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Scuba Diving Gear Buyers Guide 2016: Best Underwater Cameras, Housings and Photo Accessories

| Published On January 5, 2016
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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.

Best Dive Masks | Best Dive Knives | Best Dive Bags

SeaLife Micro camera scuba diving

SEALIFE MICRO 2.0 32 GB

Courtesy of SeaLife
  • 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.

SeaLife Micro camera scuba diving 64 GB

SEALIFE MICRO 2.0 64 GB

Courtesy of SeaLife
  • 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.

Sealife Micro HD camera scuba diving

SEALIFE MICRO HD

Courtesy of SeaLife
  • 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.

Backscatter Olympus with housing camera

BACKSCATTER OLYMPUS PT-056 HOUSING WITH OLYMPUS STYLUS TG-4

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Backscatter Macromate kit gopro camera

BACKSCATTER +15 MACROMATE KIT FOR GOPRO

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Backscatter Flip4 filter kit GoPro

BACKSCATTER FLIP4 THREE FILTER KIT FOR GOPRO

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Sealife close up lens underwater camera

SEALIFE 10X CLOSE UP LENS FOR MICRO 2.0

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Sealife Aquapod underwater camera gear

SEALIFE AQUAPOD

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Sealife Flexconnect Arms camera

SEALIFE FLEXCONNECT ARMS

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Sealife Flexconnect ball joint adapters

SEALIFE FLEXCONNECT BALL JOINT ADAPTERS

Courtesy of SeaLife
  • 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.

Ultralight Control Systems gear

ULTRALIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS AC-CSF-28

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Underwater camera gear scuba diving

ULTRALIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS AD-SK ADAPTER FOR LM SIDEKICK LIGHT

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

ULTRALIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS AD-HS-YS ADAPTER

ULTRALIGHT CONTROL SYSTEMS AD-HS-YS ADAPTER

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Underwater Kinetics pole and mount camera

UNDERWATER KINETICS CARBON FIBER POLE + DUAL MOUNT

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Light & Motion Sidekick duo

LIGHT & MOTION SIDEKICK DUO

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Light & Motion Sola Video pro

LIGHT & MOTION SOLA VIDEO PRO 8000

Jon Whittle
  • 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 .

Sealife Micro Sea Dragon 1500 Pro

SEALIFE MICRO 2.0 SEA DRAGON 1500 PRO

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Sealife Sea Dragon 2500 camera light

SEALIFE MICRO 2.0 SEA DRAGON 2500 PRO

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Sealife Sea Dragon 2000 light

SEALIFE SEA DRAGON 2000 PHOTO VIDEO DIVE LIGHT

Bill Doster
  • 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.

Sealife Sea Dragon 2500 camera light

SEALIFE SEA DRAGON 2500 PHOTO/VIDEO LIGHT

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Saelife Sea Dragon 1500 light

SEALIFE SEA DRAGON 1500 PHOTO/VIDEO LIGHT

Jon Whittle
  • 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.

Sealife Sea Dragon 2100 light

SEALIFE SEA DRAGON 2100 DUAL BEAM PHOTO/VIDEO/ DIVE LIGHT

Jon Whittle
  • 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.