This HD underwater video camera review will hopefully answer the question which camera is best for me? This article will focus more on the easier to operate hd compact video cameras for beginners and amateurs not hard core scuba diving underwater video cameras using housings and special lenses.
If you are planing to be filming in a water environment such as snorkeling, kayaking, watersking, jet skiing, snow skiing or cruise ship adventure then you will want an underwater video camera. Another nice feature of a waterproof camera is that beach sand & dirt do not effect them as much.
The depth ranges of these underwater video cameras would be considered for shallow use only and most are rated for depths in the 10 to 35 foot range, ideal for snorkeling and hanging out by the pool or on the beach.
We will touch on a couple of deeper rated underwater video cameras which can be used for Scuba Diving. These are also simple to operate compact video cameras, one is even hands free, built right into a dive mask!
There are quite a few HD compact underwater video cameras that are rated for depths down to 10 feet. Over 10 feet your choices decrease and for Scuba Diving there are really only 2 manufacturers to consider for a compact underwater video camera.
The recommended HD underwater video cameras listed below by depth have many more features which will be discussed later. Right now I just want to focus on depth ratings and their general great features.
- Down to 9 feet:
- Down to 10 feet:
- Kodak PlaySport (Zx3)
- Kodak Playsport (zx5) – See Above
- Fujifilm FinePix XP10
- Sanyo VPC-WH1
- Sanyo VPC-CA102
- JVC Picsio GC-WP10
- Olympus Stylus Tough 3000
- Down to 15 feet:
- Down to 20 feet:
- Down to 33 feet:
- Down to 65 feet:
- Down to 115 feet:
- Down to 180 feet:
- GoPro HD Helmet HERO – (rated 180′ in it’s housing)
- GoPro HD Surf HERO – (rated 180′ in it’s housing)
These depth ratings are measured as a static depth, aggressive movement, knocking or squeezing the camera tightly will lower the rating and could cause the camera to leak. So a camera rated for 10 feet would really have a working depth of around 5 – 6 feet.
General great features for most all of the above HD cameras include:
- Don’t require tape or disc media
- A few have Eye-Fi wireless SD memory card connectivity (You can upload your videos and stills without using a PC)
- Easily transfers video to your PC or MAC (then onto Facebook or YouTube)
- Rugged so you can let the kids use them without worrying (a flotation collar or lead is recommended as the cameras will sink)
- Most have Electronic image stabilization
- Most allow for interchanging the battery
- All allow for interchanging large capacity memory cards
- Most have integral LCD color display/viewers (you can aim the camera at arm’s length, much easier than trying to swim and hold a camera up to your eye, or face mask)
- Some have full 1080p HD video (playback crisp & beautifully on a 60″ HDTV)
- All capture 5 or higher megapixel HD still images
- Mini-HDMI or component video cable output, allows playback of recorded video directly on a TV
For more details about the above waterproof video camera features please read the find your underwater video camera using in-depth features and the underwater video camera quick pick guide for selecting the best waterproof digital camera for your intended use, posted in this blog.
I will never forget the 1st time I experienced an underwater video camera while operating our dive live aboard in the Caribbean. The charter quests had brought along a very early model compact video tape camcorder in a housing, not too many bells and whistles, but it did record audio. It was new to them & me, so the first time we used it all 6 of us sank down to the bottom, cracked open a couple of cans of beer (not recommended) and simulated drinking them while singing “how dry I am”. We laughed for hours afterwards while viewing the playback on the TV.
This was way before “You Tube” or really even the internet. Just think of the fun and exciting moments you can capture on one of these very easy to operate HD compact underwater video cameras, enjoy…
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