Welcome to our pick of the best waterproof cameras. While water and technology should usually be kept far apart, here is where the two come together to help creatives capture imagery not many can.
These days the best camera phones are armed with serious tech, but you may still find a good amount of areas and challenging conditions that could make you think about using them. And that is where in fact the best waterproof digital cameras come in.
These tough, tank-like digital camera models are built to have a beating. Waterproof to different depths, and frequently equipped with other kinds of armor like crushproof, shockproofing and also freezeproofing, the very best waterproof digital cameras come sporting comprehensive rubber seals and lockable ingress factors to make sure that nothing, nothing at all, can wangle its method inside.
The best thing about waterproof cameras is that in addition, they have a tendency to be childproof; they may be unintentionally dropped or dunked in the mud and rinsed clean later on. The bigger, ridged buttons not merely make them simpler to work with wet fingers but also for people that have small hands as well. This makes them ideal for families in addition to solo capturing. And with the very best Black Friday offers along the way, we’re more likely to see some very nice savings on many of these gadgets in the coming weeks.
But if you can’t wait that very long, let’s explore a selection of 10 of the best waterproof cameras you can buy in 2021.
10 Best Waterproof Cameras 2021
RICOH WG-6 Orange Waterproof Camera 20MP Higher Resolution Images 3-inch LCD Waterproof 20m Shockproof 2.1m Underwater Mode 6-LED Ring Light...
- Higher resolution Images: an effective 20 megapixels, low noise, and a wide dynamic Range combine for sharp, highly-resolved pictures.
- Uncompromising outdoor design: extreme all-weather gear - a rugged chassis that can be relied on in the harshest conditions.
Fujifilm FinePix XP140 Waterproof Digital Camera w/16GB SD Card - Sky Blue
- ISO 100-12800, allowing for lots of light and extremely fast shutter speed
- Waterproof to 82 ft., shockproof up to 5.9 ft, freeze proof to 14º F and dustproof
- Smile Shutter - The new feature automatically takes the photo. When you select “Smile Shutter” you will no longer miss the perfect photo.
Nikon W300 Waterproof Underwater Digital Camera with TFT LCD, 3", Orange
GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5K Ultra HD Video, 20MP Photos,...
- 5K Video - Shoot stunning video with up to 5K resolution, perfect for maintaining detail even when zooming in
- 20MP Photo with SuperPhoto: Capture crisp, pro-quality photos with 20MP clarity. And with SuperPhoto, HERO9 Black can automatically pick all the best image processing for you
Sony Cyber-Shot RX0 II 15.3MP Ultra-Compact Camera Bundle with 128 GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card and Shooting Grip and Tripod
- This large 1” (1.0-type) stacked back illuminated Exmor RS image sensor with BIONZ Ximage processing engine not only enhances efficiency and speed of A/D (analogue to digital) conversion through its stacked structure with more circuit sections; it also realizes super-fast readout speed. Additionally, the back illumination technology increases light collection efficiency and reducesnoise in shots taken at up to ISO 12,800.
DC2000 Camera
- SONY® 1" back-illuminated 20MP CMOS image sensor for sharp, stunning stills and videos
- 4 underwater shooting modes with built-in color correction (dive, snorkel, external light, and external flash)
- 25 Land Scene modes for various shooting environments
1. Olympus Difficult TG-6
Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera, Red
- Water proof (50 feet /15 meter), dust proof, shock proof (7 feet / 2.1 meter), crush proof (100 kgf), freeze proof (14 degree Fahrenheit / -10 degree Celsius), anti-fog
- High resolution F2.0 lens, maximum 8x zoom, true pic VIII, back illuminated CMOS image sensor
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Need a close shot of a subject for your project? The TG-6 offers beefed-up Microscope modes that work both on the surface and under the water, allowing you to get closer to subjects than ever before (minimum focusing length is merely 1cm). It’s got all of the proofing you’d anticipate from previous versions: it’s waterproof to 15m, shockproof from 2.4m, crushproof to 100kgf and freezeproof to -10°C. Wherever you wish to move, this camera can stick to.
Modes have already been added for more complex image-manufacturers too, such as for example Focus Stacking and Concentrate Bracketing, and the TG-6 works with a full selection of accessories such as for example flashes and transformation lenses, which signifies that your creative imagination does not need to be limited by precisely what you see on the container.
2. Olympus TG-Tracker
Olympus TG-Tracker with 1.5-Inch LCD (Green)
- 4K 30P Video capture
- Dimensions 35.0 x 56.5 x 93.2mm,1.37 x 2.22 x 3.67 inches. 204 Degree Extreme Angle f2.0 High-Speed Lens
- Waterproof to 100 feet/30 meters without housing
- Built in Wi-Fi
- 5 Built-In sensors capture movement: GPS, eCompass, Accelerometer, Thermometer, and Barometer
While the camera dimensions are modest, so is the stills specification, with its 1/2.3-inch sensor offering just 7.2 megapixels. Living up to its Tracker moniker, however, users can review altitude or depth, airflow or water temp, geo-location and direction, plus the speed of movement, via on-screen illustrations. With five-axis image stabilization helping prevent blurred stills or video when camera and operator are in motion, the camera even registers changes in G-force.
With images saved to the microSD card, its wide-angle lens offers a 204° point of view – meaning ends of fingers can stray into the shot. Its LCD is of the flip-out variety and is likewise tiny at just 1.5-inches in size. It cannot be rotated either, which means it can be tricky to accurately compose and review shots in the bright sun. Mark that one down as a little fun, nevertheless, and you will not be disappointed.
3. Panasonic Lumix FT7
Panasonic Lumix Waterproof Digital Camera - This TS7 Tough Wi-Fi Camera with 3 Inch LCD, 20.4 Megapixels, 4.6X Zoom Lens...
- These Panasonic cameras are waterproof as well as provide drop as well as freeze protection and comes with a free 16GB SD card
- Never Miss any moment with Panasonic TS7 20.4-megapixel MOS sensor and record smooth video in 4k 30p quality
Placing it a cut that beats all others, however, maybe the less regular feature of a 0.2-inch eye-level digital viewfinder, with 1,170K dot resolution. That is and a larger three in. 1,040K dot quality LCD monitor on the backplate of the program, which utilizes a toughened cup. With the average price tag for this class of camera, the FT7 has got to be high up your list of waterproofed camera choices for 2021.
4. GoPro HERO9 Black
GoPro HERO9 Black - Waterproof Action Camera with Front LCD and Touch Rear Screens, 5K Ultra HD Video, 20MP Photos,...
- 5K Video - Shoot stunning video with up to 5K resolution, perfect for maintaining detail even when zooming in
- 20MP Photo with SuperPhoto: Capture crisp, pro-quality photos with 20MP clarity. And with SuperPhoto, HERO9 Black can automatically pick all the best image processing for you
But for most users, its predecessor gives a great value than the GoPro Hero 9 Black is the most powerful and reliable camera you can find. The improvements are not a major jump on Hero 8 Black as the latest sensor and front panel are useful add-ions. The somewhat unresponsive touchscreen, even though a firmware patch is in development, is still a little irritating. There can be no other activity matching the abilities of the Hero9 Dark.
5. Nikon Coolpix W300
Nikon W300 Waterproof Underwater Digital Camera with TFT LCD, 3", Orange
- Waterproof, freeze proof, shockproof and dustproof adventure camera with extra capabilities
- Stunning high resolution photos, 4K Ultra HD videos, Time-lapse videos, Super lapse videos and music montages
- 5x optical zoom NIKKOR lens with telephoto power and Hybrid VR image stabilization
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Also impressing us are a high-ish 921K-dot resolution OLED monitor plus the fact that the aforementioned zoom starts out at an ultra-wide equivalent of 24mm for shoehorning even more into the shot. Extending to an equivalent of 120mm at the telephoto end of the zoom, this toughened Nikon is something of a jack-of-all-trades, and, although we found the output a little inconsistent when it comes to getting the exposure spot on, we preferred its output compared to that of, state, the Olympus TG-5 or Ricoh WG-50.
6. Ricoh WG-6
RICOH WG-6 Orange Waterproof Camera 20MP Higher Resolution Images 3-inch LCD Waterproof 20m Shockproof 2.1m Underwater Mode 6-LED Ring Light...
- Higher resolution Images: an effective 20 megapixels, low noise, and a wide dynamic Range combine for sharp, highly-resolved pictures.
- Uncompromising outdoor design: extreme all-weather gear - a rugged chassis that can be relied on in the harshest conditions.
The WG-6 is the ‘premium’ durable camera from Ricoh with a more sturdy body and incorporated GPS and compass. It is also equal to a massive zoom of 28-140mm. No Wi-Fi or image stabilization remains regarding its position. The WG-6 is water-resistant to 20m/66ft, 2.1m/6.9ft startling, crushproof to 100kgf/220lbf, up to -10°C/+14F° active.
The WG-6 has a somewhat unpackaged control interface but one that unlocks a shortcut menu is appreciated (though this disables quick video capture). In order to take a photograph, we learned that the shutter release button required a lot of strength. To illuminate close-by items, six LED lights around the lens can be used. The 3″ LCD is sharp but can be hard to see in the default setting.
The WG-6 is a pleasant sufficient camera but does not deliver as many water-resistant cameras as there are
The autofocus speed of the WG-6 is average, even if it is possible to speed things up slightly by utilizing the ‘Pan Fokussing’ function, as long as your subject is on the right distant distance. The camera provides a tracking mode, but it loses the subject soon.
Colors can be good, but noise reduction will smudge fine information. The WG-6 doesn’t endorse Raw such that you will not marginally reduce noise or share it to your taste. The picture quality is representative of most small-sensor cameras.
A high-speed mode of 120 fps is usable, but only with 1280 x 720. There is no tool on the sensor, aside from a wind filter. The WG-6 will capture the UHD 4 K/30P video and the initial samples from Ricoh look promising.
While the waterproof camera in Ricoh has some fantastic features, we are surprised that both picture stabilization and wireless Internet connectivity are lacking: two items that most of the flagship’s immediate peers are providing.
7. Sony RX0 II
Sony Cyber-Shot RX0 II 15.3MP Ultra-Compact Camera Bundle with 128 GB MicroSDXC UHS-I Memory Card and Shooting Grip and Tripod
- This large 1” (1.0-type) stacked back illuminated Exmor RS image sensor with BIONZ Ximage processing engine not only enhances efficiency and speed of A/D (analogue to digital) conversion through its stacked structure with more circuit sections; it also realizes super-fast readout speed. Additionally, the back illumination technology increases light collection efficiency and reducesnoise in shots taken at up to ISO 12,800.
8. Fujifilm XP120
Fujifilm 600019756 FinePix XP120 Shock & Waterproof Wi-Fi Digital Camera, Black/Lime Green
- Even dark scenes can be captured with clarity thanks to the 16 4 megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and the camera automatically adjusts shooting settings with 10 fps high speed continuous shooting
- The FinePix XP120 offers the all new Cinemograph mode producing still images with moving elements making a stark contrast against the rest of the still image
Nevertheless, this model is lacking a few of the even more ‘grown-up’ features found in competitors’ models, such as for example onboard GPS. On the other hand, this 16 megapixel Fuji does feature built-in picture stabilization, a back-illuminated sensor for improved picture quality in low light moments and is more affordable than most. Incidentally, those considering this model could also look into the recently announced Fuji XP130. Nevertheless, a more recent (yet very likewise specified) update has taken the cost of the XP120 down further still and managed to get better still bang for your minimal buck.
9. Fujifilm XP140
Fujifilm FinePix XP140 Waterproof Digital Camera w/16GB SD Card - Sky Blue
- ISO 100-12800, allowing for lots of light and extremely fast shutter speed
- Waterproof to 82 ft., shockproof up to 5.9 ft, freeze proof to 14º F and dustproof
- Smile Shutter - The new feature automatically takes the photo. When you select “Smile Shutter” you will no longer miss the perfect photo.
10. SeaLife DC2000
DC2000 Camera
- SONY® 1" back-illuminated 20MP CMOS image sensor for sharp, stunning stills and videos
- 4 underwater shooting modes with built-in color correction (dive, snorkel, external light, and external flash)
- 25 Land Scene modes for various shooting environments
The DC2000 itself is about the same size and weight as most lightweight waterproof cameras. However, settings are somewhat unusual in contrast to competing versions and require a while to get used to them The camera features various scene modes (several for underwater shooting) and raw enabling manually exposure controls.
The DC2000 has a high pace and precise contrast detective autofocus system that slows down as light levels drop out under the water (then there is an option to lock the concentrate to endlessness). The minimum distance to the subject is 15cm/6in at the normal focus setting and macro allowed decreases this to 9cm/3.5in.
DC2000’s picture consistency is noteworthy as a consequence of incorporating a wide 1″ sensor with high-quality lenses from other waterproof compacts. The color is generally nice for JPEGs, but noise reduction, especially with higher ISO values, is a little tormented. The larger sensor and raw capture provide more editing power and access than smaller rivals to the dynamic range. Low quality of photographs is still really good, but autofocus in bad environments is likely to chase.
For up to 30 minutes, the DC2000 tracks 1080/60p and 30p, and output is outstanding. The steadiness seems like a digital and optical mix and functions pretty good. Autofocus is more apt to hunt; it is better to switch off your attention and turn off the AF setting in the menu continuously. You still have little influence about parameters of exposure, whereas the test for auto exposure is strong and exposure shifts are fluid.
The DC2000 is an oddball option that still offers the highest picture quality for those who are not hardcore divers but are in a waterproof lightweight market. You can find the DC2000 to be a competent picture partner if you can work past controls and sluggish Raw recording. But if you don’t need superior image resolution, its operating specifications may be a turning point for certain consumers.
