around in the bathtub or pool. It is ideal for beaches, diving, swimming, rafting, snorkeling, surfing and much more.

The camera consists of a unique rotatable lens which allows you kids to take selfies. To make it even excitable, the Ourlife company introduces 12 photos effects and 7 video filters that your kids want. Kids usually love creating a fabricated person using these effects for fun.

Even if there is dark around, you do not need to worry! Your kids can use the full-light function which enables capturing pictures to make them brighter. This fun-design underwater action camera comes up with a durable 2-inch screen that gives the freedom to follow what you are pointing or recording.

The images are absolute of high quality with 8MP resolution while the video resolution allows for recording 1080P 30fps HD videos.

Besides being waterproof to 30m/100ft, the company even introduces a case that further secures your kids’ camera.

And the slot for 8 GB memory cards allows your children to capture the pictures over 3000 in number.

Waterproof 360 Action Camera: Xiaomi Mijia Mi Sphere 3.5K (Best Looks)

Now hold your breath because we are going to share the review of one the best underwater waterproof 360 action camera named Xiaomi Mijia Mi Sphere 3.5K.

The camera is definitely a solid all-rounder for use when you go out for some action sports, big wave surfing, snorkeling, and sports videography.

The Nikon key mission camera did give a tough competition to this camera but failed comparatively in case of video quality besides being too expensive. Some of its outstanding specs include:

Video Resolution: 3.5K

Still Resolution: 16 MP

Lens: Dual 190º F2.0

Stabilization: 6-Axis Anti-Shake

Storage: 128 GB

Battery: 1600 MAH

Other: IP67 waterproof

You will find the main body of the camera to be made up of metal with front and back sides plastic. On the bottom is the standard tripod thread while on the top are the power, WIFI, ON/OFF buttons.

On the side, you will find a slot made for your memory card to be inserted in. The camera comes up with a micro USB cable for charging.

The design of the camera is really thought-out being insanely thin, light in weight, pocket-sized, and portable with the use of tripod along.

The two 190º lenses together give the view of 360º which is incredible. You can use the camera with and without the built-in app.

You can find the quality of videos on this camera the same as that of the latest Samsung gear 360 camera.

Usually, when you are using any camera in or around the water, you face the issue of fogging up your camera lens, which is not here while using this camera.

So, the quality of videos and images is sufficiently remarkable. You can easily share your images and videos on your phone or on social media through Bluetooth or WIFI from this camera.

Some Drawbacks about this camera:

The camera is waterproof for a depth of 1m/3ft which could be increased.

Especially, the stitching of the results of the two lenses for your 360 videos is really pronounced in some scenarios and no blending can be found between them as is there in case of Samsung gear 360.

You can identify a hard-cut line between the two camera lenses.

One more drawback of this camera is that it does not support live-streaming which can be added in a firmware or software upgrade later down the track.

Overall, the camera is waterproof, economical, easy to use, and allows you to transfer your best quality images to your social media. However, if you do not want a fully waterproof camera, you can also check for Insta 360 Air, Insta 360 Nano, or even Samsung Gear 360 which supports an added feature of live-streaming.

Cheapest underwater camera under 100$

It is said that watching dreams is allowed to every kind of a person; whether he is rich or poor, going out for an underwater expedition can be the dream of anyone. So, we also did not forget those who cannot afford the expensive underwater action cameras.

Here, we come up with a brief review of the product Ivation 20MP underwater shockproof digital camera which is quite affordable.

Besides economical, this camera also has reliable features such as dual-screen, SD card slot, and good image quality.

This camera comes in a compact, dust, and shockproof design. You can take this camera underwater to a depth of at least 10ft without outside protection.

You can easily insert your SD card up to 32 GB to capture as many pictures as you want with the image quality of 20MP. It has 4X digital zoom & built-in flash capability.

One of the exciting features is that you can enjoy a dual 2.7-inch screen which is mounted to the camera on both sides. This allows you to both taking back and front pictures.

However, one of the biggest drawbacks of this camera is you need to insert two AAA batteries which should not be there in any digital camera. Similarly, we found some reviews which claimed that the images were not that vibrant, clear, and appealing when the camera was submerged in a large underwater pool.

Besides, the camera also lacks an auto-focus option and goes from a slight delay before taking the photo once the button is depressed.

Overall, the camera is economical and offers good quality images for underwater up to a certain depth. However, if you want to go even deeper and want to use the camera for a longer duration, then this camera could prove a mess-up.

SJCAM SJ7 STAR

So why did we choose the SJ7 as the best cheap underwater camera for snorkeling? There are many factors we looked at due to which we concluded that the SJ7 was the best cheap underwater camera for snorkeling.

• It provides the best value for your money (best image and video quality for the price).
• Best Build Quality on an action camera (has a metallic body).
• Feels premium.
• The company has good support.

What’s in the BOX?

When buying an underwater digital camera for snorkeling it is important to make sure that the camera has some good accessories especially the water-proof casing because otherwise, you won’t be able to take it in water. The SJ7 Star has some of the useful accessories in the box, including a waterproof case and mounts. It also has some stickers and cables.

Who is it for?

The SJ7 is an action camera, it is for many kinds of people. If you want a camera that you don’t have to worry about taking to the pool or falling or breaking very easily the SJ7 is for you. It has a ton of uses like recording underwater, being a dashcam, mounting it on cars, bicycles, vlogging, and even using it as an FPV camera for drones (uses other than being just a regular underwater digital camera for snorkeling).

The SJ7 is a camera that can record up to 4k underwater.

It has an Amber A12S75 chipset and a Sony IMX 117 sensor which is capable of shooting a really good quality video.

The sensor can shoot in 30 FPS. The camera also has gyro-stabilization which is an amazing feature to have a cheap underwater camera for snorkeling. However, unfortunately, the stabilization feature is only available in the 1080p mode and not the 4k mode. The camera also has an HDR mode that helps enhance the colors.

There are many features in the camera that can be used on different occasions. One of the reasons we selected the SJ7 as one of the best cheap underwater cameras for snorkeling was because its video quality was very similar to the much expensive GoPro Hero 5.

One flaw we found during our research was that it isn’t the best in recording 1080p videos in low-light, it tends to darken things a little but that can easily be fixed with a software update.

But, the pictures by the camera are just phenomenal, it has a wide-angle lens that helps to get everything in the shot. The pictures look crisp and detailed during our research even during low-light.

How well is it built?

The SJ7 is very well built compared to other action cameras. It has a metallic body which is something you don’t find in many action cameras. The metallic body gives it a premium look and feels also adds some durability to this underwater digital camera for snorkeling.

This camera can go down to 30 meters underwater which is more than enough for an underwater digital camera for snorkeling.

However, one thing that we noticed that when shooting in 4K outside the water the camera did get a little bit hotter than we would like. This is a problem with all the cameras that shoot 4K, all of them get similarly hot, but due to its metallic body it’s a little bit more noticeable, however, you won’t feel that in the water.

Design

In terms of design, the SJ7 Star is very intelligently built. Like all action cams it is compact and portable. Its dimensions are like that of a GoPro. In our opinion, this is the best compact camera for scuba diving due to the good feel and small body.

The camera has 2 buttons at the front. One to power on and off and the other one is to check out the settings. At the back, we see a touchscreen that is easy to use and is brighter than other cameras in the market. The SJ7 supports up to 128 GB SD card which is more than enough for a cheap underwater camera.

Overall the build quality of the camera is nice and premium looking, it well thought and compared to other cheap Chinese options it stands out due to its metallic body. We would give the SJ7’s build quality a solid 4 out of 5.

Battery Life

When it comes to choosing the best compact camera for scuba diving, getting good battery life in 4K cameras is hard.

However, the SJ7 Star is good enough in our opinion. It can record up to 40 minutes of continuous 4K recording which should be good enough in our opinion. However, recording in 1080p will give longer battery life. If you plan on using it for longer than 40 minutes, you can buy another battery.

One cool thing we liked about it is that it can be used while charging, now that isn’t a helpful feature when you plan on using it underwater, but it surely is when you plan on using it for other things like time-lapse and dashcams.

Best Underwater Disposable Camera

After reviewing many underwater disposable cameras, we came to the conclusion that Fujifilm Quick Snap Flash 400 disposable 35mm camera is relatively easier and functional of all.

This camera has such a small size and consists of a practical 10-foot built-in flash switch that allows you to keep the flash on.

While the other cameras that we reviewed, you need to press the button to charge the flash for every shot but this camera allows you to keep the flash constantly on which glows red when it is ready for use.

It consists of 400 iso film with 27 exposures and requires a good quality flash for the lower lit scene, unlike those having 800 iso films.

It functions relatively better in daylight with no flash.  It comes in two colors i.e. either white or magenta. If you want to go underwater, you can avail Fujifilm Quick Snap waterproof camera.

Best Underwater Video Mirrorless Camera

If you are searching for the best underwater video camera, we would suggest preferring Panasonic LX100 II camera. It lists in one of the best video compact cameras for its best image quality and fastest shooting speed.

It can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second and uses a cool set of retro-inspired exposure control dials that make the minor camera geek happy.

Mirrorless Sensor, Compact Body

Thanks to Micro Four Thirds sensor which gives an outstanding image quality. This indeed surpasses it through the cameras such as LX10, RX100 VI, and G7X II which consist of only 1-inch sensor.

The larger sensor basically gathers more light for better dynamic range.

It is the same size as some of the other mirrorless cameras including Panasonic GH5, Olympus E-M1 II, and LX100 II.

The 24-75 mm lens is the most compact-like feature and requires an external wet-mount conversion accessory lens for getting the wide-angle and macro videos. Another important feature that qualifies it is its ability to give you still shots which could be later taken a print of.

Beyond 75 mm zoom-in, you need a dioptre along with the super macro lens.

Wide Angle and Macro Photo

Wide-angle shots from this camera are really fantastic. When you set the mode to F/8, the corners of the image become sharp which gives extensive details in the shadows in highlights.

When you mount the AOI UWL-09 Pro conversion lens, the field of view becomes 130º wider.

You not only need to zoom-in the camera to 29-30 mm to avoid vignetting with a wide lens on this camera but also to use a short wide-angle specific port on your housing to bring that accessory lens as close as possible to the camera lens.

It does the best job for macro; however, it is not recommended when you are shooting the shots of super macro maniacs without a dioptre. One other reflecting feature that this camera offers is that of electronic shutter which allows you to shoot at shutter speeds up to 1/4^th thousandth of a second which knocks out all the ambient light and thus, highlights our region of interest which is really desirable in case of dark environment.

Rapid Fire Shooting

Thanks to the custom assignable back-button autofocus and rapid-fire shooting ability of this camera, which gives a shooting experience of rather mirrorless than compact.

It allows for SLR-like “back-button” autofocus, unlike most compacts. It lets you take a number of shots at a time and you can select any frame that you want.

Just set the flash to 1/64 power and your strobes to manual mode and necessary power level for your shot and then fire as fast as those strobes would recycle.

Manual Exposure dials and custom controls

One other attractive feature of this camera is its manual exposure dials for aperture, shutter speed, and exposure compensation which encourage the shooting with full manual control as well as the autofocus modes. It is thought so far, the only camera which requires more than one control to get the shutter speed dialed in.

Besides, all the other controls are easy to access and operate.

You can use the front ring as an alternative for alternative zoom control or ISO control among plenty of other options.

Overall, the camera is highly recommended to shoot the videos for its great image quality from its large sensor, SLR-like rapid-fire shooting, good controls, and custom options, and the 4K 30p videos. However, you might find some limitations in this camera such as:

• The fixed lens offers less optical versatility.
• Port swap for wide-to-macro.
• Less quality macro than other cameras.
• Shutter speed requires two dials to fine-tune.
• The custom color at depth needs a little help in post.

Sony DSC-TX30 digital camera

When it comes to the best underwater point and shoot camera, you come across a list of cameras that include both expensive and inexpensive cameras along with their different distinct features.

However, after reviewing many point and shoot cameras, we recommend strongly the Sony DSC-TX30 digital camera for its outstanding specs. It is the successor of the TX 20 model which was its predecessor and consists of significant upgrades that were not there in this previous model.

The camera comes with half an inch thickness and consists of a magnifying macro-lens function having its own red LED light which is indeed an exciting feature and useful for macro photography.

You can witness the camera to be waterproof to a depth of nearly 33 inches, shockproof to 5 inches, freezeproof to 14°F, and also airtight to prevent dust from entering.

It is always ready to give you 250 shots per charge. It consists of an 18.2MP Exmor R CMOS sensor and a BIONZ image processor that provide ISO to 12800,10 fps continuous shooting speed and 1080i video capture.

The lens provides 5 times optical magnification for a 35mm equivalent of 26-130mm optical zoom lens which can be extended to even ten times when using Clear Image Zoom. The Optical Steady Shot image stabilization works for removing the shakiness form your videos nd gives sharp quality images.

For shooting, you can use either of the two auto modes which adjust the camera settings automatically.

The “Intelligent Auto” mode recognizes the wide number of scenes while that of “Superior Auto” recognizes when the subject is moving. You can find the number of scene modes and artistic picture effects on this camera.

The TX30 shoots extra-wide panoramas and records the videos in full 1080p HD.

The back of the camera consists of 3.3-inch 1,229,760 dot OLED touch screen which is quite responsive and touch-sensitive.

You can also find the shutter release, zoom rocker, ON / OFF and movie record buttons on the top of the camera. The lens of the camera has a minimum focusing distance of just 1cm which allows for decent macro shooting.

While using the Clear Image Zoom, the quality of the images may suffer which is one of the drawbacks of this camera.

Conclusion

Back then, several old underwater cameras were used which were somewhat heavy and required extra force by the swimmer while propelling his legs. The cameras were large, cased heavily, consisting of strobe light which produced regular flashes of light, and were controlled manually.

However, modern technology has gone exceptionally in introducing astonishing features in the current underwater cameras.

These cameras are digital, compact, and require no casing or strobe.

The cameras are capable of capturing adventurous moments with high resolution.

Currently, there are several different underwater action cameras available in the market. But, selecting the right one for yourself can be a very difficult and challenging task.

Each of the different models comes with its versatile design and exclusive scoring features.

For the people who are buying this product for the first time, figuring out which one is better and more durable can prove as the baptism of fire. Not having the vaguest idea of what to look for in the product, you can end up making the wrong decision and repenting later.

For these reasons, we have carried out long research to share the information regarding the top three underwater action cameras including Olympus Tough TG-6, GoPro Hero 7, and Marcum VS825SD for snorkeling, scuba diving, and ice fishing respectively. Besides, we have also reviewed some other cameras which you might be looking for based on your choice.