Review Of Different Types Of Digital Cameras Available For Underwater Photography

Finding the right waterproof camera for taking photographs underwater could be a bit of a tricky task. This is because there are so many different models claiming to be waterproof. But there are different specifications associated to define the type of usage of your camera below water level. Some cameras are merely designed to resist a splash while others are meant for deep diving photography. There are a host of cameras ranging from compact cameras to DSLR cameras which have their own unique features which come at different price points.

Evaluating Whether To Choose A Compact Type Waterproof Camera

There are a large number of benefits you would get if you choose a compact camera designed for underwater use. Many leading manufacturers have introduced many such cameras under $200. They are designed to be smaller in size for travel purposes, lightweight to be easier to carry when diving, and have less drag underwater. Drawbacks of choosing this type include show more noise and smaller dynamic range due to the smaller sensor, lower quality optics and lower battery life.

To get the best out of this range look for a cameras under $200 (preferably higher priced options available on a deal) with full manual mode controllability and good quality underwater housing. Apart from that focus on cameras which claim to have low shutter lag, longer battery life and have the function of manual white balancing. Some good camera models include Nikon Coolpix S31, Pentax Optio W80 and Sony RX-100 II.

Digital SLR Cameras Available For Underwater Photography

This domain is dominated mainly by the 2 leading camera brand giants Canon and Nikon. Other camera brands such as Sony and Fuji also have a few noteworthy cameras in this category. You should ideally look for a camera with a good lens and the other lens selection the brand supports. This is very important when you choose to upgrade your camera as brand compatibility affect your choice of lenses.

When selecting DSLRs for underwater use, the more common option is to select a camera with a cropped sensor over full frame sensors. This is because crop sensors perform better for macro images. But full frame sensors are advantageous as the have less noise in high ISO conditions. If buying brand new is too much of an investment, you could opt for used cameras. But you need to pay attention to the shutter count as mechanical shutters fail with time. Good DSLR camera options include:

• Nikon D5000

• Canon 7d Mark II

• Olympus E520