15 Best Underwater Cameras in 2023 [Tested & Reviewed]

If you’re looking for an exceptionally durable and reliable waterproof camera, the Olympus Tough is a good choice. This underwater camera’s unique selling point is that it’s waterproof, shock-proof, crushproof, and freezeproof.

Besides its durability, it also takes excellent photos and can capture a water drop in 4K resolution. The Olympus Tough’s zoom can extend up to eight times, so small details in the distance are easy to capture. Image quality, even without editing is vivid and bright.

The Olympus TG-6 has a very unique lens that allows incredible macro photography without any external lens. The microscope mode allows focusing from as close as 1 Inch and while this camera doesn’t have a full manual mode, you can actually get professional shots with this tiny compact.

Perfect for shallow dives, snorkeling, and swimming with five underwater shooting modes, the Tough underwater camera is also suited to other outdoor pursuits.

One of the most durable picks on the market, this underwater camera is a great choice for shallow dives, snorkeling, and people who want a camera they can take anywhere.

The Panasonic Lumix brings smooth yet lively 4K video capabilities to the table. Much like the GoPro, the Lumix also delivers outstanding picture quality of photos, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the outside world when browsing through your pictures.

Additionally, this underwater camera tilts 180 degrees upwards easily, meaning you can take fantastic selfies both above and below the surface. It features a 20-megapixel camera with three-times zoom capabilities, enough to create outstanding photos with minimal effort.

We like that the wifi and USB photo transfer is fast and effortless. The Lumix LX10 4K camera features a micro HDMI slot and USB 2.0 micro-B ports.The perfect fit for divers who want to capture beautiful moments quickly and easily with a high-definition camera.

The perfect fit for divers who want to capture beautiful moments quickly and easily with a high-definition camera.

Insta360 prides itself on innovative and creative tools that have helped create a new niche inside the action camera market. Established in 2014, the company was quickly propelled to the forefront of the industry and has become a world leader in 360-degree video cams with quality products such as the Insta360 One X.

Building on this success, Insta360 introduced the world to the ONE R, an ambitious offering featuring a modular platform that allows users to easily switch between camera types.

A range of options is available when purchasing the ONE R, which we’ll go into later. The Twin Edition features the 4K wide-angle shooter and 360-degree cam options, while the 1-Inch Edition features a 5.3K shooter with a 1-inch sensor.
For this review, we’re going to focus on the Twin Edition, which features the 4K wide-angle shooter and 360-degree cam options.

This camera is a great combination between a Gopro alternative and past sealife cameras like the DC2000. Sealife have been making underwater cameras for many years and they’ve use action camera technology with dedicated software to make this basic all around underwater camera.
This would make an excellent choice for beginners, super easy to use, versatile and inexpensive.

The Panasonic Lumix LX100 is the next-generation version of the Panasonic LX10 we reviewed previously. Unlike its earlier model, the LX100 II offers features to prevent any hand-shaking disruptions and ensure still videos and focused snaps.

With 4K HD resolution, this camera captures high-quality photos and videos that make it a breeze to capture all your underwater moments. Additionally, outside of its housing, it makes a great on-land camera.

We really like the macro shooting mode, perfect for nudis and shrimp. And in regards to its zoom, it captures the smallest details in the distance with exceptional clarity. Vloggers, casual photographers, and ardent underwater photographers alike all rate the LX100 II for its ease of use and excellent quality images and video.

For an easy to use camera that performs equally well underwater as it does on land, you can’t go past the Lumix LX100 II.

As the name suggests, this a premium compact camera and you can expect exceptional precision and detail from the Sony RX100. Techcrunch even named it the best compact camera money can buy.
Offering up 4K HD resolution, this camera performs well above the waves and underwater, just don’t forget your housing!

The Sony RX100’s performance quality stems from a number of desirable features including a 20.1 megapixel 1.0 type stacked CMOS sensor, Zeiss Vario Sonnar, super-fast AF, and high magnification zoom lens.

We love the external microphone jack, which is ideal for making movies on land. And for underwater images, the 24-200mm zoom lens means clarity and depth in every detail.

The Sony RX100 is among the leading cameras in the compact category. If you want to take your photography to the next level, you can’t go wrong.

Canon is a well-established brand in the camera market and has been trusted for years. So as you’d expect, the G7x Mark II camera offers up vivid, high-quality pictures.

A 20.1-megapixel lens combined with smart point-and-shoot features means taking a quality picture is a breeze. The Canon G7x Bundle as a whole comes with oodles of accessories like an extra battery pack, memory card wallet, lens pen, HDMI cable, screen protectors, microfiber cloth, cleaning solution, and cotton swabs.

You also get a flexible 12-inch spider tripod so you can mount the camera anywhere and get the best shot possible. Underwater, Canon’s new DIGIX 7 processor performs well and offers up faster autofocus and better RAW capture. Plus we like the one-touch custom white balance function.

A great buy for any photographer seeking a versatile camera, the G7X gets the job done with minimal effort on your behalf.

If you’re looking for a tough-as-nails underwater camera that doesn’t need a housing, then you can’t go wrong with the Nikon COOLPIX. We love that this nifty little camera boasts waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof capabilities.

Use it whenever you want — diving, swimming, climbing, trekking, kayaking, and a bunch of other outdoor activities. The 4K HD camera delivers great photos and the 5X zoom lens means you won’t struggle to capture distant details clearly.

A plucky little camera that makes the perfect travel companion. Take it hiking, diving, swimming and more.

If you’re after an underwater camera that boasts professional-level picture quality, the Sony Alpha a7III is a one-stop shop. An outstanding 24.3-megapixel camera, it guarantees that each detail is captured perfectly while the world’s first five-axis image stabilization design means great snaps even in you’re swaying in a current. Likewise, video quality is exceptional.

Pair your Sony a7II with an Ikelite housing and you’re all set to roam the reef safe in the knowledge your camera is secure. You won’t be weighed down by it either, the mirrorless design makes the Alpha a7II much lighter than expected given all its features.

On the whole, this camera is a solid pick, especially if you’re looking for the impressive stand-still image technology.

If you’re looking for the perfect underwater camera to take on your next snorkeling holiday, you can’t beat this cheap and cheerful model. At less than US$100, it’s super wallet-friendly and does exactly what it says it will.

Surprisingly, given the price point, it offers up a couple of cool features including a 2.7-inch screen, image stabilization, and 48 megapixels. Additionally, it’s depth rated to 10ft/3m so if you’re staying on the surface, you can get snap happy safe in the knowledge your camera won’t flood.

We also like that it comes in a variety of funky colors and include is durable enough to cope with a little sand in between swims or snorkels.

To capture the reef from the surface and then gather a few family snaps on the beach, this underwater camera is perfect. Plus, for the price point, you won’t be upset if it goes missing.

There comes a point in every serious underwater photographer’s life when they need to make the switch from a compact to a full DSLR. The Canon EOS 6D is the ideal way to upgrade your gear, perhaps the niftiest thing about it is that it’s a DSLR in a compact’s body.

It offers fast and accurate focus, 4K HD photos and videos, 26.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, and Canon’s outstanding DIGIC 7 processor, which means excellent results even when you’re shooting with expanded ISO settings.

This version also comes with a battery grip to make holding the on land camera easier. You have the option to buy your EOS 6D Mark II with lenses and other extras too. For housing, take a look at the Ikelite 200DL.

All in all, it’s absolutely a great pick for those who would like to take clear underwater photos. It will definitely leave you impressed.

This mirrorless camera everyone is talking about. Canon created this rather affordable, professional full frame mirrorless camera.
Diving this camera means a true powerhouse underwater in a compact size. There are multiple housing options by Ikelite, Nauticam, Sea and Sea and more… Combining this camera with the new Canon 100mm Macro lens will make even Nat Geo envy your setup.

The Canon PowerShot G5 X is one of the most reliable cameras on our list in terms of image quality and ease of use combined. It’s perfectly suited to any underwater trip (when combined with a housing) as well as other outdoor pursuits.

A powerful 5X optical zoom allows you to capture any distant objects clearly. Plus, the macro mode is among the best available in a compact, meaning there’s little need to purchase a separate lens.

Thanks to the 20.1 megapixel CMOS sensor and powerful DIGIC 8 processor, the images you capture are sure to shine.

This is a solid choice and we appreciate the tweaks Canon has made to the Mark II making it even better for underwater photography. Powerful compact at a good price.

This Canon PowerShot features an exceptional 5X zoom, 1080p HD video, and a 12.1 megapixel, highly sensitive CMOS sensor. It’s a solid compact with features that creep it close to SLR quality.

We love the built-in wifi that provides easy image transfer to any of your digital devices and even social accounts — in many ways, the G16 is a smart device as much as it is a camera.

Underwater, it performs exceptionally well for the mid-range price point, look for the RecSea WHC-G16 housing and consider purchasing a strobe.

A solid choice for underwater photographers looking for a camera that performs without breaking the bank. Just be aware that the housing will set you back more than the camera itself.