Best Underwater Camera for Snorkeling

The AKASO EK7000 4K WIFI Action Camera is our best underwater camera for snorkeling and it is super high definition in its build and can take a lot of high quality photos and videos along the way. It also supports 4K video for that smooth and unprecedented video and photo quality for viewing the underwater world and recording it and the waterproof camera can also reach its WiFi signal up to 10 meters. It can be submerged up to a distance depth of 100 feet or 30 meters and still stay waterproof as much as possible and it supports any kind of SDHC card.

Our step-up pick is the Fujifilm FinePix XP90 Waterproof digital camera and it has an optical zoom that spans up to 5 times, from 28 mm up to 140 mm in its distance. There are various color options to choose from with this compact digital camera that can be used underwater for snorkeling and scuba diving and it is also equipped with other features such as being shock proof up to 1.75 meters of dropping distance or 5.8 feet from above. Like most cameras, it also has a built-in flash feature.

The budget pick is the Cymas Full HD 1080P Action Camera and there are a total of six layers of glass lenses to keep the photos and videos extra sharp and less distorted and also very clear to see. The case of this snorkeling camera is very water proof and also highly durable which makes it super ideal for water sports and water activities and the full color display is very vivid and allows you to instantly play back any video that you have just recorded.

A Little Background

Underwater cameras for snorkeling are very crucial for recording the experiences that you had in your underwater adventures. Things like GoPros and action cameras are very much needed when it comes to snorkeling and going under the sea. It can be hard to breathe underwater so it is quite hard to capture the moments underwater. Not all cameras are designed to work underwater and not all phones can stay working when tossed under the water. While some Samsung and Xperia phones have the capability of being water submersible for a couple of meters, you should definitely get an action camera or underwater camera for snorkeling for long hours so you can record true high quality video for your snorkeling or scuba diving adventures.

How We Picked

When picking out the best underwater cameras for snorkeling, here are some pointers:
Specifications – make sure that the underwater camera has very relevant specs, such as high definition capabilities, 4K video recording and much more.
Submersible depth – make sure that you know how much the underwater camera is rated for submerging or else you might end up wrecking the camera from too much underwater pressure.
Megapixels – make sure that the underwater camera that you will pick has a tolerable quality for its megapixels or else you will get a not so good quality of image or video from your snorkeling adventures.

Our Pick

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AKASO EK7000 4K WIFI Action Camera

Our best underwater camera for snorkeling is the AKASO EK7000 4K WIFI Action Camera and it is super high definition in its build and can take a lot of high quality photos and videos along the way. It also has a DV camcorder that has been built-in to its design so it is truly a great underwater camera for snorkeling and viewing the ocean floor and underwater world and the lenses are very wide in their angles at a span of up to 170 degrees.
The quality of the snorkeling camera is very great at 12 megapixels, which is tolerable for a great action camera and it also supports 4K video for that smooth and unprecedented video and photo quality for viewing the underwater world and recording it. The LCD screen is also great at 2 inches in its width and it also has a remote control that runs at 2.4 G wireless technology with RF remote control feature mechanism. It also has a total of 19 mounting kits to choose from and be creative with and it is also capable of WiFi so it is a great action camera for snorkeling to consider.
You can also record at 2.7 K up to 30 frames per second or with 4K at 25 frames per second for the best kind of quality for photos and videos possible and you also get two awesome rechargeable batteries so you can charge on the go using 1,040 mAh batteries which can record up to 90 minutes of videos. It also has various outputs to choose from, such as micro USB as well as HDMI for connecting to high definition TVs and supports any kind of SDHC card. It can be submerged up to a distance depth of 100 feet or 30 meters and still stay waterproof as much as possible and its integrated wireless network will get you hopping for excitement while sharing what’s under the sea.
There is also a time lapse mode for this awesome underwater camera with intervals that can be set from 0.5 seconds up to 60 seconds depending on your preferences and you can easily connect this snorkeling camera with the EZ iCam to connect it with this snorkeling camera so you can easily share your recordings or edit and review them. The remote control lets you totally handle your action camera for the full pleasure of taking selfies while with the fishes and the waterproof camera can also reach its WiFi signal up to 10 meters.
The many mounting options include: a helmet mount, a bandage, two clips, 7 mounts, 5 tethers, one bicycle stand and one protective backdoor. It also includes the AC charger, a USB cable, a lens cloth for cleaning, the two batteries at 1,050 mAh each, the 2.4G remote control, the camera itself plus one user’s manual to guide you. Also, you can use any micro SD card with space capabilities of up to 64 GB.
The AKASO Action Camera comes with a highly protective case. Preferably, you should use any class 10 micro SD card if you want to harness its true 4K action capabilities as an underwater camera for snorkeling. If you also happened to have a GoPro mount, you can also use this snorkeling camera to mount it with. It is a great low end option for those who cannot afford a GoPro.

Flaws but Not Dealbrakers

Like most gadgets out there, the AKASO EK7000 4K WIFI Action Camera has its own share of flaws but they do not make to break the deal. For instance, the only known cons about the product as the best underwater camera for snorkeling include the fact that its battery may not be as good as expensive underwater cameras out there.

Step-up Pick

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Fujifilm FinePix XP90 Waterproof digital camera

With our step-up pick, the Fujifilm FinePix XP90 Waterproof digital camera, there are various color options to choose from with this compact digital camera that can be used underwater for snorkeling and scuba diving. It has an optical zoom that spans up to 5 times, from 28 mm up to 140 mm in its distance and it also has a unique time lapse movie mode so you can definitely make a scenic moment with this awesome submersible camera for snorkeling.
It is highly waterproof up to the distance of 15 meters or 50 feet so it is not a bad step-up pick due to its wide amount of features and high quality shooting capabilities and the fact that it is a step-up pick stands upon its image and video quality of 16.4 megapixels, which is significantly higher than our top pick. It is also equipped with other features such as being shock proof up to 1.75 meters of dropping distance or 5.8 feet from above.
It is also equipped with a unique freeze proof quality that is not seen on most waterproof cameras, such that it can take the worst temperatures up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit or -10 degrees Celsius, which makes it highly ideal for snorkeling in the coldest areas of the world. And like our top pick, you also get remote sharing features as well as WiFi sharing features with this awesome underwater camera for snorkeling. You also get an interval shooting mode for all of your underwater photography needs.
Another great thing about this step-up pick is the very fact that you can keep away foreign particles and sand from this snorkeling underwater camera due to being dust proof. And like most cameras, it also has a built-in flash feature. It also comes with its standard accessories like the USB cable, wall charger, wrist strap and the battery (of course, you have to buy the SD card separately) and it can take up to 32 GB memory card.

Budget Pick

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Cymas Full HD 1080P Action Camera

The Cymas Full HD 1080P Action Camera is a great budget option for those who want to use an underwater camera to capture the most precious moments underwater and it has a wide angle fish eye lens that spans at a width of 170 degrees in its way. Its high definition viewing screen spans at a width of 2 inches to give you the best image and video preview possible. Up to 30 meters, you can take it to your snorkeling adventure or through diving or swimming under the water.
Because all of its buttons can be easily operated underwater, you do not have to worry about pressing them while in the water. The case of this snorkeling camera is very water proof and also highly durable which makes it super ideal for water sports and water activities and its waterproof case makes it a great budget pick for the best underwater camera for snorkeling.
It greatly supports VGA as well as WVGA as a recording technology and it can also record any kind of video at high definition in 1080p at 30 frames per second or at 720p at 30 frames per second. The full color display is very vivid and allows you to instantly play back any video that you have just recorded. It can accept up to 32 GB of micro SD card to record your videos and photos in a vivid way with all of the details kept. There are a total of six layers of glass lenses to keep the photos and videos extra sharp and less distorted and also very clear to see.
Furthermore, it also comes with a total of 16 accessories to choose from when it comes to mounting on a wide range of activities, sports or events and you can use it for water sports as well as in other field sports that require a lot of speed. It also has a preventive feature which keeps you from turning on the camera while it is charging so that it will save more battery and keep the battery charging better and faster without wasting battery life because turning on the unit while charging might result in the battery draining faster.
It is likewise powered by a rechargeable battery that is a lithium ion at 900 mAh which can last up to 3 hours of solid recording so you can definitely enjoy snorkeling for longer periods of time with this budget pick snorkeling camera.

Ideal Underwater Camera for Snorkeling that is also Shockproof

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MARVUE HDV-801 Underwater Shockproof 24MP Camera

The MARVUE HDV-801 Underwater Shockproof 24MP Camera has a stunning dual display using LCD screens that are in full color to give you the best kind of view and video previewing or image previewing or reviewing and the camera is also quite high in its quality as it is a digital camera with 24 megapixels to give you the best quality possible. It is also available in three various designed colors and the camera also acts as a camcorder underwater for your snorkeling adventures.
It is not just waterproof but it is also shockproof and dustproof for all of your conveniences. It is waterproof and submersible up to 10 feet of depth in the ocean or in any kind of body of water and it also comes with a free casing for the camera for your convenience. It also has a great self timer feature for that perfect selfie or groupie at the beach or under the sea and it can record photos and videos at a stunning quality of 1080p so you get the best kind of quality possible.
The battery is also easily rechargeable at your pace and the compact design makes it super ideal to travel with and the light weight makes it easy to carry. The rugged design adds to its durability and ease of use while on your adventures. You can take selfies and groupies with the fish and the coral reefs with this snorkeling underwater camera. There is also an LED flash light for the darkest and deepest parts of the ocean and you can also select your preferred resolutions to save up on writing space for your SD card as it can take any SD card up to 32 GB of size.
The true FHD recording of the 1080p videos of the snorkeling camera is up to 15 frames per second. You can also transfer files normally from a USB port to your computer. The LCD screen is at 1.8 inches which is great for viewing and reviewing your content and there is also a bigger LCD screen display at 2.7 inches and you can also easily adjust from normal mode to macro mode so you can save your time in having to edit out blurry pictures.
The lithium battery is also removable like on most cameras and the self timer can run up to 10 seconds. It also has an auto focus and an auto zoom capability like most cameras out there and it saves on standard JPEG format for photos and AVI format for videos. It also supports VGA, QVGA, and HD at 720p or FHD at 1080p and it has a lot of scenario options as well for you to match your current scenario as well as the white balance display and settings. You can set the self timer for 2 seconds, 5 seconds or 10 seconds and you can also set the ISO at 100, 200, 400 or automatically.
Moreover, the camera’s aperture is F/2.9 while its macro focus is 20 to 30 cm and the normal focus is 1.0 m to infinity, which is also its focal distance. It also has an electronic image stabilization feature which prevents the accidental shaking to avoid blurry images and it also supports direct printing as well as face detection and continuous shooting. Its battery has a total capacity of 550 mAh and has a charging time of 3 hours and it also alerts you when the battery is low.
It also saves you battery life by enabling an auto-off feature for 60 seconds, 180 seconds or 300 seconds of inactivity and its LED lights are less than 1.5 M. Moreover, it also has a built-in microphone and a speaker and it also has a red eye reduction feature and various flash lamp settings for the flash feature. It has a working temperature of 0 to 40 degrees and it also comes with a pouch and a user’s manual as well as the charger, the lithium ion battery and the USB data cable.

Underwater Camera for Snorkeling with Dual Screen Feature

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SVP 2.7-inch Dual-Screen Aqua5800 Underwater Camera

The SVP 2.7-inch Dual-Screen Aqua5800 Underwater Camera’s dual screen feature is a great way to enjoy selfies while reviewing your photos. You can definitely add more photos due to the fact that it supports any micro SD card with sizes of up to 32 GB for all of your photos and video needs. Its TFT color display measures 1.8 inches while the other color LCD screen display measures 2.7 inches.
Moreover, it has up to 4 times digital zoom so you can definitely use it to zoom in the finest details without disturbing nature and it also has a great quality as a digital camera for underwater snorkeling use with 18 megapixels. You can also transfer data to and from Windows operating systems (XP, Vista, Win 7, etc.) as well as Mac OSX 10.6.8 and above versions. And also, its lens measures 8.5 mm and is made from high quality material for a clear and crisp quality of photos and videos.

Best WiFi Enabled Underwater Camera for Snorkeling

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Vikeepro 1080p 30fps Sports Action Camera

The Vikeepro 1080p 30fps Sports Action Camera is a great underwater camera that has a screen that shows full HD quality at a size of 2 inches and it can take videos and photos with a high quality of 1080p for video recording at 30 frames per second. It is also WiFi enabled so you can easily and instantly share photos and videos that you have saved over a network and through social media and websites
It comes with two rechargeable batteries and it also comes with a free accessories kit for mounting and the like and it is a 12-megapixel camera so it will definitely shoot like a pro with great quality. The wrist control is at 2.4G so you can control the snorkeling underwater camera remotely and its lens is ultra wide in its angle at 170 degrees so you can definitely get a better view of the ocean. It supports any micro SD card up to 32 GB in space capacity.
Moreover, it comes with 7 mounts as well as 1 bicycle mount and 2 clips or mounting the snorkeling camera easily onto any helmet, bicycle, vehicle and much more activities outdoors and it is a great snorkeling companion due to its waterproof case which can also be used on a wide variety of water sports such as skiing, boating, surfing and many more. It is also dustproof so it is very easy to maintain and it can be controlled using the EZ iCam app. It can also be connected through any HDMI output for any TV that is capable of doing so and the shooting time of its 900 mAh battery is up to 90 minutes.
You can also transfer files through the USB cable to your computer for easy viewing, editing, sharing or backup. Moreover, it uses a 5-volt DC adaptor and uses USB 2.0 interface and it records on MOV format (H2.64) and captures on JPEG format. Its screen resolution is 320 by 240 pixels and the charging time is about 2 hours on regular usage. A recommended type of SDHC card would be a class 10 micro SD card.

Ideal Underwater Camera for Snorkeling with 4K Video Recording

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Li Yu SZ 4K Action Camera

The Li Yu SZ 4K Action Camera is able to record any scenery using its 4K ultra HD quality that is unlike most waterproof cameras out there and it has a wide angle lens at 170 degrees for the best view underwater. Its LCD screen can preview your images or play your videos using its 2.0-inch display. The camera is of high quality at 16 megapixels and it is also capable of WiFi sharing instantly.
It has been rated for a plunging depth of up to 98 feet and it is also equipped with a high quality CMOS sensor so your images get a stunning quality overall. It is not just waterproof – it is also dust proof as well as shock proof so it is a true action camera for snorkeling and other sports. It can be controlled with a 2.4 GHz wireless remote control. Moreover, you can use SD cards up to 64 GB with this awesome snorkeling underwater camera.
It also has a slow motion feature and a time lapse feature and it also has a feature in which the unit can automatically shut down after periods of inactivity, from 1 minute up to 5 minutes. You also get a nice self-timer feature from 3 seconds up to 30 seconds of time and you can also use a time watermark feature. It uses the Sony IMX 179 as its image sensor and the AllWiner V3 as its chipset and it also has neat accessories that allow it to fit with any tripod.

Ideal Underwater Camera for Snorkeling with Freezeproof Feature

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Olympus Stylus TG-830 iHS Digital Camera

The Olympus Stylus TG-830 iHS Digital Camera has a capability of GPS with a high speed performance and it can also zoom up to 5 times so you can definitely get a clearer picture of the ocean. Its LCD screen measures 3 inches so it can give you a better preview of your image or video and this digital camera for snorkeling underwater is also equipped with an E-compass feature so you know where to go.
It records high quality videos at 1080p quality at full HD and its image processor is TruePic VI and its CMOS sensor is BSI at 16 megapixels. It has a unique crushproof capability of up to 100 KGF or 220 LBF and it is also freeze proof up to -10 degrees C or 14 degrees F so you can use it in the most freezing environments possible. It is also shockproof up to 2.1 meters or 6.9 feet of falling distance and it is also waterproof for up to 33 feet or 10 meters of water depth.

Best GPS Enabled Underwater Camera for Snorkeling

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Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16MP Waterproof Camera

The Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16MP Waterproof Camera is a 16-megapixel camera that works underwater effectively and has 5x optical zoom plus 4x digital zoom. It can be connected with any HDMI port and can record up to 1080p full HD quality and it also records GPS data such as points of interests, landmarks, locations, latitude, longitude and much more to your photos and it is waterproof with a rating of 33 feet or 10 meters.

Underwater Camera for Snorkeling with a Deep Submersible Rating

sealife
SeaLife Micro HD+ Underwater Digital Camera

The SeaLife Micro HD+ Underwater Digital Camera records any 1080p full HD video in a breeze with its controls and can be installed with up to 32 GB of memory card. It is also WiFi enabled and is waterproof to a distance of up to 60 meters or 200 feet, which makes it superior from most underwater cameras out there. It also has a rapid fire mode and is powered by a high quality lithium rechargeable battery at 2,400 mAh and it is a 13-megapixel camera.

The Competition

Other underwater cameras for snorkeling did not have a lot of capability to stay put underwater and had reports of easily crashing. It is important for an underwater camera to truly work for its underwater rating to be able to be used for snorkeling purposes.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the tips for taking good pictures underwater?
A: According to UW Photography Guide , using forced flash is a great feature for underwater scenarios. Do not shoot downwards and instead, shoot at an upward angle to get the best composition. It is a good idea to train in diving and snorkeling first before taking great underwater photos. You can also use auto white balance when using flash. The lowest ISO should be used for underwater photos and you can also use an external strobe light or flash to reduce the backscatter.

Q: What are the traits and skills that you need when it comes to underwater photography?
A: According to The Wire Cutter , make sure you have a ton of patience, as underwater photography takes a lot of time. You should also be more creative even in the most crucial moments and you should also possess great swimming and underwater breathing skills to take good photos. What’s more, you should also be kind to the aquatic animals.

Wrapping It Up

Overall, the AKASO EK7000 4K WIFI Action Camera is our best underwater camera for snorkeling or if you are a great enthusiast with underwater photography in general.