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Making a Splash with Underwater Cameras. We test the best around (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, and dSLRs, 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 of January, 2019:
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 Recording +Sony sensor▶Campark 4k Sports Action Camera records video footage in 4K/30fps and takes photo at 16M. Campark Action cameras help you capture and share your world in a fantastic resolution.
Free shipping
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/20MP & 170° ADJUSTABLE ULTRA WIDE ANGLE】Take higher-quality 20MP photos and ultra HD video with professional 4K Tech. 2.0 Inch LCD display and professional wide-angle lens provide you with much broader amazing perspective.
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, 2.7K/30fps, 1080P/60FPS video and 16MP photo resolution, capture high quality pictures and videos. Most of our accessories fit for gopro camera.
4) COMI Waterproof Digital Camera
Overview
We’re big fans of the sporty and robust look of this camera. However, it’s missing some of the fancy elements of the high end models. If you’re looking for an easy, no frills 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 Comi 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 yellow wasp of a camera really is, as it was flung across the rocky shoreline and still came up grinning.
Underwater Camera Full Hd 1080P Waterproof Digital Camera 24.0MP Underwater Digital Camera Self Point and Shoot Dual Screen Waterproof Camera
- It is a point and shoot underwater camera. It shoots up to 24MP and video quality is up to FHD. Bright color of this camera. It is not the normal black. The design is very beautiful and fashionable.It is easy to carry and it is compact. You can keep it in your handbag.
5) Davola 4K Underwater Camera
Overview
This camera looks like it means business – well made, and comfortingly weighty; however, the accessories felt less robust, and we suspect, may not last as long.
What We Like
The image quality with this Davola camera is excellent, much better than you would expect for the price. The video is great too, definitely one of the better ones we tested.
What Needs Improving
The audio is not that clear, and in places disappears altogether, especially in rough waters. For less intense use, it works like a dream.
Action Camera Waterproof 4K Underwater Camera Video Sport Camera WiFi Davola 16MP Ultra HD with Remote Control 170° Wide Angle...
- ★4K RECORDING & 4X ZOOM: Featuring 4K/30fps video and 16MP image, Davola DV100R action camera can capture more details of your precious moments.
- ★BUILT-IN WiFi: Just download the XDV app on your smartphone/tablet by scanning the QR code in user manual, you can save and share your photos and videos with the sports camera anytime and anywhere.
