Many snorkelers fear a certain “un-clearness” when taking photos underwater and are disappointed upon seeing their results. Water depth, temperature levels, editing options and camera durability are all extremely important factors and tend to be overlooked by the makers of low line underwater cameras. That’s why we’ve come up with the best underwater cameras for snorkeling!
With our research in hand we recommend that any snorkelers looking for precision focus, incredible clearness, great editing options and long lasting durability take a look at the cameras listed below. Due to the large array of benefits that they offer, many veteran snorkelers consider them to be the best underwater cameras for snorkeling.
Underwater cameras are used by the vast majority of snorkelers throughout the world. Though underwater cameras are nothing new at this point, it is very important to make sure you research the camera before you buy.
The Best Underwater Cameras For Snorkeling
The PowerLead Gapo
PowerLead GapoThe PowerLead Gapo camera is considered by many to be one of the best underwater cameras for snorkeling. This camera allows snorkelers to view each and every details through is 2.7’ TFT LCD screen, while also providing them with easy to use underwater buttons. Additionally, the camera has different filter options depending on what time of day the picture is taken at.
While other cameras are difficult to use in the dark without a flash, the PowerLead Gapo offers snorkelers the option of night portrait mode so that snorkelers can take pictures even in the darkest waters.
Gapo Highlights
- Dustproof, waterproof up to 10m, and cold resistant to -10C making it tough and reliable to take anywhere
- Comes with a 2.7″ LCD screen with waterproof buttons
- 5 MP CMOS sensor clear and 8x digital zoom
- Scene: Auto, Night Portrait, Night Scenery, Portrait, Scenery, Sports, Party, Beach, High Sensitivity, and Underwater
Gapo Reverse
Considering the fact that many snorkelers bring their children with them, the durability of this camera is a huge benefit. It’s solid body allows it to be dropped or scratched accidentally while remaining unharmed.
The wrist loop has also been beneficial to surfers that tend to drop their cameras in the water. When snorkeling in deep oceans, having a wrist attachment is an almost unmatched convenience.
The battery and charging is also made easy for snorkelers who are not too tech-savvy. The camera’s battery can be connected to any electrical outlet through a USB cable and often charges quickly.A very noticeable LED light also shows whenever the camera is charging, in order to make sure you are aware.
Since the PowerLead Gapo is rather small, it can be transported very easily and packed away in small places. It is also not a burden to carry underwater considering it can nearly fit in the palm of your hand. If however, you would rather not worrying about holding it, the hand strap provided is easy and convenient to use too.
The Nikon COOLPIX S33 Waterproof Digital Camera
Providing some of the world’s clearest underwater pictures, the Nikon COOLPIX S33 Waterproof Digital Camera is one of the best underwater cameras for snorkeling.
This camera has a great digital zoom option (that remains clear even when focused in all the way), an extremely long lasting battery life, easy mode transitioning and takes full HD 1080p videos with high quality sound. The camera is said to remain fully waterproof in up to 33 feet of water while also being completely freeze proof in 14 degree weather.
Even when movement occurs right before a photo is taken, each and every picture is extremely clear when using the Nikon COOLPIX Waterproof camera. This is because the camera features a 13.2-MP CMOS sensor and a 3x wide-angle zoom lens for any additional focusing that is needed.
Regardless of the amount of sunlight, every pixel is viewable and most often times, the pictures do not need any editing.
CoolPix Highlights
- Waterproof up to 32 feet deep; shockproof up to 5 feet; freezeproof down to 14° F
- 3x wide-angle NIKKOR glass zoom lens
- 13.2-MP CMOS sensor
- Full HD 1080p videos with stereo sound
- Oversized buttons and easy menus
The Wudoli WUD Underwater Digital Camera
Additionally, when cropping any of your photos, the new image is just as clear and not pixelated in anyway, regardless of how much is cropped. This is an indicator of the lenses quality and another huge reason as to why the Wudoli WUD Underwater Digital Camera is one of the world’s best underwater cameras for snorkeling.
WUD Highlights
- Rugged, Slim, Compact, Dustproof & Shockproof Camera is Waterproof up to 10′
- Extra-Large 20-Megapixels, Captures Brilliant Photos & 640×480 (VGA) Videos
- Dual Full-Color Displays Include a 2.7″ Display Plus Front-Facing (Selfie) 1.8″ Display
- Built-In Flash Provides Proper Lighting; 4x Digital Zoom Enables Close-Up on Action
- Expandable MicroSD Storage Accepts Cards up to 32GB; Runs on 2 AAA Batteries (Card and batteries are not included)
WUD VGA Video
The VGA video is great quality and the editing/menu options are extremely easy to figure out. You are also able to hook your video up to any television equipped with an HDMI or USB chord to watch them on a larger screen. Having VGA capabilities on your camera can take your underwater adventures and add movement.
Snorkelers are able to increase the shutter speed for videos needing to capture any quick movement across the screen of fish or snorkeling friends. A flash is included for any underwater nighttime photos and it does work very well. Many snorkelers familiar with using underwater cameras are able to editing all settings rather quickly and without any difficulties due to the user friendly limitation of camera buttons.
The only downside to this camera is that the lighting seems to be a bit off. However, since multiple adjusting and editing options are offered, this minor inconvenience is rather easy to fix.
The Watershot iPhone 6/6s PRO Line Underwater Camera
The iPhone 6/6s PRO Line Underwater Camera from Watershot provides snorkelers with phone compatibility, a 195ft/60m depth rating and multiple filters for great looking HD photos.
One of the most beneficial features this camera offers are the moisture absorbers. These protect the camera while also making it more waterproof than most others. This feature helps the camera fight against moisture build up when deep underwater for long periods of time.
Whenever moisture builds up inside a camera, it tends to function poorly, even it is advertised as waterproof. However, the iPhone 6/6s PRO Line Underwater Camera has successfully protected all of their users from this.
Serving as arguably the worlds largest electronics company, it comes as no surprise that Apple has produced one of the best underwater cameras for snorkeling.
Watershot Pro Line Highlights
- Compatible with iPhone 6/6s
- Depth Rating: 195ft/60m
- 5 Conductive buttons, 1 Home button – optimize still & video camera functions
- Dimensions: L 6.7″ x W 3.7″ x D 2.0″ (17cm x 9.4cm x 5.0cm) Weight: 0.8lbs.
- This package includes iPhone 6/6s PRO Line Underwater Camera Housing by Watershot w/ Lanyard & Free Moisture Absorbers (Garibaldi)Panasonic Lumix
The Panasonic Lumix Waterproof Digital Camera
The Panasonic Lumix Waterproof Digital Camera caters toward serious underwater snorkelers and photographers. The battery life is great and all of the pictures come out fairly clear, even with shaky handed photographers.
This camera different scene modes, one for Sport, one for Snow, one for the Beach and one for snorkeling underwater. While each of these scenes tend to work just as well as one another, it is great that each user has multiple options.
Videos are also made easy on the Panasonic Lumix Waterproof Digital Underwater Camera since the buttons are very simple and straightforward.
Lumix Highlights
- Instant creativity with built-in creative effects
- Capture stills or (720p) HD video in and out of water
- Travel confidently with go-anywhere freeze-proof (14 degrees), shockproof (4.9 ft.) and waterproof (26 ft.) toughness
The Marvue HDV-801 Underwater Shockproof Digital 24MP Camera
This camera is built to withstand even the toughest underwater adventures and tends to cater more towards serious, experienced snorkelers.
The Marvue is also shockproof, dust proof and extremely lightweight to ensure easy traveling and camera transportation. The camera offers a large array of image options ranging from 2MP all the way up to 24MP, and allows snorkelers to take selfies with the reverse camera option too.
Wrap Up
No matter where you go snorkeling this year, you will benefit greatly from buying one of these underwater cameras. In addition to their clear photos, editing options, precision focus and easy to use menus, the best underwater cameras for snorkeling are extremely durable and should last you a very long time.
See you out there!