If you’re looking to capture your underwater adventures, there are tons of the best underwater cameras for swimmers options today, with prices ranging from $400 to $2500 and beyond.
Whether you want something basic or fully loaded, there’s an underwater camera that will be perfect for your needs. These are the best underwater cameras for swimmers on the market today!
1. Nikon Coolpix W300: (Best camera for underwater videography)
The Nikon Coolpix W300 is a waterproof, shockproof, and freezeproof camera with an LCD screen that rotates on all three axes to be viewed from any angle.
A wrist strap makes it easy to carry while swimming and diving, making it easier to take photos in challenging conditions. Built-in Wi-Fi allows you to share your photos as soon as you shoot them or use your phone or tablet as a remote control. You also get manual controls for creative flexibility and long battery life.
The camera comes with 16 megapixels, meaning your pictures will come out clear even when shooting through water. However, note that many of these features require purchasing a memory card separately from other accessories.
2. DJI Osmo Action: (Best video camera for underwater filming)
You’ll find many GoPro rivals trying to claim the top spot for best action cam, but there’s only one real contender here, and that’s DJI. The latest Osmo Action may not have 4K video recording capabilities like some other models, but its stabilization system is awe-inspiring.
A bonus is that you don’t need to lug around a backpack or case – it comes with a handy waterproof case and is ready to go straight out of the box. And with up to 12 hours of battery life and a hefty 128GB storage capacity, you can film plenty of fantastic footage without worrying about running out of space.
3. GoPro HERO10: (Best camera for underwater video)
The GoPro HERO10 makes a great underwater camera for swimmers due to its compact size and reasonable price. The battery life is decent (around 2 hours per charge), making it great for quick action-cam shots, though it doesn’t come with a screen.
If you prefer, there’s also an option to buy it without wifi, but that will bump up the price considerably ($300-$400). If you want an underwater camera for your pool or lake activities and don’t mind investing some research into finding good deals on accessories, then look no further than GoPro. It’s also got all of your basic controls like fast/slow motion/timer functions and is super easy to operate.
4. GoPro Hero9: (Best camera for underwater photo and video)
GoPro just announced its latest action camera – and it looks like a significant improvement over its predecessors. It’ll be better than ever for swimming or water sports with an all-new design, voice control (for better photo tagging), zoom lens, and touchscreen display. But what other cameras are there? We look at seven of your best options if you need a waterproof action camera for swimming or snorkeling.
5. Olympus TG5: (Best underwater camera for freediving)
Olympus makes the best underwater camera for swimmers. It’s not just a point-and-shoot with excellent features—it’s also rugged, with a tough waterproof exterior that can survive drops of up to six feet. You can get it in black or silver, and there are three color options if you want a colored case: pink, yellow, or orange. There’s a 12-megapixel camera on its backside, which is capable of taking 4K video as well as still shots.
6. GoPro HERO8: (Best underwater action camera for scuba diving)
The new GoPro HERO8 is now equipped with super-slow-motion video and can take full HD video at 240 frames per second and photos. It also boasts a touchscreen and voice controls. You can shoot an entire dive without ever taking it out of its waterproof case, thanks to its 5MP image sensor.
The best part? The camera itself is waterproof to 33 feet without any additional accessories! With such a wide array of filming options, you’ll want to be able to review your footage in high definition. In fact, there’s even an in-camera video editor available for playback right on your screen, so you don’t have to spend time downloading it onto your computer afterward!
7. Olympus TG-6: (Best underwater video camera for snorkeling)
If you want a rugged, waterproof, and high-performance point-and-shoot camera with a fun macro lens that comes in at a great price, check out Olympus’ TG-6. The TG-6 has a fixed f/2.0 lens that lets in more light and means your photos will have good definition even in darker areas of your frame. Plus, it’s dustproof, freeze-proof down to 14°F, and shockproof up to 7 feet (or 2 meters).
It has 12 megapixels of resolution and captures 4K video on top of 1080p HD video and slow-motion video at 120 frames per second. It doesn’t do true 4K photo capture like some models, but it does allow you to capture 6MB images for later use.
8. Canon PowerShot D30: (Best underwater video camera for swimmers)
The D30 is a simple, affordable, and compact point-and-shoot camera that’s perfect for beginners who want to try out underwater photography. It features a 1/2.3-inch, backside-illuminated CMOS sensor with 12 megapixels of resolution, which can take beautiful images even when submerged up to 10 feet deep.
The downside is that it doesn’t have many manual controls or any type of advanced autofocus; if you’re looking for those things, you’ll need to look elsewhere. One nice touch is its rugged housing, which helps protect it from scratches and other damage whether it’s underwater or not.