6 Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography: (2023 Guide & Reviews)

Last Updated on August 30, 2023 by Sharon Advik

Life under the sea is quite fascinating.

It is a unique and captivating environment that offers a different perspective on the world.

Growing up, I’ve always seen it in movies or TV channels.

I’ve always wanted to experience it and click photos of them to capture these beautiful moments.

The aspect of underwater photography that makes it interesting is its technical challenge.

I’ve grown tired of old-school genres.

Hence, underwater photography piqued my interest.

As light behaves differently underwater, specialized equipment, such as underwater housing for their cameras and familiarity with the physics of light, becomes necessary.

I found this exciting and rewarding because I love experimenting with different techniques and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

And that’s how I discovered the best digital camera for underwater photography.

Which is the Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography?

Here are my recommended top 6 Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography:-

Sony RX100 VII: (Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography)

Almost 70% of the earth is water, yet we know little about it.

Underwater photography was the only way to start learning more about it.

I had to break from the daily monotony and immerse myself into another genre with other rules and aesthetics.

It allowed me to capture beautiful moments using the best digital camera for underwater photography.

Features:

• Model: Sony RX100 VII
• Effective Megapixel: 20 MP
• Image sensor: 13.2 x 8.8 mm (stacked CMOS)
• ISO range: 125-12800
• Shutter speeds: 1/2000 sec
• Storage: SD/ SDHC/SDXC,
• LCD: 3.0-inch tilting LCD
• Dimension: 102 x 58 x 43 mm
• Weight: 302 g

ISO / Shutter Speed:

I started my underwater photography journey by learning the basics of diving and such genres.

Since it was my first time, I went topical diving.

Hence, I used a low ISO to avoid noise in the image and a fast shutter speed to freeze any subject’s motion.

A shutter speed of 1/125th sec or faster was good enough for me to capture small or fast-moving subjects such as fish.

Aperture / Depth of Field:

Another reason why it is an excellent camera for underwater photography is because it has the largest aperture from f/2. 8 at a wide angle to F4.

5 at telephoto, which allows for excellent low-light performance.

The camera also has a 24-200mm zoom lens, which gives you a wide range of focal lengths to work with

White Balance / Frame Rate:

It can take brief bursts at 90 fps and shoot blackout-free at 20 fps.

However, the camera’s performance can be affected when underwater, as the water can interfere with the camera’s ability to focus, and the camera’s seals may be partially watertight.

Why is this camera the best?

The best thing about this camera is its image stabilization, useful for capturing steady shots while photographing in the water.

Additionally, It has good video capabilities and can shoot 4K video up to 30fps.

However, to use the Sony RX100 VII for underwater photography, you must purchase an underwater housing designed explicitly for the camera.

These housings provide a waterproof barrier to safely use the camera underwater.

Conclusion:

The Sony RX100 VII is a compact digital camera well-suited for underwater photography, especially if you want a compact and portable option.

The camera has a 20.1-megapixel sensor and an f/2.8-4.5 zoom lens that can handle a wide range of shooting situations.

Click here to buy

Canon G7X III: (Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography)

The Bahamas were declared “the most beautiful spot from space” by astronaut Scott Kelly.

Its clear, vivid blues and teal hues are easily visible from the International Space Station.

I can vouch for Bahama’s beauty as I‘ve been there solely to click underwater photos.

I took the Canon G7X III to accompany me on this surreal trip.

After the final result of the photos, I can safely say that it is the best digital camera for underwater photography.

Features:

• Model: Canon G7X III
• Effective Megapixel: 20 MP
• Image sensor: 13.2 x 8.8 mm (BSI-CMOS)
• ISO range: 100 to 12800
• Shutter speeds: 1/2000 sec
• Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC card
• LCD: 3.0-inch tilting LCD
• Dimension: 105 x 61 x 41 mm
• Weight: 253 g

ISO / Shutter Speed:

A good starting point for shooting underwater with the Mark III is ISO 100 or 200 and a shutter speed of 1/125th to 1/60th of a second.

With these settings, you can fine-tune based on the conditions in the specific environment and your artistic preferences.

However, the weather was overcast during my vacation, so I had to increase the ISO to 400 even in the daytime.

Aperture / Depth of Field:

It has a maximum aperture of f/1.8-2.8, which is suitable for underwater photography.

This aperture range allows for good light gathering and shallow depth of field.

I found this helpful setting for isolating underwater creatures or creating a sense of movement in the water.

White Balance / Frame Rate:

The G7X Mark III has a maximum frame rate of 30 fps in burst mode for still photos and videos.

However, I reduced the frame rate when shooting underwater according to the scene’s complexity.

Instead of automatically setting the color tones, I chose a manual WB setting with cooler hues to counteract the yellow/green color cast often present in underwater photos.

Why is this camera the best?

It is an advanced camera with 4K video capture, quick burst modes, and huge buffers.

Underwater photographers will benefit from processing improvements and a greater capacity to capture fast subjects through slow-motion video or burst shooting.

The controls are user-friendly, with aperture and shutter speed right at your tips and ISO just a click away.

Conclusion:

While the Canon G7X III is a capable camera, it may not be as good as Nikon, but it’s great for starters doing underwater photography.

For better results, it’s better to use a camera with more water resistance or one specifically designed for underwater use.

Click here to buy

Nikon Coolpix W300: (Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography)

Growing up in California, the Channel Islands have always been my go-to relaxing spot.

But as my passion for underwater photography grew, I knew where to start.

These eight islands’ basic delights include many fascinating species, such as sea lions and harbor seals.

Nikon Coolpix W300 is a good option for capturing wildlife and other underwater creatures.

It’s my go-to camera for this place, and I call it the best digital camera for underwater photography.

Features:

• Model: Nikon Coolpix W300
• Effective Megapixel: 16 MP
• Image sensor: 6.17 x 4.55 mm
• ISO range: 125-6400
• Shutter speeds: 1/4000 sec
• Storage: Onboard plus SD/SDHC/SDXC card
• LCD: 3.0-inch fixed LCD
• Dimension: 112 x 66 x 29 mm
• Weight: 231 g

ISO / Shutter Speed:

It has a native ISO range of 125-1600.

It can handle a decent light sensitivity, capturing good images even in overcast underwater situations.

However, I do not recommend pushing the camera to its highest ISO setting unless necessary, as this can result in noise and a loss of image quality.

Aperture / Depth of Field:

The camera’s aperture ranges between F2.8–8.2.

Using an aperture of f/2.8, I managed to take bright photos underwater.

The best part was that the images didn’t get over-exposed.

The blue hues with a teal color tone remained balanced.

White Balance / Frame Rate:

The camera has a maximum frame rate of approximately 30 fps when shooting in full HD resolution.

Underwater photography is highly complex, and the frame rate may decrease when shooting at higher resolutions.

Eventually, it will consume more battery power.

Why is this camera the best?

I find this camera the best because of its dedicated underwater scene modes.

However, I used only one mode.

But all of them work well to optimize the camera settings for the specific conditions of your dive.

This includes options for snorkeling, scuba diving, and even ice diving.

Conclusion:

It is an excellent camera for underwater photography due to being waterproof up to 100 feet and is also shockproof, freeze-proof, and dustproof.

It also has a 5x zoom lens with a wide-angle capability, allowing you to capture more of the underwater scene in your photos.

I recommend this brilliant device to all those looking for a perfect camera.

Click here to buy

Olympus Tough TG-6: (Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography)

It was hard to resist visiting other islands worldwide for underwater photography.

Plus, an Island as famous as Truk Lagoon, I knew it had to be on my bucket list.

Even though it’s all wrecked, they are still appealing subjects for photography.

To capture the beauty to the full extent, I borrowed an Olympus Tough TG-6 from a friend.

I’ve used it before for night photography and wanted to try it in a different genre.

Thankfully, I wasn’t disappointed, and I am compelled to call it the best digital camera for underwater photography.

Features:

• Model: Olympus Tough TG-6
• Effective Megapixel: 12 MP
• Image sensor: 6.17 x 4.55 mm BSI-CMOS
• ISO range: 100 to 12800
• Shutter speeds: 1/2 to 1/2000 sec
• Storage: D/SDHC/SDXC card
• LCD: 3.0-inch colour LCD
• Dimension: 113 x 66 x 32 mm
• Weight: 253 g

ISO / Shutter Speed:

This camera has a wide range of ISO options, making it suitable for capturing underwater photos in various lighting conditions.

The camera has a standard ISO range of 100-12800.

This allows for flexibility in adjusting the camera’s sensitivity to light, making it possible to capture precise underwater species.

Aperture / Depth of Field:

After photography in overcast underwater conditions, I was in awe of how well its aperture works.

It has a max aperture of f/2.0 for underwater photos.

I got a shallow DoF in this setting, which worked well for my underwater subjects.

White Balance / Frame Rate:

This camera has a maximum frame rate of 20 fps when using the Pro Capture mode for underwater photos.

I captured fast-moving subjects or bursts of action using this setting in a split-second.

The camera’s built-in anti-shake technology and fast autofocus system made capturing sharp and steady shots in the water easier.

Why is this camera the best?

It is a rugged point-and-shoot camera that can withstand extreme conditions.

It is waterproof to 15 meters deep and works well even in freezing temperatures.

It features a 12-megapixel sensor, a fast f/2.0 lens, and built-in WiFi to share photos and videos easily.

All of this combined makes it the best camera to shoot underwater life.

Conclusion:

The camera has various underwater modes and settings, such as Underwater Wide and Underwater Macro, that can help optimize the camera’s performance when taking photos underwater.

The Olympus Tough TG-6 is a great option for taking high-quality underwater photos.

Click here to buy

SeaLife Micro 3.0: (Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography)

As the name suggests, this camera is solely for capturing underwater life, and investing it in was the best decision I ever made.

My trip to Phi Phi Island, Thailand, was memorable because of the pictures that helped me remember.

There, the underwater world offers a wide range of subjects, such as marine life, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and other objects that you can capture in their natural habitats, as well as the ability to create abstract and creative compositions using the movement and color of the water.

This wouldn’t have been possible if I had skipped taking SeaLife Micro 3.0.

It is worthy of being called the best digital camera for underwater photography.

Features:

• Model: SeaLife Micro 3.0
• Effective Megapixel: 16 MP
• Image sensor: 1/2.3-inch (CMOS)
• ISO range: 100 to 3200
• Shutter speeds: 1/25 to 1/2000 second
• Storage: 64GB of internal storage
• LCD: 2.4-inch, fixed LCD
• Dimension: 9.5x13x14cm
• Weight: 329 g

ISO / Shutter Speed:

This camera uses an ISO of 400-800 and a shutter speed of 1/125th sec for underwater photos.

This will help capture clear and sharp images while accounting for the low light conditions in most underwater environments.

Additionally, using a flash or strobe to illuminate the subject and properly reduce the effects of backscatter is essential.

Aperture / Depth of Field:

The camera features a fixed wide aperture of f/2.8, allowing for greater field depth and a brighter image in low-light conditions.

I loved how well this aperture combined ISO and shutter speed to capture photos of marine life, such as fish, coral, and other sea creatures.

White Balance / Frame Rate:

The camera has a built-in white balance feature that helps to correct color shifts.

Hence, my photos were more vivid.

I ensured I set my camera to the correct white balance for the water conditions.

Why is this camera the best?

These underwater cameras are designed to take high-quality photos and videos while diving or snorkeling.

They have features such as wide-angle lenses, built-in flash, and the ability to shoot in RAW format, which can help you capture stunning underwater images.

Conclusion:

It is a waterproof camera specifically designed for underwater photography.

It has a 16 MP Sony sensor, a wide-angle lens with a 120-degree field view, and built-in WiFi for easy sharing.

You can use it down to depths of 200 feet, and it is compatible with various accessories, such as lights and macro lenses, to enhance your underwater photography experience.

Click here to buy

Panasonic LX10: (Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography)

Hoarding isn’t a good idea, especially regarding professional cameras.

To resist the urge to buy new underwater cameras, I borrowed a friend’s Panasonic LX10.

It helped me settle my craving to buy a new gadget.

Following my underwater photographer inspiration – Stephen Frink, I captured some fantastic photos with it.

Hence, I can say that it is the best digital camera for underwater photography.

Features:

• Model: Panasonic LX10
• Effective Megapixel: 20 MP
• Image sensor: 1″-type CMOS sensor
• ISO range: 160- 12800
• Shutter speeds: 1/2 to 1/2000 sec
• Storage: D/SDHC/SDXC card
• LCD: Tilt-up touchscreen
• Dimension: 105 x 61 x 42mm
• Weight: 253 g

ISO / Shutter Speed:

The camera has a maximum native ISO of 12800, which may be increased to 25600 in boost mode.

A low ISO setting reduces noise and maintains image quality when shooting underwater photos.

Hence, I always use an ISO 160 or lower for sharp results.

Its mechanical shutter goes till 1/4000 – 60 Seconds, and in the electrical mode, it lies between 1/16000 to 1 Second.

However, when shooting underwater, I used a faster shutter speed to minimize the amount of ambient light and blur in the image.

Aperture / Depth of Field:

It has a maximum aperture of f/1.4 when shooting in wide-angle mode, allowing for a shallow field depth and good low-light performance.

I found it helpful to capture marine photos with a nice bokeh effect.

White Balance / Frame Rate:

With this camera, you get two options.

One option is to use the “Underwater” white balance preset.

Another option is to use the “Custom” white balance setting and manually adjust the color temperature.

I chose the latter to decide what suits my needs the best. Additionally, using the H-burst mode, I captured shots at 9 fps.

Meanwhile, it can shoot videos at 30 fps using the MP4 format.

Why is this camera the best?

It has a waterproof rating of IPX8, meaning it can be submerged up to 30 meters.

It also has a built-in flash and can shoot in RAW format, allowing for greater post-processing flexibility.

The best thing about it is the accurate white balance, perfect for capturing colors underwater.

Conclusion:

This Panasonic is an excellent option for those looking to capture underwater photos without investing in a dedicated underwater camera.

Click here to buy

CONCLUSION:

Alright, guys, that concludes all the cameras we will discuss today in this article.

Do you guys have any experience with these cameras? What are your thoughts on them?

Which is your Best Digital Camera for Underwater Photography?

Is there a camera you love to use for underwater photography that I didn’t mention in this article?

Would you please leave your thoughts and comments below?

Related post:

Best cameras for underwater photography: