Let’s take a look at the best action cams for underwater use. These are great options for your next surf safari, dive trip, or travel adventure. Nowadays, you can get durable action cameras that can go very deep underwater. Some action cameras can even go deep without the help of a special underwater case.
Nicholas Woodman, the founder of GoPro, wasn’t the first to try to film his adventures with a hands-free camera. But he definitely got the ball rolling for the industry.
Over a decade ago he wanted to be able to film his days of surfing with a camera that was light, waterproof, and durable. There was nothing in the market for him so he went about creating his own.
GoPro action cameras became a success. Since then, the company is a firm favorite for consumers in the camera technology market. In recent years, many other companies have been producing their own versions.
From big camera companies like Sony to smaller ones like DB Power and AKASO. To learn more about the creation of the GoPro action camera, check out the Story of GoPro.
One of the most important features of the action camera is the ability to take it with you anywhere.
Now, they can not only withstand some water spilling but you can also take them underwater! Many of the cheaper cameras on the market are waterproof with external housing. More expensive options have the ability to go underwater without added protection.
Read on our product reviews
In this article, we have a pack of 8 amazing action cameras with underwater abilities. Let’s check them out!
Comparison table:
| Product Name | Video Quality | Photo Quality | Battery Life | Extra Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paralenz Dive Camera | 4K/30fps, 2.7K/60fps, 1080p/100fps, 720p/200fps | 8MP | Up to 3 hours, 1 battery included | Electronic image stabilization |
| GoPro Hero 6 Black | 4K/60fps, 1080p/240fps | 12MP | Up to 100 minutes at 1080p, 1 battery | Electronic image stabilization and Wind Noise Reduction |
| Garmin Virb XE | 1440p/30fps, 1080p/60fps, 960p/100fps, 720p/120fps and 480p/240fps | 12MP | Up to 2 hours, comes with 1 battery | Gyro image stabilization |
| AKASO V50 Elite | 4K/60/30fps, 2.7K/60/30fps, 1080p/120fps, 720p/240fps | 20MP | Up to 90 minutes, 2 batteries included | Built-in Advanced Electronic Image stabilization and Wind Noise Reduction |
| Campark X20 | 4K/24fps, 2K/30fps, 1080p/60/30fps, 720p/240/120/60/30fps | 20MP | Up to 60 minutes, 2 batteries included | Built-in Electronic Image Stabilization |
| Crosstour 8500 | 4K/30fps | 16MP | Up to 90 minutes, 2 batteries included | Built-in Electronic Image Stabilization |
| NeuTab Xtrem 4K | 4K/24fps,1080p/60fps | 16MP | Up to 60 minutes, 2 batteries included | None |
| APEMAN 4K | 4K/24fps, 1440P/30fps, 1080P/30fps/60fps, 720P/30fps/60fps/120fps | 20MP | 2 batteries, 120 minutes each | Gyroscope for anti-shake and image stabilization |
Table of Contents
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Paralenz Dive Camera
Main features:
- Waterproof without housing at extreme depths
- Long battery life
- Shoots video at 4K/30fps, 2.7K/60fps, 1080p/100fps and 720p/200fps
There are a lot of action cameras with good waterproofing out there. But the Paralenz Dive Camera is one of a kind. Without external housing, the camera is waterproof up to 820ft (250m). This is more than 5 times deeper than some of its competitors. Other cameras that don’t need external housing can’t go deeper than 164ft (50m).
To go with this impressive limit the camera also has a long battery life of up to 3 hours. This means that you won’t have to worry about your battery running out before you dive down to film the good stuff.
Its efficient “cannon” shape makes it easy to hold for filming, much like a small flashlight. Paralenz designed it with divers in mind. This makes it so easy to capture the incredible marine world around you.
The camera also features automatic color correction. It makes sure that when you’re diving, you don’t need to worry about adjusting the settings. It also makes editing your footage easier because you won’t need to fix all the colors in post-production.
Pros:
- Automatic color correction
Cons:
- Limited video features
- Limited accessories
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GoPro Hero 6 Black
Main features:
- Compatible with GoPro’s external housing, the Super Suit
- Waterproof without external housing up to 33ft (10m)
- Shoots video at 4K/60fps and 1080p/240fps
GoPro’s are the leaders in the action camera market. Each new edition gets even more waterproofing features.
New models such as the Hero 6 Black can reach depths of up to 33ft (10m) without an external housing. This is suitable for a range of different water activities and will keep it safe in snow and mud.
The standard GoPro housing can go as deep as 131ft (40m). If you need to go deeper, some of the latest models are compatible with their new housing, the Super Suit.
The Super Suit keeps the camera safe and dry for up to 196ft (60m). It allows you to dive deeper and capture more footage.
The camera also features electronic image stabilization which makes it one of the best for underwater shooting. This feature makes sure that your videos are smooth and easy to watch. This will keep the video steady.
It will come in handy when filming action sequences like riding a wave or skiing down a black diamond.
Pros:
- Linear view mode available to correct the fisheye effect
- Electronic image stabilization
Cons:
- None
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Garmin Virb XE
Main features:
- Waterproof without a case up to 164ft (50m)
- Supports external microphone via Bluetooth
- Shoots video at 1440p/30fps, 1080p/60fps, 960p/100fps, 720p/120fps and 480p/240fps
There are lots of smaller companies producing lower-priced action cameras. The Garmin Virb XE has a higher price but still has great features compared to cameras in the same price range.
One of the best features of this camera is that it supports an external microphone via Bluetooth. A lot of cheaper action cameras do not have this feature. That means that other cameras have limited sound recording quality.
An external microphone results in better sound quality. That also means reduced excess background noise, such as in windy conditions.
The Garmin Virb XE uses Bluetooth connectivity for the external microphone. This comes in handy when the user captures sound away from the camera.
It also has a very good underwater range. It can go as deep as 164ft (50m), making it an easy choice for divers. To reach these depths it doesn’t need external housing either. This means no physical barrier to disrupt the sound.
Pros:
- Electronic image stabilization
Cons:
- Does not shoot 4K
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AKASO V50 Elite
Main features:
- 20MP photos
- Lens distortion correction
- Shoots video at 4K/60/30fps, 2.7K/60/30fps, 1080p/120fps and 720p/240fps
This is one camera that has a great underwater range. But the range depends on an external housing case. One of the downsides to this is that is doesn’t record sound when it is underwater.
It can capture a lot of great marine footage without sound as it shoots in 4K and captures 20MP photos. Reviews mention the great quality of the case. This puts your mind at ease when filming deep underwater.
The AKASO V50 Elite has the ability to shoot with a narrow, medium or wide field of vision. It also has a distortion calibration feature to help fix the fisheye effect.
While shooting, the fisheye effect will is automatically corrected. So this makes post-production editing easier.
Pros:
- Wide range of video options
Cons:
- Does not record sound in the waterproof case
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Campark X20
Main features:
- Wide range of shooting modes and video features
- 4K/24fps, 2K/30fps, 1080p/60/30fps and 720p/240/120/60/30fps
The Campark X20 is a great camera for the price you pay. It is very affordable which is why it is popular for family getaways or water sport enthusiasts.
For less than half the price of more expensive action cameras, this shoots 4K video and 20MP photos.
The frame rate options are impressive, going as high as 240fps when shooting at 720p.
It comes with a range of extra features. These can help you create professional footage or use it as a dashcam or home security camera.
If you’re looking for a dashcam, check out our articles here
Pros:
- Great value for money
Cons:
- Not waterproof without external housing
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Crosstour 8500
Main features:
- External microphone
- Shoots video at 4K/30fp
The Crosstour 8500 is another impressive action camera. Not only is it affordable, but it also offers good value.
One of it’s best features is the external microphone that you can use through a USB connection. This allows you to capture better sound for your videos.
It also features 4K shooting and 16MP photos. You can expect a depth of up to 98ft (30m) with the external housing.
Battery life is long-lasting with 2 batteries that can hold up to 90 minutes of charge each. You’ll be able to film longer and go deeper with this camera. For the tiny price tag, you can’t go wrong.
Pros:
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Not waterproof without external housing
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NeuTab Xtrem 4K
Main features:
- Waterproof up to 164ft (50m) with external housing
- Shoots video at 4K/24fps and 1080p/60fps
The NeuTab Xtrem 4K has one of the best underwater cases for an action camera. Together with the case, the camera allows you to film up to 164ft (50m).
The diving mode on this camera fixes the colors you capture when you’re underwater. Your footage will come out looking as clear as you can see and gives you superb results. The two included batteries mean you don’t need to buy extras.
Unfortunately, this camera does not have any image stabilization. So you need to use a gimbal to get smooth footage. It also doesn’t have as many options for frame rates or resolutions. It’s capable of 4K video, which many cameras in a similar price range don’t feature.
Pros:
- Shoots video in 4K and takes 16MP stills
Cons:
- Limited range of frame rates available
- No image stabilization
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APEMAN 4K Underwater Action Cam
Main features:
- Comes with 2 batteries, each holding up to 120 minutes of charge
- Shoots video at 4K/24fps, 1440P/30fps, 1080P/30fps/60fps and 720P/30fps/60fps/120fps
APEMAN brings an affordable underwater action camera to the table. This model holds up well against its competitors in the underwater shooting arena. It comes with a good range of shooting modes and resolutions.
The long battery life and good underwater housing also make it a solid option.
It won’t exactly crack the number one spot, but its features make it an easy option. This is taking into consideration the price you pay with the balance of features.
Even at such a low price, it still doesn’t miss out on 4K video and it takes 20MP stills. These features are still better than some of the most expensive action cameras and DSLRs.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- 20MP stills
- 4K shooting
Cons:
- None
Wrap-up
Capturing more of life’s adventures isn’t as hard as it used to be anymore. In fact, the hard thing to do today is choosing your best option among so many products.
Luckily, after going through this list of action cameras, you have an idea about what the different types of dashcams offer.
Outdoor adventures are meant to be fun, and what makes it more enjoyable is capturing those precious action-driven moments on camera.
The best action cams to capture all those precious moments are now available for everyone.
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