The greatest underwater photography tips start with finding the right camera. Depending on what kind of underwater photography you are looking to get into, you’ll need the right kind of equipment to get you started. Although, you don’t need a secondary camera just for scuba diving as long as you get the appropriate housing.
If action shots and videography is something you are more likely to get into whilst scuba diving, make sure you take a look at our 10 best action cameras for scuba diving. Otherwise, if macro life and amazing still photography is more your style stick around for the best underwater cameras currently on the market.
Psssttt… Don’t have time to read the full review? Here’s the 3 best selling cameras for scuba diving picks, (note that these cameras require dive housing for underwater use);
- 24.3MP Full Frame Sensor
- ISO up to 51200
- Superior Processing
- High Resolution 4K HDR
- 36.3 MP CMOS Sensor
- SS: 1/8000 to 30 sec
- ISO 64-12,800 to 51,200
- 51-point AF system
- Best for beginners
- f/1.8 in Wide-Angle
- Easy to Use
- Control White Balance
10 Best Underwater Cameras for Scuba Diving
Below are the 10 best land cameras that do an equally great job taking underwater shots. Once you have found your newest favorite dive gear, check out the beginner’s guide to underwater photography or explore the possibilities with an action camera in the beginner’s guide to using a GoPro for underwater video.
1. Sony A7 III + Meikon with dome port kit
Best Overall
| Depth Rating (of Recommended Housing) | 130 ft |
| Megapixels | 24.2 |
| Screen Type | 3in LCD |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | 4K HDR |
The mirrorless Sony A7 III is an amazing alternative to the bulkier DSLR cameras when portability is an important factor for your dive gear. This award-winning model sports 24.2 megapixels, the biggest ISO range of 50 – 51200, 425 contrast AF points and incredibly fast continuous shooting.
The amount of technology packed into this lightweight camera is almost unbelievable so expect amazing quality shots, as well. Part of this can be attributed to Sony’s new sensor, the Exmor R CMOS which combines with BIONZ X image processing for an extremely fast data readout speed.
The AF system is excellent for capturing marine life and busy scenes thanks to the 693 phase-detection AF with 425 contrast-detection AF which together covers about 93% of the entire image. This gives you incredibly clear details with natural contrast between darker and lighter sections.
Pair the Sony A7 III with this Meikon housing that has a dome port lens which is great for creative shots that are half above and half below water.
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2. Canon PowerShot G7X Mark II + Fantasea FG7X II Housing
Best for Beginners
| Depth Rating of Housing (of Recommended Housing) | 200 ft |
| Megapixels | 20.1 |
| Screen Type | 3in LCD touch screen |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | 1080p |
This compact and lightweight Canon (it only weighs 1.4 lbs) is great for those just starting out with underwater photography or don’t want want to be hauling around a more advanced and heavy DSLR. It has 20.1 megapixels and an aperture of f/1.8 in wide-angle mode and f/2.8 when it is fully zoomed in to 4.2x.
There is a 3 inch LCD touch screen that tilts so you can experiment with different angles while still seeing exactly what you are capturing. This can be useful when you are experimenting on the best angle for your underwater subject with different sources of light.
The G7X gives you good control over the white balance which is very important at lower depths where colors start to fade. The macro shots are of great quality, much better than you would expect from what is essentially just a point-and-shoot.
The most compatible housing is the Fantasea FG7X II which was specifically designed for this model.
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3. Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-RX100 + Fantasea FRX100V Housing
Best Focus
| Depth Rating (of Recommended Housing) | 200 ft |
| Megapixels | 20.1 |
| Screen Type | 4:3 LCD |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | 1080i |
A close competitor to the Canon GX7 is this Sony RX100. This little device works to your advantage with moving subjects thanks to the automatic viewfinder, AF detection with 315 autofocus points and world’s fastest autofocus of 0.05 seconds.
This is also a good option if you are hoping to take videos since it is capable of 4K quality. There is also a slow-motion video mode which captures 960 frames per second for truly awe-inspiring moments.
The LCD screen can tilt upwards and downwards but the movement is somewhat limited. However, it is a handy way to check your pictures while still diving.
Pair this Sony with the Fantasea FRX100V housing which fits the versions III, IV and V.
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4. Best Without Casing: Sealife MicroHD +
| Depth Rating | 200 ft |
| Megapixels | 13 |
| Screen Type | 2.4 in LCD display |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | 1080p HD |
The beauty of a Sealife camera is that it is flood-proof waterproof to an impressive depth of 200 feet without the need of a casing. There are also no O-rings which cuts down on the required maintenance, as well.
The 13 megapixels may not be as impressive as some of the conventional cameras on this list but this device can still capture incredibly sharp photos and even take 1080 HD videos. You can also create cool effects by using the fisheye lens to make fish and coral seem even closer than they are.
You might need extra lighting for this model, though. The company recommends the Sea Dragon 650 Micro Kit which includes a flood lumen light and grip.
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5. Olympus TG-870 + Olympus PT-058 Housing
Most Sturdy Design
| Depth Rating (of Recommended Housing) | 147 ft |
| Megapixels | 16.8 |
| Screen Type | 3in LCD |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | 1080p |
This rugged Olympus was made for extreme sports and difficult environments because it is already waterproof to 50 feet, freezeproof to 14 Fahrenheit, crushproof to 220 pounds of force and shockproof to a maximum drop of 7 feet. This is a truly tough design without skimping out on the image quality either.
It has 16.8 megapixels, an ultra-wide-angle, fisheye and lots of choice in the type of filter and scene mode so you can continuously adjust the settings to what the scene requires. Check the results on the 3 inch LCD screen that tilts up to 180 degrees which means you could even check yourself in a selfie.
There is a front LED light which is not the most powerful but it will prove useful when you are taking close-up photos and you need just a little extra front light.
Another reason why you should choose this model is for the many accessories that are specifically meant for taking better action shots. Olympus released its own housing the PT-058 for scuba diving purposes.
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6. Canon EOS Rebel T6i + Ikelite 6871.75 Underwater Camera Housing
Best Entry Level DSLR
| Depth Rating (of Recommended Housing) | 200 ft |
| Megapixels | 24.2 |
| Screen Type | 3in LCD |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | Full HD |
The Canon T61 is a popular DSLR for good reason; it is intuitive enough for beginners, takes great video, has a wide ISO range and can automatically adjust the exposure to deliver detailed but natural photos. Plus, this newest version in the T series has a built-in wireless connection for seamless sharing.
This model has a 19-point cross-type AF system which helps you capture moving marine life. Also, make sure to play around with the ISO to find just the right exposure without having to resort to strobes.
This is also a good option for taking scuba diving videos thanks to the 1080p HD quality and hybrid CMOS Auto Focus III which lets you change the focus just by moving your finger across the 3-inch touch screen. The standard format is MP4 which makes it easy to transfer to your laptop and share with friends.
A fantastic housing option is this Ikelite which is an underwater photographer’s dream. It has TTL, or through-the-lens flash, for better exposure and practically cutting out the recycling time so you don’t miss a beat between shots.
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7. Nikon D810 FX-format + Ikelite 6812.81 Underwater Camera Housing
Best for Professionals
| Depth Rating (of Recommended Housing) | 200 ft |
| Megapixels | 36.3 |
| Screen Type | 3in LCD |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | 1080p |
For the more advanced, this Nikon is a great choice for when you are looking for production quality shots, total control over settings and incredible resolution. It has 36.3 megapixels without an optical low-pass filter and shoots 1080p video in 24p – 60p.
This works great for high speed captures as well since it has unlimited continuous shooting and takes 5 – 7 frames per second depending on the chosen mode. The AF system is also impressive thanks to its predictive focus tracking that automatically adjust to get the best focus for the changing distance between the camera and subject.
Perhaps what is most pleasing about this device is the control that you get over lighting – a vital aspect of taking great underwater shots. It has highlight-weighted metering which gives you details in both the well-lit and darker areas, ISO auto-adjust and the EXPEED 4 for detail retention in the photo processing.
Ikelite has another housing design, specifically for the Nikon D810 which ensures you get the best exposure and great functionality made with high-quality sturdy materials.
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8. Canon EOS 7D Mark II + Ikelite 200DL 200′ Underwater Housing
Best Viewfinder
| Depth Rating (of Recommended Housing) | 200 ft |
| Megapixels | 20.2 |
| Screen Type | 3in LCD |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | Full HD |
The Canon 7D is popular for the precise focus which makes shooting moving schools of fish, other marine life and fellow divers much easier. It has an intelligent viewfinder that lets you change settings while keeping the viewfinder on the screen.
The autofocus system is another great feature that gives you more control over the shots you take. It has a 65 point all cross-type autofocus with options to choose between larger zones or a single point, enlarge specific focus points and smoothly transition between different light levels while still keeping details.
As for videos, this version can shoot in full HD with 60p. Even for video, the focus is still great thanks to the dual pixel CMOS autofocus and movie servo AF which lets you pinpoint focus points for continuous tracking with the corresponding adjustments.
The best housing for the Canon 7D is the Ikelite 200DL which recently includes a dry lock port system.
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9. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV + PULUZ Waterproof Camera Housing
Easy Switching Between Still – Video Mode
| Depth Rating (of Recommended Housing) | 130 ft |
| Megapixels | 30.4 |
| Screen Type | 3in LCD |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | 4K |
In all honesty, all the Canon D Series are suitable for underwater photography but the 5D, in particular, is a great versatile choice because of the smooth transition between taking photos to video. This version has a DIGIC 6+ image processor that allows you to switch in a matter of seconds into full HD video recording which you will be thankful for when you come upon a fast-moving surprise gem in the ocean.
Another impressive aspect is the 30.4-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor that ensures you are always shooting in high resolution. This delivers amazing professional shots with the right image quality for a variety of purposes, from magazine spreads to artful prints.
Its action recording is also fantastic for scuba divers since it can deliver 4K motion JPEG videos, partly due to the DIGIC 6+ technology that the D7 has, as well.
The ISO range is also very useful with the D5 having a standard range of ISO 100 – 32000 but you can expand this to an incredible 50 – 102400 which is excellent for low light situations. Pair this Canon with a Puluz housing which only goes up to 130 feet but you will have fun with ambient light in shallow waters thanks to the ISO specs.
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10. SeaLife DC2000 Underwater Scuba Diving Camera
Most User-Friendly
| Depth Rating (of Recommended Housing) | 200 ft |
| Megapixels | 13 |
| Screen Type | 2.4in LCD |
| Continuous Shooting | Yes |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Video | 1080p |
If you are looking for a truly low maintenance option then this is the model that you are looking for. The SeaLife Micro has 13 megapixels for sharpshooting under the sea and can also shoot 1080p HD videos at 30 frames per second.
This device has a depth rating of 200 feet, all on its own so there is no need for a dive casing. It is completely flood-proof and there are no o-rings for you to take care of.
This model is best paired with the Sea Dragon 650 Micro Kit that includes accessories like a flood lumen light and GoPro adapter that are all easily connected with the Flex-Connect mounting system. This is a truly user-friendly piece of dive gear that you won’t regret buying.
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