If you're keen on adventurer, always on your travels wanting to document your time, and enjoy diving head first in the nearest swimming pool or ocean, then chances are you're looking for the best waterproof camera you can buy in 2022. Whether you want a great camera that can capture images underwater or you're a watersport enthusiast, the best waterproof cameras can capture excellent images above and below the waves.
From reinforced compact models to all-out action cameras, we’ve tested the best waterproof cameras to help you find your ideal camera to make a splash with. The buying guide below features a range of recommendations to suit every skill level and budget, so whatever you’re shooting, you’re sure to take great images underwater or poolside.
Flagship smartphones today might offer some degree of waterproofing, but every camera featured in this list is fully water-sealed and good for dunking. In fact, the best waterproof cameras in 2022 can function several meters below the surface. So whether you’re snorkeling, sailing, or swimming, our picks of the best waterproof cameras will help you shoot high-quality stills and video wherever there’s water.
When choosing your perfect waterproof camera, there are a few key factors to keep in mind. Just how waterproof you need a camera to be will depend on your chosen activity: if you’re a keen free-diver, for example, something like the Nikon Coolpix W300 will fit the bill, as it’s waterproof to 30 meters. Equally, if your activities require gloves, you might want a camera that’s simple to operate, with accessible physical controls, like the Fujifilm XP140.
Other considerations include image stabilization for smoothing out waves, low-light performance if you’re heading into the depths, and smart connectivity if you’re keen to share your waterborne images swiftly. Some cameras, such as the Insta360 Go 2, even include special underwater shooting modes which adapt the color balance for subaquatic scenarios - so your images will also produce the best images and videos possible.
Our overall pick for the best waterproof camera you can buy in 2022 is the Olympus Tough TG-6. Properly tough yet impressively versatile, it’s an accessible premium compact that can capture fantastic stills and video almost anywhere. That said, there might be a better camera for your specific requirements in the list below. The GoPro Hero10 Black, for example, offers an impressive blend of 5.4K video and outstanding HyperSmooth image stabilization, in a rugged, compact package.
Whatever you’re planning to capture, our comprehensive buying guide features the very best waterproof cameras for every need and budget, whichever one you choose, they’re all made for the waves.
Best waterproof cameras in 2022:
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Olympus's Tough line of waterproof cameras has arguably the strongest reputation here, and the company has kitted its most recent TG-6 model with features decidedly towards the premium end of the scale. Raw shooting? Check. 4K video? Yep, that too. GPS? Hell yes. Even the same processing engine as the OM-D E-M1 X mirrorless model features here.
Together with a lens that has a maximum aperture of f/2 at the wide end and a raft of close-focusing goodies on top of that, the camera is certainly ready for all manner of land-based and underwater captures. We do wish Olympus had moved things along a little further from what we saw in the previous TG-5, however, which was our previous top pick and not that dissimilar to what we have here. We're just finishing our full review and while we can see it being a stronger model, the TG-5 would still be a fine choice if you're on a tighter budget.
Read our in-depth Olympus Tough TG-6 review
The GoPro Hero 10 Black doesn't reinvent the action camera, but it is a much more user-friendly and refined version of its predecessor, and the most versatile action cam you can buy. The new slow-mo frame rates and wired data transfer modes are useful, while the snappier interface and small image quality improvements make it an enjoyable waterproof companion for adventures and b-roll footage. Its rivals now offer larger sensors and better value, though.
Read our in-depth GoPro Hero 10 Black review
Undercutting much of the competition, the DJI Osmo Action 3 may not be the best action camera available, but it could be the best value option for you. It dives deeper than the competition with waterproofing up to 16m, has a wider field of view, and delivers excellent battery life. While it recycles the same core camera hardware we saw in the Action 2, its more practical body and excellent mounting system also impress – so if you don't need best-in-class image quality but want a robust, powerful, long-lasting GoPro alternative, DJI's latest Action could be just the ticket.
Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Action 3 review
Almost identical to the Fujifilm XP130 before it, Fujifilm’s latest tough camera retains many of its specs: there’s the same 16.4MP sensor, the same 5x optical zoom and the same 3-inch touchscreen.
Though you wouldn’t know it from looking, the XP140 is marginally more rugged than its predecessor, making it close to indestructible. Dustproof, shockproof to 1.8m and freeze proof to -10ºC, it’s also waterproof down to 25m, so it should survive even the deepest of snorkeling expeditions.
The biggest changes are found inside the camera. It can now capture 100fps slow-mo in 720p, as well as true 4K footage – though a disappointing 4K frame rate of 15fps means it’s much more capable as a Full HD 1080p shooter. Maximum ISO has also been doubled to 12,800 for enhanced low-light performance, while new subject and scene detection skills are backed up by a wider range of in-camera filters.
Because the sensor is stabilized and back-illuminated, the XP140 can deliver great results underwater, while the sizable display makes framing easy even with goggles on. When you’re back on dry land, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity make it a cinch to offload images via the Fujifilm app – or an Instax Share printer for instant prints.
The Coolpix W300 comes fully-loaded with a host of features – there's 4K video for starters, a terrific GPS system, interactive world map and Wi-Fi connectivity, plus an altimeter and underwater depth gauge to boot.
The W300 also offers a high resolution, 921k dot OLED monitor, but perhaps most impressive of all is that the W300 can function down to a depth of 30 meters – as far as an Advanced Open Water diving certificate will get you.
Given that it’s the most powerful and versatile action camera GoPro has ever made, it’s little wonder that the Hero 9 Black is one of the best waterproof cameras you can buy. Its predecessor might offer better value for most, but with a new 23.6MP sensor that delivers 5K video, the Hero 9 Black is a top option for underwater recording. While it’s waterproof down to 10 meters without a housing, the Hero 9 Black’s slightly laggy touchscreen isn’t really usable underwater.
Instead, you’re reliant on the straightforward pair of rugged buttons for quick inputs – a solution that actually makes it very easy to operate. A new front-facing screen also makes for easier framing in the waves, while HyperSmooth Boost – GoPro’s strongest stabilization software to date – guarantees shake-free footage at sea. Battery life is boosted but still fairly average, while 4K isn’t noticeably improved over the GoPro Hero 8 Black. Nevertheless, if you want the smartest, smoothest, and most accessible waterproof action cam, the GoPro Hero 9 Black is hard to beat.
Read our in-depth GoPro Hero 9 Black review
Panasonic's new Lumix TS7 (called the Lumix FT7 outside the US) is the latest waterproof camera here. As opposed to Olympus, which reduced the resolution of its TG-5, Panasonic has gone the other direction, increasing the pixel count from 16.1MP in the TS5 / FT5 to 20.4MP in the Lumix TS7 / FT7. Lens coverage remains the same as its predecessor, with a 4.6x zoom range that covers 28-128mm, but interestingly, the lens loses its Leica branding.
The Lumix TS7 / FT7 does have something unique for a waterproof camera: a built-in electronic viewfinder (EVF). The 1,170k-dot, 0.2-inch display might not be the largest out there, but it does offer a useful alternative to shooting with the rear display, especially in bright light, which can make composition tricky. There's lots to like about the Lumix TS7 / FT7, including its excellent tough credentials but is let down by a sensor that crams too many pixels onto a relatively small area.
Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix TS7 / FT7 review
Tiny enough to fit in any beach bag, the Insta360 Go 2 is a dinky camera that’s designed to quickly capture the action wherever you go. At just 26.5g, the Go 2 is as light as a pebble, but don’t let its diminutive form fool you: the pared-back camera can capture excellent 1440p video at 50fps, with decent dynamic range and good detail, even in reduced lighting. Image stabilization is also impressive, if not as good as a GoPro.
And while it’s only waterproof to 4 meters, the Insta360 Go 2 is nevertheless a worthy option for recording underwater action. Enable the AquaVision algorithm in the app and the Go 2 will filter footage to reduce haze for more vivid results. And while the absence of a display on the Go 2 will be a dealbreaker for some, its simple controls mean you can set it and forget it when you dive into the water. When you’re back on dry land, the protective charging case doubles up as a remote control and tripod, making the Go 2 a versatile waterproof option.
Read our in-depth Insta360 Go 2 review
The WG-60 from Ricoh has some pretty strong tough credentials – it's waterproof to a depth of 14m/45.9ft and shockproof from a fall of up to 1.6m/5.2ft, while it should withstand a force of up to 100kg/220lbs. It's also dust-proof and can operate in temperatures down to -10°C/14°F.
The 5x optical zoom has a pretty broad focal zoom range, from 28-140mm, while there are six LED macro lights dotted around the front of the lens barrel to deliver bright and uniform lighting round your subject – ideal when shooting underwater subjects. The macro lights also provide other useful functions, such as the LED Lighting mode, which uses the lights for adding light to portraits in poor light – it should deliver a more flattering look than the WG-60’s dedicated flash.
Looking for a holiday camera with a longer zoom range? Take a look at our pick of the best travel zoom compacts. Alternatively, video might be your main priority, which in that case, take a look at our guide to the best action cameras and best GoPro cameras.
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