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Our Favorite BCD Pocket Underwater Cameras, Ranked
We often get questions about small cameras that either fit in a BCD pocket or can be clipped on to a BCD D-ring while diving.
Maybe you have a mirrorless or DSLR housing rig as your primary camera, but you want a backup in case something goes wrong. Maybe you shoot primarily stills on your main rig, and want something simple for video, or like the flexibility of different focal lengths. Or, maybe you just want your hands free a lot of the time and want something that can clip on and off when you’re ready for it.
This scenario is incredibly common, so we put together a list of our favorite cameras that can fit in a pocket or be clipped on and off of a BCD – for whatever your needs dictate.
And, at the end of this list, take a look at some of our preferred BCD clip options.
6. Your Smartphone in an Underwater Housing
Smartphone housings continue to increase in popularity, reflected by more brands jumping in with their own versions. As smartphone cameras get better, year after year, it makes sense for consumers to be increasingly motivated to take their smartphones – which are also increasingly water resistant – with them on dives. For example, the iPhone 13 Pro has more than 50% more light-gathering capabilities and stabilization in its camera than just one model back in the iPhone 12.
For a diver wanting a camera that fits in a BCD pocket, a smartphone in a housing might make a lot of sense. Our two most popular smartphones are from Kraken and from SeaLife.
The main thing holding these types of housings back has been the ergonomics, but the user interface continues to improve. Eventually, we will not be surprised if these types of housings are completely widespread in the dive photography world.
5. Sony RX100 VA and Ikelite Action Housing
This is such a great camera that it’s hard to put it at #5 on this list. The entire Sony RX100 line is terrific – the newest model, the RX100 Vii, rivals many mirrorless and DSLR cameras in terms of image quality and features. However, the RX100Vii is a little bit too bulky for most people looking to clip their camera on to their BCD. It can be done, but we like this much smaller combination of the RX100 VA (still an outstanding camera in this line) and the Ikelite Action Housing.
We also like this package from Fantasea, also including the RX100 VA. It’s not as streamlined as the action housing from Ikelite, but offers a bit better performance in terms of ergonomics.
4. GoPro Hero 10
The GoPro lineup continues to improve every year. In 2021, we got the newest model in the line: the GoPro Hero10. In our opinion, it’s the best GoPro release to date. The HERO10 Black shoots 5.3K video, 23MP photos, enhanced low-light performance and HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilization in all modes.
As a pocket or clip-on camera, this is a great option. It’s small enough to fit in a pocket, clip onto a BCD, or even mount on another underwater housing (see more on that, here).
Of this list, the GoPro is probably the easiest to use. It is also our favorite choice for photographers who want to simultaneously shoot video, or those who want to roll video footage without thinking about it.
They’re ready to shoot, with minimal adjustments, right out of the box. And, with a long line of GoPro filters available, you can add to them as you gain experience down the line. Check out some filters and other accessories available for GoPro, here.
3. Paralenz Vaquita
The Paralenz Vaquita in some ways is the ultimate BCD pocket camera – it’s the most streamlined option of any on this list. It’s also incredibly simple to use, and features an incredibly sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithm that automatically color corrects with depth.
The Vaquita captures in 4K, 4K HDR, or 1080p, and has a 0.95 inch(2.24cm) OLED true color display. It’s a pretty tough little camera – waterproof to over 1000 feet / 350 meters!
The only downside of this option is that it’s very skewed towards video features – but this is often more important in this category for users anyways. Of all of the options on this list, this camera is the most intelligent, and rivals the GoPro in terms of usability. We think the Vaquita is a better option than the GoPro in this case, particularly if video is your main pursuit. For all its features, the Vaquita only weighs 250 grams!
Check out the Vaquita, here.
2. Canon G7X III and Fantasea housing
The Canon G7X III is a great compact camera, and a good choice as a clip-on underwater camera with the Fantasea FG7X III housing. One of our most popular models, we’ve spent a lot of time with this model.
The G7x III has 1.0-inch 20.1 megapixel stacked CMOS sensor, which helps achieve high image quality and high performance. The fixed 24–100mm lens has an aperture range of f/1.8(wide)- f/2.8 (telephoto), performing well in lower light conditions.
The new DIGIC 8 image processor helps this model perform quickly and shoot up to 20.0 frames per second (or up to 30.0 fps in RAW burst mode with One Shot AF). We love the flexibility in post with the Canon RAW files that this machine puts out.
The Fantasea FG7XIII is relatively inexpensive and includes a leak detector. Our one complaint is the ergonomics of the shutter could be better, especially for those with large hands.
Overall, we think this is the best choice as a clip-on camera if you’re coming from Canon. In general, it’s a solid all-around option that can be used both above and below water.
We have this bundle of the G7XIII and Fantasea housing, here.
1. Olympus TG6 and housing
The Olympus TG6 and Olympus PT-059 housing is our favorite pocket or clip-on underwater camera. It’s affordable, tough as nails, waterproof to 15m without the housing, and still manages to make great images.
Compared to its closest competitor, the G7XIII (#2 on this list), the TG6 is cheaper and more ergonomic. We actually took both of these combinations to Oahu, Hawaii to compare them; check that out, here.
The flexibility of this camera is really what makes it the ideal pocket camera. It’s terrific for snorkeling, but can handle diving with ease in the PT059 housing. Its macro capabilities are second to none in the compact class, even without any accessories.
Without the housing, the TG6 really does fit in a BCD pocket. Even with the housing, the form factor is small and convenient, a good size to clip off. One of our contributors, Ian Donato, uses TG series cameras exclusively to make impressive images of the shallow water inhabitants of Cabbage Tree Bay, Sydney AU – you can see some examples here.
So, I have my camera. How do I attach it to my BCD?
Well, in some cases (like the smartphone housing, Vaquita, GoPro, and maybe the TG6 without a housing), these cameras can be held in the pocket of your BCD without any accessories.
But, I’ve found that I prefer to clip any of my cameras that aren’t in use to a D-ring on my BCD – this makes it easier and much faster to access your camera quickly if the need arises.
So, what’s the best way to clip my camera onto my BCD?
We like a good quality camera lanyard in these cases.
Check out this one from BTS (image below.)
These lanyards come in different lengths and styles, and it really comes down to your use – I like to clip my cameras on short leashes, very close to my body to avoid dangling or bouncing off the reef. This one, for example, is much shorter and geared towards action cameras like some of those in this list (image below.)
One nice thing about these leashes is they can shorten or lengthen greatly, based on whether or not the leash is clipped into a circle or unclipped into a straight leash.
This flexibility is really nice if you want the camera to stay clipped to yourself but you want more length to move around with your camera.
Those are are favorite pocket or clip-on cameras. We’d love some images of your clip-on setup in the field; send us some and we’ll add it! Would you change any of these rankings? Let us know!
- Choosing Your First Underwater Camera in 2026 – May 15, 2026
- Strobes or video lights? A head-to-head comparison for the underwater photographer – October 23, 2023
- Shooting Video AND Stills on the Same Dive [Guide] – April 6, 2023
1 comment
We bought the GoPro Hero 10 but are having trouble getting the settings right to shoot video that is well balanced in color. Do you have any suggestions for the settings?