5 of the Best Underwater Cameras You Can Buy in 2026

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As smartphone cameras have become more and more capable over the past decade, it’s difficult to know which camera is best for your needs. Dedicated cameras with larger optics and sensors can still outperform mobile options, but most compact cameras, DSLRs, and mirrorless cameras aren’t able to get the job done when it comes to various forms of outdoor shooting. This is especially true if you’re trying to capture images on a snorkel vacation, scuba trip, or any adventure that takes you underwater, as specific camera build quality and design is required.

In fact, photographers and videographers using the wrong equipment for such situations will find themselves spending a lot of money after submersion. However, several camera manufacturers offer underwater cameras in their range, including brands like Olympus and Kodak, while the world of action cameras is also available.

With our own hands-on experience with such devices and a dive or two for underwater shots under our weighted belt, we have applied our knowledge to the following selection of the best underwater cameras available in 2026.

The OM System Olympus Tough TG-7 is one of the most robust compact cameras on the market. Its rugged design includes waterproofing that holds up to 50 feet, while also being shock-resistant for drops of up to seven feet, crush-resistant to withstand 220 pounds of force, and frost-resistant to withstand temperatures as low as 14 degrees Fahrenheit.

TechRadar rates this camera highly, naming the TG-7 the best overall waterproof camera. But it’s also a decent everyday carry accessory, and we find it to be one of the best digital cameras on Amazon. The built-in lens has an F2.0 aperture for blurred backgrounds and 4x zoom.

Whether underwater or on land, the TG-7 can shoot 4K video at 30 frames per second and even includes a vertical mode for social media videos. Additionally, its five underwater shooting modes include a microscope setting. With a starting price of $650 often discounted at retailers, the TG-7 is well regarded among buyers, as it has an overall rating of 4.3 stars on Amazon and 4.5 stars at B&H Photo.

Ricoh is a camera brand that has a popular user base. Its street cameras are renowned, and the Pentax WG-8 brings a lot of Ricoh’s small camera know-how, only in the form of a rugged, waterproof camera. Like the Olympus TG-7, the WG-8 is built to take on the elements. It’s submersible to depths of 65 feet and includes IPX6 dust-proof capabilities to keep nature out when above water. A unique feature that those looking for an underwater camera should consider is the WG-8’s built-in ring light. This can be extremely useful in underwater situations, where it is difficult to drag lights around for filming.

The WG-8 was well received as a waterproof camera. Imaging Resource notes that it’s more reliable than a smartphone for taking photos during snow and water activities, and it has a 4.6-star overall rating among B&H Photo customers. The camera is only capable of taking JPEG images, which is not suitable for those who prefer to heavily edit their photos. But several customer reviews praise the WG-8 for its travel camera functionality. The camera uses a 20-megapixel sensor and includes a built-in 28-140mm lens for extended reach. Its regular price is $477.

The DJI Osmo Action 6 is one of the newer underwater camera options. Not only does it perform well in underwater situations, but we think it’s one of the best DJI cameras for photography and vlogging. Because it’s an action camera, it has an even more portable design than point-and-shoot underwater cameras. And since it is a newer version, it has many features that may be difficult to find in other underwater cameras. Chief among them is 8K video resolution and a variable aperture lens that can be adjusted from F2.0 to F4.0. The camera is currently priced at $426 as part of the Osmo Action 6 Essential Combo at Amazon.

As for its underwater features, the Osmo Action 6 is designed to be used up to 65 feet right out of the box, and a waterproof case accessory is available from DJI that allows it to be used at a depth of almost 200 feet. The camera also includes advanced video stabilization, to help combat underwater chop. Like most action cameras, the Osmo Action 6 is best suited for video capture. It’s capable of taking photos, but it shines as a video camera, as over 2,000 Amazon customers have attested to by giving it a 4.5-star overall rating.

In the same price range is a similar action camera, the GoPro Hero13 Black. This is the latest GoPro camera in the Hero line, and it has received some upgrades over its previous version, which at the time of release we thought was the best action camera. The Hero13 Black can reach a depth of 33 feet right out of the box and has a 27-megapixel sensor that can be used for both video and RAW photography. On the video side, the Hero13 Black can shoot at 5.3K resolution, which is large enough to crop for 4K resolution output. You can go even further without losing resolution if your primary use is 1080p video on social media. The 5.3K resolution also makes it easy to create vertical crops of your video without losing image quality.

Just like the Osmo Action 6, underwater housings are available to expand the Hero13 Black’s depth capabilities. The camera alone regularly costs $419. The GoPro Hero12 Black is still on the market and is an affordable alternative. Each of the cameras may seem a little imperfect to full-time photographers, because action cameras have a unique form factor that makes them unobtrusive and ideal for editing. The Hero13 has an overall 4.3-star rating among Amazon customers and is popular among mountain bikers, surfers, skiers, divers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, Tom’s Guide named the GoPro Hero13 Black the best action camera for professionals.

Even though underwater cameras may appear to be incredibly specialized pieces of equipment, that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t also affordable. The underwater cameras we’ve reviewed all offer good value for money, but if you’re looking for the most budget-friendly underwater camera, the Kodak PixPro WPZ2 is worth a look. Its regular price is $179 and it comes in the classic Kodak yellow color. Some of its features match its bargain price, like a slightly lower resolution 16-megapixel sensor. The camera also isn’t capable of shooting RAW photos, so photographers will have to rely on the JPEG format, which doesn’t offer much flexibility when it comes to editing photos.

But the PixPro WPZ2 is waterproof to a depth of 50 feet, shockproof against drops up to 6.6 feet, and completely dustproof. Kodak designed it as a versatile travel and adventure option, including Wi-Fi capabilities that let you transfer photos directly to your smartphone for posting on social media. A rechargeable battery via USB-C and a microSD connection make it convenient. With an overall rating of 4.1 stars, the PixPro WPZ2 is well-regarded at B&H Photo and TechRadar included it among its picks for the best waterproof cameras.

When it comes to capturing the underwater world, many cameras can get the job done, especially with smartphones offering varying degrees of waterproofing in their design. But here we focused specifically on dedicated cameras, and in that regard we kept our focus on truly waterproof options. Many cameras come with weather resistance, which is supposed to hold up as much as possible for short periods on rainy days. The cameras we have selected here are truly submersible and capable of staying underwater for long periods of time. We relied on reviews from reputable technology, camera, and outdoor publications, our own knowledge, and customer reviews from B&H Photo and Amazon to compile a selection with a variety of uses and prices.