We love our trusty mirrorless cameras, but when heading on a trip or a weekend at the beach, sometimes we need a camera that's a little sturdier — so we can capture our days without worrying about spills and shocks. This is where waterproof compact cameras come in.
We reach for these cameras when we're at our most joyous and perhaps our most reckless, so we need a camera that can survive a dip in the pool, a fall in the snow, or even come with us on snorkelling and scuba diving adventures. Thanks to technological advances and increasingly capable compact cameras, these small rugged cameras will not only provide peace of mind — they'll also capture your adventures with amazing image and video quality.
Read on for our selection of the best waterproof cameras to take on your next trip or beachside weekend away.
Table of contents
- Best tough camera: OM System TG-7
- Best budget underwater camera: Panasonic Lumix FT30
- Best underwater camera for kids: Nikon Coolpix W150
- Best underwater camera for scuba diving: Ricoh WG-90
- Best underwater video camera: GoPro Hero 13
- Best budget action camera: Kodak PixPro WPZ2
Best tough camera: OM System TG-7
- 15m waterproof, 2.1m shockproof, dust, crush and freezeproof
- 4K video recording
- 1cm closest focus
- 12MP backlit CMOS sensor
- Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity
When looking at what the OM System TG-7 can do, there's no doubt why it has "tough" in its name. The TG-7 is 15 metres waterproof, 2.1 metres shockproof, crushproof to 100kg, and freezeproof to -10°C. With so many fantastic features, it's the ideal travel camera for those who don't know exactly what their next adventure will entail but need the best tough camera to capture it all.
There's been no sacrifice of image quality in designing this sturdy camera. The OM System TG-7 features a backlit CMOS sensor for impressive low-light performance, a versatile 4x optical zoom lens with a fast f/2 aperture, and 4K video recording for high-resolution underwater films.
Best budget underwater camera: Panasonic Lumix FT30
- Image stabiliser to reduce camera shake
- 720p HD video
- 25mm wide-angle lens — great for landscapes and group shots
- 8m waterproof, 1.5m shockproof, freeze & dustproof
- 4x optical zoom
Rugged and reliable, the Panasonic Lumix FT30 provides all the tough features of more advanced underwater cameras at an affordable price. The FT30 is waterproof to 8 metres, making it a great camera for those comfortable in the water. It's also 1.5m shockproof, freezeproof to -10°C, and dustproof — perfect for a night on the town, a day at the beach, or a hiking and skiing trip.
Capture beautiful shots in 16MP and record videos in 4K resolution. The versatile 4x optical zoom opens up a range of possibilities, from framing landscapes to zooming in on interesting ocean life underwater. It's hard to believe all these features come at such a budget-friendly price.
Shop the Panasonic Lumix FT30 →
Best underwater camera for kids: Nikon Coolpix W150
- Full HD video
- 13.2MP CMOS sensor
- 3x optical zoom lens
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- 10m waterproof and 1.8m shockproof
Looking for a waterproof camera the whole family can enjoy? The Nikon Coolpix W150 fits the bill perfectly. With its rugged features, budget-friendly price and ease of use, this great kids' underwater camera takes good quality photos with minimal effort, while being sturdy enough to handle the inevitable spills and shocks that come with small hands.
The W150 is shockproof to 1.8m, waterproof to 10m, dustproof and cold-resistant. Thanks to the 13.2MP CMOS sensor and 3x optical zoom lens, you'll be pleased by the image quality of this compact and lightweight camera, with Full HD video capture to boot.
Best underwater camera for scuba diving: Ricoh WG-90
- 14m waterproof, 1.6m shockproof, freeze, crush and dustproof
- Full HD video
- 5x optical zoom lens
- 16MP CMOS sensor
Being waterproof to an impressive 14 metres, the Ricoh WG-90 is the best underwater camera for scuba diving on our list. It's built for the harshest conditions — 1.6m shockproof, dust and freezeproof — with a rugged exterior that's easy to hold underwater. Whether you surf, dive or sail, the WG-90 captures excellent images and stunning Full HD video, worry-free.
The WG-90 delivers excellent image and video quality in all shooting conditions, thanks to its 16MP sensor and Movie SR Shake Reduction mode for gimbal-like stabilisation. A built-in LED lighting system is perfect for illuminating macro photography as well as underwater shots and videos.
Best underwater video camera: GoPro Hero 13
- 5.3K 60fps video & 2.7K 240fps slow-mo
- Rear touch-sensitive LCD screen and front-facing display
- HyperSmooth 6.0 stabilisation
- Full HD 1080p live-streaming
- 27MP still images
- 10m waterproof
If you're looking for the best underwater video camera, look no further than the GoPro Hero 13. This action camera features an advanced 27MP image sensor and is capable of unbelievable 5.3K video. It's also incredibly user-friendly, with touch-sensitive dual LCD screens — the front screen being perfect for selfie-style shooting and vlogging.
Compact enough to slip into your jacket pocket, the Hero 13 is waterproof to 10m without a separate housing and is suitable for surfing, running, skiing, and more. HyperSmooth 6.0 technology ensures smooth, stable footage even during the most action-packed moments. The GoPro Hero 13 is ready for action when you are.
Best budget action camera: Kodak PixPro WPZ2
- 1080p HD video
- 16MP CMOS image sensor
- 4x optical zoom lens
- 15m waterproof, 2m shockproof & dustproof
- 2.7-inch LCD screen
The Kodak PixPro line has earned a reputation for great budget-friendly quality. The Kodak PixPro WPZ2 stands out as the ultimate choice for outdoor adventures and family fun. Built to withstand the elements with a 15m waterproof rating and 2m shockproof rating, it's an ideal companion for capturing crystal-clear photos and 1080p HD video at the pool, beach, or on the ski slopes. Its robust construction also makes it tough enough to entrust to young children for their first foray into photography.
Shop waterproof cameras at Ted's
Now that you have a better understanding of what the best rugged and waterproof cameras can do, it's time to choose the best one for you. Shop online now, or head to a Ted's Cameras store to talk to our skilled staff if you need help deciding.