The 9 Best Waterproof Cameras for Taking Underwater Photos

If you’re planning an ocean-side getaway or a day trip to the beach this summer, you’ll no doubt want to take lots of photos and share all the fun you’ll be having via social media. But even though many smartphones are able to survive an accidental dip in the pool, they don’t particularly like saltwater and aren’t engineered for taking photos underwater. So if your plans include some snorkeling or hitting the high seas—or you simply want to unplug and leave your phone behind—a waterproof camera is the way to go. Best of all, most will be durable enough to withstand a few bumps and bruises along the way as well and can withstand cold temperatures so you’ll be able to take yours on ski trips come winter.

What to Consider

Waterproof Rating

If you're buying a waterproof camera it stands to reason that the most important thing to consider is how waterproof it actually is. A camera's waterproof capabilities are measured by how far underwater it can go. If you plan to take it with you scuba diving, look for something that can go at least 60 feet underwater. Otherwise, consider the depth of the water where you'll be going, and buy accordingly.

Video Capabilities

Of course, these days we expect our cameras to do more than simply take still photographs, and waterproof cameras take video as well. Most waterproof cameras are capable of at least 1080p video, but if you want to film yourself swimming with the dolphins in ultra high-def, make sure it can shoot in 4K.

Wi-Fi

Naturally, you will want to post the pics of your underwater adventures to Instagram, and it's so much easier when you can send photos straight to your phone instead of first downloading them to your laptop. As such, look for a camera that is equipped with Wi-Fi.

How We Selected

We surveyed a range of reputable sources—from Wirecutter to CNET to PCMag—for their recommendations for the best waterproof cameras, cross-checked those with user ratings on Amazon, and keeping specs and price in mind, came up with a selection of cameras for a variety of users and budgets.