Best Camera For Snorkeling And Diving
If you were hunting for the best camera for snorkeling, then you have landed at the right place. Generally, Smartphones can record underwater. However, they aren't something you should depend upon. Most smartphones are "water-resistant" and not "waterproof," as they might want you to believe.
They can survive being underwater for a certain amount of time depending upon how resilient they are but trust me, if you are an adventure junkie, you do not want to use your smartphone for recording.
To take any professional photos underwater, you have to pick the best underwater camera for snorkeling. Maybe you will have many confusions about choosing the best one from the market. This article will guide you to get the best one for you. So, without any further delay, let us start this underwater camera reviews list.
REVIEW OF BEST CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
BEST UNDERWATER POINT AND SHOOT CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
1. PANASONIC LUMIX DMC-TS30 - BEST BUDGET UNDERWATER CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Overview:
If you prefer a smaller model slightly or If you don't want to purchase a top-of-the-line model camera, then the Panasonic TS30 is one of the best waterproof digital camera for you and also it is the best cheap underwater camera for snorkeling.
Panasonic TS30 is a waterproof/rugged camera manufactured by multiple criteria like Image quality, Ease of use, and Video Quality. First, let's talk about image quality, which underwent many tests like low-light photos, flash photos, regular photos, and color tests.
Next, considering the ease of use, every camera should have easy handling controls, response time, focusing, etc. Its video quality mostly refects the low light video footage, and audio quality also comes under consideration.
Features:
Panasonic TS30 is designed for creative control and creative retouch option, which means it has playback mode, which gives you the power to turn ordinary situations into highly expressive images. For example, you can create effects like Retro, High Key, Low Key, Sepia, Dynamic Monochrome, Impressive Art, High Dynamic, Cross Process, Toy Effect, Miniature Effect, and One Point Color.
Another unexpected function is the creative panorama function, and it is a wonderful option you never noticed in other cameras. Yes, you can overlay and shoot the vertical and horizontal images, and then you can add filter effects with Creative Controls. Sounds great, right?
It has MEGA O.I.S. (Optical Image Stabilizer) feature, which helps to produce sharp images and clear images even in actions. It has built-in torchlight, which allows you to record videos in dusky and underwater places. Without any doubts, you can buy this best inexpensive underwater camera for snorkeling.
Performance:
As I said before, it is the camera that is mainly manufactured for purposes like snorkeling, diving and other water activities. It is important to note that Panasonic TS30 has a waterproof rating - IPX8, which means it is designed to keep the camera underwater for more than 60 minutes.
It offers the best water proof camera performance to 8m / 26 ft and its shockproof up to 1.5m/5 ft. Its Advanced Underwater Mode feature gives high-quality and natural-looking underwater images. This camera also contains a built-in torchlight, which helps you shoot photos and videos in underwater dark places.
It has all the snorkeling under water cameras features like 16.1-megapixel 1/2.33" CCD sensor, 4x optical zoom Lumix DC Vario lens with a 25-100mm eq. Range across max apertures from f/3.9 (wide) to f/5.7 (tele), and a 2.7" 260k dot LCD.
Even underwater, this snorkel camera can produce 1280 X 720p in mp4 format. The single independent button helps you to switch the video/photo mode instantly.
If you are looking for the best digital under water camera for snorkeling and scuba diving, you will know it is a massive package of treasure for you!
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
2. OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-6 - BEST 4K CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
PRODUCT DETAILS:
- Video Capture Resolution: 4K UHD 2160p, 2K DCI 1080p.
Overview:
The TG-6 is all about maintaining performance in the most challenging conditions, even in water activities like scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming. It is one of the most expensive cameras, and it offers more premium features like 4K video, raw video, etc. That's why Olympus Tough TG-6 are considered as the top waterproof camera on the market.
Features:
Olympus Tough TG-6 controls on the backplate are pretty much identical to what you'd find on a non-rugged camera: small diamond-shaped buttons, a shooting mode wheel, and a four-way navigation control panel with the familiar 'Okay' activation button in its center, all of which requires fingertip or thumbnail operation.
This Tough TG-6 is essentially designed to be used on automatic, as the manual options are pretty limited, and you'll need to dig deep into the menu to access them.
The 25mm equivalent wide-angle view provided by the TG-6 inevitably offers a slight fisheye effect when shooting up close at this wider setting, while we find that in exceptionally bright and sunny conditions, the images are close to the overexposure, with a loss of prominent details.
Performance:
This underwater digital camera's 25-point autofocus system works well, both below and above sea level. TG-6 camera white balance was accurate even underwater, which is always challenging when comparing with other cameras. It has a macro shooting option, which helps to shoot the small animals which are living underwater. Even though it is small in size, but it has a 4k crop factor.
The TG-6 is the latest model, being the successor of the TG-5. The upgrade is actually not that significant, but a couple of useful features were given to the TG-6 which the TG-5 lacked.
For example, they added this feature called the underwater Microscope, which allows you to get super close-ups underwater, not hard to figure out what it does. On top of that, the resolution of the LCD has been increased, that is always a plus.
It is more than just a thick boy that can take a beating though, aside from being waterproof, dust and shock resistant, the Tough TG-6 is able to shoot 4K video at 30fps and full HD videos 120fps for super-slow-motion.
Right out of the box, without any accessories, it has got the best macro lens out there, better than even SLRs and obviously, the best on this digital waterproof cameras list as well. I am a big fan of the Olympus Tough TG-6 and there is little to no wrong with it. Easily a top tier camera for snorkeling.
If you want an excellent shooting experience when snorkeling or other water activities, you don't care about the camera making a decision; just blindly choose the TG-6, which will be a great option.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
3. FUJIFILM FINEPIX XP140 - BEST SNORKEL CAMERA
PRODUCT DETAILS:
I'll be honest, the XP140 looks like a toy. I am just glad it does not perform like one. It packs quite a punch, physically and in terms of specs. It is tough and rugged, shock, dust, freezeproof and can reach the depth of 25m underwater. Especially, when you compare it to its predecessor Fujifilm XP130, it is quite tough. In terms of specs, it performs decently well.
It is certainly more of a family cam than something a professional would use. It is capable of true 4K video but at a disappointing 18 fps. So, you are certainly going to stick to the 1080p where it performs much better. A great vacation cam, versatile and handy.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
BEST UNDERWATER DSLR CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
4. CANON EOS R6 - BEST CANON WATERPROOF CAMERA
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Overview:
The Canon EOS R6 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera is one the top of the line camera brands. It is less expensive than the EOS R5 and benefits from a sensor stabilization system which was lacking in other Canon cameras. It is an excellent camera for the water sport with a fast autofocus, efficient follow-up, and fast burst. On the other hand, its definition is limited and cannot be extended by a high definition mode on fixed subjects.
Features:
If you want to choose the best camera for snorkeling, you need to consider one of the essential factors is shutter speed. It allows a perfectly silent trigger and a high burst rate. On the other hand, the shortest exposure time remains 1/8000s, as much as in mechanical sealing.
Knowing that Canon offers an excellent array of very bright lenses in its R range, it seems essential that the brand act offers shorter exposure times in electronic shutter, which avoids resorting to a filter in direct sunlight. Neutral density at the whole opening.
When talking about ISO, the stabilization amplitude is not as great as on small 4/3 sensors, but we could quickly shoot perfectly sharp photos up to 1 / 2s with the 24-70mm f / 2.8.
With the EOS R6, Canon also introduces a new autofocus tracking system. In addition to tracking the eyes of humans, which has proven to be effective, the manufacturer has added a method for detecting animals' eyes (especially dogs, cats, and birds). This feature helps to capture HQ photos of the sealife animals even underwater.
Performance:
Canon EOS R6 is the best snorkel cam and diving in the cold waters. It will have amazing photos with incredible stabilization and beautiful 4K quality up to 60 frames per second for underwater video. Its 4k/60fps with full sensor width, which is more than enough for snorkeling photographers.
Also, it has a low-light feature which helps to take pictures underwater with clear quality. Overall, Canon EOS R6 is the recommended choice for photographers looking for enthusiast-level performance at a great price point.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
5. NIKON D780 - BEST NIKON UNDERWATER CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Overview:
The Nikon D780 is an all-around successful mixture: the very solid housing fits comfortably in hand, the operation is very easy for experienced photographers, only the abundance of functions requires a little manual study from time to time. For sports and action photos, the photographer is best looking through the viewfinder. Then there is pretty fast and very precise autofocus? Only the top professional models are better!
Features:
The D780 impressed with top picture quality in the test: crisp, sharp, beautifully detailed, and very natural color rendering. The comparatively low resolution is a real advantage because the individual pixels on the sensor are so nice and large and collect a lot of light.
As a result, the D780 delivers excellent shots even in low light and correspondingly higher ISO settings: Up to ISO 1600, the difference to the standard ISO 100 setting is very small - the photographer has to look carefully even in the 100 percent view.
The image sharpness suffers slightly at ISO 6400: In the overall view, this is hardly noticeable; the difference to ISO 100 is only clearly visible in the 100 percent view. Its good shutter release option helps us to take photos continuously.
D780 boasts a 24.5MP backside-illuminated full-frame sensor option, highly detailed images with ultra-shallow depth of field, and excellent clean low light shots. AF system helps to take photos with an accurate, sharp focus.
Performance:
This mini underwater camera has a perfect shutter speed option, which is very recommended for action photography. Its built-in flash feature helps to take clear photos even in a darker place like underwater. It is really recommended for underwater photographers.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
6. SONY ALPHA A6400 - BEST PRO UNDERWATER CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
PRODUCT DETAILS:
The A6400 is Sony's latest model with an APS-C sensor. We find the ON-OFF switch, the PASM mode dial, an adjustment dial, and a C1 customizable function on the top of the hood. It lacks a second dial at the index to facilitate speed and aperture adjustment, reserved for the series of full-frame hybrids A7.
The screen is also a single-point touchscreen: it allows you to select the focus area but not navigate within the main menu. In any case, we appreciate the efficiency of the touch screen, which enables the focus to be changed very quickly and without latency. This feature is handy for underwater photography for snorkeling.
The electronic viewfinder is always excellent, bright, and precise, thanks to a definition of 2.35 Mpx and 100% coverage. To take advantage of autofocus eye-tracking modes, this is not negligible.
Finally, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC allow the device to be connected to a smartphone or tablet for image transfer or remote control. I recommend this best sony snorkeling cam for Sony lovers!
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
BEST UNDERWATER VIDEO CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
7. GOPRO HERO 9 - BEST ACTION CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Overview:
Gopro 9 is the most versatile and recommended action camera of the year. It offers advanced features which you never notice in other action cameras. And do you know? Many photographers always ignore action cameras, but Gopro is a game-changer for their thoughts.
Gopro 9 is the best option to shoot stunning videos with up to 5K resolution. And it also gives more resolution variations like Shoot stunning 5K video and captures 14.7MP frame grabs. Also records in 4K, 2.7K, 1440p and 1080p. This camera is perfect for maintaining detail even when zooming in.
Features:
Gopro 9 is considered a water-resistance camera with advanced features. This action camera has the features to switch between video, time lapse and photo shooting modes by swiping left or right on the viewfinder. Nowadays, everyone is talking about the new feature, GoPro 9 shoots the video in 5k resolution with a frame rate of 30fps.
ISO feature is so good in this camera; it has excellent image stabilization. If you want to use the new 5K mode and the improved image stabilization in combination, this is the best option.
You can take 20-megapixel pictures, which gives you high-quality images. This underwater photography camera for snorkeling offers Max HyperSmooth features, which means you can take the super-wide 155-degree field of view photos.
Shooting pretty video or photo is an excellent skill, but on the other hand - editing the photo is essential. Gopro 9 has an amazing editing option and also it offers different time-lapse options. This action camera is portable and easy to carry - which is considered as small underwater cameras for snorkeling.
Performance:
What's interesting is that GoPro has made the water resistant more efficient in the latest model too. Underneath the mode, button is a 'drain microphone', designed to help drain any excess water out of the camera. It's not that it's not well sealed already - the camera is waterproof to 10 meters - it just helps expel water that seeps in and sits around in the camera body if it's got in through the mic or speaker grille.
Do you know what is more interesting in this latest model? Under the mode, button has an option like "drain microphone," which helps drain any excess water out of the Gopro 9 camera. Its waterproof feature can go down up to 196ft (60m), and it is perfect for deep-water diving photoshoots.
Its flat glass lens makes high-quality and sharp images above and below the water. Overall, it is the best professional underwater camera for snorkeling.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
8. DRAGON TOUCH 4K - BEST BUDGET ACTION CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
PRODUCT DETAILS:
As the name might have suggested, one of the major selling points of the Dragon Touch is the fact that it is able to record video in 4K resolution at 30 FPS. This is a hit or miss feature as some might want it while some really do not, but I always appreciate having the option to choose between resolution.
You can always stick to the 1080p 60 FPS if 4K is not your thing. Another feature that, honestly, kinda surprised me was the in-built Wi Fi. I was not expecting it at this price point, but I am impressed. You can easily connect your phone to your camera within a minute.
Dragon Touch comes with a waterproof case which you are going to have to use if you want to use it underwater. With this case on, it capable of handling depths of up to 100 feet! The camera, inherently, is not waterproof, so do not go swimming without the case.
Considering the price and the fact that it takes a second to attach the case, that in itself is not a major problem, in my opinion. On top of it, this snorkeling camera comes with 2 batteries. Actions cameras are notorious for having small batteries; some non-detachable. The fact that it comes with 2 is extremely smart as you can easily swap them when one runs out. Overall, it is considered as best camera for snorkeling photography.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
9. AKASO BRAVE 7-GY
PRODUCT DETAILS:
Under 150 bucks, you get 4K at 30 fps recording capabilities and a dual-screen setup. Brave 7-GY is a decent camera. It is well built and can easily be used with 1 hand and the rear camera is a touch screen but also operable via buttons, making it a great option for vloggers.
Inherently, it has an IPX7 water-resistant rating, but with the included waterproof housing slapped on, it can go as far down as 131 ft or 40m! This is a budget action cam, naturally, some comprises have to be made, but despite all of it, it does a decent job at what its made for. Overall, it is one of the best affordable underwater camera for snorkeling.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
10. Canon PowerShot D30
PRODUCT DETAILS:
The Canon Powershot D30 is the successor to the D20; however, it is not a big upgrade. The D30 comes with 12MP 1/2.3" BSI-CMOS sensor with optical image stabilization. It is a rugged camera and looks and feels so as well; it can reach depths of up to 25ms without any casing.
With that said, this camera is quite old and its specs show it. A 3" fixed LCD with 461,000 dots, only capable of 1080/24p. Unless you are getting an amazing deal, you might want to look elsewhere.
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT THIS CAMERA:
MAIN FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING THE CAMERA FOR SNORKELING
To find the aquatic cameras, you need to check these factors, which is given below. Because these factors suit your photography and personal intentions, let's read the factors one by one.
There are several models of waterproof cases that will be available on the market. Before buying any camera, you need to check whether that camera has a suitable case or not. On the other hand, you need to choose the camera which has waterproof resistant. Keep in mind; you will take photos underwater, so you should consider this factor first.
This is the next important factor; try to choose the shortest shutter speed camera because high-end compact cameras have improved over time and have a very low shutter lag. Shutter delay helps to take the photos quickly, so when you are capturing pictures in action, the photos won't be blurry.
The size of the camera needs to be small. So you can carry it in your pockets or a small box. The size of the camera also plays a significant role in underwater photography.
If you decide to do underwater photography, then white balance mode is more important. Manual white balance is an effective way to eliminate the blue color cast that appears under the photos.
CONCLUSION
That is the end of our list. I listed 10 Best Camera For Snorkeling that you can use for your next snorkeling trip. Some are more capable than others but then, some are more expensive than others. Depending upon whether you are a pro or just a casual recorder, you can.
FAQ
Steps to step snorkeling photography guide
1. Choose the camera which is waterproof resistant.
2. Next study the camera's features and settings.
3. Take the photos in clear water.
4. Find the best angle when diving down.
5. Hold the camera steadily
6. Know how to edit your images.
Yes, it possible to take photos while snorkeling. But you have to learn the tricks how to take the photos when diving. Also you should choose the best camera for underwater snorkeling.
