Let’s Get You the Right Camera and Take Some Beautiful Pictures
I hope this snorkeling camera guide helps make your choice easy. Because picking a camera and getting good colorful pictures just about drove us nuts. Most underwater camera advice comes from divers. But snorkelers’ needs are different because we have plenty of light at the surface.
After years of snorkel trips, many cameras, and tens of thousands of pictures later, we know a few things to help you out. That’s Galen above, doing what he loves, taking a picture of the turtle (taken by Nicole).
We will help you get a camera that:
- Is reasonably priced
- Takes sharp, colorful pictures
- Is not too big
And answer these critical questions:
- How come my pictures are all blue?
- Why are my fish blurry?
- How do I make my pictures more beautiful?
- How do I prevent my camera from flooding with water?
- How come my lens and screen are fogging up?
Snorkeling Camera Options
2024 Best Snorkeling Cameras – Quick Buying Guide
If you are in a rush, this is where I share my top picks of all snorkeling camera types.
To learn more about each type of camera, and to see more options in other prices ranges, make sure and check out the pages below.
Waterproof Snorkel Cameras – Great Pictures and Affordable
This camera type is already waterproof, and does not need a separate housing. All of its little buttons and other doors have waterproof seals.
You can get excellent pictures, but these are not as durable as a camera with a separate housing. But for the price, this type of camera is best for most snorkelers.
Compact Cameras and Waterproof Housings – Excellent Pictures, Most Control
This category of camera is what I most recommend if you want the best pictures, and are not as concerned about price; a compact camera with a separate waterproof housing.
Prices for these are higher, but you have more control over the final image, and these waterproof housings are much less likely to flood than the waterproof type cameras.
GoPro Action Cameras – Tiny, Light, Great Videos, Reasonable Cost
GoPro makes great little cameras, that take amazing 5K videos and good pictures. They are used extensively in action sports.
They are waterproof and you can add a housing. They are reasonable in price, but are very limited in controls.
DJI Osmo Action Cameras – Better Than a GoPro
The new DJI action cameras, the Osmo Action 4 and Osmo Action 5 Pro have a number of features that make them stand out as a better snorkeling action camera than the newest GoPro models.
They have larger sensors, for better low light and high contrast situations. They have a built-in white balance sensor, for amazing colors. And they are waterproof to twice the depth, have faster charging batteries, and better screens and menus. They not perfect, so read about their flaws.
iPhone Housings – Waterproof Case for a Great Camera
If you have an iPhone, you have a pretty good snorkeling camera already, with the correct waterproof housing. Read our tips for what housing to buy, and how to get the best pictures from it.
Smartphone Housings – For Android and Apple Phones
Use your smartphone as a snorkeling camera. Our two favorite waterproof smartphone housings for snorkeling, for Android phones, like Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and others, as well as Apple.
The new universal housing with full touch screen is a game changer for using a smartphone as a snorkeling camera.
What Cameras Do We Use Snorkeling?
Canon G7X With Housing
We currently use the wonderful Canon G7X. We wrote a full page review of it. It has a fast lens through its zoom range, a large one inch sensor, and fast focusing and shooting speeds. We use the Canon housing; it works well for this camera and was not very expensive.
Snorkeling Photography Tips
Snorkeling Camera Feature Descriptions
If you don’t understand what a fast F2.0 lens is, or why high ISO performance might matter, I go through all the important features of a good camera for snorkeling.
Underwater Camera and Housing Care and Maintenance
Learn how to prevent camera floods and fogging, and find some more tips on basic camera care.
Improve Your Snorkeling Photography
Learn how to get better color, create better compositions, and many more techniques for getting pictures that make people say wow!
Using an Underwater Tripod for Great Snorkeling Videos
We use a mini tripod to get very fishy videos. The videos are not all shaky like handheld videos. Learn how we do it and what underwater tripod we use.
Hey, if you have not learned enough yet about snorkeling cameras and photography, we share lots of those tips in our free monthly snorkeling newsletter.