The Best Underwater Action Cameras

HOW WE TEST ScubaLab's action camera test was designed to gauge each model's ability to capture high-quality video underwater, and to evaluate the relative ease and intuitiveness of its operation for users in and out of the water.

JUMP TO RESULTS

Ergo Testing
Initial ergonomic testing was conducted at Alexander Springs and Devil’s Den in central Florida. Staff divers also used test cameras on dive travel assignments to locations around the globe, including the Bahamas,Bonaire, Hawaii, Socorro Island, the Red Sea and even a Las Vegas aquarium dive. Each camera was outfitted with an Underwater Kinetics Aqualite Pro eLED and travel grip. Divers evaluated each camera in the following categories, assigning a score from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor), and recorded observations and comments on the operability and performance of the camera. Manuals and quick-start guides were provided for all cameras before testing. The in-water ergo categories were:

• Ease of setup: How easy is it to prepare the camera for diving?

• Ergonomics of operation: How accessible are the controls? How comfortable is the camera to hold and operate?

• Intuitive operation: Do the camera’s menus and controls make sense? Is it operating in a way that easily allows you to accomplish what you are trying to do?

• Ease of capture: How well can you tell what it is you are shooting, and how easily can you frame and record the shots you want to capture?

• Special features: Does this camera have any features that make capturing media easier?

Footage Comparison Testing
Test divers evaluated the footage captured by the cameras during ergonomic test-ing and rated each camera’s footage in the following categories, assigning a score from 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor), and recorded observations and comments about the quality of the unedited media—which had no color correction, image stabilization or crop- ping other than what was originally done by the camera. The footage-comparison categories were:

• Clarity: How clear and sharp does the footage look? Does it have good contrast?

• Color: How natural is the color in the footage? Are dive modes effective in restoring color? Do any unnatural hues overshadow the footage?

• Stabilization: How stable is the footage? Is it shaky?

• Framing: How well was the intended subject framed? Do subjects seem to be cut off awkwardly?

• Low light: How well did the camera capture footage in low-light environments?

• Photo quality: How well does the camera capture still images?

Battery Testing
We also tested each cam- era’s relative battery life. Each of the cameras was fully charged, and optional features such as power-saving modes and voice-control functions were disabled. The cameras were left on continuously and were used to film five minutes of 1080p/60fps video once every half hour until they shut down due to no remaining battery life. We rated battery duration using the following scale of 5 (excellent) to 1 (poor):

5 = Four hours or more
4 = 3-4 hours
3 = 2-3 hours
2 = 1-2 hours
1 = less than 1 hour

GOPRO HERO7 BLACK

“Wow!” was the typical reaction to the Hero7 Black’s crisp, clear underwater video. “Nice combo of clarity and color—stunning,” one diver said. This camera has no dive-specific modes or features, but took top spot for color against cameras with color-grading and underwater white-balance modes, all of which worked very well. Don’t get us wrong: At depth the Hero7’s video was blue. But unlike other cameras where similar conditions resulted in a monochromatic haze, there was enough variation in contrast and hue to create a natural-looking image. Add to this GoPro’s excellent digital-image stabilization and the result was high-quality footage that was nearly unmatched. However, when it came to ergonomics, the Hero7 ranked near the bottom. Using the dive housing requires prying off the camera’s lens cover, which hurt its score for setup. The display is clear and colorful—but the touchscreen is ­inoperable inside the housing, making the camera’s unintuitive controls even more ­bewildering. Changing settings underwater requires you to use the camera’s front-facing display and isn't a quick process. “Pain to set up and use,” one diver commented; others agreed. One of the things we were most curious about in this test is whether any of the lesser-known cameras could knock GoPro from its pedestal. Some came very close, but none succeeded. Despite the camera’s wonky ergonomics, testers were won over by the unmatched quality of its footage. “Like a gourmet restaurant with terrible service,” one tester observed. “You have to put up with a lot, but the result is excellent.” For superior image quality in all conditions, the GoPro Hero7 Black is our Testers Choice.

Specs

• Depth
  33 feet, 196 feet in housing
• 4K Frame Rates
  60, 30, 24
• FHD Frame Rates
  240, 120, 60, 30, 24
• Image Sensor
  12 MP
• Released
  September 2018

GARMIN VIRB ULTRA 30

The Virb earned some of the best ergo scores of the test and had the highest score for overall ergonomics. Test divers particularly loved the independent photo and video buttons, which allow you to record video by flipping the switch forward or capture a still image by pressing the button on top, with no need to switch between modes. The camera is chock-full of options and settings, but even with numerous sub-menus, testers felt the camera was easy to navigate thanks to its simple two-button operation and the 1.75-inch touchscreen display that works even when the camera is in the housing. The Virb took top score for ease of capture, no doubt because of its readily visible display. “I always knew when I was or wasn’t shooting and could see exactly the shot I was framing,” one diver noted, adding, "This was the simplest camera to shoot good video with.” The included underwater housing, with a latch that pops open on demand but won’t accidentally release underwater, was rated equally high for its simple setup. “Very easy, very clear,” is how a tester described the process. Divers rated the footage as very good for ­clarity and stabilization and gave it top score for framing. While it captured excellent footage in shallow, ambient conditions, it quickly “goes monochrome,” as one tester put it, at depth without a video light or third-party filter. Battery life was not the best in our test, but the camera’s quick-capture feature—which starts video recording at the flip of the switch even when the camera is off—helps save battery life without missing those once-in-a-lifetime encounters. With a user-friendly design and beautiful video—“Very solid all around,” as one tester put it—the Virb was a favorite among test divers.

Specs

• Depth
  130 feet in housing
• 4K Frame Rates
  30, 24
• FHD Frame Rates
  120, 96, 90, 72, 60, 48, 30, 24
• Image Sensor
  12 MP
• Released
  September 2016

OLYMPUS TOUGH TG-TRACKER

Testers loved this compact, candy-colored camera for its straightforward controls, awarding it top score for intuitive ­operation. “Simple and clear,” one diver said of the logical menu organization and well-labeled buttons. Divers were also fans of the 1.5-inch flip-out display when it came to framing shots or choosing settings. “Screen is crystal-clear,” one diver commented. “Kind of retro, but would never buy this without it,” said another. With no housing to finagle—the Tracker is waterproof on its own down to 100 feet—setup couldn’t be simpler. The camcorderlike design is very compact, but leaves little real estate for the controls; divers were not fans of the tiny, cramped buttons. “Buttons really small,” one diver observed. That made it hard to change modes or settings quickly, especially for divers wearing thick gloves. Even when using the included (and very good) pistol grip, divers complained about the awkward two-­handed operation and that the record button was too far from their thumbs. The camera has an underwater white-balance mode that automatically triggers when it is submerged. Upon reviewing the video, testers were pretty impressed with the result, which preserved red and yellow hues both in ambient conditions and when used with an external video light. “Good color,” one tester noted. “Looks champion,” another said. Testers rated the footage as very good for overall quality, but it suffered in clarity, where it ranked as just good. “Not very sharp” and “Footage seems a little soft” were typical tester comments. The Tracker’s simple operation, durability and impressive battery life—more than three hours in our test—make it an attractive option for documenting long trips above or below the water.

Specs

• Depth
  100 feet
• 4K Frame Rates
  30
• FHD Frame Rates
  60, 30
• Image Sensor
  8 MP
• Released
  June 2016

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PARALENZ +

Durable and compact, this camera is designed to withstand depths up to 820 feet. The combination of rotating ring switch and magnetic push-button was unique in our test, but proved to be intuitive and ergonomic. The simple operation is accompanied by audible and vibrating haptic feedback whenever the camera changes modes or begins filming. “Love audible and physical cues,” one diver noted, adding, “I wish all underwater cameras had this.” Another noted, “I love that I can comfortably operate the camera without looking at it.” The camera’s footage was rated very good for clarity, with nice contrast and sharpness. Test divers were especially impressed by the camera’s depth-controlled color-correction (DCC). “Beautiful color,” as one tester commented. When shooting with a video light, the white balance of the Paralenz can be set to match the Kelvin temperature of the light. However, you can’t add or remove the DCC—or the optional depth/temperature overlay—effect after filming, so it’s important to have the right one set. Framing and stability were rated as good. The 140-degree lens makes it hard to miss the action, but for closer encounters, testers often aimed either too low or too high until they got comfortable using the camera. Quality construction and clever software make things such as filters and housing obsolete, but as one tester said, “Without a visual display, I don’t really care about the rest of it.” Shooting blind might not be ideal for framing cinematic ­masterpieces—but the easy operation, multiple ­mounting options, powerful color-correction and depth-dependent auto start/stop function make the Paralenz a good choice for divers who want to record their dives without being distracted from them.

Specs

• Depth
  820 feet
• 4K Frame Rates
  30
• FHD Frame Rates
  30, 60, 100
• Image Sensor
  8 MP
• Released
  July 2018

SEALIFE MICRO 2.0

Slightly larger than most cameras in our test, this point-and-shoot has leak-proof construction rated to 200 feet and gave many of the more traditional action-cam contenders a run for their money. The design helped it earn an excellent score for ease of setup; with no housing or O-rings to contend with, there’s not much to worry about. Testers gave the Micro 2.0 top scores for ergonomics thanks to its large, clearly labeled buttons and easy-to-grip shape and size. They also appreciated the separate controls for photo and video capture. “Easy to handle and operate,” one tester noted. “Feels and operates like a normal camera,” another remarked. The Easy Setup option allows you to go from land-based to underwater shooting modes—complete with digital color filters for shallow and deep water—in mere seconds. Divers gave the Micro a very good score for intuitive operation, and praised the camera’s 2.4-inch thin-film-transistor liquid crystal display. “Nice big screen makes it really easy to frame shots,” one tester said. As one of the older cameras in our test, the Micro doesn’t shoot 4K video or have image stabilization. While the quality of the resulting footage was noticeably lower than the other cameras, the Micro still ranked well for clarity, color, framing and stabilization. The camera also captures sharp, colorful photos thanks to its 16-megapixel image sensor—the largest in the test. The rubberized camera body and preset dive modes make the Micro more suitable for handheld shooting than most others here, but it’s just as easily mounted to a tray. With a comfortable, user-friendly design and leak-proof construction perfect for newer divers, the Micro was a test-diver favorite.

Specs

• Depth
  200 feet
• 4K Frame Rates
  Doesn't shoot 4K
• FHD Frame Rates
  60, 30
• Image Sensor
  16 MP
• Released
  November 2015

SONY FDR-X3000

Judging by the FDR-X3000’s design, it’s clearly more at home strapped to a helmet than an underwater photo tray. But despite this, divers gave it good scores for ergonomics overall. “Very easy to change settings,” one test diver said of the camera’s logical menu organization and clear, intuitive operation. (However, you’ll want to give the manual a solid once-over, because the numerous icons can be a little overwhelming.) The sideways menu screen requires you to turn the camera in order to see what you’re doing, but the controls are otherwise quite ergonomic. The top-mounted record button is large and easy to push, while the side-mounted menu navigation buttons double as shortcuts for quickly swapping between video and photo modes. Setup was easy thanks to the housing’s simple but secure latch, which pops open to slide the camera in. The housing also has a locking mechanism to prevent inadvertent recording or draining the battery. One major gripe test divers had was about the viewfinder—or lack thereof. “What do you mean there’s no screen?” was the typical reaction when handling the FDR-X3000 for the first time. “No LCD display,” one diver lamented. “I’d never buy without that.” While the results of shooting blind were noticeable in some clips, the camera’s wide field of view and solid image stabilization helped the footage earn a very good score overall. The camera’s underwater white balance made it a surprise contender, with divers blown away by the resulting color. “Beautiful! Just wow!” one test diver said. “Absolutely stunning at depth,” another said. Along with the impressive color, very good clarity and contrast helped the FDR-X3000 win a spot as a favorite with several test divers—even without a viewfinder.

Specs

• Depth
  196 feet in housing
• 4K Frame Rates
  30, 24
• FHD Frame Rates
  120, 60, 30, 24
• Image Sensor
  8.2 MP
• Released
  September 2016

SONY RXØ

The RXØ was an outlier ­because this action camera seems to be more grounded in still photography than video, with menus and functions that will look familiar to anyone with experience shooting with compact cameras or DSLRs. This tiny titan’s vast library of settings and features offers professional shooters a ton of creative power, but also requires a thorough understanding of the camera to unlock its full potential. Unfortunately, this put it at a disadvantage in a test where divers were juggling nine different cameras, and was further complicated by the fact that we didn’t have an underwater housing for the RXØ during our evaluation. This limited our use of the camera, which is waterproof on its own down to 30 feet, to shallow springs, where only a handful of testers got any quality time with it. The housing also would have affected the camera’s ergonomics. That said, testers rated the camera very good for ergonomics and intuitive operation despite its array of small buttons and meaty menus—though programmable shortcuts make it easy to access quick adjustments. The crisp, detailed screen is one of the tiniest here and can be stuffed full of information such as audio levels, histogram and zebra striping to help compose your shot. The camera’s RAW images were rated as very good, while testers scored the video as good for clarity and color—these likely would have been even higher had testers utilized the camera’s underwater white-balance mode. The RXØ also has the ability to capture impressive, super-slow-motion video. It can save uncompressed 4K video to an ­external source, but is limited to 1080p footage when saving to the onboard microSD card. (The new RXØ II, released during our test, adds the ability to save 4K video directly to the camera.)

Specs

• Depth
  30 feet, 330 feet in housing
• 4K Frame Rates
  No onboard 4K
• FHD Frame Rates
  120, 60, 30, 24
• Image Sensor
  15.3 MP
• Released
  September 2017

TOVATEC MERA

This two-in-one design incorporates a full HD camera into a fully functioning 1,000-lumen dive light. Both work independently of each other using a three-button layout that testers felt was both ergonomic and intuitive. “Easy one-handed operation,” one tester commented. “Couldn’t be simpler,” another said. The Mera took top score for setup, as it requires no more effort than your standard dive light. “Setup? What setup?” one diver quipped. The Mera doesn’t have a viewfinder, but was designed so that the camera’s field of view matches the 120-degree flood beam—anything the light illuminates will be in view. This is a clever way to frame the shot, but only really works in darker conditions, because it can be difficult to see the beam (and the camera’s status light) in bright, ambient light. Most footage captured in shallow, sunny conditions was crisp and clear with perfectly natural color, but in other conditions quality “shifts wildly and dramatically,” as one tester put it. “Some clips appear oversaturated” was how one diver described the unnatural-colored haze that accompanied some clips, especially those taken in low light. The floodlight was useful for restoring color in the dark but was also sensitive to backscatter—and the 12-degree spotlight creates a glaring hotspot. When the microSD card is full, the camera begins to overwrite existing footage. Because it is built into a dive light, it makes it much easier to carry on every dive, ensuring you’ll have a camera on hand for any chance encounter. It doesn’t have the features and control that serious shooting requires, but for the price of a standard dive light, the Mera is a convenient, inexpensive way to capture high-definition video to document and share your underwater adventures.

Specs

• Depth
  200 feet
• 4K Frame Rates
  Doesn't shoot 4K
• FHD Frame Rates
  60
• Image Sensor
  4 MP
• Released
  October 2018

YI TECHNOLOGY YI4K+

As the only other camera capable of shooting 4K at 60 frames per second, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Yi4K+ was the only camera in the test to go toe-to-toe with GoPro’s top-tier video. It managed to edge out the Hero7 for clarity—where the Yi4K+ took its only excellent score—and ranked second place for overall quality. (It’s also capable of shooting RAW images.) “Really clear shots!” one test diver enthused. “Totally amazed,” another said. Even without an underwater mode, a solid white balance and good contrast helped the Yi’s footage appear natural in ambient conditions, although color diminished quickly with depth. Still, testers rated it as very good for the quality of its color. “Crisp definition and color in a range of conditions,” one tester commented. In the water, test divers appreciated the size of the camera’s 2.2-inch display for framing shots and confirming settings, but also noted lots of glare in sunny conditions. Navigating menus and changing settings is easy with the touchscreen. However, when using the included underwater housing, divers only have access to a single push button, which acts as both the power and record button. This button is also the only way to swap between the camera’s multiple photo and video modes underwater. The limited functionality required more time to go through menus, but helped the camera earn very good scores for ergonomics and intuitive operation. “Very easy to follow and understand” is how one diver described the operation. This camera’s lower-than-average price, simple operation and outstanding footage make it ideal for mounting onto a professional rig as a backup camera. Those traits also made it popular with our testers, with multiple divers choosing it among their favorites. The Yi4K+ is our Best Buy.

Specs

• Depth
  130 feet in housing
• 4K Frame Rates
  60, 30, 24
• FHD Frame Rates
  120, 60, 30, 24
• Image Sensor
  12 MP
• Released
  February 2017