Best Waterproof Cameras: Shockproof, Disposable and Digital

After a sun and surf holiday underwater, do you come home and feel like you couldn't catch some of the best moments because you left your camera out of the water? I've gotcha! 

No need to get a little jealous when you see others posting amazing underwater shots on social media. If you're a fan of underwater holidays, you need a waterproof camera to capture those precious memories! 

In this article, you'll find recommendations for the best cameras to use underwater to add to your beach vacation packing list.

There are high-end options for serious photographers who want to catch every moment in high definition and budget underwater camera choices for people who just want fun memories. Considering how good the technology is getting, there's no reason you can't share your next underwater adventure in full HD!

Best Waterproof Cameras

Why can't you rely on a waterproof phone pouch for underwater snaps? Phone pouches only provide waterproof protection for your phone to around 1 m in depth. 

So, if you're doing anything adventurous, like these 5 epic watersports, you're risking your phone!

These are my picks for the best waterproof digital camera.

5. Fujifilm Disposable QuickSnap Waterproof Underwater Camera

So, you're still a fan of the disposable camera, especially when you're on holiday and trying to digital detox. This doesn't mean that you can't capture great underwater shots. 

This Fujifilm disposable camera works at a depth of up to 32 ft. The camera uses 35mm 400 ASA/ISO color film, which you can get processed in most places, and you get 27 exposures per camera. They're usually sold in multipacks, so you have enough shots for your entire trip.

Of course, there are drawbacks to disposable cameras. You only get a limited number of shots and don't get much help focusing and framing photos. But this is what many people are looking for.

I recommend this camera for people who prefer traditional film cameras or are serious about taking a digital detox.

Our Rating: 4.2/5

Pros:

• Affordable
• Works up to 32 ft deep
• Easy to use and get film processed

Cons:

• Limited number of shots
• Lacks framing features

4. AKASO EK700 4K

If you're looking for an action camera, skip the Gopro review and consider this affordable AKASO model for less than $100. It works at a depth of up to 98 ft and shoots in 4K at 30 fps, and you can film for up to 90 minutes on a single battery charge.

This option isn't further up the list because the quality of the images produced could be better than other cameras, with photos limited to 20MP. But if you're more interested in action than art, this kind of camera is an excellent choice.

This AKASO model is Wi-Fi and HDMI enabled to easily transfer your recordings to any other device. I also love that it has a wrist remote control, but this isn't waterproof, so it won't help with underwater shots.

I recommend this camera for those who love an action adventure holiday and want to capture themselves swimming, diving, and surfing rather than artistic stills.

Our Rating: 4.4/5

Pros:

• Affordable action camera
• 90 minutes of high-quality filming on a single charge
• Works in a variety of environments, including 95 ft deep

Cons:

• Limited quality of still captures
• Wrist remote isn't waterproof

3. Hicshon Underwater Camera

Are you looking for a cheap waterproof camera that still produces great quality underwater images and video? This Hicshon model is an excellent choice for under $100. 

It's more affordable than other models because it works to a depth of 11 ft, but that is enough for many people. The camera produces 4K video and 48MP images. It has dual screens, with a 2.8 In LED screen on the back to see what you're capturing and a 1.7 In screen on the front for selfies. It has 16x zoom and many autofocus features to help you capture the best image.

This is my pick for the best budget underwater camera. I recommend this camera to holidaymakers who want to capture the fun and attractive underwater shots but aren't serious photographers looking for perfection.

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Pros:

• Affordable 
• High-quality images
• Useful selfie features
• Autofocus features to improve photography

Cons:

• Depth of 11 ft
• Less professional images than higher-end models

2. Nikon Coolpix W300

This Nikon waterproof camera is another high-end camera that lets you produce fantastic photos in most situations, including underwater.

While the picture quality is not quite as good as the Olympus, it has the bonus of working at depths of up to 100 ft. The camera is a NIKKO telephoto lens with 5x zoom, 16 MP photos, and 4K video capability. The camera also has many automatic usability features for image stabilization to help you capture the best images. 

You can share your photos to your phone easily using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. 

The camera has various tools to help you understand your location, including GPS, eCompass, altimeter, and depth gauge. 

You can import this information with the image or film to your cell phone.

I recommend this to adventure photographers who like diving deep and climbing high. This is one of the few cameras that can capture all those moments.

Our Rating: 4.6/5

Pros:

• Depth of up to 100 ft
• Records precise location and conditions of photos
• Easy transfer to phone

Cons:

• More expensive than the Olympus
• Medium quality

1. Olympus Tough TG-6

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is probably the best waterproof camera out there. This shockproof and dustproof underwater camera is used in most sporting and holiday situations and doesn't compromise image quality.

The Olympus camera has an F2.0 lens with 8x zoom. It's specially designed to allow macro photography without an external lens, and you can focus on objects as close as 1 In! When filming, you can capture 4K at 120 frames per second and export images as raw files for more professional editing.

You can take all this functionality as far as 50 ft underwater. It's also shockproof for falls as far as 7 ft and can tolerate temperatures as low as -10°C.

Of course, with all these features, this underwater camera's price tag is pretty hefty. You can expect to pay around $500 for this camera. Still, remember that it's not much more expensive than a similar quality digital camera without the underwater feature. So if you're looking for a new machine, it's a great choice. 

I recommend it to serious photographers looking for a machine to use in all situations, including underwater.

Our Rating: 4.8/5

Pros:

• High-quality images
• Can be used up to 50 ft underwater
• Underwater-specific shooting modes available

Cons:

• Expensive
• Lots of functionality

Find the Best Waterproof Cameras for Your Next Trip!

While holidays must be enjoyed at the moment, capturing and sharing memories is also an essential part of the experience. Now that you know how to save your underwater memories, you can start to craft your ideal travel experience for you, your family, and your friends.