Best Underwater Cameras – 2021

As divers and underwater photographers ourselves, 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 – compact / mirrorless / DSLR? And which camera model is right for you?

In this in-depth article, we’ve put together a thorough list of the best underwater cameras available in 2021 in all categories, as well as detailed the top features you have to consider when selecting your underwater camera.

We hope you find this information helpful, and in case any questions arise, we’re always here to help!

This article was co-written by Ran Mor and Brandi Mueller and  updated by Tal Mor. We’ll keep updating the article as new models are released or discontinued. Last updated February 2021.

Quick links:

What to consider when looking for the best compact Camera for Underwater Photography?

In many ways, compact cameras are an ideal choice for underwater photography.

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 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.

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

When choosing a compact camera for underwater use, these are the top features you should consider:

1. Size
   Small 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.
2. Battery life
   A 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.
3. Lens and minimum focus distance
   Since 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.
   Make sure you notice the zoom range and how wide your widest setting is (24mm is standard these days).
   The minimum focus distance is very important if you plan on shooting macro photography without any additional accessories.
4. Housing options
   This 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.
5. Video Capabilities
   Many 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.

Best Entry Level Compact Underwater Cameras

Olympus TG-6

The Olympus TG-6 is an incredible imaging tool. This camera is still the best selling compact camera for underwater photography as of Feb 21, 2021. 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.

The TG-6 is the most recent in the popular series and like its predecessors, it has become incredibly popular among underwater photographers.

TG-6 Highlights

Underwater Housing Options for the Olympus TG-6

Canon G9X Mark II

Canon’s entry level compact – the G9X II is a fantastic choice for beginners and advanced users alike. The simple interface relies mostly on the camera’s touch screen, but with proper initial settings you can control everything you need inside a housing as well without compromising on ease of use.

The G9XII features Canon’s 1″ sensor, so image quality is at par with its bigger brothers from the G series, but the price tag is much more affordable, and most users don’t need the advanced features on the pricier cameras.

The major compromise compared to the G7X or G5X series, is the lens on the G9X II which isn’t as sharp.

Canon G9X Mark II Highlights

Underwater Housing Options for the Canon G9X Mark II

Best High End Underwater Compact Cameras

Sony RX100 Mark VII

The Sony RX100 Mark VII is the newest addition to the world’s leading compact camera series – the RX100’s. It’s safe to say that to date, the Sony RX100 series is the leading choice for compact shooters underwater.

With the Sony RX100 VI, Sony ventured into the world of ultra zoom compacts, by modifying the lens on the RX100 VI to 24-200mm, significantly more than its predecessor with the 24-70mm lens. The same lens was carried on to the RX100 VII. For underwater photographers, this is both a curse and a blessing – on one hand, you get more zoom to play around with, and utilize it for increased working distance and more magnification when shooting macro. On the other hand, housing manufacturers have a harder time supporting it, and compromises like interchangeable ports need to be made, in order to properly support the full range of the zoom.

Using it for macro can be challenging but very rewarding and you may require different diopters for different types of shots.

RX100 VII Highlights

Underwater Housing Options for the Sony RX100 VII

Panasonic LX10

The Panasonic LX10 is a more affordable competitor for the Canon G7X II and the Sony RX100 V / VI.

Panasonic did a great job with this model, packing excellent features into this compact camera, without compromising on image quality. The LX10 produces stunning 20MP stills and 4K videos. Actually, video is where it really shines. Panasonic have plenty of experience with video from their popular GH4 and GH5 cameras and they have integrated that experience and some great advanced features, into the LX10. Zebra striping and focus peaking are available and incredible useful for videographers.

The LX10 is the only compact we know that offers back focus AF – a feature usually found in DSLR’s or mirrorless cameras and very useful for composing shots properly in-camera.

A significant advantage is has over the Canon and Sony alternatives, is accurate and easy white balance, even at deeper depths.

Panasonic LX10 Highlights

Underwater housing Options for the Panasonic LX10

Canon G7X Mark III

The Canon G7X III is Canon’s newest addition to their popular G series. This time around Canon is targeting vloggers, so they’ve significantly improved video capabilities and added an external mic jack, as well as the option to live stream your video to YouTube. While we probably won’t be using the mic jack underwater, or broadcasting ourselves live from 100ft, the 4K video makes this upgrade worthwhile!

The new Canon also supports a mindblowing 30fps RAW burst shooting, to ensure you nail fast action shot. It can also shoot HDR (High Dynamic Range) video.

Important note – when first released the G7X III had some issues with Auto Focus. You may encounter some online reviews mentioning this. However, Canon quickly released a firmware update which rectified those issues and the auto focus is now lighting fast and accurate. An even newer update released on Dec 12 allows you to capture videos at 24fps which has a more cinematic look.

G7X Mark III Highlights

Underwater Housing Options for the Canon G7X Mark III

What to consider when looking for the best Mirrorless Camera for Underwater Photography?

Mirrorless cameras have taken the underwater world by a storm. Gone are the days when you had to carry a massive rig to get professional quality and interchangeable lenses. Mirrorless cameras nail it when considering the requirements of the avid UW photographer.

Many underwater photographers today believe that mirrorless is the best type of underwater camera.

Divers who are looking for a more professional kit than your average compact, with control over their optics and the ability to change ports according to different shooting types, would be wise to consider a mirrorless before opting for a bulky DSLR.

The advantage is clear – A mirrorless rig weights about half and takes up much less space in your already overloaded baggage when traveling.

When looking into a mirrorless setup, the important things to consider are:

1. Lens Options
   This one is first for a good reason. Mirrorless cameras greatly depend on the actual optics produced for them, and brands vary greatly on the lens selection they offer. The kit lens usually has an important role and functions as an all-around lens. Fisheye lenses are awesome but only offered with Olympus and Panasonic (as of late 2018), whereas with Sony you have to settle for a fisheye converter.
   Some say the Sony macro lenses are better, whereas some swear by the Olympus 60mm.
   The new full-frame cameras do allow using regular DSLR lenses so the selection is wider. Look at adapters and make sure you know which lenses are supported with them and whether they work well.
   Bottom line – research your lens options, not only your camera body!
2. Housing options
   Again, this 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.
3. Customization and advanced features
   Some mirrorless cameras offer a very high level of customization. Olympus are notorious for that. While some users would love that and will set up the buttons exactly how they want them, others may be overloaded by that and get confused with so many custom buttons.
   In addition, some cameras offer very specific advanced features which are great for videographers, such as the GH5, so that would be an important consideration.
4. Price
   Mirrorless cameras vary a LOT in price. From a simple older model like the Sony A6000 ($600 USD with lens) to the high-end full-frame Sony A9 ($4000 USD body only).
   When considering your options, take the camera body into consideration, but also the lenses you plan to get and the housing and ports for those lenses. You may opt for a more advanced camera and get a more basic housing, or the other way around, depending on your preferences.

Best Mirrorless Underwater Cameras

Sony A6600

The Sony a6600 is a great option for flexibility. The small size and light weight feels like a compact, but its exceptional performance shoots like a dSLR. Shooters have the ability to keep it simple and small with easy to use auto functions and just a single lens; or expand its capabilities by shooting in manual and adding other lenses and accessories. Even underwater it can be set up as a simple underwater rig or with many lenses and ports, wet mount lenses, and strobes fired by slave or sync, etc. Not only will Sony lenses work on this camera, but with an adapter you can use Canon mount lenses including the underwater photographer favorite, the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye.

The 24MP camera can shoot 4K video and particularly shines when shooting macro underwater and focus peaking makes it easy to confirm focus on the 3” screen or optical viewfinder by showing areas in focus as a color. Improvements from the a6300 include 5 axis in-body image stabilization, improved autofocus and burst shooting, and a touchscreen LCD.  One downside from the a6300/a6500 is that the built in flash was removed.

A6600 Highlights

Underwater Housing Options for the Sony A6600

Panasonic GH5

For underwater shooters with a passion for both videography and still images, the Panasonic GH5 is one of the best for video. It is one of the few cameras using the full width of sensor for 4K and currently the only shooting 4K 60p with plenty of options for bit rate, color space, frame rate and bit depth. Its improved white balance functions make it one of the most accurate mirrorless cameras for white balancing underwater without the use of filters.

Upgrade from GH4, the GH5 has improved the video overall, but also better low light performance, improved white balance functions and 5-axis stabilization. The camera also has focus peaking which confirms focus by outlining in color areas in focus and other exposure aids like zebra striping, vector scope and waveform display. The GH5 also has several custom function buttons which are great for underwater shooters.

GH5 Highlights

Underwater Housing Options for the Panasonic GH5

Olympus E-M1 Mark III

The Olympus E-M1 Mark III is Olympus’s top consumer mirrorless camera, highly customizable, packed with pro features mirrorless camera. It has a large 3″ LCD screen making images easy to view underwater. The Mark III has improved Auto Focus and AF tracking, improved image stabilization (5.5EV, compared to 4EV on the E-M1), completely revamped video mode with higher 4K resolution, faster frame rates, and it comes with an accessory flash allowing for strobe triggering both electrically and slave. Many lens options are available as well as wet mount lens.

The camera also features a brand new image sensor TruePic IX. At 20 megapixel, this camera also has to possibility to create composite images up to 50MP by capturing multiple frames through pixel shifting the sensor. This is great to make super high resolution images, although in order for it to work underwater there can be no motion, so a tripod may be necessary for sharp images. Focus peaking mode will show which parts of an image are in focus using color lines.

E-M1 Mark III Highlights

Underwater Housing Options for the Olympus E-M1 Mark III

Exciting update – the new Canon EOS Rs is scheduled to be released on Feb 2020, and housings will follow shortly after.

According to confirmed rumors, the new Canon EOS Rs will include a 75MP sensor (!!!) which directly competes and surpasses Sony’s 61MP sensor on the A7R IV. It will also include dual card slots which many professionals were missing from the original EOS R. There is some chance it’ll fit in the EOS R housings, but hard to know at this point.

The post Best Underwater Cameras – 2021 appeared first on Underwater Cameras Blog by Mozaik.