Capturing the world beneath the waves is one of the most thrilling and visually stunning forms of photography. Whether you’re snorkeling in tropical shallows, diving deep into coral reefs or filming fast-paced action from a surfboard, the right underwater camera can make all the difference.
Unlike typical cameras, underwater models must not only be waterproof but also durable, easy to operate in challenging conditions, and capable of delivering crisp images and video despite often facing tricky environments.
Today’s underwater cameras come in a variety of shapes, sizes and capabilities, and it’s worth remembering that underwater cameras are suitable for water-going photography out of the box, making them different from the underwater housings you can buy for existing non-waterproof models.
In this buying guide, we’ve looked at both compact point-and-shoot models built for beginners and rugged action cameras designed for adventure sports. Many offer impressive specs, image enhancement and stabilization capabilities, but a good underwater camera must also be built to a high standard and truly be able to keep the water out in a high-pressure environment
The quick list
Best overall
Rugged, waterproof to 50 feet (15 m), shockproof and freezeproof, with 4K video and macro capabilities. Ideal for adventurers seeking durability and performance.
Best action cam
Versatile action camera with 4K/120fps video, waterproof up to 65 feet (20 m) and advanced stabilization.
Best for depth
A permanently sealed underwater camera built for serious divers, with a large sensor, RAW capture and easy controls.
Best for travel
High-resolution 360° camera, waterproof up to 49 feet (15 m), with 8K video and advanced stabilization.
The best underwater cameras we recommend in 2025
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Best overall
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Buy it if
✅ You need a camera that can withstand harsh environments.
✅ Macro photography is essential for your underwater explorations.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re seeking top-tier image quality
❌ You prefer a camera with a more extensive app ecosystem and connectivity features.
The bottom line
🔎 OM System Tough TG-7: This is a great option for handling any conditions you throw at it. Could be useful for construction work and activities like river surveying. ★★★★
The OM System Tough TG-7 is a robust companion for adventurers, offering durability and versatile shooting features. For us, it stands out as a formidable choice for those venturing into challenging environments and it feels like it’s meant to be dropped, thrown around and treated like a tool — its rugged construction ensures it can handle drops from up to 2.1 meters (7 feet), operate in temperatures as low as 14 degrees F (-10 degrees C), and dive underwater up to 50 feet (15 meters) without additional housing.
It’s equipped with a 12 MP, 1/2.33” BSI CMOS sensor and a 25-100mm f/2.0-4.9 lens, which offers close-up shots as near as 1cm — making it ideal for capturing intricate underwater details. Its 4K 30p recording and Full HD 120p slow-motion options are also worth commending, and with the camera also supporting RAW image capture, there’s greater flexibility in post-processing which is a must when getting the most out of your underwater images. We also liked the fact that it features a comprehensive field sensor system which records GPS data, temperature, altitude and water depth.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
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Design |
Robust and durable. |
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Performance |
Fantastic for close-ups. |
|
Functionality |
Waterproof up to 50 feet (15 m) |
Best action cam
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Buy it if
✅ You’re an action sports enthusiast.
✅ You want to prioritize video over stills.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need to dive deeper than 65 feet without additional housing.
❌ You’re looking for a lightweight camera for casual use.
The bottom line
🔎 DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro: A worthy contender for GoPro’s crown, with excellent features well suited to action video and photography. It’s great for capturing details of wildlife, too. ★★★★½
In the world of high-performance action cameras, GoPro has reigned supreme for many years, but any camera from the likes of DJI is worth taking a closer look at and for our money, the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro offers top-tier video capabilities and stabilization, and is a worthy contender as one of the best action models out there for adventure sports.
There’s an impressive feature list that’s tailored for extreme environments – its 1/1.3” CMOS sensor captures stunning 4K video at up to 120 fps and the 360° HorizonSteady stabilization, which maintains level footage even during intense movements, is especially handy. This, combined with its ultra-wide, 155-degree field of view, allows for immersive video capture during intense moments.
The camera is waterproof up to 65 feet (20 m) without the need for an additional housing, making it suitable for most underwater adventures, but we’d also recommend this as a good camera to buy if you surf or take part in “on” the water activities too, as its real power lies in capturing fast-faced action.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
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Design |
Tiny and lightweight. |
|
Performance |
Fantastic for most underwater adventures. |
|
Functionality |
Waterproof up to 65 feet (20 m) |
Best GoPro
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Buy it if
✅ You’re a content creator seeking the best.
✅ You value a wide range of accessories and mounting options.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re on a tight budget.
❌ You won’t make the most of its professional-grade features.
The bottom line
🔎 GoPro Hero 13: Without reinventing the wheel, the latest in GoPro’s lineup offers everything we’ve come to expect from the brand, and it’s ideal for professional content creators. ★★★★½
The GoPro Hero 13 Black continues the brand’s legacy of creating ultra-durable, high-performance action cameras that thrive in extreme environments, including underwater. It’s well suited to professionals and content creators that need superlative performance, and it can capture strikingly detailed stills and cinematic 5.3K video up to 60fps.
Advanced HDR processing and improved low-light performance make colors pop even below the water’s surface.GoPro’s updated Hypersmooth 6.0 stabilization ensures smooth footage no matter what conditions you throw at the camera, and the device itself is waterproof to 33 feet (10 m) straight out of the box, while with an optional housing installed it can go down to an impressive 196 feet (60 m).
New for the Hero 13 is improved voice-control responsiveness, horizon lock in more modes, and simplified presets for quick switching between shooting styles. The camera also supports 8x slo-mo at 2.7K, and TimeWarp 4.0 enables dramatic, stabilized time-lapse sequences even underwater.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Durable and lightweight. |
|
Performance |
Excellent in low light. |
|
Functionality |
Waterproof to 33 feet (10 m). |
Best for depth
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Buy it if
✅ You’re a diver seeking a depth-rated camera that shoots RAW and 4K video.
✅ You want a fully sealed, no-maintenance system.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You need a hybrid camera for both land and sea.
❌ You’re looking for a camera with interchangeable lenses.
The bottom line
🔎 SeaLife Micro 3.0: A camera dedicated to divers who want a camera that’s focused, functional and fearless underwater. Great for diving survey work, underwater wildlife or technical construction settings at depth. ★★★★
The SeaLife Micro 3.0 is one of the few cameras on the market at the moment that was designed specifically for underwater use, rather than simply being waterproof.
With a 16 MP, 1/2.3-inch Sony CMOS sensor, this camera captures crisp, vibrant stills and supports 4K video at 30fps or Full HD at 120fps for smooth slow motion, but the real jewel in this camera’s crown is that unlike most waterproof point-and-shoots or action cams, the Micro 3.0 is permanently sealed, so there’s no need to open it for battery swaps or SD cards.
This of course eliminates the risk of leaks at depth, and it’s rated to an impressive 200 feet (60 m), making it a truly useful companion for scuba divers. The internal battery lasts up to three hours and charges via USB, and if you pair the camera with SeaLife’s optional lighting rigs, it becomes a full-featured underwater rig for professional-grade capture.
The controls are large, glove-friendly and designed to be used easily underwater, and the user interface includes dive-optimized modes to improve both the screen’s clarity and shooting performance. There’s built-in Wi-Fi that allows for easy transfers when you surface, but other than that, there are limited functions in the camera
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
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Design |
Designed specifically for underwater use. |
|
Performance |
Dive-optimized modes to improve performance. |
|
Functionality |
Rated to an impressive 200 feet (60 m). |
Best for travel
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Buy it if
✅ You’re a content creator looking to sculpt immersive 360° travel or underwater videos.
✅ You need a versatile camera with excellent stabilization and image quality.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You prefer straightforward shooting without post-processing.
❌ You need a cheaper, less fussy option.
The bottom line
🔎 Insta360 X5: Perfect for travel content creators, the Insta360 offers wonderful performance and images but requires good video-editing skills to fully appreciate its quality. Could be good for marketing professional work in a scientific setting. ★★★★
Full 360° cameras have, over the years, become especially popular with content creators, vloggers and YouTubers as a way of crafting immersive travel content with a small, handheld setup. The Insta360 X5 stands out from the crowd, and although it’s quite expensive, is probably one of the best options on the market if you’re committed to capturing ultra-high definition travel footage.
Its dual 1/1.28” CMOS sensors capture fantastic 8K video at 30fps, and it includes something called FlowState stabilization, which ensures footage remains smooth even during dynamic movements. Waterproof up to 49 feet (15 m) without additional housing, the X5 is ready for underwater adventures and for deeper dives, the optional Invisible Dive Case (sold separately) extends its waterproof capability to 197 feet (60 m).
Like other recent additions to action camera lineups from the likes of DJI and GoPro, the camera also features a replaceable lens system, which improves its usefulness in a range of travel settings. The included app also provides intuitive editing tools, including AI-assisted features for creating engaging content, which is a nice touch, although potential users should be aware that the X5’s advanced capabilities come at a higher price point, and you’ll need to be prepared for some post-processing to achieve the best results.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
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Design |
Small and pocketable. |
|
Performance |
Waterproof up to 49 feet (15 m). |
|
Functionality |
Captures fantastic 8K video at 30fps. |
Best mid-range
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Buy it if
✅ You need a durable camera for outdoor activities.
✅ You’re looking for a straightforward point-and-shoot.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You require advanced features.
❌ You’re a professional seeking extensive manual control.
The bottom line
🔎 Pentax WG-1000: A great choice for almost any outdoor adventure as well as underwater operations, provided you don’t need to dive for more than an hour. The camera can also be sterilized, which means it could work well in lab environments. ★★★½
Dependability is the name of the game with the Pentax WG-1000, and although it’s great for underwater photography, we’d also suggest that this is a good choice for outdoor enthusiasts generally — it’s a simple camera that you’ll rarely regret having in your backpack during backcountry adventures.
It can withstand the elements – its rugged construction is waterproof up to 49 feet (15 m) for up to one hour and shockproof from heights up to 6.5 feet (2 m). It can deliver decent image quality for its class and records Full HD 1080p video at 30fps.
It’s aimed at the entry to mid-level point and the price reflects this, and the camera’s straightforward operation and reliable performance make it an excellent choice for those who prefer simplicity over complexity. It does however lack advanced features like RAW image support and higher video resolutions, which may limit its appeal to more serious photographers.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
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Design |
Rugged and durable construction. |
|
Performance |
Simple point-and-shoot, but lacks advanced features. |
|
Functionality |
Waterproof up to 49 feet (15 m). |
Best budget
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Buy it if
✅ You want an inexpensive, durable camera for casual underwater use.
✅ You need a simple point-and-shoot camera for the family.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You require high-resolution video or advanced features.
❌ You’re a professional seeking superior image quality.
The bottom line
🔎 Kodak Pixpro WPZ2: A relatively inexpensive, family-friendly and simple camera for basic underwater shooting and videos. Good for general use in survey and snagging work. ★★★½
The Kodak Pixpro WPZ2 is designed for those seeking an affordable, durable camera for underwater and outdoor photography, and for people who don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with more expensive, professional grade setups.
The 16 MP, 1/2.3” BSI CMOS sensor delivers decent image quality for its price point, and it’s waterproof up to 49 feet (15 m), shockproof from heights up to 6.5 feet (2.5 m) and dustproof, making it suitable for beach trips, snorkelling and other outdoor activities. Casual video capture is also possible, but photographers looking for 4K and ultra-HD setups should probably look elsewhere.
What’s nice about the camera, though, is that it features built-in Wi-Fi, which means it’s useful for families who want to share their images of trips and vacations easily. The interface ensures a straightforward shooting experience but it’s worth remembering that the camera lacks advanced features for those who want to edit their images — there’s no RAW support, for example.
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Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
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Design |
Durable and simple to use. |
|
Performance |
Decent image quality for the price. |
|
Functionality |
In-built WiFi for easy sharing. |
Best underwater cameras: comparison
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Name |
Sensor |
Lens |
Video |
Waterproof |
Battery life |
Weight |
|
OM System Tough TG-7 |
12 MP, 1/2.33-inch BSI CMOS |
25-100 mm, f/2.0-4.9 (4x optical zoom) |
4K 30p, Full HD 120p |
Up to 50 feet (15 m) |
Approx 340 shots |
8.8 oz (249 g) |
|
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro |
1/1.3-inch CMOS |
155-degree ultra-wide FOV |
4K up to 120fps, 1080p up to 240fps |
Up to 66 feet (20m) without housing |
Up to 4 hours in 4K |
5.1 oz (146 g) |
|
GoPro Hero 13 |
23 MP, 1/1.9-inch CMOS |
Interchangeable lenses including ultra-wide and macro |
5.3K at 60fps, 4K at 120fps |
Up to 33 feet (10m) without housing |
Up to 1.5 hours at 4K and 5.3K at 30fps |
5.4 oz (153 g) |
|
SeaLife Micro 3.0 |
16 MP, 1/2.3-inch Sony CMOS sensor |
19mm equivalent f/2.8 fixed lens |
4K at 30fps / 1080p at 120fps |
Permanently sealed; rated to 200 feet (60 m) |
Up to 3 hours (internal, non-removable) |
11.6 oz (329 g) |
|
Insta360 X5 |
Dual 1/1.28-inch CMOS sensors |
Dual fisheye lenses (6mm equivalent) |
8K at 30fps, 4K at 120fps |
Up to 49 feet (15 m), or 197 feet (60 m) with Dive Case |
Up to 185 minutes |
7.1 oz (203 g) |
|
Pentax WG-1000 |
16.76 MP, 1/2.3-inch CMOS |
4x optical zoom (27-108mm equivalent) |
1080p at 30fps |
Up to 49 feet (15 m) for 1 hour |
Approx 300 shots |
7.8 oz (220 g) |
|
Kodak Pixpro WPZ2 |
16 MP, 1/2.3-inch BSI CMOS |
4x optical zoom (27-108mm equivalent) |
1080p at 30fps |
Up to 49 feet (15 m) |
Approximately 300 shots |
6.2 oz (177 g) |
Best underwater cameras: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best camera for underwater?
We named the OM System Tough TG-7 the best underwater camera. It has an extremely rugged and durable build that can withstand harsh environments, the ability to shoot RAW images and can take images up to 1cm away from your subject.
What is the best underwater action camera?
For underwater action — from sports to wildlife observation — the best option is the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro. Its superior stabilization and exceptional video quality with high frame rates ensure smooth footage when it matters most.
Is a GoPro worth it for snorkeling?
Durable, lightweight and capable of shooting 5.3K video footage, GoPros are excellent for snorkeling and other underwater adventures if you have the budget.
Can I use my phone for underwater photography?
With a fully waterproof case or housing, using your smartphone is an easy and more affordable way to capture underwater footage that can easily be edited and shared without the need to buy a separate camera.
Which camera is best for scuba diving?
Scuba divers will need a camera that is suitable for deeper depths, so we’d recommend the SeaLife Micro 3.0. This camera is permanently sealed and rated to depths of 200 feet (60 m), which is the deepest in this guide.
Latest updates
Future updates to this guide will be detailed here.
How we tested the best underwater cameras
How we test the best underwater cameras
To determine the best underwater cameras, we prioritize build quality, waterproofing claims and usability in wet environments. Models that are rated to withstand at least 10 meters of submersion without a housing are ideal for snorkeling and light diving, while deeper-rated models or those with compatible housings are better suited to scuba diving.
We pay close attention to how well the controls function when wet or when operated with gloves, as well as whether any touchscreen alternatives are offered. Durability factors like shock resistance and freeze-proofing also weigh into our overall recommendations, particularly for travelers who shoot in different temperatures.
Performance-wise, we emphasize image and video quality in underwater conditions, where lighting is limited and colors tend to shift. Cameras that offer a strong low light performance and the ability to shoot in RAW are especially valued, as well as image stabilization for action shots. For video users, features like 4K recording, slow-motion modes and battery life are also important.
