Scuba Diving Gear Buyers Guide 2016: Best Underwater Cameras, Housings and Photo Accessories
Graduate from a tourist on the reef to an underwater photo pro — capture every thrilling moment with one of the camera systems featured here, with options from beginner to advanced.

Courtesy of SeaLifeSEALIFE MICRO 2.0 32 GB
- 16 MP Sony CMOS sensor captures incredible detail and color; no-O-ring-sealed design eliminates flooding worries
The latest version of SeaLife’s completely sealed Micro series shoots crisp 16-megapixel stills and 1080p HD video. Waterproof to 200 feet, the basic version has 32 gigabytes of on-board memory and Wi-Fi for wireless connection to smartphones and tablets.

Courtesy of SeaLifeSEALIFE MICRO 2.0 64 GB
- On-board storage of more than 25,000 still images; stores more than 12 hours of 1080p HD video
This has all the features of the 32 GB version — including ultra-wide 130-degree fisheye multi-coated lens, 16 megapixel sensor and built-in digital color correction sensors — but has 64 gigabytes of storage to capture still and video images.

Courtesy of SeaLifeSEALIFE MICRO HD
- First permanently sealed underwater camera
The underwater camera that ended worries of flooded housings, the Micro HD is waterproof to 200 feet. It shoots 13 megapixel stills, 1080p video and has 16 gigabytes of onboard memory and a built-in 140-degree fisheye lens.

Jon WhittleBACKSCATTER OLYMPUS PT-056 HOUSING WITH OLYMPUS STYLUS TG-4
- The camera alone is waterproof to 50 feet, and with housing to 150 feet; a point-and-shoot capable of capturing uncompressed images
The latest flagship version of the Tough series of shockproof pocket cameras from Olympus now shoots in RAW format for improved image quality. The TG-4 camera captures macro and super-macro without an accessory lens, and the rugged PT-O56 housing allows easy attachment of strobes and lights.

Jon WhittleBACKSCATTER +15 MACROMATE KIT FOR GOPRO
- Allows underwater changes from wide-angle to macro; precision optical lens in rugged aluminum frame
The macro package lets you swap your GoPro between macro and wide-angle with a fl ip of the finger. It includes a mount that attaches in minutes to Backscatter’s FLIP system and is compatible with the GoPro Hero3, 3+ and 4.

Jon WhittleBACKSCATTER FLIP4 THREE FILTER KIT FOR GOPRO
- Swaps instantly between filters or lenses; rugged, precision aluminum construction
With the FLIP4, changing filters and lenses is very easy. The machined aluminum mount installs easily on the GoPro Hero3, 3+ or 4, and works with the full range of Backscatter FLIP filters and lenses.

Jon WhittleSEALIFE 10X CLOSE UP LENS FOR MICRO 2.0
- Capture close-up video and stills; easily attaches to camera while underwater
This accessory lens gives SeaLife’s Micro 2.0 camera a focusing range of 6 to 24 inches for close-up video or still images. It easily attaches and disconnects while underwater, has a lanyard to secure it, and works with SeaLife’s Micro HD camera models.

Jon WhittleSEALIFE AQUAPOD
- Works with any SeaLife, GoPro or other camera; rugged stainless and aluminum construction
The AquaPod lets you put your camera where your arms won’t go for that perfect close-up or selfie. Extendable to 53 inches, the AquaPod (shown with the Micro 2.0) works with any camera with a standard tripod mount and comes with a GoPro mount. There’s also an AquaPod Mini that extends to 38 inches.

Jon WhittleSEALIFE FLEXCONNECT ARMS
- Allows quick underwater changes of lighting and other angle options
The Flex-Connect system (shown with the Micro HD camera) makes it simple and quick to swap lights, strobes, arms and grips even while underwater. Made of fiberreinforced polycarbonate and stainless steel, Flex-Connect attaches securely and releases with a push of the button.

Courtesy of SeaLifeSEALIFE FLEXCONNECT BALL JOINT ADAPTERS
- Universal connectors attach SeaLife gear with any other cameras and accessories
These new adapters let you attach SeaLife’s line of Flex- Connect lights, grips and other accessories to any underwater camera with a standard 1-inch (25-millimeter) ball joint mount. They also let you connect any light with a ball joint to the Flex- Connect system.

Jon WhittleULTRALIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS AC-CSF-28
- Secure, flexible attachment for your underwater camera’s lighting system
ULCS’s clamp is made with a bolt of a finer thread, allowing more precise tension on the ball. The T-knob has been redesigned for a smooth grip, and the clamp adds more flexibility to your accessory arms by allowing greater side movement.

Jon WhittleULTRALIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS AD-SK ADAPTER FOR LM SIDEKICK LIGHT
- Designed for use with Light & Motion’s Sidekick GoPro lights
This clever AD-SK adapter bolts right onto Sidekick series lights to provide endless mounting options for the compact video and focus lights. It attaches quickly and connects a Sidekick to any camera system using a 1-inch diameter ball mount.

Jon WhittleULTRALIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS AD-HS-YS ADAPTER
- Attaches directly to any camera’s hot or cold shoe; allows quick attachment of any light or strobe
This handy, anodized aluminum adapter from ULCS attaches without tools (the knurled thumbscrew makes it easy to tighten) to a camera’s hot or cold shoe, letting you connect to any strobe or light with a YS fitting. It allows you to quickly attach a light, or add a focus light to a camera already equipped with two strobes.

Jon WhittleUNDERWATER KINETICS CARBON FIBER POLE + DUAL MOUNT
- Telescoping Pole Extends to 40 inches;
Mount works with all GoPro models Perfect for extended-reach shots, the Carbon Fiber Pole is strong and lightweight; the Dual Mount has independent swivels so you can mount two cameras in the same or opposite directions, or mount one camera and light.

Jon WhittleLIGHT & MOTION SIDEKICK DUO
- 600-lumen spot/flood light weighs less than a GoPro
This attaches to a GoPro with a variety of mounts or arms and has adjustable spot and flood modes. Factory sealed with an external charging port, it burns up to four hours and has an intuitive pushbutton interface.

Jon WhittleLIGHT & MOTION SOLA VIDEO PRO 8000
- Innovative cooling system delivers consistent illumination
With a certified output of 8,000 lumens and a 90-degree flood beam, this is a serious video lighting system. The Li-ion battery charges in less than two hours; OLED display shows output/battery status .

Jon WhittleSEALIFE MICRO 2.0 SEA DRAGON 1500 PRO
- Micro 2.0 camera with 32 GB storage
This package includes the fully sealed Micro 2.0 camera, a 1,500- lumen, 120-degree beam light, and a Flex- Connect Micro Tray and Grip. The camera and light are waterproof to 200 feet and work with SeaLife’s accessories.

Jon WhittleSEALIFE MICRO 2.0 SEA DRAGON 2500 PRO
- Micro 2.0 camera with 64 GB of onboard memory
This package has everything you need, including SeaLife’s flagship camera with storage for up to 25,000 stills or more than 12 hours of video and the Sea Dragon 2500 light with three power levels.

Bill DosterSEALIFE SEA DRAGON 2000 PHOTO VIDEO DIVE LIGHT
- Versatile 2,000-lumen, 100-degree beam light
Perfect for wide-angle cameras, the Sea Dragon 2000 operates with a single button to select from three power levels. It runs at full power for an hour and has a fl ash-detection sensor.

Jon WhittleSEALIFE SEA DRAGON 2500 PHOTO/VIDEO LIGHT
- 2,500 lumens to bring out intense underwater colors; 120-degree beam
With a color rendering index of 90, the Sea Dragon 2500 provides illumination closely matching natural sunlight down to 200 feet. The light has a 60-minute burn time on high power with three power levels.

Jon WhittleSEALIFE SEA DRAGON 1500 PHOTO/VIDEO LIGHT
- 120-degree coverage ideal for wide-angle video or stills; COB LED technology
The Sea Dragon 1500 closely mimics natural sunlight with its CRI of 80 to bring out intense colors underwater. Waterproof to 200 feet, the light has three power levels and burns for 70 minutes on the highest setting.

Jon WhittleSEALIFE SEA DRAGON 2100 DUAL BEAM PHOTO/VIDEO/ DIVE LIGHT
- Push-button switching from flood to spot beam; one-hour burn time at full power
This light offers flood or spot lighting, transforming from a 2,100-lumen beam for illuminating video to an 800-lumen spot with deeper penetration through the water.