Buying advice - swimming camera!

MaggieS wrote:

Yesterday I posted this query in the buying advice discussion thread - and have been directed here (not knowing this thread existed - first rookie error!)
For the last few years I have been using an Olympus TG5 almost daily in the sea/freshwater. It's been a blast, but it is time to upgrade. My other camera is an Olympus EM1 MKII.
I don't really dive, but during the summer I use a snorkel and in winter I swim with the TG5 and use it to record some of the beautiful scenery I get to see (as well as underwater scenery, wildlife, pictures of friends in the water etc). The TG5 has been great fun but image quality is lacking (except for macro), RAW files are poor to pointless and there is no manual control.
I am thinking of a high quality compact like the Panasonic LX100 with a Nauticam housing (total price about £1,800), or a Sony RX100 V with a Fantasea Housing (a bit cheaper), because I don't want to be carrying something as bulky as the EM1 plus housing. The Canon G1 XIII has good reviews but with a housing it is prohibitively expensive (TBH - £1800 is pushing it - but spending too little might leave me wanting to upgrade again very soon).
I think I want a camera that is very portable/pocketable and that I can use in or out of the water to save lugging two sets of gear around as well as my swimming kit (especially in the winter, when warm and waterproof post-swim clothing is essential). I'm more of an enthusiastic enthusiast than a professional - but image quality still really matters.
Does anyone out there use this combination of gear - or have advice about what else might be available or suitable? I have wondered about a Sealife brand camera - but know nothing about the brand or which model is good.

Any advice gratefully taken on board.

Unless you have said you are not satified with IQ of the TG-5, I would have recommended you a TG series camera for snorkeling...

When you want substantial improvement in IQ you need a better camera, from compact 1" to FF. I believe the difference in size (with housing and port) between e.g. LX100 and your EM1II is not so big to justify the aquisition of a third camera (and IQ with EM1II and dedicated lens is certainly better compared to compact).

I would house the EM1II for WA (e.g. 8mm fisheye with 4" (or Nauticam 140) domeport; in case you can invest more money, I recommend the Canon 8-15mm fisheye for comparable IQ, but more flexibility in angle of view). For Macro I would continue to use the TG, as a first step...

Freedivers that want the very best IQ (at natural light, that is always low), go often with FF camera and Nauticam WACP (or a fisheye behind Nauticam 140 domeport) for WA, but EM1II is already very good...

Wolfgang