It's always a bummer when you have to leave your camera at home when you go on vacation near a beach or a lake because you're worried of getting it wet and damaged. Pictures taken by or underwater can yield some spectacular and memorable photos. Picking up an underwater camera can allow you to finally begin capturing those special moments. If you find yourself frequently regretting the inability to take photos by the beach, then Wise Bread is here for you with our pick of the top five underwater cameras.
An underwater camera is a camera that is capable of being operated underwater and withstanding tougher physical conditions. Underwater cameras are built with materials that protect the normally delicate electronics from water, frozen temperatures and crushing pressure. Different cameras have different limits as to what they can handle, so be sure to do your homework to pick out the camera that is just right for you.
The Olympus Stylus TG-2 is an extremely well-reviewed underwater camera. According to its specifications, the TG-2 is waterproof down to 50 feet. It's also capable of handling temperatures down to 14 degrees Fahrenheit, is shockproof as well as crush-proof. In addition, its lens covers a field of view between 25-100mm with a maximum aperture of f/2 at its widest, which means you'll be able to take great photos, even in lower light.
For those that are looking for a tough and rugged camera, the Lumix DMC-TS5D is another great choice. This Lumix is waterproof to a depth of 43 feet, is freezeproof down to 14 degrees, can withstand pressure to 220 pounds and is shockproof from a height of 6.6 feet. This camera also boasts a 28-128 mm equivalent lens that can shoot 1080p HD video. In addition, this Wi-Fi enabled camera allows you to save and share your photos easily.
If you don't plan on going scuba diving with your camera, but still want something that is a bit sturdier than a typical point-and-shoot, then the Sony Cyber-Shot TX30 is the right camera for you. This Sony camera has the sleek and slim build of a modern point-and-shoot digital camera but is also waterproof to a depth of 33 feet and shockproof from falls of 5 feet, which means this camera can still take a decent beating.
The Canon PowerShot D20 is another underwater camera that is a favorite amongst users. The PowerShot D20 is waterproof to 33 feet, temperature resistant between 14 and 104 degrees and shockproof up to 5 feet. Its 28-140mm lens takes great photos, even in the higher ISO settings as well as high definition, 1080p video. The biggest gripe with this camera is that it's not particularly fast; it takes about 1.4 seconds for it to take a photo.
Rounding out our list of the best underwater cameras is the Fujifilm FinePix XP60M. The most affordable camera on this list, this Fujifilm is waterproof to a depth of 20 feet, shockproof to drops of up to 5 feet and can withstand temperatures down to 14 degrees. The 16 megapixel lens has a focal length of 28 — 140mm, can shoot 1080p HD video and has a continuous shooting mode that shoots at up to 10 frames per second.
And those are our recommendations for the best underwater cameras. As always, be sure to check out the Wise Bread Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!
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