The best waterproof cameras massively expand the number of places you can shoot. There's no fear of getting it too close to the sea or dropping it in a river because even if you do you know it will be safe.
Whether you're jetting off to sandy beaches, heading whitewater rafting, or even just shooting somewhere you know it rains a lot, investing in a waterproof camera is a wise idea. Image quality is so much better than it used to be, and they're not even that expensive.
Of course, there are trade-offs. Many waterproof cameras are compacts with fairly small sensors, so their image-capturing ability will be limited compared to, say the best mirrorless cameras. You won't get the same dynamic range or the same depth of manual control.
However, the weatherproofing on waterproof cameras often extends to being shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof, so they can handle a good deal more than more sophisticated cameras.
There is quite a bit of variation among cameras that can be designated "waterproof cameras", however. Choosing the right one means thinking about what you want to do with it – whether you want to shoot photos, video, or both, for instance. Do you need a zoom lens or a fast burst rate? How deep underwater do you want to take the camera? And then, the eternal question - how much have you got to spend?
Jon Stapley
Jon is one of our go-to specialists when it comes to all aspects of photography, from cameras and action cameras to lenses and memory cards. Here, he has worked with our review team to put together this up-to-date list of the best waterproof cameras.
OM System is the new name for Olympus cameras - and this is the latest Tough camera in a long line of impressive waterproof zoom compacts with impressive imaging tech. Read more below
Kodak is making a bit of a comeback as one of the main players in the compact scene. And this waterproof zoom point-and-shooter is a great example - and incredibly inexpensive for an underwater zoom camera. Read more below
With many camera companies withdrawing from the compact camera market, Ricoh is one of the few companies making a range of waterproof options - and the WG-6 is a lower-priced alternative to the similar OM System TG-7. Read more below
This camera is designed for snorkelers and divers, with optional high-power lights for use at depths of up to 200ft. There's no zoom though, so most useful for sub-aqua shooting than on dry land. Read more below
It is easy to forget that action cameras are also underwater cameras too. In our opinion, the newest DJI Osmo Action 4 is better, and better value, than the market-leading GoPros - and can be used at depths of up to 59 feet. Read more below
If you only want a waterproof camera for a holiday by the sea or a pool party, the cheapest option would be this use a single-use camera. But you do have to pay extra to have the included color film processed – and it won't shoot video. Read more below
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Virtually identical to its predecessor, the Olympus Tough TG-6
Buy it if:
✅ You want GPS: With its built-in GPS, you can geotag your shots to remember all your fantastic holiday memories.
✅ You want a zoom function: with a 4x optical zoom, this is the perfect camera to take to the beach or into the ocean and always get the shot.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want something new: This ispractically the same as its predecessor, the Olympus Tough TG-6.
Since 2021, Olympus cameras have been sold under the OM System name. The Olympus TG-6 was our favorite waterproof compact camera - and this has now been reborn as the OM System TG-7. It is pretty much identical - but that is a good thing in our book, and ensures this newer version remains at the top of our recommendations for a rugged camera. Features we love include the built-in microscope setting that allows you to take amazing close-ups - and a Field Sensor System that records GPS coordinates and ambient temperature with your shots.
Producing 4K video at 30fps and offering the option to shoot Full HD video at 120fps for super-slow-motion, the TG-7 also has a generous 25-100mm optical zoom lens that lets you get closer and closer to the action. It's got an improved chunky handgrip providing a secure hold on the camera, while the internal zoom mechanism means the lens never protrudes from the body, protecting it from knocks and bumps. We found the camera straightforward but sophisticated, making the TG-7 quite simply the best waterproof camera around.
✅ You want something cheap: Under the $200/£200 mark this is a perfect little camera to have by the beach or poolside.
✅ You want to share to your phone: Get the image right to your phone with its built-in Wi-Fi connectivity.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want 4K video: Specs were cut to fit the price, therefore Full HD 1080p is the highest resolution possible.
Kodak is fast becoming one of the main players in the compact camera scene, with an impressively diverse range – and this waterproof zoom point-and-shooter is a great example of what the iconic brand is still capable of. The emphasis here is on value for money - significantly undercutting the cost of the Ricoh and the OM System options.
This means you need to be prepared not to get 4K video; you even don't get a mains plug for the USB charging lead, on the reasonable assumption that you already own something you can use to charge it. But you do still get all the waterproofing and shock resistance that we expect from a rugged camera.
For the money, we were very impressed for this robust little camera.
✅ You have a limited budget: Being a mid-priced camera, this offers great bang for your buck.
✅ You want good resolution: At 20 megapixels, this is a great way to get high-res still on a budget.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want wireless connectivity: Sadly, no Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity is available, so you will have to download your stills and video with a cable or a card reader.
With many camera companies withdrawing from the compact camera market, Ricoh is one of the few companies making a range of waterproof options - ranging right up to its industrial-grade G900 models. The WG-6 is an entry-level model - but impresses with its ability to be taken to depths of 20m without additional housing - and can be dropped from heights of 2m (6 feet).
It also has better camera credentials than some thanks to its backside-illuminated 20MP sensor and 4K video capability – and we loved that you get a decent 5x optical zoom, and GPS geo-location tagging. This makes this a decent alternative to our favorite OM System Tough TG-7, and comes at a lower price albeit without the advantage of a wifi connectivity to beam images back to your phone.
✅ You want 'fool-proof': With massive buttons, 16GB of internal memory, and waterproof down to 60m it's the perfect pickup and dive camera.
✅ You want to capture everything: With its fixed 19mm lens, you can be sure to capture everything you see and more, so you will never miss a moment.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want a zoom lens: Unfortunately, it has a fixed 19mm-equiv f/2.8 lens, so all of your images are going to be wide or you have to get up close to your subjects
SeaLife cameras are the most serious underwater option available without having to get into buying separate underwater housings and optical ports for your mirrorless camera or DSLR. The ability to be able to be taken down to depths of 200ft/60m is deeply(!) impressive, but it is photographically able too, thanks to a 16MP Sony-derived sensor and the ability to shoot raw files.
The camera is permanently sealed to safeguard against any possible leaks and weighs just 329g. So, there's no memory card needed, as you use the 16GB of built in storage instead to save your images and videos.
You can buy the camera on its own - but if you are using this for deep dives (and that really is the point of a camera like this), then we strongly recommend looking at the various kits including one or two of SeaLife's powerful 'Sea Dragon' LED lights. These can output at least 3000 lumens to illuminate murky underwater depths, while also acting as chunky ergonomic carrying handles - which are really handy when suited up with all your Scuba gear.
Good vlogging tool in both vertical or horizontal video formats
+
Good low-light performance
+
Pro-grade 10-Bit D-Log M video output
Reasons to avoid
-
12-megapixel stills images
Buy it if:
✅ You want a good all-rounder: Whether you're spending time and the beach or within the ocean, this action cam can capture everything on or off the beach.
✅ You want great videos: With its 4K video quality and low-light performance, you can be sure your video will always look amazing.
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want high-res stills: With only12-megapixel still capabilities, there are better options on the market.
All of the best action cameras are designed to be waterproof - and of all the current options we love the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 the most, edging out stiff competition from GoPro.
Its underwater credentials are impressive - it can be taken to depths of 18m straight out the box, and can dive down to 60m with an optional casing, if you want to use it for Scuba diving.
As with all action cameras, the camera is primarily designed for shooting wide-angle video – showing yourself or giving a first-person view. As such the stills capability is a tad disappointing - just offering a 12MP image. But the 4K video it shoots benefits by having a world-beating 1/1.3in sensor which ensures that the footage we shot with the Osmo Action 4 was a lot less noisy than that delivered by rivals. Just as importantly, for those taking this camera into perilous underwater conditions, the DJI is significantly less expensive than the best GoPro cameras.
Wrist strap provided for ‘hands free’ transportation
+
Color print film is included in price
Reasons to avoid
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No built-in flash
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Single use
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Film processing costs extra
Buy it if:
✅ You want to shoot film: This is probably your only 'simple' option to shoot color film at a reasonable price.
✅ Film included in the price: Given the cost of 35mm color film these days, this is a stellar deal!
Don't buy it if:
❌ You want to use it all the time: Sadly, this is a single-use camera, although at least the film processing company should pass it along for recycling.
❌ You want digital images: This is a film camera, so if you want digital versions of your photos you will have to scan the film or the prints, or pay the processing company to do it.
Underwater disposable film cameras are your route to getting the cheapest underwater camera. These come preloaded with film, and are not re-usable, and you do have to pay extra for the processing of your pictures. But they are still a brilliantly cheap way to take photos underwater - or to use on the beach – and affordable enough to give to give to kids to play with on a pool holiday.
The Kodak Sport is good down to depths of 50 feet (15m) which would even make it attractive to the snorkeler. It comes preloaded with a 27-exposure roll of ISO800 Kodak MAX color print film - which you will obviously have to wait for (and pay for) to be processed before you see your pictures. In our tests, we found that the camera gave pleasing results for a disposable - but only in good light; with no flash and a fixed exposure exposures taken indoors are unprintable.
At a time when there’s an increased emphasis on sustainability, it’s worth adding that the Kodak Sport has a modular design where components are designed to be recycled or re-used after the processing company has developed the film – so calling it ‘disposable’ isn’t entirely accurate.
When we talk about waterproof cameras, there are a number of different types of cameras we can mean. We've divided our guide into sections accordingly, so here are some quick explanations of the categories.
Waterproof compacts are a whole lot like ordinary compact cameras: a self-contained camera with a fixed lens on the front. Some of them have a zoom lens, and this gives them an advantage over action cameras (see below), which tend to have lenses with a single fixed focal length. One thing that marks out most waterproof compacts is they tend to come in bright colors, in contrast to the staid blacks, silvers, and greys of mainstream cameras. This makes them easier to see if you drop them in the water.
Action cameras are much smaller than waterproof compacts. They are therefore easier to mount or wear on a harness or helmet, making them great for watersports. Their video specs also tend to be better, with resolutions of 4K and higher and competitive frame rates. The aforementioned fixed lens means that you're stuck with a fixed perspective (which is why GoPro-shot videos all tend to have the same fishbowl look).
You don't have to restrict yourself to digital! There are also some handy underwater disposable film cameras, which work just like the single-use cameras you used to take on holidays, with the crucial difference being that they can be taken underwater. They can't shoot video, of course, and you have to pay extra to have the film processed.
When testing waterproof cameras we pay particular attention to how easy they are to use when using them underwater, where camera controls are not a straightforward to see or use. Image and video quality is judged by testing the cameras in a variety of different real-world lighting conditions - and then comparing the results agains the hundreds of other cameras that our team of reviewers have tested.
Jon spent years at IPC Media writing features, news, reviews and other photography content for publications such as Amateur Photographer and What Digital Camera in both print and digital form. With his additional experience for outlets like Photomonitor, this makes Jon one of our go-to specialists when it comes to all aspects of photography, from cameras and action cameras to lenses and memory cards, flash diffusers and triggers, batteries and memory cards, selfie sticks and gimbals, and much more besides.
An NCTJ-qualified journalist, he has also contributed to Shortlist, The Skinny, ThreeWeeks Edinburgh, The Guardian, Trusted Reviews, CreativeBLOQ, and probably quite a few others I’ve forgotten.
