The Best Waterproof Cameras – There are so many waterproof cameras on the market that finding the right one can feel like mission impossible. What size should you get? Which features matter most? How much should you pay? If you’re in the market for a waterproof camera, read our top recommendations and find out what to look for. You can find more of the best beach gear here, or visit us on Pinterest.
What Makes a Camera Waterproof?
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Airtight housing: The housing on a waterproof camera is airtight to keep water from getting inside and damaging the electronics. You could buy a waterproof housing for an existing digital camera, but the housing for a factory-made waterproof camera is usually much more effective at keeping out water.
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Rubber seals: Rubber seals reinforce the airtight housing around any parts that open, such as the battery compartment and memory card slot. This helps keep water out. However, you must carefully dry these areas before you open them to prevent moisture from seeping inside.
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Thick lens: Waterproof cameras that can be used underwater have thicker lenses than regular cameras because they must be able to withstand pressure at different depths without breaking. If you buy a waterproof camera, check the depth to which it can be used before jumping in the water with it.
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Settings: Underwater cameras have settings that allow them to capture clear, vivid photos while submerged. The settings are designed to account for the way that light travels through water and provide options for common underwater subjects like fish.
How Much Should You Pay For a Waterproof Camera?
Waterproof cameras vary in price based on size, resolution, FPS, and other features. Expect to spend between $30 and $600 for a waterproof camera.
- Small, basic waterproof cameras typically cost between $30 and $120.
- Mid-range waterproof camera with a few extra features tend to run between $120 and $300.
- High-end waterproof cameras with multiple extra features may cost between $300 and $600.
The 5 Best Waterproof Cameras:
AKASO EK7000 (Small, Basic Waterproof Camera)
The EK7000 supports 4K video recording at up to 25fps. It is probably the best 4K action camera you can get at its price point. The splash proof remote frees up your hands and lets you take the shots away from the camera. Underwater photography and videography are possible with EK7000. It is up to 98FT/30M waterproof with a case. With a 170° wide-angle lens to capture the expansive landscape, you can see a broader world through the cam. This Wi-Fi camera can sync contents to your phone & tablet via the AKASO Go app. Get more information, or purchase the AKASO EK7000 Here.
AKASO Brave 7 LE (Mid-Range Waterproof Camera)
AKASO Brave 7 LE action camera is dedicatedly designed for vlogging your life. Its IPX7 water-resistant body enables your recording in all weathers. This waterproof camera is waterproof up to 3.3FT/1M without case within 30 mins. Equipped with 131FT/40M waterproof case it can protect your camera well when you are doing water sports like swimming, surfing and diving, etc. This action camera comes with a newborn front screen to optimize your recording experience. You can easily take selfie photos and videos and see the real-time display just in front of the action camera. Get more information, or purchase the AKASO Brave 7 LE Here.
GoPro HERO8 Black E-Commerce Packaging (Mid-Range Waterproof Camera)
GoPro HERO8 Black Camera plus Battery plus Sleeve Lanyard features amazing HyperSmooth 2.0 video stabilization combines with a tough waterproof design to make this one of the most versatile HERO cameras ever; with the optional Media Mod, you can add more lighting, pro audio and even another screen. Stunning video resolution, impressive frame rates and super slo-mo combine with HyperSmooth stabilization to make HERO8 Black a top pick for pro shooters; live stream in 1080p as you broadcast via the GoPro app and save footage to your SD card to check out later. Get more information, or purchase the GoPro HERO 8 Black E-Commerce Packaging Here.
OLYMPUS Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera (High-End Waterproof Camera)
You live for the outdoors. Hiking steep mountain trails. Backpacking through a desert canyon. Skiing in the wilderness. The Tough TG-6 is ready for adventure. It’s built to endure all the extreme environments you love exploring. You can drop it. Step on it. Go deep underwater or out into a freezing blizzard. It just keeps on shooting awesome stills and video. Packed with pro features, you’ll nail difficult shots — even in low light. Shoot intricately detailed macro photos and unique shots underwater with vivid color. The lightweight, compact Tough TG-6. Engineered to survive the world’s toughest places. Get more information, or purchase the Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera here.
GoPro HERO10 Black (High-End Waterproof Camera)
Revolutionary Processor: Faster. Smoother. Better. The powerful new GP2 engine changes the game—snappy performance, responsive touch controls and double the frame rate for amazingly smooth footage. Designed specifically for the demanding nature of the GoPro, the GP2 “system on a chip” is by far our fastest ever. High-Res Photos plus Videos, High Frame Rate: Step up to the sharpest-shooting GoPro ever. Upgraded to incredible 23MP photos and 5.3K video resolution at 60fps, HERO10 offers double the frame rate for amazingly smooth motion. Plus, there’s 8x slo-mo at 2.7K and you can pause videos and grab 15.8MP still photos from 5.3K video that look amazing. Get more information, or purchase the GoPro HERO10 Black here.
Wow, what a cool piece of tech!
A lifetime ago I had a waterproof camera. It wasn’t 35mm, it was actually smaller film than that. And boy did I think I had it going on. But like everything else, that was before the personal computer age. This camera is worth investigating!
It is a cool camera, that is for sure 🙂 If you have any questions about the Nikon Coolpic, just shoot me a message. Thanks for stopping by.
Oh wow, this camera looks awesome! It never seizes to amaze me the fantastic products that are available to all of us now and pretty cheaply too. There was a time when only professionals could afford the good quality stuff like this.
I have pretty much ruined every camera I have ever had due to them not being durable enough…or dropping them, but this looks like it can take a lot, and I especially love the fact that it is dust proof so you can use it on the beach and not worry about sand particles.
These days my boyfriend is the photographer in our household as he can take a good pic as he has an eye for it. Maybe I will treat him to one of these for our next holiday 🙂
Oh boy Stefanie, I do believe he would love the camera! I know I do. I am hard on any tech devices and this one seems to be tough and durable for me. Plus I get sand on everything, so it is nice that it won’t destroy this from a day at the beach 🙂 Thanks for reading about the best waterproof camera.
Thank you for the post! This camera looks like the thing you need to have unforgettable experience:) I will include on my list, as the summer is coming pretty soon!
I liked the option of clips compilation and background music very much!
What about the size and how much does it weight?
Thank kyou
It is a great size 🙂 4.4″ x 2.6″ x 1.6″ and only 10.6 oz. The Nikon Coolpix is a great camera. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Awesome, I have been looking for a good waterproof camera…so many features too! Great review. I am going to have to splurge and get me one. I love it!
This is the best for sure. Great reviews and tons of happy customers, including me. I like it for the ruggedness, being waterproof is a plus. Thanks for visiting beachtraveldestinations.com.
Hi Leahrae, this looks truly amazing! Really enjoyed reading this and would definetely consider buying one through you the next time I book a holiday somewhere exotic. I love the camera!
Kind regards,
James.
It is a great camera James! I used mine all the time, not just for exotic vacations 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks for the great review. I SCUBA dive a lot and over the years I’ve had quite a few underwater cameras. I’m always looking for something better. I’ll have to check this out. Right now I’m using 2 GoPros.
Thank you
We have a GoPro and the Nikon Coolpic. They both come in handy, depending on what we are doing. You will love this camera, and it is so rugged which is exactly what I need! Thanks for reading about the best Water Proof Camera!
Hi
Thanks for reviewing. Niko Coolpix 300 may be worth buying for its Features. I am impressed with the HD video recording with stereo Sound and it is waterproof too. I was searching for a handy camera with lots of features and I feel it fit into my scheme of things.
I am glad it will work for you Arun. I am a total beach bum and this camera is the best. I can take it in the water, not worry about sand getting on it, as it is very rugged. You will love the quality of the picture as well. The Nikon Coolpix is juat an all around great camera loaded with usable features.
I loved this review.
I usually need shockproof, waterproof, everything-proof. This goes with the nature of how rugged I need for Grandchild-proof.
Thanks for the review and the options.
Very much enlightened on this subject now.
Glad I could help Don. It really is a great camera. I use it at the beach…and in the water. Glad you are enlightened on the best waterproof camera 🙂
Oh my goodness — thank you SO much for this review! I have been looking for a while for this kind of camera — namely one that is “me-proof” — ha ha! I can’t count how many cameras I have wrecked in my outdoor adventures.This sounds like just what I need. I’m loving the sound of the GPS feature, too, because I can’t always remember exactly where I took a particular photo. One quick question: do you know if you need to be in an area with good GPS service for it to function? I ask because our beaches do not have very good service at all. Thanks again for the info!
You will have to be in a WiFi area but you can always use the WiFi off your phone 🙂 It is an awesome camera!
I wonder why I have never thought of bringing these types of waterproof cameras for my outdoor activities. I guess they are just not marketed very well as compared to the other conventional cameras.
This Nikon camera has very useful and practical functions. The GPS feature is great, it will definitely save me the trouble of trying to remember where I took those photos. If you do know other more affordable versions of this type of camera, do review them!
Keep the awesome reviews coming!
I will do it Farhan! This just happens to be a really good, rugged camera that I personally own. I will look for another affordable waterproof camera and review it 🙂
This looks like a very good camera option for me. I do a lot of swimming and other water activities. I really like the fact that it is very durable also. The fact that it has a built in GPS system is also pretty cool. Thank for providing such great information.
You are very welcome! I like the rugged factor. After ruining two cameras just from the sand, I chose this one and I absolutely love it!
Hi Leahrae,
You know, I have already bought this Nikon Coolpix and the images underwater are just great and clear!
I use to shot my kids underwater and the photos are amazing!
I definitely recommend this camera for anyone who wants to travel to an exotic place and to shoot underwater!
Great review!
Alex
Thank Alex! I have it too and it really is a great camera!
Hello,
I really enjoyed reading your review of this camera. I liked how you were able to provide information about the camera while adding your own unique style to it; your diction definitely keeps the audience engaged! I’ve been looking to possibly buy a new camera in the future, and because of this article I think I have another potential winner on the list. Thank you!
Najee (AllThingsBinary)
You are very welcome! Personally, I think this is a great water-proof rugged camera. Not just for the beach!
Hi Leahrae,
I’m considering buying a waterproof camera for my trip to the Florida Keys coming up in a few months. We’ll be snorkeling and seeing all kinds of underwater life. My boyfriend also scuba dives and I’d love to see some underwater pictures as a keepsake of our trip. I like the fact that it withstand drops as high as 7 feet too. I dropped my camera once and cracked it. I’m still thinking about it.
Gina
I can tell you from personal experience that it is a GREAT camera 🙂
Hello
Nikon COOLPIX AW130 really looks like the camera I was looking for, I have some vacations coming and some swimming will deftly be in my schedule of activities.
I was checking some of the features and it even has built-in wifi which make an excellent choice for me.
Ruben
Great Ruben! It really is a great camera….especially if you are a beach goer or ocean person. I also like that it is more rugged and can’t be totally ruined by sand….which I have done with previous cameras 🙁