Buying guide: underwater camera

In short

You can take pictures underwater with a simple action camera or with a mirrorless camera in a housing and several strobes. The right choice depends on what you want to photograph (seascapes, fish, macro), your budget and how much bulk you accept. In every case, lighting matters more than the camera: underwater, colours fade quickly with depth. And photography only comes after you have mastered buoyancy.

Why it matters

A camera that is too complex takes your attention away from the dive, your buddy and the environment. A camera suited to your level lets you keep good memories, share your observations and identify the species you meet, without damaging the environment.

Camera types

Type	Advantages	Disadvantages
Action camera	Small, robust, good-quality wide-angle video, moderate price	Little manual control, limited macro; a housing is often needed beyond a few metres
Waterproof compact (no housing)	Simple, always ready, good macro on some models	Limited depth (often about 15 m); a housing is recommended for deeper dives
Advanced compact in a housing	Very good quality, manual controls, wide-angle and macro converters	The housing and lighting push up the budget
Mirrorless or DSLR in a housing	Maximum quality, interchangeable lenses	Expensive, heavy, bulky; requires experience
Smartphone in a housing	No new camera, instant sharing	Depth depends on the housing, risk to the phone in case of a leak

Always check the maximum depth stated by the manufacturer for the camera and for its housing, and choose a margin beyond your usual dives.

The housing

• Polycarbonate: light, transparent (you can see a leak), affordable.
• Aluminium: robust, more compact, for deep or intensive diving, more expensive.
• O-rings: inspect, clean and grease them according to the instructions before each dive.
• Leak alarm and vacuum system: detect a leak before you enter the water.
• Ports: flat for macro, dome for wide angle.

Lighting

Lighting	Use	Key points
Video light (continuous light)	Video, macro, focusing aid	Power, beam angle, burn time, colour temperature
Strobe	Photo, freezing motion, vivid colours	Triggering by optical fibre or cable, power, recycle time
Red filter	Video in natural light at shallow depth	Inexpensive, ineffective at depth

Move the lights away from the lens axis to limit lit-up particles ("backscatter").

Choosing for your diving

• Getting started: action camera or waterproof compact, with a small light or video light.
• Progressing in photography: advanced compact in a housing, one or two strobes or video lights, an articulated arm.
• Advanced practice: mirrorless camera in a housing, dedicated ports and lenses.
• Add a lanyard or a clip so you never lose the camera.

Photography must never make you forget safety: stay in contact with your buddy, monitor your dive computer and your air. Do not touch the bottom, do not move animals and limit the use of strobes on sensitive species.

Some manufacturers

Non-exhaustive list, in alphabetical order, with no ranking and no sponsored or affiliate links. Check the current range on each manufacturer's website.

Manufacturer	Official website	Range
GoPro	gopro.com	Action cameras and housings
Ikelite	ikelite.com	Housings, strobes, video lights
Isotta	isotecnic.it	Housings, lighting
Nauticam	nauticam.com	Housings, ports, accessories
OM System	explore.omsystem.com	Waterproof compacts and housings
Paralenz	paralenz.com	Dive cameras
Sea & Sea	seaandsea.com	Housings, strobes
SeaLife	sealife-cameras.com	Cameras, housings, lighting

Key takeaways

• Choose according to your subject (seascape, fish, macro), your budget and the bulk you accept.
• Check the maximum depth of the camera and the housing.
• Lighting matters more than the camera: a video light or strobe from a few metres down.
• Maintain the housing O-rings before each dive.
• Buoyancy and safety come before photography.

Further reading

The underwater photography guide gives shooting techniques and the rules for respecting the environment. In the app, your photos help identify species and remain linked to the dive session.