SeaLife Micro 3.0 underwater camera review

Dive! Dive! Dive! And Snap! Snap! Snap! With the robust SeaLife Micro 3.0 waterproof camera for messing about in the water…

SeaLife Micro 3.0
(Image: © Gavin Stoker/Digital Camera World)

Digital Camera World Verdict

There are a handful of toughened digital compacts from a range of manufacturers that allow for immersion underwater and the taking of stills and videos without the need for additional housing. But the SeaLife Micro 3.0 is one of the few consumer-level underwater cameras available that can still strut its stuff at deeper depths of up to 60m, shooting 4K video and 16 megapixel stills, even if we do pay a premium price here for the pleasure.

Pros

  • +

    Easy, unfussy operation

  • +

    Large chunky controls

  • +

    Generous 64GB internal memory

  • +

    16 megapixel stills and 4K-resolution video

  • +

    The ability to create images in environments in which other cameras fear to tread

Cons

  • -

    Plastic-y build

  • -

    Basic looking design

  • -

    Premium price point

  • -

    No ability to use removable media to boost internal storage capacity

Why you can trust Digital Camera World Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out how we test.

The taking of photo and videos underwater used to require additional specialist housing for existing camera models that was cumbersome and expensive, meaning that it remained the preserve of the serious enthusiast or pro. However, over the past decade toughened consumer-targeted digital cameras that can be used at depths typically between 15 and 30 metres without additional armour have become commonplace.

 While the rise of smartphone photography has killed off most standard digital compacts, these robust models with their industrial metal screws and internally stacked zoom mechanisms have given people a reason to still buy a dedicated camera. That said, with the camera market having contracted greatly during the pandemic, even the choice here is less numerous than it once was. 

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Gavin Stoker

Gavin has over 30 years’ experience of writing about photography and television. He is currently the editor of British Photographic Industry News, and previously served as editor of Which Digital Camera and deputy editor of Total Digital Photography

He has also written for a wide range of publications including T3, BBC Focus, Empire, NME, Radio Times, MacWorld, Computer Active, What Digital Camera and the Rough Guide books.

With his wealth of knowledge, Gavin is well placed to recognize great camera deals and recommend the best products in Digital Camera World’s buying guides. He also writes on a number of specialist subjects including binoculars and monoculars, spotting scopes, microscopes, trail cameras, action cameras, body cameras, filters and cameras straps.