Olympus TG-5 with 3 inch LCD is our pick for the best waterproof camera in 2018 so far.
Waterproof cameras have numerous options these days, almost every other camera making companies have multiple models and specialized equipment that work perfectly underwater. Today in this short and quick camera review section we will be highlighting the top ten waterproof cameras of 2018, and I hope your adventure in the water world goes to another high after reading this article.
So, the next time you are on a beach, diving inside a pool or maybe skiing at some icy cold place remember to carry a waterproof camera so that you can capture those special moments.
Here is a list of top 15 amazing waterproof cameras which can help you in selecting the one that suits you the most.
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Best Overall
Olympus TG-5
Olympus TG-5 is our best overall pick for the clear image quality for both in the water and out of the water with very a durable build.
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Best Budget
Fujifilm FinePix XP80
This one is surely a value deal, as it has mid-range image quality and affordable price tag that makes it our first choice if you don’t want to spend a lot.
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Best Battery
Nikon COOLPIX AW120
This one has a good battery life and more than 300 pictures can be clicked with a single charge, which is quite a lot in comparison to other cameras.
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1. Olympus TG-5 with 3-Inch LCD – Best waterproof camera
Well, this is the best, and fresh waterproof camera which boasts about being waterproof to 15m/50ft, along with being shockproof from 2.1m/7ft as well as crushproof to 100kgf/220lbf and the icing on the cake is that it is dust proof. However, if you wish to go down to depths of 45m, then you should probably check the PT-058 underwater housing which is sold separately.
The TG-5 comes with extraordinary new 1/22.3-inch 12 MP BSI CMOS sensor that is suggestively different from the 1/2.3-inch 16MP BSI CMOS chip that was used in the previous versions. Even though it drops down from 16 MP to 12 MP, the Olympus have claimed that this move allows the camera to improve low-light-capture. The lens is quite similar to that of the TG-4. It has 4x zoom lens which is impressive and equivalent to 25-100mm, which features a variable f/2-4.9 aperture, but it also features anti-fog-dual-pane glass which helps in avoiding the lens to get foggy when it is undergoing climate changes. The videographers will, however, be pleased to know that this camera also supports 4K recording at an astonishing 30p and Full HD-high speed footage at impressive 120fps. Even though this camera isn’t cheap, it is certainly the best-rugged choice which is available in the market.
Buy on Amazon: (starts at $399)
2. Canon PowerShot D30
One thing that you can’t certainly deny about Canon PowerShot D30 that it is among the most durable waterproof cameras. It is not only waterproof to 82 feet depth but also shockproof up to 6.5 feet. It can also withstand temperatures ranging from as low as 14 degrees to as high as 105 degrees Fahrenheit. On bright sunny days, its Sunlight LCD mode also reduces the glare which makes it easier to shoot as well as review the shorts. It has 12.1-megapixel high-sensitivity CMOS sensor which is not quite powerful as that of the others on this list but when you couple it with the DIGIC 4 Image Processor, it offers fantastic low-light performance.
In case you are looking to shoot videos, then you will find that the D30’s dedicated movie button is quite useful. It shoots great videos at Full HD 1080p videos at phenomenal 24 frames per second as well as 720p HD videos at 30 frames per second and adding to its features, it has super slow motion video at great 640 x 480. It comes with GPS technology which you can easily use to geotag not only your still shots as well as videos but also map your route from one given photo to the next. However, you should consider and bear one thing in mind that the GPS doesn’t work underwater. Like other underwater cameras, in case you are using this camera in salt water, you will definitely want to rinse it off with fresh water just after shooting in order to avoid crusty buttons, but if you are taking proper precautions, then this point-and-shoot will certainly outshine and perform better than all the other mid-range cameras.
Buy on Amazon: (starts at $699.95)
3. Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30
In case you are looking for a solid and durable all-weather camera which is able to capture astonishingly beautiful and high-quality images, then you don’t have to look any further. And let’s face the situation that is if you really require a camera which is waterproof down to 50 feet or you want a camera which works at 20 feet? Here comes the Panasonic Lumix DMC-TS30. It is a robust and sturdy waterproof camera which is waterproof to the depth of 26 feet and also free-proof down to as cold as 14 degree Fahrenheit. It is also shockproof up to 4.9 feet along with being dust-proof.
It also captures bright, surreal and perfect still images through its brilliant 16.1-megapixel CMOS sensor as well as smooth HD (720p), whether you are on the land or underwater. It also comes with various in-built effects as well as shooting modes and it also comes in three different colours-red, black and blue. It also has an optical image stabilizer as well as time-lapse shooting along with a torch light in order to bring light the dark underwater scenery you discover on your vacation.
Buy on Amazon: (starts at $149.99)
4. Nikon 1 AW1
When it comes to traditionally waterproof cameras, interchangeable lens cameras don’t mesh quite good. In fact, there aren’t a lot of such cameras available in the market, but in case this is the type of camera which you are actually looking for then you should certainly consider Nikon 1 AW1. It proudly claims to be the first waterproof as well as shockproof, interchangeable lens camera. It is water resistant to a depth of 49 feet and also freeze-proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit as well as shockproof up to 6.6 feet.
It is also compatible with all of the Nikon 1 lenses and its two proprietary waterproof as well as shockproof lenses. The camera also comes with a 1-inch 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor along with high-speed continuous shooting at satisfactory 15 fps and also Full 1080p HD recording. It is among the most robust, sturdy as well as multi-purpose camera which you can lay your hands on. However, if you are really tempted to by this one, then you should probably make sure that you want an interchangeable lens waterproof camera since most of the people don’t want such camera. It is also not cheap but it does come with an 11-27.5mm lens.
Buy on Amazon: (starts at $796.95)
5. Nikon Coolpix AW130
Well, if you are planning for a vacation and wish to go for underwater experience then you are certainly looking for a waterproof camera which is not just good in design. The camera should work astonishingly well since a sleek body camera will serve no purpose as it sinks to the sea floor. But when it comes to Nikon Coolpix AW130, it has all the great features that will certainly handle all the conditions and the cherry on the top is that it is also good looking. This camera is freeze-proof up to temperature of 14 degrees Fahrenheit and shockproof up to seven feet. The most incredible feature is that it is waterproof up to the depth of 100 feet which is certainly more than 20 feet than almost all of the cameras in its class. It also has a great handy rubber grip which is complete with an NFC tag which allows you to pair it with your smartphone through its onboard WiFi and just start sharing your images while you are still in the water. In case you are exploring and discovering uncharted territory, it also has onboard GPS which has a points-of-interest feature which provides you a bird’s-eye view of your vicinity.
It has 16-megapixel and ½.3 inch sensor which is behind a 5x zoom 4.3-21.5mm, that is 24-120mm full-frame equivalent, f/2.8-4.9 lens. The smaller sensor in this camera means that more noise than most of the interchangeable lens camera that they will produce, but it isn’t a big deal for adventure-seekers and those who wish to delve deeper into underwater landscape. It has dimness of 931k-dot OLED but it shouldn’t be any big issue for most of the people.
Buy on Amazon: (starts at $329.95)
6. Fujifilm FinePix XP80 – Best Budget Underwater Camera
When you are talking about all-weather, waterproof cameras, then you can certainly not ignore Fujifilm. It is best known for its extensive range of the brilliant mirrorless camera. Fujifilm also produces among the best waterproof compact point-and-shoot. The Fujifilm FinePix XP80, especially, is considered to be the worthy competitor of Olympus TG-3 as well as TG-870 but it can be bought at quite a lower cost.
For that, you get a decent camera which is sturdy and all-weather one which is waterproof down to a depth of 50 feet and freeze-proof to a temperature of 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also shock-proof u to 5.8 feet, and it is certainly dust-proof. It has 16.2-megapixel CMOS sensor which works quite well in low-light underwater conditions, along with continuous shooting at up to decent 10fps as well as Full HD 1080p video recording along with wireless image transfer and remote shooting too. It is quite slim as well as sturdy and comes in three colours-graphite black, yellow and blue.
Buy on Amazon: (starts at $212.95)
Rest of the best waterproof camera from 2017
$349
The Nikon COOLPIX AW120 is ranked first because of its durability and good image quality. Some waterproof cameras are more durable than the others, but the image quality is not so good. It is the best combination of both quality and durability.
8. Panasonic LUMIX WiFi DMC TS6
The Panasonic LUMIX WiFi DMC TS6 is also one of the best cameras which claimed as crushproof. It can handle 43 feet depth for 60 min. It is also one of the best options available the only thing missing is; it does not detect the face.
The Fujifilm FinePix XP80 is among top three waterproof cameras because of its picture quality, and waterproofing claimed 49feet deep for 2 hours. The quality of a picture is amazing, the only con is, the camera is not crushproof.
The Olympus Stylus TG-860 has many features like wi-fi, HD videos, panorama, face detection. You can edit the image using the camera, but the quality of an image is sometimes blurry.
11. Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX30 is among the best image quality waterproof camera. It can handle 33 feet depth for 1 hour and is good for adventures like skiing and beach photography. It is dustproof, freeze proof but not crushproof.
12. Ricoh WG-30w
The Ricoh WG-30w can handle 39 feet depth for 2 hours. It is durable, crushproof and dustproof but could break if dropped from 5 feet or more.
13. Polaroid iSO85
The Polaroid iSO85 is useful only in pools as it can handle only 10 feet depth for 30 mins. And it is neither freeze proof nor crushproof. But its is rustproof so can be taken to desert safaris.
The Bell+Howell WP16 Splash2 is waterproof but only useful for poolside photography. It can handle only 10 feet depth and is not durable. As it is not shockproof, dustproof, freezeproof, crushproof, so not useful for other adventures.
The Vivitar ViviCam F526 is a poolside selfie camera. It is not freezeproof, dustproof, shockproof and very lightweight, which reflects it is not durable and can break easily.
