{"id":9302,"date":"2023-05-01T09:00:31","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T09:00:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.housingcamera.com\/blog\/?p=9302"},"modified":"2023-10-19T18:20:08","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T18:20:08","slug":"best-underwater-cameras","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.housingcamera.com\/blog\/buying-guides\/best-underwater-cameras","title":{"rendered":"Best Underwater Cameras for 2023: The year of the Mirrorless Cameras"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Mirrorless cameras are on the rise …<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/p>\n

As divers and underwater photographers, we at Mozaik Underwater Cameras understand the difficulty of choice. With so many great cameras out there, which type of underwater camera is best for you \u2013 compact? Mirrorless? DSLR? And which camera model is right for you?<\/p>\n

In this in-depth article, we’ve put together a thorough list of the best underwater cameras available in 2022 in all categories, as well as detailed the top features you have to consider when selecting your underwater camera.<\/p>\n

BTW, worth noting that COVID significantly slowed down R&D and the introduction of new cameras.\u00a0 For example the Olympus TG-6 and Cann G7X III have been the latest models in their category for more than 3.5 years. Lucky for us, they are good cameras.<\/p>\n

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This article was originally co-written by\u00a0Ran Mor<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0Brandi Mueller\u00a0<\/strong>and\u00a0updated\u00a0by Tal Mor and Morgan Bennett-Smith<\/strong>. We’ll keep updating the article as new models are released or discontinued.\u00a0Last updated October 2023. <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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Here is a quick list of our top underwater cameras:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Entry Level Compacts (Camera+Housing Below $1200, worth mentioning a Gopro is also an option at $400)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Olympus TG-6 \/ TG-7<\/a>\u00a0|\u00a0Canon G7X Mark III<\/a><\/p>\n

High-end Compacts (Camera+Housing $1,100-$1799)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony RX100 Mark VII<\/a> | Panasonic LX 10\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

Micro 4\/3 Mirrorless Cameras<\/strong><\/p>\n

Panasonic GH6<\/a> |OM System (Olympus) OM1<\/a> |Olympus E-M1 Mark III<\/a> |Olympus OM-D EM-10 IV<\/a><\/p>\n

Cropped Sensor Mirrorless Cameras<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony A6600<\/a> | Canon R7 <\/a>| Canon R10<\/a> | Canon R50\u00a0<\/a> |\u00a0Canon R100<\/a><\/p>\n

Full Frame Mirrorless Cameras<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sony A1<\/a> | Canon EOS R5<\/a> | Nikon Z7 II<\/a> | Sony A7S III<\/a> | Canon R8<\/a> | Nikon Z8<\/a><\/p>\n

Full-Frame and\u00a0Cropped DSLR<\/strong><\/p>\n

Nikon D850<\/a> | Canon 5D IV<\/a> | Canon EOS 250D \/ Rebel SL3<\/a><\/p>\n

Cameras We’re Excited to see in 2023<\/strong><\/p>\n

OM5<\/a>\u00a0| Canon R1<\/a> | Sony A7R V<\/a><\/p>\n

What to consider when looking for the best compact camera for underwater photography?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In many ways, compact cameras are an ideal choice for underwater photography.<\/p>\n

As divers, we all know how difficult it is to carry all this gear, especially when traveling to remote locations. Size is a huge consideration! Since an external housing is needed and is usually 2-3 times larger than the camera itself, you want the camera to be as small as possible, to begin with.<\/p>\n

A few years back, getting a compact camera was a major compromise on quality compared to higher-end DSLR’s<\/a>. However, these days, technology has advanced so much that compact cameras are extremely capable of producing stunning image quality, which can be used even for commercial purposes, large prints and photo contests.<\/p>\n

When choosing a compact camera for underwater use, these are the top features you should consider:<\/p>\n

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  1. Size<\/strong>
    \nSmall size is a big advantage when choosing an underwater camera. However, some people actually prefer a larger camera and feel more secure or steady with it. Especially when shooting topside. A small camera in big hands may feel somewhat awkward.<\/li>\n
  2. Battery life<\/strong>
    \nA smaller size means a smaller battery. Having good battery life means fewer battery swaps which require opening the housing and risking the seal between dives.<\/li>\n
  3. Lens and minimum focus distance<\/strong>
    \nSince compact cameras have fixed lenses, it’s important to notice which lens you’re getting. Sony has excellent Zeiss optics, which are regarded very highly in the industry. Panasonic uses Leica which is also famous for super sharp optics.
    \nMake sure you notice the zoom range and how wide your widest setting is (24mm is standard these days).
    \nThe minimum focus distance is very important if you plan on shooting macro photography without any additional accessories.<\/li>\n
  4. Housing options<\/strong>
    \nThis is crucial if you plan to use this camera underwater. Some camera models have little or no housing options, so even if the camera is perfect for you, you may end up disappointed with your housing. Some models are very popular among housing manufacturers, such as the ones mentioned here, so there are plenty of options to choose from.<\/li>\n
  5. Video Capabilities<\/strong>
    \nMany compact users like to shoot a mix of both photos and videos. Compact cameras are excellent for this since most of them produce great video and make it very easy to switch between the video and stills. If you plan on shooting a lot of videos, make sure you compare the video capabilities between different models. Some offer more features and can do neat tricks such as super slow motion.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    Best Entry Level Compact Underwater Cameras<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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    \"Olympus<\/a><\/p>\n

    Olympus TG-6 \/ TG-7<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The Olympus TG-7 <\/a>is an incredible imaging tool.<\/strong> It is the new model of the TG-6 and very similar to it. This camera is still the best selling compact camera for underwater photography as of Oct. 2023. Built with adventure seekers in mind, it’s shockproof, freezeproof, waterproof (to 45ft without the housing), dustproof and basically lifeproof. It was only natural that divers would adopt it as the go-to camera to document their adventures. Olympus has always targeted its Tough series towards divers by producing their own underwater housings to increase the depth limit and allow external accessories to be mounted such as lenses and lights.<\/p>\n

    The TG-7 is the most recent in the popular series and like its predecessors, it has become incredibly popular among underwater photographers.<\/p>\n

    TG-6 \/ TG-7 Highlights<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Sensor<\/th>\n12 MP 1\/2.33″ inch<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Lens<\/th>\n25mm – 100mm , F2.0 – F4.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Video<\/th>\n4K (30fps), 1080p (120fps)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Minimum Focus Distance<\/th>\nStandard – 10cm, Super Macro: 1cm – 30cm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    ISO<\/th>\n100 – 12800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Burst Shooting<\/th>\nUp to 20fps<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Special Features<\/th>\nLifeproof, Microscope mode,\u00a0Field Sensor System (GPS, Temperature and more), HDR<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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    Pros<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n