Best Waterproof Cameras: How to Choose One

On this page (8 sections)

1. What makes the best waterproof camera for your plans?
2. Which waterproof camera features matter most?
3. Which best waterproof camera suits each buyer?
4. How do you set up a waterproof camera before its first swim?
5. How should you care for a waterproof camera?
6. What common waterproof camera mistakes should you avoid?
7. Is a waterproof camera better than a phone?
8. Which best waterproof camera should you choose?

The best waterproof camera is one rated for the depth, duration and conditions you expect, with features suited to the pictures you want. For varied outdoor and underwater photography, the OM System Tough TG-7 is the strongest all-round fit in this group; the other choices make more sense for specific needs like macro lighting, Wi-Fi or manual modes.

A water rating is a boundary, not a promise that a camera will suit every dive or stay safe through every sealing mistake. Compare depth and time limits, drop protection, zoom and care instructions before choosing.

This guide covers four compact cameras for swimming, snorkeling, close-ups and rough outdoor use. If you need more reach on dry land, see our best travel zoom cameras guide.

What makes the best waterproof camera for your plans?

The best waterproof camera for you has a depth and time rating that covers your activity, plus controls and features you will use. Start with the water rating, then compare drop protection, zoom, close-up tools and the care routine.

Waterproof cameras are compact cameras designed for use around water. Some also have stated protection against dust, cold or drops, but those protections differ by model.

Use these figures to narrow the field, then read the camera's operating instructions for details on closing, checking and rinsing it. Depth, time, temperature and impact ratings describe different limits, so one does not replace another.

For birding or distant wildlife, reach may matter more than waterproofing. Our best cameras for birding guide compares cameras for wildlife and backyard birds.

Which waterproof camera features matter most?

Choose features for the pictures you plan to make, not simply the longest feature list. For swimming and snorkeling, start with depth and time; for close-ups, look at macro tools; for trails, consider drop and dust protection.

How deep and how long will the best waterproof camera go?

Check both depth and time limits before taking a waterproof camera into the water. The Tough TG-7 is rated waterproof to 15 meters; the WG-90 is rated to 14 meters for up to two hours.

The WPZ2 and WG-1000 are each rated to 15 meters for up to one hour. If your plans could reach or exceed a limit, choose a camera with a rating that gives you a comfortable margin.

Stay within the model's stated limits and follow its sealing instructions. A camera rated for a depth is not automatically suited to every kind of diving or water activity.

When does drop or cold-weather protection matter?

Drop protection can help if a camera might fall during a hike, paddle or beach trip. The Tough TG-7 is rated shockproof to 2.1 meters, the WPZ2 and WG-1000 to 2 meters, and the WG-90 to 1.6 meters.

The Tough TG-7 and WG-90 have a stated freeze rating of -10°C. The WG-1000's details do not specify a freeze rating, so check its operating instructions if cold-weather use is part of your plan.

These ratings can help you compare cameras for rough outings, but they do not make any camera immune to damage. A strap and careful handling still matter when you carry it near rocks, boats or hard ground.

Does optical zoom matter on a waterproof camera?

Optical zoom helps frame a subject without moving closer. The WG-90 has 5x optical zoom, while the Tough TG-7, WPZ2 and WG-1000 each have 4x optical zoom.

For fish or other underwater subjects that stay at a distance, zoom can help with framing, but it cannot replace getting into a good position. If wildlife or sports are your main subjects, a waterproof compact may not offer the reach you want.

A bridge camera with a big zoom may suit those subjects better.

What should you look for in an underwater macro camera?

Macro features matter if you want close views of small underwater subjects. The Tough TG-7 has four macro modes and can magnify subjects as close as 1 centimeter from the lens end; the WG-90 has six macro lights and a stand that holds a 1-centimeter focusing distance.

A close focusing distance does not control every part of a close-up. Think about light, subject movement and how much room you have to frame the scene, especially when the water is moving.

Which best waterproof camera suits each buyer?

The best fit depends on whether you value underwater modes, macro lighting, longer zoom, Wi-Fi or manual controls. Choose the Tough TG-7 for broad underwater and macro options, the WG-90 for close-up lighting, the WPZ2 for Wi-Fi, or the WG-1000 for manual shooting modes.

Is the OM System Tough TG-7 the best waterproof camera for macro and underwater modes?

The Tough TG-7 suits someone who wants several underwater modes and close-up options in one compact camera. It is rated waterproof to 15 meters, with shock protection to 2.1 meters and freeze protection to -10°C.

Its five underwater modes include underwater microscope and underwater HDR. The 4x zoom lens and macro system give you options for both broader scenes and very close subjects.

It records 4K video and 120 fps high-speed video, which can suit trips where you want both still photos and video clips. Its feature range makes it the best all-round choice here for someone who expects to switch between ordinary outdoor pictures, underwater scenes and macro subjects.

Choose it if underwater modes and macro range are central to your plans. Skip it if you only need a simple camera for occasional shallow-water snapshots and will not use its extra modes.

Is the Pentax WG-90 the right waterproof camera for close-up lighting?

The WG-90 suits close-up work where built-in illumination could be useful. Six LED macro lights sit around the lens, and the camera also has a digital microscope mode and a macro stand for a 1-centimeter focusing distance.

Its 5x optical zoom is the longest in this group. Pentax rates the camera waterproof to 14 meters for up to two hours, shockproof to 1.6 meters and freezeproof to -10°C.

The underwater and underwater movie modes give it dedicated options for water scenes. Its 2.7-inch LCD has an anti-reflection coating and an outdoor brightness setting.

Choose it if macro lighting and longer optical zoom suit your subjects. Skip it if your activity requires a 15-meter rating or if its 1.6-meter drop rating is too limited for how you carry a camera.

Is the Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2 a good waterproof camera for casual trips?

The WPZ2 suits casual trips that include swimming, snorkeling, kayaking or dusty trails. It is rated waterproof to 15 meters for up to one hour, shockproof to 2 meters and dustproof.

Its 4x optical zoom supports everyday framing, and Wi-Fi can send photos to a phone or tablet. The camera also records 1080p video.

Choose it if phone sharing and a straightforward outdoor compact fit your trip. Skip it if you need a longer underwater time limit, a macro-light system or the TG-7's 4K video and multiple underwater modes.

Care is part of the WPZ2's routine. Check the rubber gasket for debris or damage, close and lock the battery cover before water use, and never open the cover while wet or underwater.

After exposure to water or sand, rinse the camera with clean water while the cover stays closed, then dry it with a clean, lint-free cloth. Follow those steps and its stated depth and time limits.

Who should choose the Pentax WG-1000 waterproof camera?

The WG-1000 suits outdoor users who want several capture modes in a waterproof compact. It is rated waterproof to 15 meters for up to one hour, dustproof and shockproof against a fall of up to 2 meters.

Its 4x optical zoom lens has 27 mm wide-angle coverage. Seven capture modes include manual and underwater modes, and 20 color modes let you select different looks in camera.

The standard accessories include a protector jacket and carabiner strap. The camera can be sterilized with solutions containing ethanol, sodium hypochlorite approved as a disinfectant of food additives, or chlorine dioxide; follow Pentax's directions for the approved method.

Choose it if manual controls, color modes or worksite use matter to you. Skip it if you want a longer time limit at depth, a stated cold-weather rating or built-in macro lights.

How do you set up a waterproof camera before its first swim?

A waterproof camera is safer to use when you prepare it before leaving for the water. Charge it, insert a compatible memory card, learn the controls and inspect the seals while everything is dry.

Start with the operating instructions for your model. Check how the battery and card compartments close, where the seal sits, and how the camera signals that a cover is locked.

For the WPZ2, charge the battery for at least four hours before first use. It takes microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards up to 1.5TB, with Class 10 or better recommended.

Before the outing, practice turning the camera on, framing a shot and reviewing an image on dry land. Set the photo or video mode you expect to use, and make sure you can reach the shutter and other controls without fumbling.

Check that the card has room and the battery is charged. A spare battery or card can help on a longer outing, but confirm compatibility and safe storage in the camera instructions.

How should you care for a waterproof camera?

A waterproof camera depends on a clean seal and a properly closed cover, so inspect both before every water outing. Use the care steps for your exact model, and keep its covers closed until the camera is dry.

For the WPZ2, check the rubber gasket for damage or debris, then close and lock the battery cover. Do not open it underwater or while the camera is wet.

After water or sand exposure, rinse the WPZ2 with clean water while the cover remains closed, then dry it with a clean, lint-free cloth. Other cameras may have different care steps, so consult their instructions rather than assuming the same routine applies.

Avoid forcing a cover shut if grit is caught in the seal. Sand and debris can interfere with the seal, so remove them according to the camera's instructions before closing it.

Temperature changes can also affect use. The WPZ2's directions warn that condensation can form when moving from cold to warm air, so wait before turning it on after such a change.

What common waterproof camera mistakes should you avoid?

The most common mistakes are treating ratings as unlimited, overlooking the seal and opening a wet camera. Check the model's limits and cover before each outing, then rinse and dry it as directed.

Do not assume that the same depth rating means two cameras can stay underwater for the same time. The WG-90 is rated to 14 meters for up to two hours, while the WPZ2 and WG-1000 are rated to 15 meters for up to one hour.

Do not open a battery or card cover underwater or while the camera is wet. For the WPZ2, this is a stated care rule, and its battery cover should stay closed during rinsing.

Do not judge a camera only by zoom or megapixels. A longer zoom does not solve a short water-time limit, and close-up features do not replace suitable lighting or careful framing.

Finally, do not treat shockproof as permission to drop the camera. Drop ratings give a stated limit, not a reason to rely on an impact rating when a strap or secure grip can prevent a fall.

Is a waterproof camera better than a phone?

A waterproof compact is useful when its depth rating, physical controls, optical zoom or close-up features match your plans. A phone may be easier for everyday photos, but its water protection depends on the specific phone and any case you use.

Choose a dedicated camera if you want optical zoom, macro lighting, underwater modes or a body with stated drop protection. If interchangeable lenses and a larger camera system matter more, read our bridge camera vs DSLR comparison.

Which best waterproof camera should you choose?

Choose the Tough TG-7 for the broadest mix of underwater modes, close-up options and video features. Choose the WG-90 when macro lights and 5x optical zoom fit your subjects.

Pick the WPZ2 for Wi-Fi and casual trips within its one-hour water limit, or the WG-1000 for manual and underwater modes, color choices and its included carry accessories. For more zoom choices beyond waterproof compacts, see our best bridge cameras guide.

Frequently asked questions

What should I look for in the best waterproof camera?

Match the camera's depth and time ratings to your planned activity, then check its drop protection, dust resistance, zoom range and close-up features. Read the sealing and care instructions before using it around water, and leave a margin below its stated depth limit.

Can I use a waterproof camera for snorkeling?

A camera can suit snorkeling if its stated depth and time limits cover your plans. The OM System Tough TG-7 is rated to 15 meters, while the Pentax WG-90 is rated to 14 meters for up to two hours.

Follow the model's instructions for sealing and care.

Are waterproof cameras also shockproof?

Some waterproof cameras also have a stated drop rating, but the height differs by model. The Tough TG-7 is rated for drops up to 2.1 meters, while the Pentax WG-90 is rated to 1.6 meters.

A drop rating does not mean you should treat the camera roughly.

How do I care for a waterproof camera after swimming?

Follow the model's sealing and rinse directions after use. For the Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2, check the rubber gasket for damage or debris, keep the battery cover closed while rinsing with clean water, and dry the camera with a clean, lint-free cloth.

Never open its cover while wet.

Can a waterproof camera take close-up photos?

Yes. The Tough TG-7 has 4 macro modes and can focus as close as 1 centimeter from the lens end.

The Pentax WG-90 includes six macro lights and a macro stand that maintains a 1-centimeter focusing distance, which can help illuminate small subjects.