The 4 Best Waterproof Cameras for Underwater Photos and Videos

• Perfect balance between sleek and rugged
• Takes amazing underwater photos in HDR
• Shoots 4K video
• Built in Bluetooth

• Expensive

The Tough TG-7 is our top pick for two reasons; it is resilient and it takes good underwater photos. On top of being tightly sealed, this camera is shockproof, freeze-proof (up to certain temperatures) and dust-proof. It rocks a 4x wide zoom lens that can help you get those shots other cameras just can't—the make or break ones that define a vacation.

It can shoot 4K video and takes amazing nighttime photos too. With Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity built-in, you can send those straight to the app on your phone. It may seem expensive (okay, it is), but that's because it's truly the best camera for underwater shooting, hands down.

• Compact Kodak design
• Perfect if you're just taking photos
• Dust-proof and shock-proof too

• Video resolution tops out at 1080p
• Not freeze-proof

For only $150, this waterproof camera from Kodak has everything you want from an outdoor picture taking device. It is rugged, dust-proof and submergible, but it's also got an easy-to-pack lightweight and compact form factor. It even connects to Wi-Fi for easy transfer of files to your phone or other devices on your network.

The PIXPRO WPZ2 takes pretty underwater good pictures and allows you to shoot videos in 1080p . It's got a small light for flash photos. The LCD screen on the back is clear and bright and all the tactile buttons feel good to use. Somehow all of this is fit into a fairly small form factor, so it won't take up too much space in your bag for the last trip of the summer. It's all the well-built stuff we've come to expect from Kodak. Aside from 4K, there's not much else we can ask for.

• LED ring light
• Preset underwater modes for photos and video
• LCD screen with anti-glare coating for all weather
• Freezeproof

• No 4K
• Weird design

At first glance, you might mistake this for scuba gear and not a camera. Thankfully, it is more or less both. The Pentax WG-90 isn't a looker, but it is an incredibly precise tool for taking underwater photos that will hold up to any amount of abuse, whether that be from water, cold, dirt, dust, or impact from a drop. It's durable as fuck.

The WG-90 has our favorite LCD screen on one of these types of cameras. Built-in anti-reflective material and multiple brightness settings make sure you can always see your subject through the screen. When doing your underwater footage, it's equipped with an LED ring light out front. This, in conjunction with specific presents for underwater shooting, ensures you always have the perfect lighting, no matter how many feet down you are.

It's also simply a great camera to take on hikes or adventures where you know crossing streams and waterfalls will be involved. Our only real complaint is the video recording capabilities max out at 1080p resolution.

• Shoots 4K 120 FPS video
• Includes quick release mount to switch between horizontal and vertical shooting modes
• Multiple stabilization modes for steadier footage

• Small screen

If you're looking to take the perfect action shot—or capture all the action in the form of video—this is the waterproof camera for you. The DJI Osmo Action 4 can shoot 4K video in up to 120 frames per second. Three different stabilization modes will help ensure that you are getting the smoothest footage each and every time. It can take some pretty great looking photos in all conditions too—rain, shine, freeze, or tumbling from a skateboard, the Osmo Action can survive it all.

The camera is submergible in depths of up to 59 feet, which is the most out of any camera on this list. Despite its excellent waterproofing, it seems tailor made for extreme sports like snowboarding and skateboarding.

Included in the combo is a quick release adapter mount. This essential piece of gear can be attached to your handlebars (or held at arm's length when filming underwater) and lets you seamlessly swap between horizontal and vertical filming modes.

Go Pro HERO12 - $279.00 at Amazon

Sea Life Micro 3.0 - $599.00 at Amazon

When picking up a camera for underwater use, there are a few things you need to scope out before buying.

Waterproof Rating: How far underwater do you need a camera to go? Make sure that your needs align with the capabilities of the camera you choose. Some only go 30 feet deep while others can go up to 200 at the high end.

Video Quality: Do you even need an underwater camera that can take videos? If you do, take note of the resolution your prospective camera records in. 1080p is perfectly fine, but these days 4K is the true standard. Some of these cameras even record in higher resolutions than that.

Wi-Fi: If your camera can connect to Wi-Fi, you can upload your snapshots directly to your phone. This means you can post them directly to social media, without needing to grab your laptop. It's a pretty nifty bonus feature and we advise you to look for cameras with Wi-Fi capabilities if any of this sounds at all convenient for you.

Bluetooth: One step more futuristic than Wi-Fi, find yourself a camera that can connect via Bluetooth. All the same benefits of a Wi-Fi enabled camera, only you don't have to be on a network.

Personally, I've been testing all kinds of tech products—including cameras—for years. Collectively, Esquire's editors can measure their experience in decades. We know the tech and gadgets that are worth your hard-earned cash. Most importantly, we’re insiders. We know all the weird jargon and tech specs that you don't need to worry about. We compile our guides by performing heavy research and testing, and the gadgets we choose to award are the ones we would spend our own money on.