With the best underwater cameras, new areas of photography will become possible. Take your camera to the bottom of the sea, carry it while drifting or shoot without fear in the downpour; the best underwater camera can do it all.
In this article, we will show you all the choices of the best underwater cameras of 2020! We have tested top brands and the latest models available this year, so there will be something for any budget!
Therefore, if you want to take diving to a new level by learning underwater photography or videography, find out which underwater action camera is best for you here!
1. Paralenz Vaquita (Underwater Action Cam for Diver): Price $749.00
Paralenz Vaquita has a depth rating of 350m / 1150 ft /36 atm and is one of the best diving cameras in the world today. When it comes to stunning 4K HD high-quality photos, Paralenz is always impressive. The unique selling point is the sturdy and durable read-and-use design that allows you to start taking pictures right out of the box. No need to prepare kits, enclosures, or mounting mechanisms.
Moreover, you can use this underwater camera to take great photos without a filter, which many other cameras cannot provide. In addition, battery life is up to three hours, which means you can stay in the water longer and capture more diving time.
To make your use more convenient, download the Paralenz app to your device. The app allows you to highlight your best moments, sort pictures, and more.
Pros:
4K HD camera
Long-lasting battery
High-quality construction
Small and easy to handle
No additional filters are needed.
Cons: The interface is not user-friendly
2. Sony HDR-AS50 Action Cam: Price $198.00
As the name suggests, this is an advanced camera, and you can expect the Sony HDR-AS50 action camera to have excellent accuracy and detail. This camera provides 4K HD resolution and performs well underwater. The Sony HDR-AS50 action cam has an MPK-UWH1 underwater housing with a depth rating of 197' (60m).
The performance quality of the Sony HDR-AS50 action cam comes from many desirable features, including a 20.1-megapixel sensor, ultra-fast AF, and high-power zoom lens.
We like the external microphone jack, which is ideal for shooting movies on land.
Pros:
4K HD resolution
Real-time tracking
Intuitive, user-friendly design
High optical zoom functionality
Cons: N/A
3. SEALIFE MICRO 2.0: Price $489.00
The SEALIFE MICRO 2.0 camera has a depth rating of 200' and is specially designed for divers. It is an ideal choice for those who want high-quality diving photos.
It is sturdy and durable. SEALIFE MICRO 2.0 can meet your needs in terms of video quality. We have better choices on our list, but with a 1080p and 60 frames per second, the SEALIFE MICRO 2.0 underwater camera shouldn't be written off.
Pros:
Durable and made tough
Excellent image quality
Easy all-in-one solution for divers
Cons: Poor battery life
4. Olympus Tough TG-Tracker: Price $232.50
The TG-Tracker has a depth rating of 100 feet (30 m). It does not need a protective cover. If you are looking for a very durable and reliable underwater camera, then Olympus Tough TG-Tracker is a good choice. The unique selling points of this underwater camera are waterproof, shockproof, drop-proof, and freezeproof.
In addition to durability, it can also take excellent photos and can capture at 4K resolution. Olympus Tough's zoom factor can be extended up to eight times, so it is easy to capture minute details in the distance. Even without editing, image quality is clear and vivid.
The TG-Tracker underwater camera is very suitable for shallow diving, snorkeling, and swimming. It has five underwater shooting modes and is also ideal for other outdoor activities.
Pros:
4K resolution
Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and crushproof
Variable macro system
Cons:
No manual mode
Poor battery life
5. GoPro MAX: Price $449.99
GoPro has finally done what we have been waiting for: they brought great cameras! It is a 360 camera, but one side can be closed, and the other side can be used as a regular action camera. The depth rating of the GoPro MAX is 16 feet.
Although GoPro MAX may not be the original created for divers, some companies are now making dive housings for this camera.
Pros:
The simplest way to shoot 4K 60p video
Better contrast and clarity underwater
Durable and made tough
Excellent image quality
Cons: Limited adjustment of field of view when sealed in Super Suit dive housing
6. AKASO Brave 7 LE: Price $139.99
AKASO Brave 7 LE has a depth rating of 40 meters, bringing smooth and vivid 4K video capabilities to the table. Like GoPro HERO7, this underwater sports camera also provides excellent photo quality.
In addition, this underwater camera can easily tilt up 180 degrees, which means you can take excellent selfies above and below the water. It has a 20x pixel camera with a triple zoom function, enough to create great photos with minimal effort.
We like that wifi and USB photo transfer are fast and easy.
Pros:
Fast lens and shutter speeds
4K HD resolution
180-degrees upward positioning
Wifi and USB photo transfer
20-megapixel camera
Cons: Poor battery life
7. GoPro Hero9: Price $449.99
The GoPro Hero9 has a depth rating of 40 feet and has a front LCD screen. This is very useful for video recording. GoPro also increased the features in other areas: GoPro increased the video resolution to 5K, improved stability, and added the ability to extract 14.7MP still images from video to ensure that you don't miss any moment. All of these technologies make HERO9 heavier than previous cameras, and its status as a new product means it is the most expensive GoPro you can get. However, if your budget is large, it is the best underwater sports camera available.
Pros:
Live streaming
HD camera
Video stabilization
4K/60 video
Voice control on land
8X Slo-mo video
Cons: Limited adjustment of field of view when sealed in Super Suit dive housing
8. Drift Ghost 4k: Price $250.97
If you are looking for a rugged, easy-to-use, and intuitive camera, you can't go wrong with Drift Ghost 4k. The Drift Ghost 4k has a depth rating of 131 feet. It is sturdy and compact, making it easy to shoot on land and underwater.
Serious underwater photographers will tell you that the underwater features of Drift Ghost 4k are not the best, especially when it comes to adding red. For recreational divers who want a rugged and durable camera to do their work, This is a good choice. In addition, its video capabilities are enough to make up for other features it lacks.
Pros:
Video stabilization
HD camera
LCD Touchscreen
Water-resistant
Dual microphone
4K/60fps video
Cons: Poor battery life
9. TOVATEC MERA: Price $299.95
If you are looking for a versatile masterpiece, then TOVATEC MERA underwater camera is very suitable. Its depth rating is 60 meters. It is strong, durable, and has excellent performance at this price point.
We like that it has 4K HD and is dustproof, waterproof, frostproof, and shockproof, so you can easily carry it no matter where you are. This underwater camera allows you to take photos in low-light environments such as cave diving accurately.
If you are looking for a camera to take with you, TOVATEC MERA is the right choice.
Pros:
4X optical zoom
High-speed lens
Wifi-enabled
12 Megapixels
Crushproof
4K HD
Action-track sensors
Cons:
Records 1080p video, not ultra HD videos.
10. DJI Osmo Action: Price $379.50
We all know that DJI makes the best drone, but it seems they want to go head-to-head with GoPro and give divers some sweet action cameras! This underwater camera has a depth rating of 11 meters.
Osmo can not only shoot in 4k, but it can also be waterproof to 11m without a casing, and it can also shoot eight times super slow motion! This kind of dual-screen beauty will become more and more popular and maybe our best choice!
Pros:
High-speed lens
4X optical zoom
12 Megapixels
LCD Touchscreen
Video stabilization
4K/60fps video
Cons:
Battery life could be better.
HDR video isn't stabilized.
Stabilization not as good as GoPro.
Conclusion
Choosing a durable, suitable, and powerful underwater camera is a key step in enjoying your underwater adventures. We have compiled the above list, which includes underwater cameras of all brands, types, and price tags for use as a guide or reference point. We hope that any underwater camera you choose is worth the money.
