Making a Splash with Underwater Cameras (it’s a hard life!)
When looking at buying a camera to take amazing underwater shots, there are many to choose from. Initially, though, you need to consider if you want an underwater camera, an underwater casing for your camera (many smartphone manufacturers make cases to fit their newest models too), or a waterproof camera.
Beyond this, there are compact cameras, mirrorless cameras, and the best DSLR cameras, along with a whole heap of lenses, sensors, and more to experiment with and decide.
The big difference between the three types of camera is that DSLR and mirrorless models can use different lenses, whereas the compact has just the one attached and therefore has limited flexibility.
Generally, the points you need to check for in an underwater camera are:
- Good quality UW housing available – must allow for full manual control use
- Ability to take a variety of lenses eg wet, fish eye, macro & wide angle
- Full manual mode available
- Low shutter lag
- Long battery life
- Ability to view histogram
- Ability to manually adjust white balance
So, without further ado, let’s dive in to the best underwater cameras this year:
1) Campark ACT74 Action Camera
Overview
Campark have thought of everything and included it with this camera, and we were especially pleased to see the waterproof case (some cameras do not come with these included). This has all you could need to start an underwater photography obsession.
What We Like
This is great value for money and really is a brilliant piece of kit!
It is easy to set up with nice, clear instructions, and the resulting photos and video are brilliant! We swam, dived and scuba-ed with it and every time it lived up to our vast expectations. Perfect!
What Needs Improving
The only con we found was that being so small and light, sometimes it was hard to hold steady, but with the camera being so good in every other respect, it’s a small thing.
Campark ACT74 Action Camera 16MP 4K WiFi Waterproof Sports Cam 170 Degree Ultra Wide Angle Lens with 2 Pcs Rechargeable...
- Super 4K Action Camera: Campark 4K sports action camera records video footage in 4K/30fps and takes photo at 16M, help you capture and share your world in a fantastic resolution.
- 170 Degree Optional Wide Angle Lens: This gopro type camera features 2 inch HD screen and 170 adjustable angle lens, giving you a different visual experience. You won't miss out on any background details.
2) APEMAN Action Camera 4K 20MP Ultra HD
Overview
Bonus to Apeman for including batteries along with the accessories. This arrived promptly and was very well packaged, and once open, felt solid and well made. First impressions look good.
What We Like
Like the Campark, this is another bargain with loads of extras; however, the motion detection setting was a surprise bonus.
The picture and sound quality are excellent, and the ‘night scene’ option is fun for unusual effects.
What Needs Improving
The main negative with this camera is the battery cover; it’s really hard, if not impossible to open with a nail (the human kind), so we ended up using a nail (the metal kind) and then had scratches around the casing. This, though, is certainly not a deal breaker.
APEMAN Action Camera 4K 20MP WiFi Ultra HD Underwater Waterproof 40M Sports Camcorder with 170 Degree EIS Sony Sensor, 2...
- 4K ACTION CAMERA WITH 20MP: APEMAN A80 action camera features 4K 24FPS, 2K/30fps, 1080P/60FPS video, and 20MP photo resolution enables you to take incredible photos and capture every exciting moment.
- ADJUSTABLE WIDE ANGLE AND ANTI-SHAKING: This sports camera offers you 4 view angles(170°, 140°, 110°, and 70°) to choose from, provides you with a much broader amazing perspective. Built-in smart gyroscope and anti-shaking mode delivers steady and smooth videos. Ideal for shooting outdoor activities.
3) JEEMAK 4K Sports Action Camera
Overview
So far, all these cameras have arrived with a treasure trove of extras – the manufacturers are doing a great job of making us feel like valued clients, and this one is no different.
We weren’t sure what to expect with this smart underwater sports action cam by JEEMAK, but ever since unboxing, we’ve been obsessed with it. This is quite possible the most advanced (and well priced) underwater cam your money can buy.
What We Like
Everything just works. The image stabilization feature operates to precision and compensates for any underwater wobble caused by water flow.
This camera is beautifully easy to use and very lightweight, the image quality with this camera is second to none, the remote works well and the batteries have lasted a long time.
What Needs Improving
The initial instructions were a little complicated at first glance, but that’s the only drawback with this incredible piece of photography kit.
JEEMAK 4K Touch Screen Action Camera 16MP Waterproof Sports Cam 170° Ultra Wide Angle Len with SONY Sensor WiFi Remote...
- 【4K Ultra HD Video Resolution & Sony sensor】JEEMAK 4K Action Camera Take Videos with 4K/30FPS, 2K/30fps, 1080P/30FPS video and 16MP photo resolution, capture high quality pictures and videos.
- 【Touchscreen HD LCD Display & 170°Ultra Wide Angel Lens】 Built-in 2.0 inch High Definition LCD touchscreen for easy preview and shooting. Combined with a 170° wide-angle lens bringing you more details.
4) AKASO Pro 4K Action Camera
Overview
We’re big fans of the sporty and robust look of this camera, and it has some really fancy features, and lots of accessories. If you’re looking for an easy to use, feature filled product for your next adventure, it will do the job very well.
What We Like
This is as rugged and solid as it looks – we didn’t try reversing over it, but it was almost a requirement for testing out this Akaso camera.
A case is not necessary, as it’s waterproof by itself, and it’s so easy to use with minimal buttons and controls – so we were filming within minutes.
What Needs Improving
Since it’s waterproof, the battery housing is nearly impossible to open. The results of which ably demonstrated how robust this little beast of a camera really is, as it was flung across the rocky shoreline and still came up grinning.
AKASO EK7000 Pro 4K Action Camera with Touch Screen EIS Adjustable View Angle 40m Waterproof Camera Remote Control Sports Camera...
- UPGRADE SERIES OF AKASO EK7000: AKASO EK7000 Pro action camera delivers 4K/25fps, 2.7K/30fps, 1080P/60fps videos and 16 MP photos that capture every moment in crisp detail and unparalleled clarity.
- INTUITIVE UI DESIGN: Ultra 2 inch IPS touch screen shows everything crystal clearly and brightly, easy to change settings, switch shooting modes, preview and playback footage.
5) GoPro HERO7
Overview
This is a sleek, sophisticated underwater camera. GoPro have created a tough, reliable, professional looking model, with heaps of features and extra accessories. The instructions are clear to follow, with plenty of images and user-friendly diagrams.
What We Like
The resolution and video stability are very impressive, but to be honest, you’d expect that with reputable company like GoPro, however the live streaming is beyond reproach. We’ve had some great diving experiences with this, and everything streamed perfectly, with vibrant, crystal clear colors and resolution.The voice control works amazingly well, and the Time Warp video is smooth and non-jerky.
What Needs Improving
The battery life could be longer but can be extended with an external battery pack if you plan to record in 4k for hours, so this isn’t a deal breaker for us.
GoPro HERO7 Black — Waterproof Digital Action Camera with Touch Screen 4K HD Video 12MP Photos Live Streaming Stabilization
- HyperSmooth: Get gimbal‑like stabilization—without the gimbal. HERO7 Black corrects for camera shake to deliver insanely smooth footage
- TimeWarp: Capture super stabilized time lapse videos while you move about a scene. Increase the speed up to 30x to turn longer activities into shareable moments
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