How Much Are Underwater Cameras

Choosing the best underwater camera can be difficult, even with an underwater camera guide. New cameras from meaty blazon to dSLR are constantly beingness released.  Deciding which i is best for your underwater photography can be challenging but this comprehensive guide helps break down the specs of electric current, premier cameras in each category.

If y'all are looking to purchase a new underwater camera, we recommend as well checking out Bluewater Photo's All-time Underwater Camera Guide.

Bound to:

All-time Compact Cameras for Underwater Photography

Best dSLR Cameras for Underwater Photography

Best Mirrorless Cameras for Underwater Photography

Links to:

Photographic camera Reviews

Underwater Housing Reviews

Bluewater Photo - Expert Advice on Underwater Housings & Accessories

Compacts vs. Interchangeable Lens Cameras for Underwater Photography

Which blazon of underwater digital camera should you purchase? What is the best underwater camera? There are compact cameras, mirrorless, and dSLRs each with their own pros and cons.

Compact cameras have ane attached lens while both mirrorless and dSLRs apply interchangeable lenses. After shooting with a meaty underwater camera, many people consider switching to a mirrorless or a dSLR. The obvious advantage is the interchangeable lens choices. This is a significant difference that limits the flexibility of a compact camera, although wet lenses can aid span this altitude to some extent. Y'all besides take more than flexibility with different focal lengths and ameliorate epitome quality from superior optics and a larger sensor. Interchangeable lens cameras as well accept reduced shutter lag and better focusing capability. These are huge advantages. Shooting with a dSLR is quite a joy and very few people regret changing. However, a meaty photographic camera in the right hands can sometimes take shots that rival a dSLR shot.

For more information on how compacts differ from dSLRs underwater, and how to use your meaty camera underwater, read about using compact cameras underwater.

The best camera for underwater photography may be a full frame loftier resolution dSLR or a full frame mirrorless photographic camera. New models like the Nikon Z7 and the Catechism EOS R are setting a new standard for stills and video in one package.

Permit's wait at more advantages and disadvantages of a compact camera, when compared to a dSLR:

Compact Digital Underwater Cameras

All compacts involve tradeoffs. If you just want to take snapshots underwater, well then in that location are dozens of cameras that will all produce similar results. Virtually of the Sony, Catechism or Olympus cameras will be excellent choices. The cameras I list below are the best ones I feel for underwater photography, especially if you ever want to grow past taking a few snapshots.

Is full transmission way of import for a meaty camera?

Anyone because purchasing an external strobe at some bespeak, should get a camera with full manual controls. Most of the fourth dimension, but especially when using an external strobe, it is very helpful to have complete control over how much ambient calorie-free comes into the camera. Although exposure compensation can be used to accomplish this to a limited degree, setting the shutter speed and discontinuity yourself is the best way to command the ambient light.

Compact underwater camera advantages:

• Smaller size for travel

• Less drag underwater

• Ability to modify lenses underwater (wet lenses only) giving the ability to go from wide bending to macro during the dive

• Much less cost (although the cost of a high-end housing, wet lenses, adapters, etc. can showtime to add together up)

• Less weight, easier to carry and beach dive with

Compact underwater camera disadvantages:

• Smaller sensor (more noise, less detail, smaller dynamic range, etc.), although the Sony RX100 series offers a larger sensor

• Shutter delay and focus filibuster is slow compared to a dSLR - this is the biggest complaint

• Optics are of lesser quality

• Less battery life

• Noisy at high ISO

• Less control over depth of field. A large sensor dSLR will accept a smaller depth of field at a big aperture, giving a blurred background. This is hard to accomplish with a compact camera.

What To Look For In A Meaty Underwater Digital Camera

• Total transmission mode - I retrieve this is very important

• Good quality underwater housing available. Information technology should be easy to access and adjust the camera controls. Some housings make it very difficult to use in full manual way.

• Be sure the housing has the ability to have moisture lenses - macro & wide bending

• Macro mode (although this is less important if you are going to use wet lenses)

• Power to take a fisheye lens. This can be important for people who desire to shoot wide angle, considering really bully WA photos means getting actually close, and the best style to do that is with the UWL-04 fisheye lens. Not many cameras, however, support total manual mode and accept a fisheye wet lens. Scuba diving photography requires you to get close to the subject in club to get the best colors, which a fisheye lens makes easier.

• Depression shutter lag

• Long bombardment life

• Raw way. This is only important if you plan on shooting in RAW and most compacts offer this at present. It's nice to accept it, merely not everyone volition shoot in raw. If you lot don't have the right settings and the correct lens, then having RAW won't thing anyways.

• Power to burn down strobes via sync cord. This is helpful considering otherwise yous must utilise the camera's pop-upward flash which tin be wearisome to recycle and utilise up bombardment fourth dimension. However, sync cords tin can exist a hurting, so if you tin find a fiber-optic solution that has decent battery life and a decent recycle fourth dimension on the internal wink, this is the mode to get .

• Good auto focus adequacy. Some cameras are very slow to focus in less than platonic conditions, which is what we often feel underwater. All compacts come up short in this category commonly.

Best Underwater Compact Cameras

A few of my top underwater camera recommendations are the Sony RX100 Seven, Canon G7X Three, and Olympus TG-6. Read our Sony RX100 VII review, the Catechism G7X 3 review and the Olympus TG-6 review.

For older models, the Canon G16 and Olympus XZ-ane are too skillful choices. The Canon 1000-series and Sony RX-100 serial have both taken some of the best compact photographic camera photos that I've ever seen. The Canon G16 performs neat for macro, but the Sony RX-100  gear up a new standard for compact cameras for wide-angle with their larger sensors and amazing wet lens results. (Not so much for the Sony RX-100 3, Four, V or Half-dozen, find out why in our Sony RX-100 Iii review).

Here is a listing and quick notes on popular compact camera models available today.  If the camera yous are looking at is not on this list or the chart below, it is probably because I call back there is a better pick listed.

Canon G5X MKII- The 20mp CMOS Sensor with DIGIC 7 prototype processor features xiv-flake RAW files and 4k video. The pros that make the G5 MKII stand up out are its exceptionally fast focusing capability with dedicated macro focus, slow movement video setting, and 20 fps burst shooting Jpeg.

Canon G7X MKIII - One of the best overall value underwater compact cameras with a fast startup and longer battery life. Specs are very similar to the G5X MKII however, the camera does not have a viewfinder and has a slightly less zoom at  24-100mm compared to 24-120mm. See the Canon G7X MKIII review here.

Canon G16 - An older camera released in August 2013 with housings however available. The macro on the Canon G16 is superb and it is fast to focus. The G16 was the top in its class of compact cameras for a long time but has since been outnumbered by the newer, updated Catechism Powershot G serial compacts.

Sony RX100 Six- Considered one of the best underwater compact cameras available today along with the Sony RX100 VA. Upgrades include improved quick automobile focus and a new 24-200mm lens (compared to the 24-70mm.)  Macro images are stunnning especially with added wet lenses such as the Bluewater +7 close up lens. 4k video with full pixel readout and 24fps burst shooting sets the Sony RX100 VI apart from all others.  Read the full review here.

Nikon Coolpix W300- If you're on a budget, this is the photographic camera to consider.  The camera itself is waterproof to 100ft and costs less than $400.  It shoots 4k video, has a zoom range of 24-120mm and a 16mp CMOS sensor.  Of course it has limitations which is mainly that it lacks RAW capabilty (it only shoots Jpeg) merely if size and weight are priorities (information technology only weighs 8oz!) then this is one to await into or carry every bit a fill-in solution.

Olympus TG-5, TG-half dozen- Both models are rugged, shockproof and waterproof to 50ft on thier own without a housing. They are without a incertitude popular for all kinds of watersports and have many housing options for diving.  The TG-6 is 12mp, 4k video and shoots RAW. Read our full review on the TG-6 here.

Panasonic Lumix DC ZS80- twenty.3mp, 4k video with 5-axis optical image stabilization and RAW 10fps

Panasonic Lumix LX100II- 17mp, shoots Raw, 4k video. Considered a peak-quality meaty. A little on the pricey side for a meaty at at just under $900 new.  Check out recommended settings and farther reading on the LX100 series.

Panasonic LX10- The LX10 has excellent video quality with 4k photo capture.  At 20mp, the image quality is great especially recording as RAW format. See the LX10 at Bluewater Photo Store.

SeaLife DC2000 - A solid choice for compact and simplicity. Oftentimes sold / rented past dive shops and ever sold as a photographic camera/housing combination. Information technology is up to par with the 20mp sensor, RAW and depth rating of 200ft in the housing or 60ft on its own. It shoots 10fps per second for those looking to shoot in outburst mode merely but records 1080p video.

SeaLife ReefMaster- For those whose priority is wide angle video, the ReefMaster records 4k video at 30fps, is waterproof to 130ft with a 14mp image sensor but does not offer RAW format.

Sea & Sea DX 6G - A popular choice for water sports as information technology is waterproof to 46ft on its own and to 180ft with the housing.  28-140mm focal length with digital image stabilization and a 16mp CMOS sensor. Does not offer RAW or 4k. Check out our detailed review of the DX 6G here.

Mirrorless Cameras for Underwater Photography

Mirrorless cameras are all the rage correct at present and certainly the virtually popular blazon of photographic camera on the market. What makes them and so unlike? Interchangeable lens cameras utilise a mirror to reverberate the scene back to the viewfinder so the user tin tell what the photographic camera "sees". Past omitting the mirror, the unabridged organisation is smaller and much lighter. The mirrorless design was offset developed in 2008 by Olympus with Pansonic for micro-four thirds cameras. Choosing a mirrorless camera can be tough - there are many splendid models out there, many with only pocket-size differences between them.

Micro-Four Thirds

MFT cameras produce a college quality image than bespeak and shoot compacts. Although the 4/3 sensor measuring 17mm x 13mm is larger than a compact sensor, it is smaller than the APS-C and considered to be the "in between" meaty cameras and cropped sensor types. Our top choices for mirrorless cameras with a micro-iv thirds lens mount are the Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark Two and Pansonic GH5. You can read more than in our micro-four thirds and mirrorless camera guide.

Olympus OM-D M1 MKII- 20mp micro 4/3 sensor.  Fast automobile focus with a broad range of quality lenses.  Considered the all-time MFT photographic camera for photography.

Panasonic GH5- 20mp micro 4/three sensor. Fantabulous for 4k video with five-axis image stabilization. Options for a range of wide angle to macro lenses.

Click here for a Complete Overview of MFT mirrorless cameras for Underwater Photography.

APS-C Mirrorless Cameras

APS-C or "cropped" sensors, measuring approximately 22mm ten 15mm, are larger and better quality than the smaller micro four-thirds. The bigger the sensor the more than image fits into the frame. But don't let the name confuse you; cropped sensors are actually getting their proper name from existence smaller than the full frame sensors explained in the total frame department beneath.

The Sony a6500, a6400, a6300, a6100 are excellent cropped sensor mirrorless cameras, with bang-up image quality and video capability. The sensor size is the same as a Nikon D500 or Canon 7d MKII. Paradigm quality, dynamic range and focus speed is fantabulous. The cameras, lenses and housings are much smaller than a dSLR and less expensive. Read our Sony a6400 Mirrorless Photographic camera Review.

Sony a6100 - Sony's latest budget base model with many perks of the a6400. 24.2mp, 4k at 30fps and super fast auto focus.

Sony a6400, a6500 - Probably the near popular interchangeable lens cameras for underwater photography today. Read the full a6400 review here.

Nikon DX Z50 - A newly released cropped sensor camera with all around keen entry level features for less than $900. 20.9mp, 4k. We are looking forward to getting this ane underwater.

Catechism EOS M6 MKII - Neat for the advanced amateur photographer.  Small overall size, 32.5mp, 4k.

Total Frame Mirrorless Cameras

Nikon's Z7 has proved to accept the stage in the total frame mirrorless category.  Although Sony is more popular, the prototype quality from Nikon is superior. Canon EOS R probably has the best, fastest focus ability underwater, but not topside.

The Sony A7r series are small, full-frame mirrorless cameras that tin can accept exceptional images. Although Sony lens pick is a picayune limited, in that location are adapters to use high quality lenses from Nikon or Canon. The A7r II improved on the less than stellar auto-focus of the A7, making the A7r 2, III and now the A7r IV the top choices for underwater photographers although the machine focus topside is still faster than its performance underwater.  A full-frame sensor, plenty of megapixels, a range of lens choices, a small size and professional video capability brand the A7 line a popular choice. Battery life has much improved but don't expect information technology or the responsiveness to exist at the level of a loftier-finish dSLR.

Nikon Z7 - Nikon's flagship total frame mirrorless camera. 45.7mp, congenital in five-centrality image stabilization, 4k, 9fps Read why this is a favorite.

Catechism EOS R - Canon's thirty.3mp total frame mirrorless, great focu speed underwater with Canon's tried and true high quality optical glass lenses.  Read more nigh the EOS R here.

Sony A7r 4 - 60mp high resolution full frame sensor, 10fps, improved autofocus. We had the opportunity to be the first to take it underwater with a prototype housing from Ikelite. Check out the details of shooting wide angle and macro close ups with the new A7r IV.

APS-C Cropped Sensor vs Full-frame

Cropped sensor type cameras are great for advanced enthusiasts looking to step upwards the quality of their images. They are the most popular mirrorless and dSLR's underwater. So who shoots full frame? Generally people who already own a total-frame camera (for indoor sports, weddings, and mural photography), and want to house it, or pros that accept specific shots in mind with a wide-bending lens, often of sharks, dolphins or other pelagics. Professionals who have a requirement to print larger than 20x30 at 300DPI likewise must sometimes shoot full frame to get the required resolution. Full frame sensors measure 24mm 10 36mm with an unsurpassed quality right downwards to the pixel level.

Why did I go a Nikon D500? I shoot a lot of telephoto and wildlife photos topside, so the low-noise and fast frame rate of the D300 was perfect for my topside use. The increased dynamic range will help my WA shots "popular" like those Canon full-frame shots, and the Nikon 60mm and 105mm VR lens are excellent macro lens. But I must say, after shooting with a Nikon D810 on several trips, having 36 megapixels is truly amazing - and you should definitely consider that photographic camera if you lot can afford it. Read out full Nikon D810 review hither. The D850 gives improved depression-low-cal automobile-focus performance over the D810.

Crop Sensors Advantages

• Generally considered meliorate for macro, peculiarly for super-macro

• Approximately 60% more depth of field than a total-frame sensor, given an equivalent field of view

• For most people, cropped sensors are "good enough"

Full Frame Sensor Pros

• Less dissonance in loftier ISO (express use underwater, except in nighttime weather shooting ambient light)

• Some cameras take more than megapixels for larger prints

• Slightly better IQ and dynamic range for more "pop" in WA and pelagic photos

• Better viewfinders

• High resolution for the best detail

Total Frame Cons

• Housings are generally a little more expensive

• Technique, lenses and dome optics all must be pinnacle-notch to take advantage of whatsoever increase in resolution

• More hard to become proficient corner sharpeness with rectilinear wide-bending lenses

dSLR Underwater Cameras for Underwater Photography

There are a large number of dSLR camera bodies out there. The main ii brands used in UW photography are Nikon & Canon. Whichever brand you choose, make sure you are happy with the lens selection that brand supports.

A skillful lens, proper composition, and proper lighting are important for making cracking photos. The camera trunk is less important, and excellent shots can be fabricated with Canon or Nikon bodies. Your photography is unlikely to improve dramatically merely by switching camera bodies.

If you choose Canon or Nikon, yous will also have to choose between cropped sensor or total frame sensor cameras.  If size and cost are less of an issue, a total frame dSLR may be the best underwater camera for you due to infrequent prototype quality and the fastest focusing speed and response time - but mirrorless beasts similar the Nikon Z7 and Canon EOS R are not far behind in those areas.

APS-C dSLR Cameras

Nikon d7500 - 20.9mp, 4k and 8fps.  Paired with Nikon'south quality optical lenses this is a great mid range selection.

Nikon d500 - Nikon'due south flagship DX photographic camera. twenty.9mp, 4k. Read the review specs.

Canon 7d Marker II - 20.2mp, Rugged semi-pro dSLR with good machine-focus during video. Encounter the review and uniform lenses.

Canon SL3- Excellent entry-level and the smallest dSLR. 24mp, 4k. Read the review here.

Full Frame dSLR Cameras:

The Nikon D850 and Catechism 5d MK IV are top choices for the ultimate pro underwater photography and video.  With unsurpassed quality lenses from Nikon and Canon, the post-obit are the best underwater cameras available today.

Nikon D5– Fantabulous camera, simply proceed in heed people take been having bug getting the 14-24mm lens sharp behind a dome port.

Nikon D850 - 45mp high resolution sensor, truthful 4k full frame, max wink sync 1/250 Read the total review on the D850

Canon 5D Mark Four - The latest photographic camera in this long line, and one of the most pop dSLR choices for underwater video. Read our 5D Mark IV review.

Catechism 5DSr - High resolution, professional camera with avant-garde mirror vibration control and depression laissez passer filter event cancellation to have full advantage of the 50mp clarity right down to pixel level. Dual memory card slots.

Some Personal Suggestions (mirrorless / dSLR cameras)

On a budget? Go for a Mirrorless camera like the East-M1 II, East-M5 2, Sony A6400 / A6500 serial or OM-D Due east-M10 Iii

Into macro? Become a Nikon D500 or NIkon D850 (although great macro shots can exist taken with Canon or Olympus cameras)

My top choice for a dSLR? Go a NIkon D500, Canon 5D Mark Four or Nikon D850

Looking for an entry-level dSLR? Effort a Catechism T5i or a Nikon D7500

Into wide-angle? Canon 5d Mark Four & Canon 5DSr take some excellent wide-bending shots

Really interested in live view underwater, or great paradigm quality in a smaller package? Wait into the Sony A7R Four, Sony A6400 or A6500, or the Olympus OM-D E-M1 II or East-M5 Ii. The Panasonic GH5s / GX9 and Sony A7 III cameras have the best video.

Looking for the most meaty setup with a larger sensor? Await at a mirrorless camera setup.

What'southward the hottest bodies out there right at present for underwater use? Await at the Nikon D500 or a Canon 5D Mark 4, or a Nikon D850, Sony A7R Four, Sony A6500 or the Olympus OM-D Eastward-M1 II.

Sync Speed and Underwater Photography

The faster the sync speed, the easier it will exist to light up subjects with your strobe with the sun in the background. With a slower sync speed, you lot need a small aperture to properly betrayal the lord's day, and therefore even stronger strobes.

New or Used Camera?

Used cameras are fine; merely make sure you bank check the shutter count. Mechanical shutters volition somewhen fail. The shutter count is likewise referred to as the number of actuations.

Checking actuations

If you lot're buying used, and your photographic camera uses a mechanical shutter (eastward.thousand. - D90,D7200) - cheque the number of actuations (shutter clicks) past getting a jpeg file from the camera and using an exif viewer. You can't bank check on the camera, so you'll need to bring your laptop and a card reader if you're meeting someone to buy a used camera. Wait for "shutter count" or " camera actuations"

• You lot can get one for the Macintosh here: http://homepage.mac.com/aozer/EV/index.html

• And for the PC hither: http://world wide web.opanda.com/en/iexif/index.html

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Farther Reading:

Nosotros promise this guide helped you lot detect the best underwater camera for you. Please enjoy this further reading.

• Underwater camera housings

• Taking care of your underwater camera and housing

• Where and when to take your underwater camera diving

• Understanding camera settings underwater - aperture, shutter speed and more

Source: https://www.uwphotographyguide.com/digital-underwater-cameras

Posted by: halehimentrapsed.blogspot.com

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