Best Value - SeaLife Micro 3.0 Camera
Read the SeaLife Micro 3.0 Review
The SeaLife Micro 3.0 Camera just might be the easiest underwater camera to use for both photo & video. We recommend it to any diver looking for a no-frills, ergonomic source of underwater content. These are the shooters that may not be looking to get a professional image but need a simple tool to document their dive and what they see in the beautiful underwater environment. The SeaLife Micro 3.0 is designed to be permanently sealed, making it flood-proof for the camera's lifetime. There is no need for any o-ring maintenance and no need to worry about flooding. The battery life is also excellent - it can be operated for more than three hours which is great for a full day of diving.
Camera Features:
- 16 Megapixel Sony CMOS image sensor
- Permanently sealed
- 3+ hours battery life
- Built-in 64GB memory card
- Easy operation
- "Easy Setup" feature
- Capable of manual white balance and RAW format for post-processing
- 100° Lens
SeaLife Micro 3.0 Packages:
School of Ta’ape Lanai,HI. SeaLife taken with SeaLife Micro 3.0
Easiest to Use - SeaLife RM-4K Ultra Compact Camera
The SeaLife RM-4K Ultra Compact Underwater Camera is a small and compact action camera that features a 14 megapixel Panasonic CMOS sensor and allows you to capture 4K videos @ 30fps. This is great for divers and snorkelers as the camera captures sharp and colorful 14 MP photos and videos with its built-in color correction. Its fisheye lens gives you a 140° field of view. The ergonomics of the camera are also superb. It is effortless to operate, even while wearing thick gloves.
Camera Features:
- 14 megapixel Panasonic CMOS image sensor
- Captures 4K video @ 30fps
- Built-in color correction
- Whopping 140° field of view with a fisheye lens
- Unique pressure lock thumb screw seal system
- Integrated with Moisture Muncher
- Four-button control system
- WiFi
- 2" LCD screen
SeaLife RM-4K Packages:
Best for Macro - Olympus TG-6 Camera
Read our Full Review of the Olympus TG-6 Camera
The Olympus TG-6 Camera is small and compact and the same size as its predecessor (TG-5), which means the two cameras can share the same housing. The TG-6 is a top-rated underwater camera that can also be used when snorkeling as the camera is waterproof up to 50ft. So if you don't do much deep free diving, you don't need a housing! The camera features a high-speed 12 MP sensor designed for excellent low-light performance and noise reduction. It shoots 4k video, RAW photos and includes built-in WiFi, making transferring images on the go a breeze. What makes this very special is its microscope mode which excels in macro shooting.
Camera Features:
- Bright f/2.0 fast lens
- Anti-reflective coating glass around sensor (reduces flare and ghosting)
- 12MP high-speed image sensor for improved low-light performance and noise reduction
- Improved LCD: 1.04 million dots compared to 460 K dots on the TG-5
- Improved microscope mode
- Microscope mode available in program and aperture priority mode
- Dual Quad Core TruePic™ VIII image processor
- Image file format: RAW, JPEG and RAW+JPEG
- 4K and high speed video
- Field sensor system w/ GPS, manometer, compass & temperature sensor
- Waterproof, shockproof, freezeproof, crushproof
- 3" LCD screen
Olympus TG-6 Packages:
- Olympus TG-6 Camera and Housing Bundle
- Olympus TG-6 Snorkel Package
- Olympus Macro Shooter Package for TG-6
- Olympus TG-6 Video Package
- Olympus Ultimate Package for TG-6
- Ikelite Olympus TG-6 Fluorescence Photography Starter Package
Best Advanced Snorkeling Camera - Canon G7X Mark III
Read our Full Review of the Canon G7X Mark III
The Canon G7X Mark III camera is a tiny camera with a large 1-inch, 20 MP sensor, a direct competitor to the Sony RX100 series cameras. It is an excellent, fast-focusing camera with great image quality and has a dedicated macro focus function. The camera also boasts 4K video, slow motion video, a bigger image buffer, a new stacked sensor, a better image processor, and quicker burst shooting over the G7X II.
Camera Features:
- DIGIC 8 image processor
- New stacked CMOS sensor
- 20 fps burst mode (upgraded from 8fps)
- 70 shot RAW buffer (upgraded from 21 shots)
- Ultra-fast electronic shutter for shooting wide open aperture in daylight – 1/25,600s
- 4K video @ 30fps and 1080p @ 120 fps
- Slow motion video (120 fps in 1080p)
- Supports vertical video shooting (not for live-streaming)
- Supports live streaming videos to YouTube
- Built-in Bluetooth and WiFi
- Ability to shoot panoramas
Canon G7X Mark III Packages:
- Fantasea G7X Mark III Camera and Housing Bundle
- Fantasea Canon G7X III Housing and YS-01 Strobe Package
- Fantasea Canon G7X III Housing and YS-03 Strobe Package
- Nauticam Canon G7X Mark III Pro Package Housing
Best High-End Snorkeling Camera - Sony RX100 VA and VII
Both are excellent for image quality, autofocus speed, & shooting video
The Sony RX100 VA & RX100 VII cameras are top-of-line compact cameras. One notable feature of the camera is its autofocus; it is lightning quick in both cameras, making them great for capturing action/behavior photos or shooting fast animals like sharks and sea lions. These cameras feature a large 1" sensor with 20 MP resolution. Each camera is equipped with excellent image quality, fast autofocus, useful video modes (like slow motion), and full manual controls. The RX100 VA's key upgrade is 24fps sequential shooting, enhanced image buffer, and a customizable menu system. The RX100 VII has some minor improvements over the VI, including quicker autofocus with a better autofocus tracking system, burst modes without blackout, and faster processing. The RX100 VII comes at a heftier price tag, but it's a great option for people who want to take advantage of its autofocus tracking system - especially for video, which can now be captured for an unlimited amount of time.
Comparison:
RX100 VII Key Features:
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RX100 VII Key Features:
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Sony RX100 Mark VA and VII Underwater Housing Options:
- Nauticam RX100 VII Housing - $1,150.00
- Nauticam RX100 V/VA Housing - $1,040.00
- Isotta RX100 V Housing - $920.00 with free double-handle tray! Our most stylish housing
- Ikelite RX100 V/VA Housing - $495.00
- Ikelite RX100 VI/VII Housing - $495.00
- Fantasea RX100 VI/VII Underwater Housing - $359.95
- Fantasea RX100 V/VA Underwater Housing - $399.95
Sony RX100 V/VA Underwater Packages:
- Nauticam Sony RX100 V/VA Ultimate Package
- Nauticam Sony RX100 V Housing Pro Package
- Fantasea Sony RX100 V Housing and Camera Bundle
- Fantasea Sony RX100 V Housing, Camera and YS-01 Strobe Package
- Fantasea Sony RX100 V Housing, Camera and YS-03 Strobe Package
Sony RX100 VII Underwater Packages:
- Nauticam Sony RX100 VII Housing Pro Package
- Fantasea Sony RX100 VI IHousing and YS-03 Strobe Package
- Fantasea Sony RX100 VII Housing, Camera and YS-03 Solis Strobe Package
Bext RX100 Series Wet Lenses:
- Nauticam WWL wet wide-angle lens
- UWL-09 super-wide lens
- Kraken KRL-01 wide-angle lens
- Kraken KRL-11 wide-angle lens (52mm thread)
- Kraken KRL-12 wide-angle lens (67mm thread)
- Bluewater +7 macro lens
- Nauticam CMC-1 Macro Lens
- Nauticam CMC-2 Macro Lens
Best Full Frame Snorkeling Camera - Canon EOS R5
45 Megapixel photos, 8K/30p & 4K/120 video recording, incredible autofocus, 20fps burst shooting- what more could you want?
Read our Full Canon EOS R5 Review for Underwater Photography
Key Features
- New 45 Megapixel Full-Frame CMOS Sensor and Digic X processor
- Canon's first 5 axis In-Body Image-Stabilization (IBIS) which works in conjunction with optical IS RF and EF lenses. Up to 8 stops of correction
- Improved Dual Pixel II Autofocus
- 5,940 AF points
- 100% of the sensor has AF coverage!
- ISO 100 - 51,200
- Animal eye AF detection (for birds, cats, and dogs) - it works on macro fish 20-40% of the time!
- 12fps burst shooting with mechanical shutter
- 20 fps burst shooting with silent (electronic shutter)
- 180 shot RAW image buffer
- Dual card slots - 1x CFexpress and 1x SD UHS-II
- 8K video @ 30p, 10- bit 4:2:2 - using the full width of the sensor!
- Internal RAW and C-Log recording
- 4K oversampled video up to 120p, 10-bit 4:2:2
Underwater Snorkeling Housing Options
- Ikelite 50DL Canon EOS R5 Underwater Housing - Depth rated to 50ft unlike 200DL housings that are depth rated to 200 ft.
Sample Underwater Image
A pod of dolphins captured with the Canon EOS R5 in an Ikelite housing while snorkeling
Best Smartphone Options
Smartphones are a great way to capture content while snorkeling and immediately share it with friends and family without needing to download the images to a computer first. It also tends to be more affordable to invest in a smartphone housing than to purchase a new underwater camera altogether. Many smartphone housings are packed with safety features to ensure that you don't lose any precious data - including moisture alarms and vacuum systems.
Best Universal Housing - Kraken Sports KRH04 Universal Smart Phone Housing
The Kraken Sports KRH04 Universal Smart Phone Housing is our top choice for smartphone housings. It is built from aluminum material which makes it durable and robust. In addition, the build quality is outstanding, and it's filled with lots of features. It has a built-in vacuum pump and sensor, which allows you to draw out air from the housing and check if there are leaks prior to diving. This gives you peace of mind that your phone is safe inside. There are also two options, the basic and pro version (with temperature and depth gauge). To enhance your shooting experience, wet lenses are compatible with the housing. The most important feature of the housing is that it is compatible with the latest and most popular smartphones available in the market.
KRH04 Packages:
- Kraken Smart Phone and Tray Package - $424.00
- Kraken Smart Phone Housing and KRL-07 Wide Angle Package.- $598.00
- Kraken Smart Phone Housing and KRL-02 Wide Angle Package - $763.99
- Kraken KRH04 Universal Smart Phone Single Light Package - $849.00
- Kraken Smart Phone Housing Ultimate Package - $1,992.97
Best Touchscreen Housing - DIVEVOLK SeaTouch 4 MAX Underwater Smart Phone Housing
The groundbreaking Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max underwater touchscreen smart phone housing allows you to use your smartphone up to a depth of 60 meters below. You can easily use all of your smartphone's features and apps thanks to the touchscreen's infinite functioning. It is the world's first diving enclosure for smartphones with an underwater full touch screen.
Seatouch 4 Max Packages:
- DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max Wide Angle Ultimate Package - $1137.77
- DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 All-In-One Ultimate Package - $1471.47
- DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max Wide Angle Starter Package - $920.62
- DiveVolk SeaTouch 4 Max Macro Starter Package - $866,82
SeaLife SportDiver Housing
The SeaLife SportDiver Smartphone Housing has been designed to be used with all the latest iPhone and Android phones. It is compact and lightweight and built from polycarbonate material with stainless steel, aluminum, and optical glass, enabling you to capture tack-sharp photos and videos. Setting it up is a breeze. Operation is also effortless with its large shutter lever and rear control buttons.
SeaLife SportDiver Packages:
- SeaLife SportDiver Pro 2500 Set - $649.95
Most Affordable/Best for Selfies - Nautismart Smartphone Housing
The Nautismart Smartphone Housing gives you the biggest bang for your buck. It is affordable yet durable. It is built from a polycarbonate material and features a 67mm thread attachment for macro & wide-angle wet lenses. It also features a transparent back which means taking selfies is possible! Compatible with both Android and iOS phones.
Best Underwater Camera Housings for Snorkeling
There are many underwater housing options out there. If you're a snorkeler or a surf photographer it can be difficult to navigate through your options. Afterall, do you really need a large, heavy aluminum housing rated to 200ft? No you probably want the lightest, easiest to use housing available. Thankfully, at Bluewater Photo, we have surf and snorkel photographers on our staff who know exactly what you need. So feel free email us at sales@bluewaterphotostore.com or call 310-633-5052 and we'll get you set up.
In addition to our underwater smartphone housings and compact cameras that we offer, larger camera systems have two types of housings that work great for snorkeling - Aquatech Underwater Housings & Ikelite 50 DL housings.
Aquatech Edge Housings
Lightweight, Easy to Use, Optional Pistol Grip, and Depth Rated to 10m (33ft)
Aquatech Edge Housings are some of the most popular underater housings used by surf photographers. They are lightweight, compact and simple - everything you need for shooting action on the go. Aquatech has been in business for over 20 years so they have experience in design and engineering specific to the niche. The housings themselves have dual safety clips to ensure that no water gets in. Edge housings are designed for most popular camera models, so send us an email if you have difficulty finding your model. Here are some of the most popular models we carry:
- Aquatech Edge Canon EOS R5 Housings
- Aquatech Edge Canon EOS R6 Housing
- Aquatech Edge Sony A1, A7S III, A7R IV, A9II Housing
- Aquatech Edge Nikon Z7II, Z6II, Z7, and Z7 Housing
- Aquatech Edge Fujifilm XT-4 Housing
Ikelite 50DL Underwater Housings
Lightweight, Ergonomic, Full Camera Controls, More Affordable than 200DL housings, and Depth Rated to 50ft (15m)
Ikelite is well known among scuba divers for producing excellent polycarbonate housings with full control over the cameras they house. Typically, these housings are rated to 200ft depths. However, we also offer a 50DL option that is exactly the same as the 200DL housing but rated to 50ft. It is also about $200 more affordable. We think 50DL housings from Ikelite are a great choice for snorkelers and surf photographers that don't need the deep depths that diving requires. They are the best choice for avid photographers that need full control over every one of their camera controls while they are in the water. We offer 50DL options for many popular Ikelite models, but if you do not see one listed, feel free email us at sales@bluewaterphotostore.com or call 310-633-5052 and we'll get you set up.
Ikelite 50 DL housings are available for popular camera models including:
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