Best choices for Underwater Cameras

Best DSLR cameras for 2013 for underwater photography

For image quality, lens selection, and focusing speed, nothing can match having a full-fledged dSLR for underwater photography. Sure, it will be larger and more expensive than a compact set-up, but the results speak for themselves. Please feel free to call if you have trouble choosing between the models listed below, or want to talk about the best mirrorless cameras versus a dSLR.  Our professional and knowledgeable staff can be reached directly at 310-633-5052.

Nikon D7000  - Best overall choice

Get a Nauticam or Aquatica housing for this camera

To put it simply - the 16MP Nikon D7000 is the hot camera on the market now. Exceptional image quality, great ergonomics as you would expect from Nikon, and incredible high-ISO performance for a 24mm sensor. The Nauticam housing works great. The Nauticam housing has piano keys, a new port locking mechanism, and many other great features. With these housings - everything just works the way it should, which is not always true, even in other more expensive housings.

• Best overall cropped sensor dSLR currently on the market
• 16MP sensor, exceptional dynamic range and color range ratings from DxOMark; sensor rating beats the competition
• Slightly edges out the Canon 7D due to cost, weight, auto-focus, and better dynamic range at ISO 100 & 200.
• Takes great hi-def video! Also syncs with your strobe at 1/320th of a second for nice sunball shots

• Nauticam housing has excellent placement of controls, large "piano keys" on the back, the housing allows you to pop up the flash underwater, locking extension rings, and has a unique port lock so you don't have to rotate the port on or off. Rated to 330ft (100m).
• Nikon glass like the 10-24mm, 60mm and 105mm lenses perform impeccably
• Fiber optic strobe connection works great on these housings, and allows for high-speed shooting. Setup is very light underwater for both housings. Both housings also support electronic sync cords.

• Nauticam D7000 Housing  just $3,200.00
• Aquatica D7000 housing costs $2,939

• Nauticam Housing + macro port, YS-01 strobe, arm, fiber optic cable $4,480

Taken underwater with a Nikon D7000 & Tokina 10-17mm lens in California, USA.

Canon Rebel T4i / 650D - best value

The Canon  T4i is an inexpensive dSLR that can take incredible photos. It has the same 18MP sensor as the higher-end Canon 7D. It also has an auto-focus motor, which the entry level Nikon dSLRs don't have - including the new Nikon D3200. Plus - we are not a fan of the speed / handling of the entry-level Nikon dSLRs.  But perhaps the best thing about this camera is that both Sea & Sea and Nauticam made an incredibly priced housing for it, with the ergonomics of housings that cost much more. This is a no-brainer - if you want the focusing speed and lens selection of a dSLR, but are on a budget - this is a great combo.

The new Canon T4i has been coming down in price, and now is just $50 more than the T3i. It adds improved auto-focus speed during video. Read our discussion on the T4i.

• Canon T3i & T41 has an awesome 18MP sensor, same sensor as the Canon 7D; save a little by getting the T3i
• Has a built-in auto-focus motor, unlike entry level Nikon dSLRs
• Takes great hi-def video! Canon video has a much higher data rate than the Nikon dSLRs
• Incredible ergonomics and build-quality in the housings for the price
• Choose the Nauticam housing for a well-made aluminum housing, choose the Sea & Sea for a sturdy polycarbonate housing with innovative port lock.
• Downsides - only 1 control wheel, everything is a little slower in general than the Canon 7D

• Canon T4i Sea & Sea Housing only $1,449
• Canon T3i Sea & Sea Housing only $1,349.99

• Nauticam T3i housing $2,400
• Nauticam T4i housing $2,400

Nikon D800 - best high end choice

Housings from Nauticam, Aquatica, Sea & Sea in stock

The 36 megapixel Nikon D800 is nothing short of awesome. It is by far the best camera on the market for outdoor, nature, and large prints. It has the same pixel width as the Nikon D7000, on a much larger sensor, and improved low-light auto-focus points. In our opinion it will be better for underwater use than any other full-frame camera. You can read more in a D800 specs & comparison article.

• The D800 offers stunning images with a full spectrum of colors and a complete dynamic range, plus extremely good high ISO performance.
• Takes great hi-def video
• There are great features on both the Nauticam and Sea & Sea housings. And of course the Ikelite D800 housing has true TTL built-in and is a great value.
• We think the megapixel and auto-focus advantages of the Nikon D800 are worth the extra money over the Nikon D600. However, if you are mainly interesting in wide-angle and own Nikon glass, the D600 may be for you.

• Nauticam D800 Housing only $3,600!
• Ikelite D800 Housing only $1,599.95!
• Sea & Sea D800 Housing, only $3,199
• Aquatica D800 housing $3,359

Canon 5D Mark III - best high-end choice for wide-angle

Some people think that the D800 has the edge over the 5D Mark III. But many Canon shooters think otherwise. One thing for sure - the 5D Mark III is great and will not limit your underwater photography. 

• Choose the 5D Mark III for the best underwater dSLR video out there
• The Canon 8-15mm fisheye len is sharp, and versatile for unique wide-angle images

• The Canon 5D Mark III is the top choice for sports, low light photography, high-speed shooting
• Takes great hi-def video! The video bit rate on the 5D Mark III is much higher than on Nikon dSLR cameras
• Canon 5D Mark III is a full-frame dSLR, offering the most stunning images with a full spectrum of colors and a complete dynamic range, plus extremely good high ISO performance - ISO can be "boosted" to an incredible ISO 102,400. It also has vastly improved auto-focus over the 5D Mark II.
• Excellent ergonomics and build-quality in the Sea & Sea, Nauticam and Aquatica housings

• Sea & Sea 5D Mark III housing $3,200
• Nauticam 5D Mark III housing $3,600
• Aquatica 5D Mark III housing $3,199

Nikon D7000, D600 or Canon 7D in Ikelite Housing - great value

• Ikelite housing is an unbelievable value, and includes full TTL functionality, tray, handles, and zoom rings
• True TTL via an electronic sync cord allows you to fire your camera at its fastest possible speeds
• Takes great hi-def video!
• Get the best possible wide-angle optics with the Precision line of 5-inch acrylic dome ports, or Zen glass dome ports, custom made for your wide-angle lens

• Ikelite D7000 Housing only $1,499.99
• Ikelite Canon 7D housing only $1,499.99
• Ikelite Nikon D600 housing costs $1,600
• Housing + macro port + DS-51 strobe, arm, sync cord $2,249.95
• Housing +macro port + DS-160 strobe, arm, sync cord $2,749.95

Don't forget to check out our Best Mirrorless cameras of 2012 for a smaller, lighter option for underwater photography that will still take great images.