17 Best Underwater Cameras for Snorkeling and Diving Photography (2022)

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My list of the best underwater cameras (for diving and snorkeling) in 2022!

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Let’s face it:

There are a lot of picturesque sceneries and landscapes when you drive around the country, but the underwater world offers another kind of amazing sights to see.

And if you to explore the world beneath the blue waters, you’d want to capture them not only with your eyes but with the right submersible camera as well.

So that’s what I’m going to help you with today.

There’s a wide selection of these products, from action cams to DSLRs, and you can find one that suits your needs. (With the waterproof housing for certain products.)

To speed your research up:

• Click here for the best waterproof action cameras for diving and snorkeling
• Click here for some of the top rated compacts/point-and-shooters
• Click here for mirrorless and DSLRs for underwater photography in 2022

Whether you’re into scuba diving, snorkeling, participating in any other kind of water-related activities, you’ll find a great camera for underwater photography.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

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GoPro HERO 8 Black

• Weight: 126 g
• Dimensions: 66.3W x 48.6H x 28.4D (mm)
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 4K at 60 fps, 2.7K @120 fps
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Waterproof: Yes, 10m without case
• Battery Life: 2 hours

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GoPro Hero 8 is one of the most popular and most coveted action camera for adventure seekers (both on the ground and underwater). Well, you really can’t blame them because this beauty definitely has a lot of features worth the high recognition.

(Although in 2022, GoPro Hero 9 and Hero 10 are the latest and the greatest models.)

In fact…

GoPro Hero 8 is currently considered to be one of the best underwater cameras for snorkeling, since it’s really functional, practical and handy. (And it costs a bit cheaper than the newest versions.)

Weighing only 126g, it’s a really great underwater photography gear that will not add unnecessary baggage when snorkeling.

Another great feature of this product is that it comes with an image stabilizer, which makes it great for capturing action-packed underwater activities (with minimal shake and blurs in resulting videos and photos).

And that’s what most of us wants from an action cam, right?

It also has a built-in GPS and supports voice control feature. You can also do live streaming with this product so that your friends and family can see the amazing adventures you are up to real time. Just connect it to the app on your mobile device.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Super lightweight
• Pocket-size
• Waterproof up to 10m even without a case
• Voice Control
• Functional touchscreen
• Frameless design

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Short battery life
• Expensive
• Smaller screen than its counterparts

READ ALSO: Are GoPro Cameras Waterproof?

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Garmin VIRB Ultra 30

• Weight: 155 g (with waterproof housing and battery)
• Dimensions: 57.7 x 79 x 33.5mm (with housing)
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 120 fps
• Connectivity: ANT+, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Waterproof: Yes, 40m with the housing
• Battery life: 1hr15m (4K at 30 fps), 2hr12m (1080p at 30 fps)

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VIRB Ultra 30 is a tight competitor of GoPro action cams, and they don’t disappoint too. GARMIN created a really packed underwater photography gear in such a tiny body, which makes it so much more commendable.

The best thing about this product is that it comes with its own sturdy waterproof housing that allows VIRB Ultra to dive well up to 40m. It’s one of the reasons why it is known as the best underwater camera for scuba diving.

This beauty also has a really excellent photo and video resolution, something close to that of premium compacts and even midrange DSLRs. So, you get to capture wonderful underwater moments and actions without missing out on a single detail.

But…

The best part of it all is that it has a lot of connectivity features, something very useful in transferring files from the device to the computer, or even directly to your social media accounts.

✓ What you might like about it:

• 4K videos at high speed frame rate
• Excellent waterproofing
• ANT+ connectivity
• Live streaming
• 3-axis electronic image stabilization

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Battery life doesn’t last that long
• Electronic image stabilization only works on images and not on videos

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DJI Osmo Action

• Weight: 124 g
• Dimensions: 65 x 42 x 35 mm
• Photo Resolution: 12MP
• Video Resolution: 4K
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Touchscreen: Yes (back screen only)
• Waterproof: Yes, 11m without case (60m with the case)
• Battery Life: 2hr15m (1080p at 30fps)

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This is another spectacular product that you might want to get your hands on. It’s a really great item for a variety of reasons and one of those is that it has 2 screens (front and back).

The back part is a fully functional touchscreen where you can control everything Osmo Action does. As for the front screen, it is for viewing purposes only.

Why does this feature hype up this DJI product?

We are in the “selfie” era where people love to take self-portraits to show what they are currently doing. And with DJI’s dual screen action camera, you can do just that. You get to see what the lens is seeing through the front viewing screen (serves as your mirror as well) before it captures the scene.

This gives you the opportunity to strike that perfect pose you want to achieve.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Dual screen
• ROCKSTEADY image stabilization technology
• Rugged build
• 8x slow motion shooting

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Pretty low battery life 
• No built-in GPS

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Paralenz Vaquita Dive+

• Weight: 240 g
• Dimensions: 128 x 40 x 43mm
• Photo Resolution: 8MP
• Video Resolution: 4K at 30 fps
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
• Touchscreen: No
• Waterproof: Yes, 250m
• Battery life: 3 hours

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This is a great underwater camera built by divers specifically for enthusiasts and pros.

Right now, it is the best value action camera that can be used under deep and cool waters (saline or fresh).

It has a very simple yet highly functional design, with only two control buttons available. It has the ability to capture and record footages to as deep as 200m, something beyond what a normal DSLR, compact, mirrorless or tiny action cams can do.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Auto color correction
• Lightweight
• Underwater vibration
• Can go as deep as 200m without external case

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Lack of viewfinder

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You see…

The aforementioned tiny action cameras are really great for underwater photography because of its size and portability, but that’s not without a trade-off, of course.

As you may have already noticed, all these tiny gears have maximum operating hours of about 2 hours. If you wish to use it for longer hours, you will need spare batteries or a power bank for it.

But overall, these are great products for underwater action.

You can also consider (ultra) compact or point-and-shooters with 1-inch sensor or larger.

There are plenty of compact cameras that perform well during dives and scuba sessions with the help of proper waterproof housing, and here are some of those:

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Sony RX0 II

• Weight: 132g
• Dimensions: 59mm x 40.5mm x 35mm
• Photo Resolution: 15MP
• Video Resolution: 4K
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
• Touchscreen: No
• Waterproof: Yes
• Battery: 2hr (still images), 1hr (continuous video shooting)

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We all know that Sony performs well when it comes to mirrorless and compacts, but this product proves there’s so much more this manufacturer can give us.

(The RX0 II looks like an action cam, but officially it’s in the ultra-compact camera category.)

A pocket sized photography gear with a superb 15MP resolution is just what most of us need this time.

Aside from the fact that it’s really portable and super lightweight, it also has a very practical design. If you don’t want to carry it around by hand, you can just mount it onto something else (a helmet, or bag handle) and it will still capture great footages of your adventures.

Although it doesn’t have dual screen like that of DJI, Sony compensated that with an articulated rear LCD. Because of this feature, you can view what the lens is seeing from the front.

You just simply have to rotate the LCD and tilt it up a little bit, and then voila! You got yourself a nice “selfie” action cam.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Articulated LCD
• Simple button layout
• Robust build able to withstand extreme weather conditions
• Outstanding resolution even when viewing from larger screen

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Short battery life
• Premium pricing 

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Panasonic LX100 II

• Type: Large sensor compact
• Weight: 392 g
• Resolution: 17MP, 4736×3552
• Sensor Size: 4/3” (17.3 x 13mm)
• LCD Screen: Fixed, 3”
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 200 – 25600 (expands down to 100)

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Compacts are pretty great for underwater photography mainly because it offers higher resolution than action cameras and lighter build than professional DSLRs. Basically it falls in between these two types of gears and is probably the safest one you can get right now.

Panasonic LX100 II comes with a large sensor (considering that it is a compact camera and not a mirrorless SLR). The resulting images and videos are excellently sharp.

Another great feature present in LX100 II is its ultra fast zoom lens. With the size of 24-75mm lens and aperture of 1.7-2.8, it’s definitely a perfect one for underwater dive shots.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Super fast zoom lens
• 4K video
• Great color rendering capabilities
• Excellent wide angle shots
• Ultra sharp macro photos

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Fixed lens
• Limited underwater ports and casings available

? Best underwater housing for Panasonic LX100 II:

• Nauticam NA-LX100II
• Nauticam NA-LX100II Pro
• Ikelite Leica D-LUX Type 109 for LX100II 

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SeaLife DC2000

• Type: Large sensor compact
• Weight: 234 g
• Resolution: 20MP, 5472×3648
• Sensor Size: 1” (13.2 x 8.8mm)
• LCD Screen: Fixed, 3”
• Touchscreen: No
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 125 – 25600

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This is one of the best underwater shooting gear for beginners and enthusiasts. Whether you are an aspiring diver or a photography enthusiast who wants to explore the underwater world, DC2000 is a good product to start with.

Though it may not be as popular as its major rivals from Sony and Panasonic, it will serve you well and save you lots of bucks in the long run.

DC2000 has a robust design with a metal exterior. It can withstand pressure and drop test showed it remains undamaged when dropped at a height of 5ft.

The good thing about this little buddy is that it is waterproof and can be used 20 meters deep without a case.

If you want to dive down further, you can still use DC2000 by using its waterproof housing (and this comes with the package usually). With the casing, it can go down to as deep as 60m.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Weather-sealed
• Waterproof
• Sturdy build
• Large aperture
• Strong macro capabilities

✕ What you might not like about it:

• User interface needs improvement
• Some features inaccessible when used underwater

? Best underwater housing for SeaLife DC2000:

• SeaLife DC2000 Underwater Housing 

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Canon Powershot G7X III

• Type: Compact
• Weight: 304 g
• Resolution: 20MP, 5472×3648
• Sensor Size: 1” (13.2 x 8.8mm)
• LCD Screen: Tilting, 3”
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: No

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With great macro capabilities like a full-sized DSLR, you can just do so much underwater with a Canon Powershot G7X III with a housing case. It is packed with powerful features in a tiny body.

It sports a DIGIC 8 processor that just makes everything about it absolutely amazing. There have been a number of upgrades from its predecessor G7X II and that includes a faster burst speed, slow motion video and 4K video shooting.

When used under cold and deep waters, this powerhouse still functions really great, all the more reason why you should consider getting it.

The best thing about it is that it now has a tilting LCD that allows you to flip it up by 180 degrees so that it faces towards the direction where the lens is pointing. This lets you take awesome underwater selfies effortlessly.

✓ What you might like about it:

• DIGIC 8 image processor
• 180 degrees tilting LCD
• Fully functional touchscreen

✕ What you might not like about it:

• No built-in viewfinder
• No headphone jack

? Best underwater housing for Canon G7X III:

• Fantasea Canon G7 X III
• Nauticam Canon G7 X III 

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Sony RX100 VII

• Type: Compact
• Weight: 302 g
• Resolution: 20MP, 5472×3648
• Sensor Size: 1” (13.2 x 8.8mm)
• LCD Screen: Tilting, 3”
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 125-12800

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This controversial product is a deal-breaker.

Although it is not part of its flagship models, it borrows significant features from its pro-grade siblings. It adapted the AF system of other higher end Sony cameras, making it a covetable item for underwater photography.

The best thing about this product is that it is very simple and easy to use, both on ground and underwater. Also, it now comes with a microphone jack that is perfect for vlogging (on ground).

✓ What you might like about it:

• Articulating screen for selfie fanatics
• Microphone jack
• Excellent resolution
• Great for macro photos

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Tiny control buttons

? Best underwater housing for Sony RX100 VII:

• Nauticam Sony RX100 VII Pro
• Ikelite Sony RX100 VII Underwater Housing 

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Canon Powershot G16

• Type: Compact
• Weight: 356 g
• Resolution: 12MP, 4000×3000
• Sensor Size: 1/1.7” (7.44 x 5.58mm)
• LCD Screen: Fixed, 3”
• Touchscreen: No
• Weather-sealed: No
• ISO: Auto, 80-12800

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Here is another great contender for the best underwater compacts this year. Canon Powershot G16 may look small but it really does a lot of great thing for its size.

Canon is known for its perfect white balance across all camera types and G16 is not an exemption. It is one of the main reasons why this product is highly favored by divers.

No matter the lighting condition, it still gives you great quality and bright images, perfect for your underwater escapade.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Fast and accurate AF system for a compact
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• Easier photo sharing
• Sharp images

✕ What you might not like about it:

• LCD not articulated
• No in-body GPS

? Best underwater housing for Canon Powershot G16:

• Recsea WHC-G16 Housing
• Nautica NA-G16 Housing 

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Olympus Tough TG-6

• Type: Compact
• Weight: 253 g
• Resolution: 12MP, 4000×3000
• Sensor Size: ½.3” (6.17 x 4.55 mm)
• LCD Screen: Fixed, 3”
• Touchscreen: No
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 12800

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If you are looking for a good cheap underwater camera that is very beginner friendly, then this one is definitely for you.

Unlike most of the compact cameras mentioned above, TG-6 is already waterproof even without an underwater housing. Equipped with rugged out casing, TG-6 is able to withstand extreme weather conditions and underwater pressure.

And an awesome thing about this product?

It’s significantly cheaper than its rivals, but having the quality that is at par, or sometime even better, than the more pricey options. It truly deserves to be recognized as the best budget scuba camera to ever exist yet.

Many of you probably heard that TG-6 is a great alternative for smartphones, but that is not entirely true. Your phones still got a lot of features that a compact cannot even get close to (especially for connectivity and messaging features).

It is only a great substitute for high end phones when you talk about underwater photography and that’s mainly because it is shockproof and waterproof while most smartphones aren’t.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Strong build
• Built to withstand abuse (weather and physical factors)
• Excellent macro capabilities

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Image quality inferior to counterparts with bigger sensors 

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Did you know that you can turn your ordinary DSLR into a great underwater camera today?

The secret is to use a separate waterproof housing for your beloved DSLRs.

And because there are a wide array of options available for various professional cameras, so if you already have camera, finding a housing for yours isn’t going to be much of a problem.

Are you ready to transform your old beauty into an excellent underwater photography device? If yes, then read on…

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Nikon D850

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 1005 g
• Resolution: 45MP, 8256 x 5504
• Sensor Size: FX (35.9 x 23.9mm)
• LCD Screen: Tilting, 3.2”
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 64 – 25600 (expands to 32 – 102400)

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When you talk about high end, pro-grade DSLRs, you can never leave Nikon D850 out no matter what. It is one of the absolute best options on the market right now.

This includes:

• taking landscape and nature shots
• hybrid shooting (both videos and stills)
• low light photography
• doing portrait photography

Since it is a professional camera, you can expect a lot of great stills and videos from this beauty (paired with your awesome photography skills of course).

Its in-body image stabilization and allows you to capture movements both on the ground and underwater. Another reason why you should consider using Nikon D850 as an alternative underwater camera is its robust and premium build.

It is weather-sealed so you can be sure that it can withstand even the harshest conditions (including the pressure under the water).

D850 also has great AF system that lets you capture moving subjects with ease. It also performs so well in lowlight conditions, a perfect feature for underwater shoots since you cannot really bring in that much light equipments underneath the waves.

This made them bag the best DSLR underwater camera title this year.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Full frame sensor
• 45MP resolution
• Excellent image stabilization
• Excellent performance even in low light
• Fast and accurate AF system

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Expensive
• Heavier than action cameras
• The unit itself isn’t waterproof

? Best waterproof housings for Nikon D850:

• Sea & Sea D850 Underwater Housing
• Aquactica AD850 Housing
• Ikelite 200DL Nikon D850
• Nauticam NA-D850 

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Canon 5D IV

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 890g
• Resolution: 30MP, 6720 x 4480
• Sensor Size: FX (36 x 24mm)
• LCD Screen: Fixed, 3.2”
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 32000 (expands to 50-102400)

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Canon 5D IV is a popular rival of Nikon D850. Both gears perform so well, and are almost at par with each other. However, there are things that a Canon camera can offer, and there are some that only Nikon can (there’s no denying that).

The good thing about 5D IV is that it produces photos with superb color and sharpness despite bad lighting conditions. Also, using high ISO levels on this camera will not create as much digital noise as that of its major counterparts.

But why bother using a pro-grade camera under water when you can use smaller and cheaper action cameras?

The answer is simple: there are features that can only be availed using DSLRs.

The greatest advantage of using this camera for underwater photography is that it has a great autofocus system, something you don’t see in tiny action cams out there.

If you wish to really capture every detail that you see under the water, then I highly suggest you use DSLRs with the proper waterproof housing.

A professional underwater camera like Canon 5D IV also has a wider field of view (bigger lens) compared to that of pocket-sized underwater photography gears. This only means you get to capture a wider scene, not missing anything important in the background.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Superb dynamic range
• Tack sharp images
• Great RAW buffer speeds
• High Resolution
• 4K Movie Mode
• Great white balance, even under water

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Premium price tag
• In-body focus peaking not available
• Overly large file size for 4K videos

? Best waterproof housings for Canon 5D IV:

• Ikelite 5D IV Housing
• Isotta 5D IV Housing
• Aquatica A5DIV
• Subal CD5M4 

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Nikon D7200

• Type: Mid-sized SLR
• Weight: 765 g
• Resolution: 24MP, 6000×4000
• Sensor Size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.6mm)
• LCD Screen: Fixed, 3.2”
• Touchscreen: No
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 25600, expands to 102400

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Look…

It is undeniable that trends keep progressing over time.

This is very true especially for wedding shoots. In the past, you only get to photograph pre-nuptial shots inside the studio, but today some couples are taking it a little extra, like going for underwater wedding photos.

Yes, that’s right. Many couples have already stepped up their pre-nup game (especially those who really love diving, and the just the seawaters generally).

They do photo sessions underwater, which is a very challenging task, by the way. But the resulting images are insanely great and creative. It’s worth all the hassle.

If you are up to the challenge to be an underwater wedding photographer, then it would be great to invest in a professional camera like Nikon D7200.

Don’t worry about it not being originally designed as an underwater gear because there’s a lot of available separate waterproof housing for it.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Excellent image resolution
• Cheaper than its pro-grade Nikon siblings
• Sharp images
• Great APS-C sensor

✕ What you might not like about it:

• No touchscreen
• Live view needs improvement
• Overly warm tones and hues for Auto white balance

? Best underwater housing for Nikon D7200:

• Nauticam Nikon D7200 Ultimate Package (Premium)
• Sea & Sea Nikon D7200 Waterproof Housing
• Ikelite Nikon D7100/D7200 

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Canon EOS 6D II

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 765 g
• Resolution: 26MP, 6240×4160
• Sensor Size: FX (35.9 x 24mm)
• LCD Screen: Fully articulated, 3”
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100 – 40000 (expands to 50-102400)

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EOS 6D II is a nice and tough entry-level DSLR equipped with awesome features. It features a full frame sensor that allows you to capture great images both in well-lit and low light venues.

Another notable feature of this product is its 45-point AF system. It’s a fast and accurate autofocus system so you will be able to track and capture your subjects, still or moving, without missing any detail.

And of course, the white balance is perfect even under the deep waters since it captures natural light in a really superb way.

(By the way, this is a feature of Canon cameras that give them superiority when it comes to low light photography.)

✓ What you might like about it:

• 26MP resolution
• Affordable alternative to flagship counterparts
• Built-in GPS and Wi-Fi connectivity
• Fast and accurate AF system

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Doesn’t have in-body flash
• Video resolution only up to 1080p

? Best underwater housing for Canon EOS 6D II:

• Ikelite DL Port Mount Underwater DSLR Housing
• Nauticam NA-6DNKII
• Nimar N3D DSLR Housing 

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Nikon D7500

• Type: Mid-size SLR
• Weight: 720 g
• Resolution: 21MP, 5568×3712
• Sensor Size: APS-C (23.5 x 15.7mm)
• LCD Screen: Tilting, 3.2”
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 100-51200 (expands to 50 – 1640000)

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If you are looking for a photography gear that offers great value for money, then this one’s for you.

In fact, this body won the international EISA Award too.

Nikon D7500 is a great alternative for premium DSLRs if you don’t want to spend a lot on a camera body alone. It still offers surprisingly awesome features that come close to its pro-grade rivals, something definitely worth checking out.

We all know how good Nikon cameras work on ground, but did you know that it really works well under water too?

Yes, surprisingly, the D7500 performed so well under deep waters and proved that it can replace resolution action cameras in a snap. 

Also, D7500 has a wide array of compatible lenses so you get to freely choose which one best fits the underwater photo shoot you are planning to undertake.

This beauty also has a good dynamic range and high ISO levels don’t make as much digital noise as other rivals.

✓ What you might like about it:

• 4K video
• Excellent dynamic range
• Robust build
• Under $1500

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Fairly heavy
• Requires a separate housing (additional cost)

? Best underwater housing for Nikon D7500:

• Subal ND7500 Housing
• Isotta D7500 Underwater Case
• Aquatica AD7500 

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Panasonic Lumix GH5

• Type: SLR-style mirrorless
• Weight: 725 g
• Resolution: 20MP, 5184×3888
• Sensor Size: 4.3” (17.3 x 13mm)
• LCD Screen: Fully articulated, 3.2”
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Weather-sealed: Yes
• ISO: Auto, 200-25600

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The awesome thing about having a mirrorless SLR is that you get to have a more lightweight device with almost features that are close enough, or sometimes at par, with its bigger rivals.

Right now, Panasonic Lumix GH5 is the one of the top rated mirrorless for underwater photography.

It has a strong magnesium alloy body that can withstand extreme weather conditions without taking damage. In short, you get to use it rain or shine without too much problem at all.

This product is also rated as the best underwater video camera, and this is probably because of its awesome 4K video recording mode.

For some cameras that support 4K formats, the max resolution is not fully utilized, but that’s not the case with Lumix GH5. It uses the full width of the sensor, allowing you to capture the best 4K underwater footage ever.

Pretty great, indeed.

✓ What you might like about it:

• Cheaper than rivals with similar features
• Simple menu layout
• Fast burst rate
• Excellent video and photo resolution even in low light
• Great image stabilizer

✕ What you might not like about it:

• Higher ISO levels can produce significant digital noise
• Focus system needs improvement

? Best underwater housing for Panasonic Lumix GH5:

• Seacam Panasonic GH5 Housing
• Isotta Panasonic GH5 Underwater Case
• Nauticam NA-GH5V 

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Best Cameras for Underwater Photography 2022

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There you have it!

If you are a fan of fun water activities, then I’m sure you’d want to capture your exciting adventures with the best underwater cameras in 2022.

Those are the best options you can get to capture your ultimate underwater experience, whether it’s scuba diving, snorkeling, sweet vacation moments, and even wedding photography.

Make sure you choose the right gear with the right housing where appropriate and get ready to transform your ordinary summer swim into a memorable one!

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