Cameras used to shoot underwater in snorkeling events are different from scuba diving cameras. We will need different types of cameras to shoot underwater while snorkeling. In this post, we will see some of the best underwater camera for snorkeling and their reviews.
Before that, let us see what snorkeling is and why we would need different camera gears and can’t use the same scuba diving cameras.
Product | Features |
 | Shimshon Underwater Full HD Camera
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 | Vmotal Waterproof HD Digital Camera
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 | Gnolkee 4k Underwater Action Camera
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 | Yifecial 30fps Underwater 4K Camera
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 | Eroolu 48mp Waterproof Camera
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 | Yifecial 30mp Underwater Camera
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The major difference between snorkeling and scuba diving is the diving gear they use. Snorkeling is a freestyle swimming underwater with nothing but a diving mask attached to the breathing tube. A snorkeler has to surface once in a few minutes or a few times in a minute to grasp another breath to stay underwater.
A scuba diver will have an oxygen tank and other essential gear to stay underwater without the need to come to the surface for up to an hour. A scuba diver can reach great depths with minimal effort, while it is almost impossible for a snorkeler to reach the depths without an oxygen tank.
But snorkeling itself is an interesting sport, and people all over the world enjoy this. Since scuba diver has an oxygen tank and need not worry about surfacing often, they can bring heavy camera gear. It is impossible for a snorkeler to carry such heavy cameras with them.
So, we would need special cameras that are built especially for snorkeling so that we can enjoy snorkeling while recording the whole thing without any extra effort.
We have listed the top snorkeling cameras in this post. We suggest you go through the buying guide, which will help you pick the right snorkeling camera for you.
Best Underwater Camera For Snorkeling – Buying Guide
Factors To Consider While Buying A Best Underwater Camera For Snorkeling
Housing: People also call it casing which is a protective covering that covers the camera’s body and lens. This will prevent the water from getting inside the camera. There are housing gears for cameras, and there are cameras that are waterproof on their own. If you are buying a normal camera and housing case, you should pick one that suits your camera best. Also, make sure that the camera controls are handy after putting the housing cover.
Resolution: The resolution of the camera determines the quality of the images and videos you take with it. A snorkeler should get a camera with at least HD resolution. It will help you capture clear images and videos. If you are looking for the best camera resolution regardless of the price, go for 2K or 4K video resolution.
White Balance: Under the water, the light will not be white but blue due to the scattering quality of the water. Manual or automatic white balance is necessary to view the pictures clearly underwater. If not, the blue light is dominant, and all the images will have a thick blue shade.
Size and Weight: A snorkeler shouldn’t trouble themself with heavy gears and equipment. So, get a camera that is specifically made for snorkeling which will be compact and lighter than other cameras.
Best Underwater Camera For Snorkeling Reviews
Description
- Brand: Shimshon
- Resolution: HD
- Connectivity: USB
Performance:
The Shimshon Underwater Full HD is the best underwater camera for snorkeling under 100. The camera has a 48 mp powerful lens. The camera is built waterproof inside and out without any protective casing. Since you don’t have to add any housing, using the keys of the camera is extremely easy. The waterproof camera can be used 10 feet underwater for an hour. The waterproof characteristics will prevent the water from entering the camera.
Comparison:
The camera allows you to shoot underwater continuously without having to recharge them often. You will never have to miss another moment of your snorkeling experience with the Shimshon Underwater camera. The best thing is that you can record or capture everything in HD quality.
Usage:
The camera can withstand pressure up to 10 feet and can be used for an hour without having to surface. In snorkeling, the person will come to the surface often to take a breath. So the camera can be used for hours without having to be concerned about their pressure-withstanding ability. The automatic blue light filter will reduce the cast of the blue color and will show the images with much more clarity.
Pros
- Dual screen
- 48mp camera
- 10 ft waterproof
- Anti-shake
Cons
- Average image quality
What’s New?
The Shimshon underwater camera is the best underwater camera for snorkeling under 100. It has great features, including waterproofing, anti-shake, and a 48mp camera. The automatic blue light filter will significantly increase the quality of the image and will help you retain your memories for a long period.
Why Should You Buy It?
The camera has in-built powerful led light which can be accessed and turned on with a single click. The features of this camera will be hugely helpful when you are snorkeling. The camera has front and rear screens to help you capture the moment with ease.
Description
- Brand: Vmotal
- Resolution: 1080p
- Connectivity: USB
Performance:
The Vmotal Waterproof HD Digital camera is the perfect pick for snorkelers and swimmers who like to explore the sea beds and make long-lasting memories. The camera is an extremely durable unit that can withstand huge pressure and work seamlessly even at 16ft depth. This is the best disposable underwater camera for snorkeling as it is much cheaper. But it can be used for a long time as it is durable.
Comparison:
The camera can record videos of FHD resolution. With the 2.8” TFT LCD screen, you can see how the images will look before clicking it. It will save you a lot of time and storage space. The LCD screen will accurately reproduce real-life-like colors with great efficiency. The compact design and lightweight make it perfect for us to carry around while taking pictures to make it a beautiful memory.
Usage:
The camera uses a 1050mah battery which will power the equipment for more than 3 hours. You can recharge it if you want to use it for more than 3 hours, and it will take a much shorter time to fully recharge compared to other cameras in this price range. It can be used by anyone of any age as it is user-friendly. The settings are easy-to-understand and require little knowledge to operate.
Pros
- Affordable
- 16 ft waterproof
- FHD video resolution
- Compact
Cons
- No memory card included
- Supports up to only 32 GB
What’s New?
There will be a detailed manual that will come along with the camera, which will help you to understand how to use the camera efficiently. The waterproofed camera can be used 16ft underwater for long hours. As a snorkeler, you will have a wonderful time using this camera.
Why Should You Buy It?
A protective bag, user manual, rechargeable battery, USB cable, etc., will be provided along with the waterproof camera. It is a complete camera unit that can be used to capture the most enjoyable moments underwater while snorkeling.
Description
- Brand: Gnolkee
- Resolution: 4K
- Connectivity: Wifi
Performance:
There might not be a much better underwater camera for snorkeling compared to the Gnolkee 4K Underwater Action camera. The camera can record ultra HD (4K) videos with accurate color reproduction. However, if you are filming underwater, you can change the blue light settings to clearly see the underwater pictures as you see with your own eyes. Any snorkeler who likes to record their snorkeling event should have this camera.
Comparison:
The camera can be used 90 ft underwater, which is roughly 27 meters. This is the only camera on our list that can be used more than 20 ft underwater. The extremely long-lasting outer housing case will protect the inner camera at all costs. The housing case comes with buttons to press the keys in the camera to conveniently toggle between the settings.
Usage:
The camera can be easily attached to your helmet or your wrist, which are the perfect spots to attach the camera to take better pictures. If you are going to record a video, it is better to attach the camera to the helmet. You will get a 16 GB free memory card along with the camera. The memory can be expanded up to 64 GB. This will be helpful if you decide to capture long videos or take too many pictures.
Pros
- 90 ft waterproof
- Action camera
- Long-lasting and durable
- Dual batteries
Cons
- Average image quality
What’s New?
The high-resolution camera has 170 degree-wide viewing range. While you are snorkeling in the ocean, it will come in handy as you can record or take pictures with a wide-angle range. Also, the camera comes with two 900mAh batteries, which can be charged quickly.
Why Should You Buy It?
The images or videos captured using the Gnolkee 4k Underwater Action Camera can be viewed with a tablet or mobile phone in real-time using the XDV mobile app. It is one of the few underwater cameras that supports wifi connectivity. The price is also reasonable. So, it might be the best choice if you are looking for the best underwater camera for snorkeling.
Description
- Brand: Yifecial
- Resolution: 4K
- Connectivity: USB
Performance:
The ultra-wide screen camera can shoot images and videos in 4K or ultra HD resolution. The blue light filter will reduce the blue light and will produce images that look clear. This is arguably the best underwater camera for snorkeling. You can even use this camera for scuba diving if you are only 10ft underwater. The best thing about this camera is that it supports a memory card of up to 128 GB which is rare in underwater cameras.
Comparison:
The camera doesn’t have any external casing, which can be annoying. Cased cameras are safer underwater, but it will be hard to control them. But the Yifecial Underwater camera has no external casing but is waterproof up to 10ft deep. The camera has been built waterproof in and out. Also, the battery that powers this equipment can last 60 minutes on average and can even be alive for 90 minutes in the best-case scenario. So you can hope for a non-interrupt hour of recording while you are snorkeling.
Usage:
Professional snorkelers and surface swimmers use this camera to capture unforgettable moments as it can record ultra HD videos. You can easily transfer the videos and photos to a computer using a USB cable. The camera’s memory can be expanded up to 128 GB. You can record high-definition videos in 30 frames per second due to the extra large storage. The 30 fps shooting speed guarantees that videos will be ultra smooth.
Pros
- 128 expandable memory
- Dual screen design
- 30 fps
- 3 inches wide rear screen
Cons
- Expensive
What’s New?
One of the best features of this camera is that it has dual display screens. If you are taking pictures of the scenery or marine life, you can use the rear screen, which is 3 inches wide. If you are going to take a selfie under the ocean, you can use the front screen. With this camera, you will not miss the fun of taking a selfie underwater.
Why Should You Buy It?
The price of the camera is pretty high, but the performance of the device is off the charts. You can take clear and crisp pictures using the camera. If you are a snorkeler who is looking for the best underwater camera for snorkeling, this might be the best choice.
Description
- Brand: Eroolu
- Resolution: 2K
- Connectivity: NA
Performance:
Eroolu 48mp Waterproof Camera is the perfect fit for novice people who wish to capture underwater experience with precision. This camera also has a dual screen on both sides of the camera. You can take pictures of objects or marine life that are before you, or you can take a selfie of the surrounding along with you. The color of the camera is also blue, which will be an additional appeal while you are in the ocean.
Comparison:
The camera comes without casing but can be submerged underwater up to 10 ft for an hour. If you want to go even deeper and for a long time, you can add another housing case on top of the camera which will add additional protection and a waterproofing layer. Also, the image resolution of the camera is extraordinary as it is a 48mp resolution.
Usage:
The camera can be used for both snorkeling and normal photo-taking purposes. You can use the camera for any purpose as it can take up to 2K videos and photos. The best thing about the camera is its durability. It can withstand heavy pressure and temperatures. But make sure not to hit them anywhere to extend their life. The camera can shoot up to 3 hours without requiring to charge in between.
Pros
- 2K recording
- 48mp image
- Dual LCD displays
- 128 GB expandable memory
Cons
- None
What’s New?
The camera is at the pinnacle when it comes to underwater cameras for snorkeling. Professional snorkelers know that the camera should survive under pressure. Normal cameras and low-quality underwater cameras can’t withstand the pressure and will let the water enter and harm the circuits. However, the Eroolu 48mp Waterproof Camera can be used underwater for hours perfectly.
Why Should You Buy It?
The camera supports micro SD cards so that you can even use your mobile device’s memory card. Usually, cameras use different kinds of memory cards that are specifically built for them. But with this camera, you can even convert your mobile memory card into a camera’s SD card. You can use up to 128 GB SD cards in this camera.
Description
- Brand: Yifecial
- Resolution: HD
- Connectivity: USB
Performance:
The Yifecial 30mp Underwater camera is an ultra-stylish durable camera. It has a cool shiny black coating which makes it look much cooler. This is a perfect fit for snorkelers who want a compact but high-performing camera. The camera’s resolution is 30mp which can take up to HD resolution images and videos. 812bk is the name of the color of the camera, which is a unique color.
Comparison:
Though it is an underwater camera, it has zoomable and adjustable lenses. So, you can adjust the focus, zoom in and zoom out without any casing using this camera. The 2.7-inch extreme-quality LCD display makes it possible for us to clearly see how the picture will look even under the water. It is incredibly hard to take still pictures underwater because it will be much more difficult. However, this camera is equipped with anti-shake functions which will allow you to take the picture with great precision.
Usage:
An intriguing feature of the camera is the recording while charging option. If you are on the way to the diving spot for snorkeling and wish to record the journey without reducing the battery percentage, you can charge and record at the same time. By doing this, you can record without reducing the charge of the camera and shoot your snorkeling experience with a 100% fully charged battery.
Pros
- Supports recording while charging
- Appealing design
- Attractive colors
- Reasonable price
Cons
- No dual camera
What’s New?
Although it is an underwater camera, it has a fully operable zoomable lens. It can take digitally zoon 16 times which will help you to focus on the target with much precision. The battery has a security lock preventing it from loosening and falling down accidentally.
Why Should You Buy It?
The camera is completely sealed and can be used even at 10 feet depth in the ocean. It will withstand high pressure with ease and will provide you with long-lasting performance. The internal parts of the camera are built with durable materials, and it is worth the money you pay for it. It will help you remember the snorkeling event as an unforgettable memory.
FAQs
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What should I look for in an underwater camera?
There are several things that you should look for before buying an underwater camera. First, check the basic features that you usually look for in normal cameras, such as resolution, connectivity, etc. After that, we should check whether the camera is waterproof. If the camera is waterproof, you should find out how much pressure it can withstand. Also, the camera should have an automatic or manual white balance so that we can rule out the excessive blue light under the water. Without these two basic features, it will be impossible to use the camera underwater.
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How can I take still images underwater while snorkeling?
Taking still images underwater is a huge deal. We will have to use cameras that have an anti-shake feature to complete this hard task. The anti-shake feature will eliminate minor jitters and help you take a perfect snap even under the water.
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Which camera is the best for snorkeling?
We have listed the top 6 cameras with exceptional qualities in this post. The general rule about picking the right camera for snorkeling is that it should pass the basic quality check. It should be waterproof and have a white light balance. Without a waterproof camera, you can’t shoot anything under the water. And without white light balance, the images you take underwater will be blue, and you can hardly see the marine life or coral reef.
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Can I use normal cameras to take pictures while snorkeling?
No, you shouldn’t use a normal camera to take pictures underwater. But you can use an underwater camera to take pictures outside the water because it is built for both purposes. Using a normal camera in water will only cause problems and possibly render it useless.
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Can I take a selfie underwater with a snorkeling camera?
We have listed a few of the cameras that have dual screens. Using the dual-screen camera, you can take selfies. Even without dual screens, you can take selfies, but it will be hard since you can’t see the picture clearly.