Eight Waterproof Cameras to Help You Make Memories on Your Boat

Sept 26, 2024

Looking for a way to document those upcoming boating adventures? Especially if your headed down south this winter, it’s probably time to invest in a waterproof camera. 

Unlike regular cameras, marine cameras are designed with water resistance in mind. Plus, they’re durable, dustproof, shockproof, weatherproof, and — of course — waterproof! Waterproof cameras for boats are ideal for capturing on-the-water adventures but with so many camera options out there, it can take time to know which one is right for you. In this guide, we’ll narrow down the best waterproof cameras so that you can select the right option.

The Best Waterproof Camera Options:

Check out these marine cameras that caught our eye (literally):

1. Olympus Tough TG-6

Starting off strong is the Olympus Tough TG-6. With premium specs and the popular Variable Macro System, this marine camera excels in a wide variety of shooting conditions. It is shockproof for drops of up to seven feet and can shoot at temperatures as cold as 14°F. Additionally, this marine camera features an underwater microscope function for close-up shots, as well as four other underwater shooting modes and three underwater white balance settings. 

Learn more about the Olympus Tough TG-6.

2. FujiFilm Quicksnap Waterproof 

The FujiFilm Quicksnap Marine is the best underwater single-use camera on the market. The point-and-shoot model is ideal for beginners and casual photography, and its asking price won’t break the bank. However, while this marine camera is waterproof up to 35 feet, it doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of other, more expensive waterproof cameras for boats.

Learn more about the FujiFilm Quicksnap Marine. 

3. GoPro Hero8 Black 

While the GoPro Hero8 Black isn’t the latest GoPro addition, it offers a tremendous bang for your buck. This compact camera is incredibly durable. And its burst shooting mode, time-lapse video, improved HDR, and GoPro’s signature TimeWarp function make it ideal for water sports pros looking to document their rides. 

Learn more about the GoPro Hero8 Black. 

Read Next: Water Sports Equipment Guide 

4. Ricoh WG-70

This durable and versatile marine camera has more modes than we know what to do with (though we think professional photographers will do just fine). It has six LED light rings for optimal underwater illumination and faster shutter speeds, making it a fantastic choice for underwater photoshoots. And if that wasn’t enough, this camera has 25 different shooting modes, a 5X optical zoom, a GPS recorder, a high-quality slow-mo setting, and plenty more.

Learn more about the Ricoh WG-70. 

5. SeaLife Micro 3.0 Digital Underwater Camera 

The SeaLife Micro 3.0 Digital Underwater Camera is one of the best waterproof cameras for scuba diving adventures. Equipped to go as far as 200 feet underwater, this small, portable camera has powerful capabilities. The fixed-focus lens is equivalent to 19mm, which makes taking wide-angle shots a breeze. And the 2.8 aperture is ideal for low-light shooting, which comes in handy underwater.

Learn more about the SeaLife Micro 3.0 Digital Underwater Camera. 

6. Kodak PixPro WPZ2 Digital Camera

The Kodak PixPro WPZ2 Digital Camera is a beginner-friendly marine camera that doesn’t skimp on features. It has a 27-108mm and 4X optical zoom lens, offering extensive photo and video capabilities. And because it dives down to 49 feet, this waterproof camera is ideal for snorkeling, scuba diving, or simply hanging out on the water. Overall, we recommend the Kodak PixPro WPZ2 Digital Camera to anyone looking to dip their toes (pun intended) in underwater photography.

Learn more about the Kodak PixPro WPZ2 Digital Camera. 

7. Sony Alpha 1 and Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing Kit

We recommend the Sony Alpha 1 and Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing Kit if you know your way around a camera. In fact, many photo pros will say this is an unbeatable combination for capturing high-quality photos and 8K video 200 feet below the surface. The possibilities for high-quality content are endless thanks to features like ISO, autofocus, and the ability to sync with underwater strobes via an electric shutter.

Learn more about the Sony Alpha 1 and Ikelite 200DL Underwater Housing Kit. 

8. Sony RXO II

The tiny but mighty Sony RXO II is one of the best waterproof cameras for videography. Thanks to its quick shooting ability and 180° tilting display screen, you can rest assured that you won’t miss a thing. The image stabilization is excellent, and the fact that it’s waterproof, shockproof, and crush-proof means it’s fit for all your underwater adventures.

Learn more about the Sony RXO II. 

With files from Discover Boating