These powerful cameras are also small, and in some cases, are smaller than a smart phone. The best waterproof cameras out of the bunch are very rugged, so you can have them on you all the time without having to worry about scratching anything up or losing your precious pictures and video. Every underwater camera review below describes a camera that can be very useful for you and your family. They are all able to shoot outside or inside, and in many different conditions as well. Some even have cool extras like effects, filters, built in Wi-Fi, GPS, and lots of different modes to choose from.
Best Underwater Camera List
1. Nikon COOLPIX AW130 Waterproof Digital Camera
$349.95 From Amazon
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This cool camera comes in blue, yellow, or black and is waterproof up to 100 ft. It can also withstand cold temperatures, as low as 14 degrees F. It is even relatively shockproof, so if you drop it from a short distance, it’ll be just fine in many cases. It features a wide angle lens that can zoom up to 5 times and can take 5 pictures a second. This means you are very unlikely to miss your perfect shot. It also has other cool features like Wi-Fi, GPS, and can tell you about places you may want to check out nearby. It has a compass to keep you on track, and the whole thing only weighs around 8 ounces. People that use the product love that it is straightforward to use and it works great in different lighting situations, including low lighting. Besides that, it can recognize a face quickly, so you can take pictures in a flash. It has a depth meter built in, meaning you won’t have to worry about how far you take the camera down, since you’ll always be aware of where you are.
2. Olympus TG-4 Waterproof Digital Camera
$319.99 From Amazon
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This camera is so tough that it says it right on the camera. You can purchase this one in red or black to get great photos wherever you are. It has a 4x lens that is also high speed and can take 1080 HD video, which will give you a clear view of everything. It is waterproof up to 50 feet, can be taken in cold weather, can be dropped from up to 7 feet without taking damage, and is even crushproof up to 220 pounds. Other handy features are built-in Wi-Fi, GPS, a compass, and different modes to shoot with. It can take pictures even if you are pointing it at something extremely close to you, which is important if you want to take macro shots, and it has a special mode that allows you to take raw stills and video. The battery life can be rather short though, so you may want to get some extra battery packs as well.
3. Olympus TG-870 Tough Waterproof Digital Camera
$399.99 From Amazon
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This camera is waterproof up to 50 feet and is also shockproof to a certain point. Additionally, it is hard to crush and can withstand temperatures as low as 14 degrees F. It has an ultra wide angle lens and can zoom up to 5 times, to get a picture of things that are even very far away. It has a large monitor that flips 180 degrees, meaning you’ll get the perfect angle on your shots each time, and you’ll be able to see what is being filmed also. There is a button on the front of the camera that can be programmed to do a couple of things, so you can have one handed operation in a pinch. The camera even has GPS and Wi-Fi to make everything easier and it takes HD video, as well as slow-motion videos, so you can take whatever type you prefer. Another really cool thing about this camera is that it has a super macro mode, which can take extreme close up shots of wildlife or other interesting things.
4. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
$847.79 From Amazon
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This compact product is an 18.2 MP camera, which is pretty powerful, considering everything else it is able to do as well. It has a sleek OLED color monitor, so you can tell exactly what you are getting a photo or video of, and it has a 5x zoom. It is resistant to water, dust, freezing temperatures, and shock. Another aspect that comes in quite handy is that it has image stabilization to keep everything steadier, even when you aren’t. This is the type of camera that you can take anywhere, not just in the water, so you don’t have to take a bunch of cameras with you on vacation. It can take all the types of pictures and videos that you need it to, and it weighs less than 5 ounces, so it will fit in anything, even a dainty bag or purse. Users are impressed with the look of the underwater shots it takes but note that it can’t go as far underwater as some other models, so you should be careful not to take it diving.
5. Canon PowerShot D30 Waterproof Digital Camera
$299.00 From Amazon
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This camera takes 12MP photos and also takes HD video. It is shockproof and waterproof up to 82 feet, which makes it able to go farther underwater than nearly any other camera you can purchase. It comes with GPS capabilities and has plenty of effects that make it very fun to use. It features a 3 inch LCD screen, so you’ll be able to line everything up the way you want to, and it has great image stabilization as well as 5x zoom. One drawback is that it doesn’t have Wi-Fi, so it will be a little bit harder to share photos, but that isn’t really a big deal when you consider how far down you can use this one. It also works great in many other situations, and looks cool while doing it too. For example, it does an excellent job with outdoor pictures, and it can even compensate for you moving your hands.
6. Fujifilm FinePix XP90 Green Waterproof Digital Camera
$179.00 From Amazon
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This product is a 16.4 MP camera that is freeze proof and waterproof up to 50 feet. It is also resistant to shock and dust and has a 5x zoom, to get good pictures from farther distances. If you download a special app, you’ll be able not only to transfer photos and video with the touch of a button, but you’ll also be able to shoot the camera remotely using your smart phone. This means you can take pictures and change settings from your phone, without having to touch the camera. This can be great if you want to keep the picture steady or if you’re using a tripod. The camera can film video in full HD and it comes with many different filters, so you can edit your pictures as soon as you take them. To keep everything dry and protected, there is a double lock on the battery compartment and the exterior is very tough as well.
7. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30R
$138.00 From Amazon
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This tough product is able to go underwater up to 26 feet and can withstand cold temperatures. It will hold up to short falls and is good indoors or outdoors. You can take pictures or 720p video with the camera and it comes with many effects to choose from, so you can personalize all the pictures you take. It can take panoramic shots and it has built in memory, so you don’t have to worry immediately when your SD card is full. Other noteworthy options are an image stabilizer, the ability to take time lapse photos, and the fact that it has a powerful flashlight on the front that can be used in low light situations, or to find something in the dark. It is compact in size and can perform for you wherever you need it to. It is also rugged enough to carry around all day, and you won’t have to be concerned that it will become damaged or harmed in any way.
8. Nikon COOLPIX S33
$126.95 From Amazon
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This simple looking camera can still hold up in different circumstances. It is able to go underwater up to 32 feet, and can even withstand minor shock. It can also be used in the winter, since it will be fine in cold weather. It is a 13.2 MP camera that can also film 1080p HD videos with stereo sound. It isn’t always easy to find a camera that will record good sound along with clear video, so this is something that is really useful. It also has a wide angle lens and is easy to navigate and use. In fact, all members of the family should be able to figure out how to use it.
