
They also protect it from pressure, allow you to use the camera controls, enable the use of different lens ports and hold accessories like lighting. They do more than just keeping your camera dry. Like I mentioned, underwater housings can cost more than the camera itself so choosing the right one is an extremely important decision.
#IDIVE SHORTS HOW TO#
HOW TO CHOOSE A HOUSING FOR YOUR DIVE CAMERA Remember, this is about the best diving cameras out there not the just okay ones! Those types of cameras are great for snorkeling but aren’t the best options for scuba divers.
#IDIVE SHORTS PLUS#
Why? Most are only rated to be taken to 20-30 ft, plus the quality isn’t great. You won’t find tough cams like the Olympus TG-4 or Nikon AW100 on this list.
#IDIVE SHORTS MANUAL#
So the best option for a point and shoot is an advanced model with a manual mode. However, the auto function doesn’t work that well underwater. Point and shoot cameras can be a good option for underwater photography. This is the most expensive option but it is the best option scuba divers have. Or house a camera you already own of course. Your best bet for quality images and easy of use is buying a traditional above land camera and getting a housing to fit it. The buttons stick, the flash doesn’t work, the shutter delay is insanely slow… just a few of the problems you can run into. But, just from reading the mixed bag of customer reviews on Amazon, it’s clear that it’s not the best underwater camera for scuba diving. There are some cameras that were made specifically for being used underwater for example the SeaLife DC1400. There are three main camera formats to choose from: compact, mirrorless and DSLR. Set a spending limit and total all the equipment you’ll need to get started before you pay for anything. The most common budget mistake people make when it comes to buying underwater cameras is that they buy the most expensive camera out there then go to buy the housing and strobes with out realizing that those are often more expensive than the camera! That doesn’t mean you should cut corners when it comes to buying gear, it means you should buy smarter. And that’s not including strobes and accessories. The camera body plus housing will set you back at least 1,000 bucks. Underwater photography is not a cheap hobby. Generally, the top housing manufacturers make housings for Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic and Olympus but not all models are supported.

The first thing you need to consider when it comes to choosing the best diving camera for you is if there is an underwater housing available for it.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE BEST DIVING CAMERAS HOUSING AVAILABILITY We hope you get to the end of this post with a solid idea of what is the best underwater camera for scuba diving that fits your needs. Still have questions? Tell us in the comments at the end of this post and we’ll do our best to help you out.įor more of our top underwater photography gear recommendations, check out the Best Underwater Lenses. Then we’ll go into detail about those top 10 cameras, giving you the facts in plain English, not techie robot language that leaves you thinking WTF does that even mean? We’ll show you the top 10 cameras out there and give you some pointers on how to choose the right one. You just focus on the fun of underwater photography and we take care of all the mind numbing research for you. You just need to know what to look for and what’s on the market. That’s why we’ve put together this diving camera buyer’s guide to simplify the process and get you the best camera for your needs. And, to top it off, you’re gonna have to drop some serious cash.īut choosing a camera for underwater photography doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. It doesn’t stop with cameras either, you have to choose a housing, lighting, ports, lens and other accessories. It’s a gear intensive hobby and there are so many options. You want to know what is the best diving camera out there right?Īt first sight, looking at getting into underwater photography can make your head spin.
