Best underwater cameras for scuba diving (Under $600)
Have you ever been diving and seen something extremely cool and said to yourself, “man I wish I had a camera to get a picture – or video – of this!” Well, there are some really nice options out there for underwater cameras for us divers that won’t break the bank – or take up the dive boat.
Below are some options in various price ranges and all under $600…let’s get clicking!
Cameras less than $100
We’ll start with the cameras on the cheaper end that are more for snorkeling or diving at very shallow depths. Many of these are promoted for kids to use at the pool or beach, but will work for divers in a pinch…again at very shallow depths.
The ASTYPHER Waterproof Camera is a nice beginner camera that is generally well reviewed and is good to a depth of 17ft. This “kid-friendly” camera has a floating housing, so it’s hard to loose. Additionally, people have raved about the picture quality and it is a “point and Shoot” camera, with no focus required. At under $60, you won’t be too upset if the kids misplace it too.
Other cameras around the same price range that are also generally well reviewed include the Focusify WP09AF (good to 10ft), YISENCE 4k806 (good to 11ft) and SiSuSy UP006 (good to 33ft).The SiSuSy UP006 is in the upper end of this group, at about $77, but goes over twice the depth as almost all the other cameras mentioned above.
For some deeper depths in this price range, you can check out the AKASO EK7000. This “action camera” will go to 131ft with the included waterproof housing (about 30ft without the housing). Although it is a GoPro knockoff, offering both pictures and video, it does have 4.4 out of 5 stars with over 36,000 reviews on Amazon. While many people find this camera good for the price, about $53, it seems if you’re really going to put your camera through the paces, you might be better off with the GoPro for better durability.
Cameras Between $100 to $300
In the $100 to $300 range, the SPUNALP UP018 has a solid reputation as a budget friendly underwater camera for diving. However, it is only good for down to 33ft, so if deeper dives are what you’re into, this camera might not be for you.
A few highlights about this 8k underwater camera that stood out to me is that it’s easy to transfer and share photos, has a good battery life and is good for kids with its easy autofocus and durability. The camera is noted for being dustproof, sandproof, freeze-resistant and – for those little butterfingers – it can withstand drops from up to 4ft. Overall, for about $130, it’s tough to beat this underwater camera for the price – that is of course keeping it to shallow dives.
Other popular underwater cameras in this price range include the AKASO Brave 7 LE (good to 131ft with housing, but only about 3ft without the housing) and Kodak PIXPRO (good to 50ft). This AKASO Brave 7 LE “action camera” is praised for its quality at cost (about $110) and that it is easy to setup and navigate. This camera has a 4.4 out of 5 rating on Amazon with over 6,000 reviews. It has a few more features, like the dual display, than the more cost effective AKASO EK7000 mentioned above. It is also noted for it’s “gimbal-like stabilization” that greatly boosts the stability and fluency of video recordings.
The Kodak PIXPRO is again for those shallow divers and snorkelers. But while its maximum depth is 50ft, it is highly rated – 3.9 stars out of 5 on Amazon with over 1,400 reviews – for its durability – being dustproof and shockproof from up to a 6ft drop – easy to function and having easy WI-FI connectivity. Not a bad deal for about $150.
Cameras Between $300 to $600
As we get into the top end of my underwater camera list, there is the SeaLife ReefMaster RM-4K (good to 130ft with housing). While this camera is generally well liked by those who own it for being compact, easy to use and having good video quality, there does appear to be a few who have had issues with water leakage. These reviews are few and may be user error, but just a heads up.
The Olympus Tough TG-7 has very good reviews, 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon with over 300 reviews. It is especially highly rated on its durability and its Variable Macro System that lets users capture beautiful up-close images. This camera is a little more on the pricy side (about $500) and is only good to 49ft by itself. While looking like a great camera for beginners and snorkelers, it will not get you to the deeper sites…that is unless you purchase the housing (good to 147ft). However, the housing is also a little pricy (about $300) and – if purchased together – moves the camera over the price limit for this category. Still, you usually get what you pay for and this camera looks to be worth the extra.
Some more “action cameras” that are making strides are the Insta360 (good to 39ft without housing and 197ft with housing) and the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro (good to about 65ft without housing and about 196ft with housing). Both of these cameras are well reviewed in this price range, with the Insta360 having a 4.6 out of 5 star rating with over 400 reviews and the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro having a 4.4 out of 5 star rating with almost 600 reviews on Amazon
Finally, we have GoPro, Scuba Jays camera of choice. The Hero13 Black is the most recent edition and is good to 33ft by itself and196ft with optional protective housing.
GoPro still seems to set the standard for small durable “action cameras.” I have had three, my most recent of which is the Hero11 Black, and I have been happy with all of them.
I find the GoPro cameras easy to use, durable and they take great pictures and video. With the GoPro Quick app on my phone, the pictures and video are easy to transfer.
I don’t use a filter on my camera, but instead use the Dive+ app to filter my pictures and video. I find this easier than switching filters and the app does a real nice job cleaning images up, like the video I shot below of the Sea Trader in Nassau Bahamas.
I’ve been very happy with my GoPro cameras and they have suited my diving documentation needs well. I like to travel light and just clip my GoPro to my BC with a retractable lanyard.
I have not yet used an external light source for my GoPro, other than my dive light, but most of my dives have been 100ft and less in the Caribbean and have come out fine. For one of my trips to Lake Ontario, we dove on wrecks below 100ft. I definitely could have used the external light source on those dives, as the majority of my shots were just too dark to use.
Other Options
Perhaps you don’t want to buy a camera, but want to use your phone. Then maybe you should look into something like the SeaLife SportDiver Ultra Underwater Smartphone Scuba Housing. This housing will let you take your phone down to 130ft. While generally well reviewed, some people complain that their phone overheated while in the housing and that the housing failed.
Other options for housings for your smart phone include the DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 Max Plus (good to 131ft) and the Oceanic+ Dive Housing for the iPhone (good to 196ft).
Now one of the reasons I dive is to get away from my phone and I’m not sure I’d want to completely trust any housing in the water for my phone. But if this sounds like a good option for you, make sure it will fit your particular phone before purchasing.
Wrapping Things Up
So there you have it. There are many different cameras out there to choose from at different price points that won’t leave you in the poorhouse. Make sure to look at what is included, like memory cards and housings, if needed. Extra batteries are always a good idea, especially if doing repetitive dives. Take time to read reviews and think about what you are looking to get out of your camera and depths you plan to take it. This will ensure that you get good pictures of – or for – you…
If You’re Looking For other Scuba Diving Tips, Check Out The Below.
- Carbon Dioxide Toxicity
- Carbon Monoxide Toxicity
- Oxygen Toxicity
- Decompression Sickness
- Nitrogen Narcosis
- Middle Ear Squeeze
- Scuba Gift Ideas
- Hand Signals
- Mask Fog
- Scuba Tank Markings
- Mask Squeeze
- Reverse Block
- Sinus Squeeze
- Overexpansion Injuries
- Stress And Panic
“How boring would the world be if everywhere and everyone were the same. Safe travels and good adventures.” Scuba Jay
