9 best waterproof cameras that you can bring to your next beach vacation or diving expedition

Although handphone cameras are the go-to for most people when it comes to taking photos on vacation, phones are not exactly devices that you would risk submerging in the sea.

If you want to take fun photos on your beach vacation or diving expedition without having your phone or other compact cameras damaged by water, you will have to get waterproof cameras. Here are the top nine waterproof cameras recommended by photographers and adventurers:

1. GoPro HERO7 Black

Effective pixels: 12 megapixels
Optical zoom:
NIL,
Weight: 116g
Waterproof up to: 10m

When you think about waterproof cameras for adventures and action, one brand you’d most probably think of is GoPro.

The latest launch in its line of successful action cameras is the Hero7, a waterproof camera that actually encourages you to dunk, drop, and even crash it. This is certainly unheard of in the electronics industry, where you are advised to be as gentle and careful with your devices as possible!

Besides being one of the sturdiest cameras in the market now, it also comes with user-friendly features. For example, you say one of the 16 programmed commands to get your GoPro to snap a photo if your hands are busy rowing a boat – sweet!

GoPro Hero7 Black is available at SGD595 on Lazada and Harvey Norman, as well as at authorised retailers.

2. Panasonic FT30

Effective pixels: 16.1 megapixels
Optical zoom:
4x
Weight: 144g
Waterproof up to: 8m

Be it a relaxing day by the beach or an intense kayaking session, the Panasonic FT30 is the perfect camera to pack in your bags for the best photos and videos.

As blurring caused by hand-shake is one of the most common problems faced by photographers outdoors, this camera has been equipped with an Optical Image Stabiliser so that even the slightest hand-shake movement is compensated for, and you can always get sharp, clear images.

Panasonic FT30 retails at SGD165.66 on Lazada, as well as at authorised retailers.

3. Fujifilm XP130

Effective pixels: 16.4 megapixels
Optical zoom: 
5x
Weight: 207g
Waterproof up to: 20m

Fujifilm XP130 is an affordably-priced go-anywhere camera is well-loved among tech junkies and adventure lovers alike. Besides being waterproof, it is also shockproof, freezeproof, and dustproof, so you have no excuses not to take beautiful photos even in the harshest of environmental conditions.

You’d love that it has an eye detection feature, which is a special function that is usually found in higher-end camera models. You can use this to automatically detect the face and eyes of people and prioritise those for focus, so you don’t have to waste any time in getting the perfect shot.

Fujifilm XP130 retails at SGD374.10 on Lazada, as well as at authorised retailers.

4. Fujifilm Quicksnap 800 Waterproof 35mm Disposable Camera

Weight: 170g
Waterproof up to: 9m

Although digital photos are the trend, there are still a few of us who love shooting vintage film photographs. However, the problem is that many of them are not built to be waterproof, so you would not want to bring them on your adventures.

If you want a waterproof film camera, the Fujifilm Quicksnap 800 Waterproof 35mm Disposable Camera is one of the best-selling options you can get. It is has been proven to produce better colours and work better in low lighting, so you don’t have to compromise on quality in exchange for nostalgia.

Fujifilm Quicksnap 800 Waterproof 35mm Disposable Camera retails at SGD57 for a pack of 2 on Ubuy.

5. Nikon Coolpix W300

Effective pixels: 16 megapixels
Optical zoom:
4x
Weight: 231g
Waterproof up to: 30m

If you enjoy taking close-up photos of wildlife but don’t want to lug around heavy lenses, the Nikon Coolpix W300 allows you to capture detailed macro shots in sharp focus even from just 1cm away the subject.

This waterproof camera also comes with a Vibration Reduction to reduce the impact caused by shaky hands and unstable conditions, and a new AE lock feature that balances exposure while shooting in erratic lighting conditions.

Nikon Coolpix W300 retails at SGD689 on Lazada and Harvey Norman, as well as at authorised retailers.

6. Olympus Tough TG-5

Effective pixels: 12 megapixels
Optical zoom: 
4x
Weight: 253g
Waterproof up to: 15m

Olympus’ Tough line of cameras has a good reputation for being premier all-weather extreme compacts: so good, in fact, that an executive at a rival camera brand even endorses and uses these cameras!

The latest TG-6 in the lineup is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, crushproof AND freezeproof, making it a well-rounded compact that you can bring to virtually any tough outdoor conditions you can think of. Besides being almost indestructible, reviews have also praised this camera for shooting great images in low-light settings, and boasts image stabilisation for both stills and movies.

Olympus Tough TG-6 retails at SGD658 on Lazada, as well as at authorised retailers.

7. SeaLife DC2000

Effective pixels: 20 megapixels
Optical zoom:
NIL
Weight: 234g
Waterproof up to: 18m

Dubbed as a “capable point-and-shoot camera on land and under the sea” by reviewers, you will love all the features that most other cameras do not boast of.

You can take your pick from four underwater shooting modes so that you get sharp and colourful photos, or use the three built-in colour correction filters (different water conditions may colour the water differently). On land, you may use any of the land scene modes to adjust for specific shooting environments as well.

SeaLife DC2000 retails at SGD1,711.97 on Lazada.

8. Sony RX0 II premium tiny tough camera

Effective pixels: 15.3 megapixels 
Optical zoom: 
NIL
Weight: 132g
Waterproof up to: 10m

Don’t belittle this tiny camera – although it’s so small that it fits snugly in your palm, this bad boy allows you to shoot high-quality photos and videos anywhere and everywhere, be it sandy deserts, rough ocean waters, or even just your own backyard.

As the name implies, Sony’s camera is waterproof, dustproof, shockproof, and even crushproof. It even comes with a tiltable LCD monitor so that you can take selfies or do vlogging even when you are snorkelling with the fishes.

Sony RX0 II premium tiny tough camera retails at SGD899 for body, SGD999 including shooting grip kit on TecoBuy, as well as at authorised retailers.

9. Leica X-U (TYP 113)

Effective pixels: 16.2 megapixels
Optical zoom:
NIL
Weight: 635g
Waterproof up to: 15m

For the serious photographers who need a professional camera on their expeditions, the Leica X-U (TYP 113) is one of the best amphibious (works well both on and off land) cameras you can get your hands on.

Although it comes at a hefty price point and heavier-than-usual weight, you get high-quality images from what is arguably the simplest of features, even when lighting and weather conditions are less pleasant than desired.

Leica X-U (TYP 113) retails at SGD5,200 on Leica’s website, as well as at Leica stores.