10 Best Waterproof Cameras in 2023 [Tested and Reviewed]

The Olympus TG-6 is a popular waterproof camera from the Japanese brand OM Digital Solutions. The camera boasts a waterproof rating up to 50 feet without any additional housing, making it ideal for casual underwater photography. When photos were enlarged, the subject's details were sharp and well-defined. The vivid colors were impressive, both on land and underwater. This camera ensures beautiful, sharp photos, regardless of the subject or shooting environment.

The TG-6 excels in close-up photography, offering a zoom range comparable to a microscope. It shoots video in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second, rendering stunning colors underwater. During video recording, the focus works well on close objects, although the resolution is slightly lower than in still images. The autofocus is swift and reliable, causing no issues in general photography. It also focused smoothly underwater.

Even when wearing gloves, the shutter button and zoom lever are easy to operate. The camera's comfortable grip ensures secure handling. The user-friendly shooting mode switch dial is separate from other controls. The rear monitor has high visibility and can be seen clearly from various angles. A wide range of dedicated accessories is available, including various conversion lenses and camera cases. There are also numerous accessories designed specifically for underwater photography, such as a housing case compatible with depths of about 150 feet and a dedicated underwater flash, allowing for professional underwater shooting.

The Olympus TG-6 offers exceptional image quality, not only for underwater photography but also for everyday use. This versatile, high-quality, and high-performance camera is great for any environment and is recommended for anyone in search of a reliable waterproof camera.

The Nikon COOLPIX W300, from the world-renowned camera manufacturer, is a waterproof camera that supports 4K video recording. It boasts a top-class waterproof rating of up to 100 feet, so it’s great for everything from activities near water to actual diving. The colors in photos on land and underwater look natural and not overly saturated. While the resolution is not high for close-up shots, there were no complaints in general shooting and underwater photography. The camera also has excellent close-up performance, allowing you to shoot small subjects in great detail.

The video quality is high, offering clear and natural colors underwater. It can focus on nearby objects, providing sharp and high-resolution 4K videos. However, the focusing speed isn't the quickest, giving the impression of a slight delay. Capturing moving subjects may require a bit of skill. Switching between shooting modes requires pressing multiple buttons, which can be cumbersome if you need to change modes frequently. The zoom lever is small, and operating it with gloves on can be a bit challenging.

However, the rear monitor is easy to see even from an angle. It doesn't come with any waterproof housing or conversion lenses, so the functionality may not be considered high. However, silicone jackets and floating straps are available for purchase separately, so it should not be a major concern if underwater photography is not your primary focus.

The camera produces natural colors on land and underwater, making it a great choice for documentary photography. With dedicated buttons for quick access to the LED light, altimeter, and barometer, the Nikon W300 is recommended for those who want to use it as a piece of outdoor gear in addition to its camera functions.

The FinePix XP140 is a product of Fujifilm, a manufacturer of photographic films and cameras. It features an automatic eye-detection focusing function and is waterproof up to 82 feet, offering relatively high waterproof performance. The camera produces beautiful and natural colors, giving a radiance to the skin when taking portraits. Resolution is sufficient for everyday photography, but close-up shots exhibit a noticeable drop in resolution, with a clear difference in image quality compared to regular shooting.

Video recording performance is modest, with 4K resolution shooting at only 15 frames per second, resulting in noticeable stuttering. Full HD recording is available at a smooth 60 frames per second, but the overall image is quite dark. Shaking the camera causes a ghosting effect, making the footage appear unnatural. But the focusing speed is quite fast, so you'll likely have no complaints when capturing subjects with minimal movement, such as landscapes or stationary people. The shutter button is easy to press, allowing for precise photography. The rear monitor is bright, with colors remaining consistent even when viewed at an angle.

However, switching shooting modes is somewhat unintuitive, and the zoom button is stiff, with very little feedback when pressing. No scratch-protecting silicone jackets or other dedicated accessories are available for sale. The camera is shock-resistant, but be cautious when there is a risk of dropping it on hard surfaces like rocks or concrete. Overall, the Fujifilm XP140 is a waterproof camera with beautiful colors and agile autofocus. While video recording performance leaves something to be desired, still images are more than satisfactory unless you primarily take close-up shots. If you don't plan to record videos or take close-ups, this camera could be a good option.

The PIXPRO WPZ2 is a waterproof camera from Kodak, the American photography brand. It is equipped with waterproof performance up to 50 feet and shock resistance up to 6.5 feet. This level of waterproofing should suffice for most general leisure activities. Close examination of photos revealed that resolution is high in the center of the image, but decreases towards the edges. The camera produces intense yet natural colors. Image quality can degrade slightly during close-up photography, but this should rarely be an issue for general use.

Focusing speed is slow, so it’s not well suited for capturing moving subjects. However, the focusing accuracy is sufficient, so you shouldn't have any problems when photographing landscapes or stationary objects. Although 4K video recording isn’t offered, Full HD recording is possible. Autofocus during video recording is also slow, but once focused, the resolution is good. The footage has weak contrast, but appears bright even underwater.

The shutter button has a textured surface, providing grip and tactile feedback when pressed. On the other hand, the zoom button is difficult to use because it’s hard to tell if it’s pressed down. The rear monitor has a narrow viewing angle that makes it difficult to see when viewed from the side or above. Switching between shooting modes can also be somewhat cumbersome. While the camera has a built-in flash, it does not have an LED light. No dedicated accessories are sold, which limits the camera's functionality.

Released in September 2022 by DJI, a Chinese drone and camera manufacturer, the Osmo Action 3 is an action camera designed for selfies, featuring screens on both the front and back. The camera body itself is waterproof up to about 52 feet, and with an optional waterproof case, it can be used at depths of up to 200 feet. This makes it a good option for deep-diving enthusiasts.

Both above and under the water, still image colors are beautifully reproduced, with the camera accurately representing white as white even when submerged. When photographing subjects at a certain distance, images are sharp. However, the fixed focus does not accommodate close-up subjects, resulting in a blurred appearance. The Osmo Action 3 is capable of recording video at 4K and 60 frames per second. While the color reproduction is natural, just like in still images, the focus does not work well for close-range subjects. The lack of optical zoom makes this camera unsuitable for those who want to shoot subjects at a distance.

The power and shutter buttons are physical, while finer controls are managed via a touch panel. While operation is smooth above water, underwater setting changes are not possible. The shutter button is somewhat stiff, and the camera’s small size makes it difficult to get a firm grip on, so it can be somewhat uncomfortable to take photos with. A wide range of dedicated accessories is available, but there is no built-in flash or LED light. If you plan on shooting in deep water where light is scarce, you’ll need an additional light source.

The popular Cyber-Shot RX0 II from Japanese manufacturer Sony features a small body, large image sensor, and a fixed lens with no zoom capabilities. It is packed with professional-grade features for video creators. With a 32-foot waterproof rating, this camera is fine for casual swimmers and snorkelers, but not ideal for serious diving. The color reproduction is natural and not overly vibrant. The camera captures a rich tonal range and subtle color differences.

However, underwater images may sometimes lack vividness. While the resolution is sufficient for above-water shots, the difference in resolution between the center and edges of underwater images is quite noticeable. The camera struggles with close-up photography and is not well suited for capturing large subjects. The RX0 II supports 4K video recording, delivering sharp images with high resolution when focused on the subject. On the other hand, the auto setting produces somewhat dark footage, unnaturally emphasizing oranges and reds. The camera's focus is fast, ensuring you won't miss the moment you want to capture. However, the lack of lens zoom makes it a poor choice for shooting subjects at a distance for something like sports or wildlife.

The shutter button is easy to press, but the small size of the camera may make it uncomfortable to hold. The small operation buttons can be difficult to use while wearing gloves. The camera does offer digital zoom, but the settings are somewhat complicated and not user-friendly. The RX0 II is equipped with many professional features and accessories, such as Log format recording mode, a professional video recording format, and dedicated equipment for controlling multiple cameras simultaneously, but it's less functional for general use. The camera does not include a built-in flash or LED light.

The GoPro HERO11 Black is the latest action camera from GoPro, a pioneer in the action camera industry. This model features improved image stabilization and battery life compared to previous models, making it a trusted choice in the action camera market. The camera is waterproof up to 33 feet on its own, but with the separately sold waterproof case it can withstand depths of up to 200 feet, making it ideal if you’re looking to capture footage of deep-sea diving. The color reproduction is natural yet slightly vivid. However, underwater images may appear somewhat dark, and colors can look dull in environments with insufficient light.

Like other action cameras, the HERO11 Black lacks optical zoom, and the focus is fixed, which makes it inconvenient for capturing still images. The camera supports 4K video at 60 frames per second, providing good resolution for distant subjects, but it is unable to focus on small fish when attempting to shoot them up close. Its smooth and clear video footage and powerful image stabilization make it ideal for recording activities such as snorkeling and diving. Physical buttons are used for the shutter and power, but all other settings are adjusted through the touch panel, so, like on a smartphone, settings cannot be changed underwater or while wearing gloves.

The camera’s buttons feel stiff, which may prevent unintentionally pressing them, but they make operation difficult since the camera moves slightly each time a button is pressed. But the camera has a wide range of dedicated accessories, including form-fitting cases and external LED lights. Some cases even allow the camera to float if it slips from your hand underwater, enabling professional underwater video shooting.

The Insta360 ONE RS is a modular action camera from Insta360, an action camera and VR camera brand based in Shenzhen, China. The modular design allows for the exchange of lens, processor, and battery components. Due to its unique body structure, the camera has a modest waterproof rating of about 16 feet. However, with the separately sold waterproof case, it can dive up to 200 feet.

The color reproduction is vivid and beautiful, with no unnatural appearance. Distant subjects are captured with high resolution and sharp detail. However, like other action cameras, the focus is fixed, and close-up subjects appear blurred. The camera supports 4K video recording at 60 fps (frames per second) and is capable of 360-degree video shooting if you swap out the lens module. However, underwater, color stability is not maintained, and the water may sometimes appear reddish. Like with still images, the focus does not work well for close-range subjects, making it unfit for shooting anything other than wide-angle video.

Both the shutter and power controls use physical buttons, but all other operations use a touch panel. The screen is small and difficult to operate, even above water. Additionally, due to the touch panel design, detailed settings cannot be changed underwater. While waterproof cases and protective filters for 360-degree shooting are available, the camera does not have a built-in flash or LED light. The available accessories are primarily for video shooting, so it’s a good option for those who mainly shoot video.

The EK7000 is an action camera from Chinese manufacturer AKASO. Released in 2016, this model has become a bestseller on e-commerce sites due to its low price. While the camera body itself is not waterproof, it is compatible with a depth of 100 feet when used with the included waterproof case, making it sufficient for deep diving. The photos have a low overall contrast, with dull, grayish colors. The images may also have a slight blue tint, which becomes extremely blue underwater. The color reproduction is generally unnatural and not visually appealing.

Like other action cameras, the focus is fixed and there is no optical zoom, so it’s not ideal for capturing specific subjects up close. The camera advertises 4K video recording at 25 frames per second, but the resolution is quite low. Moreover, eight out of the 25 frames were identical to the previous frame in our test. Both still images and videos have poor resolution and low contrast. The video quality is far from the advertised performance, so caution is advised if image quality is a concern.

The buttons are large and prominent when the case is attached, but they are hard to press and require a firm push. The buttons are also located on multiple sides of the camera, making it difficult to operate intuitively. While there is no built-in flash or LED light, the camera comes with a waterproof case and mounting accessories.

This waterproof digital camera for kids is an affordable and lightweight digital camera with a 16-foot waterproof rating. Similar cameras with different branding are available on e-commerce sites. The color reproduction has weak contrast, resulting in pale and dull colors. The image quality is poor, as if taken with an old toy camera. The focus is entirely fixed, and it cannot focus on objects closer than about three feet. The resolution is low, and enlarging the image may cause the subject's contours to become completely distorted.

The camera does not have an optical zoom feature and only offers digital zoom. Zooming in further deteriorates the image quality, rendering it practically unusable. The camera can record videos in Full HD at 30 fps (frames per second) but the footage appears choppy and the colors are washed out. This camera is not a great choice for those who prioritize image quality. The buttons are small and hard to press, requiring a firm push with the tip of your thumb. The buttons do not have distinct edges, and their stiffness makes it difficult to know which button is being pressed without looking. While the functions of the buttons are clear, their design makes them a bit of a pain to use. Although the camera includes a flash for still images, it lacks dedicated accessories such as a protective case, limiting its expandability.