Best Underwater Cameras for 2013

Choosing a Compact Camera System

Features to look for in a compact camera

As you may know from reading the Underwater Photography Guide, it is important to select a compact camera that offers full manual controls, the ability to shoot in RAW, HD video, and the ability to accept wide-angle lenses. Fortunately we are now blessed with several cameras and great housings that meet these criteria. You should also check out our 2012 guide to the best mirrorless cameras for underwater photography

Recsea Sony RX-100 - Best image quality & focus speed

Nauticam RX-100 housing also top notch

For someone who wants to take amazing photos in a small package, the Sony RX-100 in a Recsea housing sets a new standard for compact cameras. Sony has done the impossible - pack a large sensor in a camera the size of the Canon S100. Compare the Recsea, Nauticam and Ikelite RX-100 housings here.

• Large sensor, 3x the size of other compacts
• 20 megapixel F1.8-4.9 28-100mm lens
• Takes image quality to a new level
• Get great TTL in manual mode
• Recsea housing is tiny, has access to all controls, has large front and back control dials
• Amazing wet lens options with either housing, see the complete wet lens results

• No vignetting with the wet-mount UWL & Dyron fisheye lenses, very wide angle of view; quick adapt system available with the Recsea housing
• Best option for people also wanting to do underwater video, the RX-100 allows for exposure controls while taking video
• A little pricier than other compacts
• Cons - macro will require a wet lens / wet diopter

• Recsea Sony RX-100 housing only $899.95
• Recsea housing + RX-100 camera, $1,548
• Recsea housing + YS-D1 strobe package  $1870
• Recsea housing, camera, YS-D1 strobe package  $2,520
• Ultimate Recsea RX-100 package with wet lenses $2,665
• Nauticam RX-100  is available for $950
• Ultimate Nauticam RX-100 package for $2,289

Taken with the Sony RX100 in Recsea housing with the UWL-04 fisheye lens.

Canon G12 / Canon G15 in a Recsea Housing - best choice for macro, great controls

There is just something about the Canon G12 and the Canon G15 - they consistently produces the absolute best underwater photos I've seen in a compact camera, just a small notch better than the S95. The G15 is Canon's highest end compact, and everything about it just works better. The G12 is very similar. This is something that doesn't come out in the specs, but it certainly does in the reviews and more importantly the images.

The Recsea G12 and G15 housings are a work of art. Machined from a solid block of high-quality aluminum, it offers front and rear control wheels, and a small, light size. Adding the high-quality Dyron 12mm fisheye lens gives you a stunning 165 degree angle of view for wide-angle photography. 

• The new Canon G15 offers slightly faster auto-focus, an updated 12 megapixel sensor, better video, and a brighter lens over the Canon G12
• The Canon G12 & G15 are the best options for macro photography. The G12 & G15 has the sharpest lens on the market in our opinion for macro, and offers the most magnification
• The Recsea G12 & G15 is a great option for wide-angle when coupled with the UWL-04 fisheye, and offers the widest angle of view on a compact. The only downside is that the fisheye lens is a port change done on land, not a wet lens.
• G12 & G15 is currently the top compact camera on the market with pro style controls and performance
• Unlike the Canon housing, offers access to all control wheels, a must for photography with a strobe. It is less than 1/3 the weight of the Ikelite G12 housing - which is a good choice if you can't afford the Recsea and which will still give you great macro capability with the Dyron macro adapter.
• The Recsea housing supports 2 fiber optic connections. The Ikelite housing supports an electronic sync cord connection.
• Battery life is great, this is one of the few compact cameras that can actually last for a full 3 dives on 1 battery

• Recsea G15 housing costs $999
• Recsea G12 Housing only $1,050
• Housing + Canon G12  $1,499.95
• Ultimate Recsea G12 package with Ys-01 strobe, 2 arms, macro & fisheye lenses $2,699

Taken with a Canon G12 + fisheye lens in La Paz, Mexico

Canon S110 in a Recsea Housing: Great value, versatility

Nauticam S110 housing has some great features also

It's all about the image quality - and the newly designed, highly sensitive sensor in the high-end Canon compacts puts the image quality a step above all other compact cameras. Find the right subject, light it correctly and you will not be disappointed with your images.

With a bright F2.0 lens, a sharp 3 inch LCD, and a small size, there is not much to dislike about the Canon S110.  The S110 is the same as the S100, except is has wi-fi instead of GPS.

Recsea housings are machined out of high-quality solid aluminum, and have gained a reputation for being the smallest housings on the market. The newly improved designs of the Recsea S95 and S100 housings include a double o-ring design to prevent floods, a precision shutter release to make half-shutter presses easier, and large control dials that are easy to use even with large hands or thick gloves. Recsea designed an amazing rear control dial that mimics the camera's rear control dial - a feature that along with the large front control dial and double o-rings really makes this housing stand out over others.

One of the reasons people purchase the Recsea S95, S100, or S110 is because they accept wet mount wide-angle lenses, such as the 130 degree UWL-04 fisheye lens with optional quick-adapt mount, which allows the lens to be added or removed underwater in one quick snap. 

The Nauticam Canon S110 housing has 67mm threads, making it ideal for use with 67mm wet lenses such as the Dyron +7 macro lens, or the excellent Bluewater WA-110 lens.

The Canon S110 has a 24-120mm lens (instead of 28-105mm on the S95), wifi capability, dedicated video button, the ability to zoom while taking video, 1080p video instead of 720p on the S95, slow motion video, recording, and a new sensor. However, because of the new 24mm lens, you will have slightly less angle of view with wide-angle lenses because you'll need to zoom in 1 click.

• Offers top of the class image quality in a compact camera
• One of the only compact camera options that can wet mount a fisheye lens, giving you the flexibility to shoot wide-angle and macro on the same dive
• Unlike the Canon housings, the Recsea housing offers access to both control wheels, a must for photography with a strobe. It weighs 1/3 the weight of the Ikelite housing.
• Tiny in size, fits the camera like a glove
• Unbelievable ergonomics and build-quality; double o-ring design, large control dials; precision shutter release allows half-shutter presses. Supports 2 fiber optic connections.
• Best price point on the market

• Recsea S95 Housing only $849, Recsea S100 housing just $869
• Recsea S110 housing costs $849

• Recsea S100 housing + camera just $1,299
• Recsea S100 + Ys-01 strobe package, ULCS arm/tray $1,599

• Ultimate Recsea S100 package with strobe, 2 arms, macro & fisheye lenses
• Ultimate Recsea S110 package
• Nauticam Canon S110 housing just $900

The Ikelite S95 , Ikelite S100 housing, and Ikelite S110 housing are good budget choices, and are highly recommended over the Canon housings.

Compact camera comparison chart 

Notes:
1) All cameras tested in similar low-light conditions, focusing 2-10ft away
2) All cameras tested together in similar low-light conditions, focusing 2-12 inches away
3) Results are the approximate width of the smallest photo possible, taken with a Dyron +7 macro lens. Widths will be similar with a Subsee +10, and slightly larger (less magnification) with a Subsee +5.

Other camera choices

There are certainly other good compact cameras out there - like the Fuji X10, Olympus XZ-2, LX7, and the Nikon coolpix models - and we did check them out. However, after looking at all the choices, looking at the macro and WA capability, housing options, sensor ratings, etc - we feel that the options listed above are the best options.
 

You should also read our guide to the best mirrorless underwater cameras.