If you’re on holiday diving into the sea or kayaking along a river, chances are you’ll be leaving your phone behind or securing it safely from water damage. There’s also a strong chance you’ll want to grab photos and videos of the fun being had, and that’s where the best waterproof cameras come in, with the durability to shoot sharp underwater for long periods and to deep depths.
We’ve comprehensively tested a range of tough compact to action cams against our expert criteria – and had a lot of fun along the way – and ranked our favorite options in the list below. We think the best waterproof camera for most people is the rugged OM System Tough TG-7. It’s a compact and surprisingly versatile option with a lot of photography features for the price, including a 4x zoom. Image quality isn’t perfect, but the camera itself is easy to use and pretty much indestructible.
If you’d prefer a waterproof camera for recording quality video, we highly recommend the GoPro Hero Black 12. It’s not the best in low light, but the flagship model is packed with useful features that also make it one of the best action cameras. Whatever you’re planning to capture, our extensive guide is designed to help you find the best waterproof camera for your needs and budget. You’ll find premium cameras and affordable options in the list below, as well as buying advice and quick links to the best deals available right now.
Timothy Coleman
Tim is TechRadar’s Cameras editor, with over 15 years in the photo video industry and most of those in the world of tech journalism, Tim has developed a deeply technical knowledge and practical experience with all things camera related.
The quick list
Want to get straight to the best waterproof camera? Use our round-up below to quickly find a waterproof camera that suits you. You can find out more about it by jumping to our full write-ups using the links.
The best waterproof camera overall
Compact but rugged, the Tough TG-7 is a great grab-and-go waterproof camera with a generous set of photography features for the price.
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The best waterproof action camera
GoPro’s flagship is packed with video tricks, including class-leading image stabilization, plus it’s waterproof to 10m without a case.
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The best waterproof camera for low light
Waterproof to 18m, the Osmo Action 4 is a fantastic GoPro rival with a wider FOV and better low-light performance, courtesy of its 1/1.7-inch sensor.
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The best waterproof camera with LED lights
5x optical zoom gives the WG-60 versatility when framing, while six LED macro lights around the lens are handy for illuminating underwater subjects.
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The best 360 degree waterproof camera
Capture underwater footage with a difference up to depths of 10 meters with the industry-leading 8K 360 degree camera.
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The best budget GoPro
No longer the flagship GoPro, the Hero 10 Black offers better bang for buck than the Hero 12 Black, while still shooting 5.3K video at depths of up to 10m.
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7. Panasonic Lumix TS7 / FT7
The best option with a viewfinder
Smaller pixels impact image quality from the TS7, but its electronic viewfinder is an uncommon and welcome feature among rugged rivals.
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The best miniature waterproof camera
Its Action Pod is only splashproof, but the tiny Insta360 Go 3 itself is waterproof to 5m, while AquaVision 2.0 enhances underwater video in the app.
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The best waterproof cameras in 2024
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Below you’ll find full write-ups for each of the best waterproof cameras in our list. We’ve tested each one extensively, so you can be sure that our recommendations can be trusted.
The best waterproof camera for most people
It’s not a huge upgrade over the Tough TG-6, but with a rugged, pocket-friendly build and plenty of photography features, we think the Tough TG-7 is a great grab-and-go option for most people. As the name suggests, it’s a camera to take anywhere: waterproof to 15m, it can also survive dust, drops, crushing and freezing.
Image quality from its 12MP sensor can’t compete with many modern smartphones, even with a fast f/2 aperture at the wide end of the 25-100mm zoom range. 4K/30p video is likewise a little dated. Yet the TG-7 does benefit from a surprising number of shooting modes, including macro focusing and white balance presets which match different water depths.
Although its 3-inch screen isn’t touch-sensitive, the tactile array of buttons makes it easier to handle than a GoPro in tricky conditions, particularly for beginners. While it isn’t the best action camera out there, the benefit of the TG-7 lies in its practicality, allowing you to shoot without fear in adventurous scenarios.
Read our in-depth OM System Tough TG-7 review
The best waterproof action camera
Like its predecessor, the GoPro Hero 12 Black uses an 8:9 aspect ratio sensor to capture 5.3K video that can easily be cropped for social. With the addition of HDR video and GP-Log, together with the returning 10-bit color mode, we found the Hero 12 Black able to capture sharp, smooth and dynamic video in bright conditions.
In the hand, it’s all but identical to the Hero 11 Black, including the 10m waterproof rating. What’s new is a 1/4in thread mount, which unlocks greater versatility for attaching to mini tripods and seafaring accessories. Screens front and rear are handy for framing yourself at sea, even if the rear touch interface doesn’t work underwater.
Low light remains an issue for the Hero 12 Black, with our review noting that grain is evident in dimly lit scenes. Battery life from the Enduro battery was also underwhelming in our tests. All the same, if you want a feature-packed action cam that can shoot sharp video above and below water, the GoPro Hero 12 is compelling.
Read our in-depth GoPro Hero 12 Black review
The best waterproof camera for low light
Designed as a GoPro rival, the DJI Osmo Action 4 edges out the GoPro Hero 12 black in a few key ways. While its peak video resolution is lower at 4K/120p, its larger 1/1.3-inch sensor uses bigger pixels to perform better in low light. From our tests, the result is superior footage quality in dim conditions, such as those that you might encounter underwater.
The Action 4 also supports DJI’s D-Log profile with 10-bit color. In our review, we found that this significantly improves color depth and dynamic range. Less handy is how the increased sensor size and wide lens extend the minimum focus distance to 0.4m, which could be an issue if you plan on recording sea life up close.
Physically, it features the same rugged build as the Action 3 before it, as well as the removable battery and versatile mounting system we appreciated in our previous review. In a win for swimmers, waterproof has been boosted to 18m, meaning it can comfortably out-dive the GoPro Hero 12 Black.
Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Action 4 review
The best waterproof camera with LED lights
The WG-80 from Ricoh has some pretty strong tough credentials: it’s waterproof to a depth of 14m/45.9ft and shockproof from a fall of up to 1.6m/5.2ft, while it should withstand a force of up to 100kg/220lbs. It’s also dust-proof and can operate in temperatures down to -10°C/14°F.
The 5x optical zoom has a pretty broad focal zoom range, from 28-140mm, while there are six LED macro lights dotted around the front of the lens barrel to deliver bright and uniform lighting round your subject – ideal when shooting underwater subjects.
The macro lights also provide other useful functions, such as the LED Lighting mode, which uses the lights for adding light to portraits in poor light, delivering a more flattering look than the WG-60’s dedicated flash. It can’t quite compete with OM System’s Tough TG-7, but it costs quite a lot less.
The best 360 degree waterproof camera
We wax lyrical about the best 360-degree camera in our Insta360 X4 review, but it’s also way more than a shoot-first frame later 8K 360-degree video camera. It also packs a powerful single camera 4K 60p mode and, crucically here, it’s waterproof up to 10m.
Those waterproofing depths can’t match dedicated options like the Tough TG-7 or discontinued models like the Fujifilm XP140 and Nikon Coolpix W300, but how often are you diving below 10m? And what you do get with the X4 is photos and videos with a difference: complete panaromas of every angle, stabilized footage, smart video effects using Insta360’s Studio app and more. The host of accessories that make taking your underwater photos and videos easier, such as a range of selfie sticks, only adds to the appeal.
If you’re after a camera that’s as capable on land for all your adventures as it is underwater, this could be the option for you.
Read our in-depth Insta360 X4 review
The best budget GoPro
The Hero 10 Black is no longer top of the GoPro pile, but it remains a great choice if you want to save money on a waterproof action camera and don’t need 10-bit recording or support for vertical video. In our tests, we found both its 5.3K/60p and 4K/120p footage impressive. We also found it versatile, fun and easy to use, even if its responsive touchscreen doesn’t work underwater.
With HyperSmooth stabilization available across most shooting modes, it’s an ideal tool for recording high-resolution clips in all conditions. Low light does remain a challenge, though, which means performance will drop off if you test its 10m waterproofing in dim conditions.
The latest GoPro Hero 12 Black offers more editing flexibility, while the DJI Osmo Action 4 performs significantly better in low light. But if you want a GoPro action camera without the flagship price tag, we think the Hero 10 Black is still a great option to consider.
Read our in-depth GoPro Hero 10 Black review
The best waterproof camera with a viewfinder
Launched in 2018, the Panasonic Lumix TS7 (known as the Lumix FT7 outside the US) isn’t the latest waterproof camera here. Still, it remains relevant by virtue of one feature in particular: a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF), something rarely seen on a waterproof camera.
The 1,170k-dot, 0.2-inch display might not be the largest out there, but it does offer a useful alternative to shooting with the rear display, especially in bright light, which can make composition tricky.
There’s lots to like about the Lumix TS7 / FT7, including its excellent tough credentials. Lens coverage remains the same as its predecessor, with a useful 4.6x zoom range that covers 28-128mm. What lets it down is the sensor, which crams too many pixels onto a relatively small area: Panasonic increased the pixel count from 16.1MP on the TS5 / FT5 to 20.4MP on the Lumix TS7 / FT7.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix TS7 / FT7 review
The best miniature waterproof camera
If you want a tiny waterproof camera for your next beach trip, we think the Insta360 Go 3 could be just the ticket. What it lacks in video quality and stabilization tricks, it makes up for in miniature versatility: the camera features a magnetic mount that can stick to all sorts of surfaces. It also comes with an arsenal of modular accessories.
The main peripheral is the Action Pod, which features a flip-up touchscreen that makes framing much easier than with the Go 2. Sadly, the Action Pod isn’t waterproof, so you’ll need to leave it in your dry bag when you take the core camera unit into the sea.
At 2.7K/30p, the Go 3’s highest video setting can’t compete with rival action cameras on resolution or frame rate. That said, videos from our review had decent contrast and dynamic range. The AquaVision 2.0 setting in the Insta360 app is also a useful addition, leveraging AI to enhance colors and combat underwater glare. It can’t add missing detail, but it does make a difference.
Read our in-depth Insta360 Go 3 review
How to choose the best waterproof camera for you
A key consideration when choosing a waterproof camera is its waterproof rating. If you only need a camera for beach trips, something with a rating of 5m should be find, such as the Insta360 Go 3. If you’re planning more adventurous underwater pursuits, look for something rated for deeper waters. The DJI Osmo Action 4 is rated to 18m, while the Nikon Coolpix W300 is good down to 30m, which should be enough for most recreational dives.
The best waterproof cameras are optimized for use underwater. That usually means tactile physical buttons that are easy to access and operate. Many also feature specialized shooting modes which adjust settings for underwater conditions, compensating for factors such as color distortion.
A good waterproof camera should be more than just water-resistant. You’ll want something with a robust construction that can withstand the rigours of your outdoor adventures. Consider factors such as shock resistance and dustproofing, as well as the overall build quality.
If you’re planning to swim at dusk, look for a camera with good low-light skills, such as the DJI Osmo Action 4, or one with built-in LED lights, like the Ricoh WG-60. For some cameras, these can be fitted as optional accessories.
Many waterproof cameras have housings that limit the range of any optical zoom. That said, some models do offer a modest zoom range, such as the 4x zoom on the OM System Tough TG-7, which gives you additional flexibility to select sub-aquatic subjects.
How we test compact cameras
When testing waterproof cameras, we do our best to simulate the demands of outdoor adventures in the real world. While we don’t test waterproof cameras to destruction, we do assess each model’s functionality while submerged, to ensure that build quality lives up to its billing.
Because waterproof cameras exist to let you shoot photos and videos in aquatic conditions, we assess every camera’s imaging performance in a range of scenarios. We test for color accuracy, detail and any signs of distortion. We also check the effectiveness of any underwater shooting modes to see how well these compensate for lighting conditions and color variation.
We also consider the practicality of each camera’s size, weight and build in the real world. Our testers assess how easily each camera can be used during various activities, specifically those in and around water, to check both its practicality and functionality.
To accurately assess battery life, we conduct usage tests to replicate common scenarios, such as burst shooting and a series of video clips. The aim is to see how actual figures stack up against claimed longevity.
Finally, we test any extra features to see how they enhance the overall user experience, including GPS and Wi-Fi.
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