When I set off for Sharm El Sheikh I had a very cheap camera in my bag and a backup disposable one, however once I got to the airport I suddenly had that daunting feeling where I knew I might regret not bringing a more powerful camera. I then raided all the camera stores in the shopping section of Gatwick and found an underwater camera (perfect for scuba diving) which I bought for £150. This was hands down the best decision I could possible make throughout the entire holiday, as the pictures and videos I took are some of my favourite and allow me to re-live the moments again. I therefore thought it would be an interesting concept to review a large number of underwater cameras you could take with you abroad.
Kodak Weekend Underwater Disposable Camera
This is a good option if you are on a tight budget, at an unbelievable cost of $11.95. The images aren’t as clear as the better options and it will have a shorter life expectancy, but surprisingly good for the price.
Price: $11.95
Nikon COOLPIX AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera
This one is on the other end of the spectrum, at a much higher price of $259.95. The Nikon Coolpix is a 16mp camera, with GPS and full HD 1080p video. If you have the budget available, or plan on making multiple trips to destinations where you can scuba dive, then this could be the camera for you. The camera is also waterproof to a depth of 33 feet, definitely something you need to consider if you know how deep you will be diving.
Price: $259.95
Nikon COOLPIX AW100 Waterproof Compact Digital Camera – Orange (16MP, 5x Optical Zoom) 3 inch LCD
Kodak Sport C135 14MP Waterproof Digital camera
The Kodak Sport C135 has a 5x optical zoom and is waterproof up to 10 feet. This camera is 14mp, allowing a decent image for the cost of the camera. Another key feature is that the camera has a button to instantly upload the image to email or to a number of social media websites.
Price: $78.98
Kodak EasyShare Sport C123 12 MP Waterproof Digital Camera
This camera is around the same price as the Kodak Sport C135 mentioned above, however this one is only 12mp. The EasyShare is also waterproof to up to 10 feet, however I would avoid this camera as it seems a bit worse than the other Kodak cameras at similar prices.
Price: $74.99
Panasonic Lumix TS20 16.1 MP TOUGH Waterproof Digital Camera
The Lumix TS20 is the step up from the previous two Kodak cameras I have reviewed. The quality of images is really good, with a 16.1mp optical sensor resolution and a 4x optical zoom, while you can also video HD quality. This is one of my favourite cameras from all my investigation, with a clear image under water and there were no technical issues that some seemed to struggle with. I couldn’t find details of how deep you can dive with this camera, so it might be worth having a quick check to ensure it matches how deep you will be taking it.
Price: $154.99
Canon PowerShot SX280 HS 12.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera
The Powershot SX280 has built in WIFI technology, allowing you to instantly share images on social networks, particularly key if you are nervous about losing or breaking your camera while on holiday. This camera has an unbelievable 20x optical zoom and a 25mm wide lens, however the camera is only 12.1mp. This camera is pretty good, however for the price, I would prefer the marginally cheaper Nikon Coolpix AW100.
Price: $269.00
Have you bought an underwater camera, or have you tried any of the cameras I’ve listed? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!