Top 5 Underwater Cameras

Underwater cameras are the perfect device to capture those wonderful moments under the sea while snorkeling or while playing in a water park. These cameras are designed to take excellent pictures in the water without concerns of damage, and the most durable cameras can actually take pictures at depths up to 50 feet! The top 5 underwater cameras on the market are the Olympus TG-2, Panasonic Lumix TS5, Panasonic Lumix TS4, Olympus Stylus TG-830 iHS and the Fujifilm XP200.

Olympus TG-2

The Olympus TG-2 produces the best low light photos and sharpest action shots because the camera’s lense opens up higher than other underwater cameras. This camera features a ‘Microscopic Macro Mode’ in which the photographer can bring the lense as close as 1 centimeter from the subject. When tested, the camera was able to withstand depths up to 50 feet and was freeze-proof to 14 degrees Fahrenheit. The Olympus TG-2 also features an excellent GPS system with tracking, landmarks and manometer. Other benefits of the camera include wireless flash control, good battery life and a notable tap control feature where the photographer can adjust the settings when wearing gloves or underwater.

Panasonic Lumix TS5

The Panasonic Lumix TS5 takes excellent stills at depths up to 43 feet. In addition to its underwater capabilities, the Lumix TS5 takes beautiful outdoor pictures with extremely vivid colors. The camera is simple to use, and the autofocus feature is nearly perfect (even with a moving subject). The Panasonic Lumix TS5 demonstrates superior dynamic range and its video quality is the best among underwater cameras. It is the only underwater camera that shoots in 1080p at 60 frames per second, resulting in perfectly exposed scenes, rich colors, smooth motion and clear audio.

Panasonic Lumix TS4

Although the prior year model to the TS5, the Panasonic Lumix TS4 is an excellent underwater camera and is available for a cheaper price than the TS5. The primary differences are that the Panasonic TS4 video is not as great as the TS5 and the TS4 does not have burst capabilities. However, these are minor issues considering the perfect quality output that the Panasonic TS4 is able to produce.

Olympus Stylus TG-830 iHS

The Olympus Stylus TG-830 iHS is waterproof in depths up to 33 feet. The camera features a 5x optimal zoom and a 3 inch LCD, and offers impressive low light performance and a high speed response.

Fujifilm XP200

The Fujifilm XP200 is waterproof in depths up to 50 feet and has a fantastic high resolution screen. The camera features lightning fast operation and excellent low light performance. In addition, the Fujifilm XP200 captures full high definition movies.

The Olympus TG-2 and the Panasonic Lumix TS5 are clearly the top underwater cameras on the market. However, all five of these cameras represent the best when considering depth capacity, image quality and cost.

Sources:

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2366987,00.asp
http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/the-best-all-around-waterproof-camera/
http://gizmodo.com/5916329/the-best-waterproof-rugged-digital-cameras
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/olympus-tg2/5

Sally writes for Fellow Way, purveyors of the finest quality tailored swim shorts and surfing accessories. At Fellow we believe in making the highest quality products which last. Learn more about our products by visiting our website or connecting with us on Twitter.