Planning on going on a diving trip? Or do you have a whole adventure planned and you need a hardy camera you can carry around with no issue? Either way, here is a list of the best waterproof video cameras you can buy for different budgets.
At this point, there are so many variations of cameras available that you can find a really good one for any price point you might have. Granted, this does not mean that they are all the same. The cameras in the higher range are going to be better not just in terms of features but in overall video quality as well.
Having said that, most new mobile phones now also ship with amazing video quality and have some level of water protection. But nothing feels the same as a camera in the hands. So, if you are in the market for a waterproof camera but want to stick within a budget, this is the list for you:
1. AKASO V50x - $99
This is a highly impressive alternative to using a GoPro that is pretty popular among the masses. It can shoot up to 4K videos and has a 20-MP camera.
It also comes with a range of features that are found in professional cameras such as anti-shake and voice commands. You can easily record underwater with this camera as well, and the 4K 30fps quality allows you to record in slow motion and still get that overall decent quality.
This is a great budget option for anyone who wants a high-end video camera for a bargain price.
Pros:
●Good image stabilization
●Great video quality
●Very affordable price
Cons:
●You can’t record in 4K 60fps
2. AKASO Brave 7 - $150
Is a lot of your content or video-time spent vlogging what you are doing throughout the day? Then this video camera is for you. It comes complete with a small selfie screen on the front of the camera so that the user can see and record themselves as well.
For its price, this camera is considered a very good all-rounder as it can capture high-resolution images and has very effective image stabilization which makes your shots look great. On the other hand, this is not a good option for those who are looking to film in 4K quality. This is because it cannot film at 60fps and so the video does not look as snappy and crisp as you would want your footage to be.
Pros:
● A second selfie screen useful to vloggers
● Take high-resolution photos
● Image stabilization is quite good.
Cons:
● Can’t record video at 4K 60fps
3. Nikon W300 Waterproof Ultra HD Camera - $300 - $400
This is an inexpensive option for those who are looking to take many pictures and videos on the fly and through different terrains and weather conditions. It is waterproof, shockproof, dustproof, and freezeproof meaning you can take this camera out on any adventure you have your mind set on.
It has a very solid build for its price, a 16-MP camera, and other cool features such as a GPS tracker and compass that you wouldn’t usually find in a budget camera model. You can also use this camera to shoot videos up to 4K. In terms of battery life, you can get a little over 250 shots on a single charge, which is around the norm for a digital camera of this price range.
Pros:
●Great build quality
●Can be used in any weather
●Can shoot up to 4K video
Cons:
●Auto-focus is not always the best
●The images are not meant to be professional so there are some bleed issues
4. Ricoh WG-60 Red Waterproof Camera - $300 - $400
This is a great rugged camera option for those who are serial outdoor-ists but not professional photographers. It has a 16-MP camera and is waterproof, shockproof and, freezeproof. Therefore, if you are using it just to video yourselves outdoors, then this camera can work great for you.
It has a slightly unusual shape for a camera and is quite wide. It feels very solid in the hand and is quite easy to hold on to too. However, it does not have much else going for it. The screen to view the photos is in low-resolution, has a lot of cluttered buttons and options, and the image quality is not the best for anything other than sharing online.
Pros:
●Value for money
●Easy to operate
Cons:
●Lacking in features and not suitable for professional photography
5. Olympus Tough TG-6 Waterproof Camera - $450
If you are in the market for a really tough camera that can go with you through all the wilderness you want to explore, then this camera is for you. It comes with a 12-MP camera and a 4 times zoom feature as well.
There are a ton of options available on this camera for the type of photography you want to do. If you are planning on going for a dive, then you need to switch to the correct mode and your photos will come out great. This is great for those on longer trips because you can switch to the mode you want at the point when you need it.
It also offers other premium and advanced features such as adjusting the aperture for those who are interested in that. On the flip side, however, most advanced users will find that these features are actually lacking because you can’t adjust all the areas you need to. Also, for beginners, this can be a bit confusing to use because there are so many options everywhere.
Pros:
●Rugged camera meant for any terrain
●Great picture and video quality
●Great underwater performance
Cons:
●Can be difficult for newbies to use
No matter what video camera you’re looking for, find one that fits your budget – and your requirements.
