Buying the best waterproof camera isn’t child’s play. It needs a lot of research and comparisons to buy one that fits your requirements perfectly well. In this following PhotograFeed article, we will list the specifications of some of the best waterproof cameras out there so that your choice becomes clearer.
Did You Know?
The first, self-contained amphibious underwater camera was the Calypso. Nikon took over production in 1963 and sold it as the Nikonos.
The most common of waterproof cameras that can be used in the harsh outdoors are the point and shoot cameras. Big brand players like Canon, Fuji film, Olympus, Panasonic, etc., offer at least one camera that is either waterproof and shockproof or an outdoor point-and-shoot type. These waterproof digital cameras are not only moisture-resistant, but can bear some physical mishandling, and are best suited for underwater photography. These cameras are also useful on dusty, sandy beaches as well as on chilling skiing trails.
If your lifestyle is about spending a lot of time outdoors or in a humid environment, you should consider buying a waterproof or a shockproof digital camera. The best feature about using these cameras is that you don’t have to worry about your camera getting wet. Usually, scuba divers, kayakers, boaters, and skiers require small and rugged digital cameras.
Each camera presented in the following list can handle water, moisture, dust, shocks, low temperature, and its user with equal ease.
Details and Specifications
Olympus Stylus TG-3
Specs:
► 16.1MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor
► 3-inch, 460k-dot LCD screen
► 4x optical zoom (25-100mm equivalent)
► 5fps continuous shooting (25 frames)
► 1080p HD video
Other Features:
✔ Can survive drops from a height of 2.1 metres, 100kg of crushing force, a -10° freeze, and 15-metre deep underwater excursions.
✔ Comes with a GPS system, depth and pressure gauges, and an electronic compass.
Price:
► $349.99
Nikon Coolpix AW120
Specs:
► 16.0MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor
► 3-inch, 921k-dot OLED screen
► 5x optical zoom (24-120mm equivalent)
► 1080p HD video
► 6.9fps continuous shooting (five frames)
Other Features:
✔ It comes with an inbuilt GPS system, interactive world map and Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as an altimeter and underwater depth gauge.
✔ It offers full HD video capture and 350-shot battery life.
✔ It has an 18-meter waterproof rating which gives the model a lot of driving ability.
Price:
► $349.95
Canon PowerShot D30
Specs:
► 12.1MP 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor
► 3-inch 461k-dot LCD screen
► 5x optical zoom (28-140mm equivalent)
► 1.9fps continuous shooting
► 1080p HD video
Other Features:
✔ It has a 25-meter depth rating and will let you dive deeper than any other model.
✔ The oversized controls makes the camera extremely easy to operate while wearing gloves or when underwater.
Price:
► $329.99
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FT5
Specs:
► 16.1MP 1/2.33-inch High Sensitivity MOS sensor
► 3-inch, 460k-dot LCD screen
► 4.6x optical zoom (28-128mm equivalent)
► 1080p HD video
► 10fps continuous shooting (seven frames)
Other Features:
✔ Comes with GPS, Wi-Fi with remote camera control, and NFC pairing that allows for image sharing.
✔ It is optically stabilized to smooth out camera shake.
Price:
► $399
Fujifilm FinePix XP70
Specs:
► 16 MP CMOS sensor
► 5x optical zoom lens, 28mm-140mm equivalent
► Optical image stabilisation (sensor shift type)
► 2.7inch screen, 460k dots
► Shockproof (2.0m drop)
► Waterproof (25m)/freezeproof (-10C)
► 1080p video at 24fps with IS and zoom
► ISO100-ISO3200 plus ISO6400 at reduced image size
► Up to 10fps continuous shooting
Other Features:
✔ It comes equipped with WiFi and allows easy transfer of images to smartphones, PCs, and tablets.
Price:
► $212.25
Things to Know about Waterproof Digital Cameras
► The image quality of a waterproof camera will usually be lower than that of the best point-and shoot camera. Unfortunately, camera manufacturers have not yet come up with cameras that are best in image quality and have unparalleled water resistance features too.
► Always buy a waterproof camera that fits into your pocket or in a pouch that can be attached to your waistband. These cameras are meant to be used when you are on outdoor trips, meaning that these cams should be easy to handle and handy.
► Freeze-proof does not exactly mean that your camera will work in extreme weather conditions or below freezing points. Even in case of freeze-proof cameras, there are temperatures below which your camera will not work. You should keep a check on the life of your camera battery.
Now that you have a list of some of the best waterproof cameras that are out there, you can look into a model that best suits you, and go pick one up soon.