Budget Underwater Camera

Hello,

I am planning a trip to the Caribbean next year and want to have a decent underwater camera with me.  I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer on land.  I can't currently justify spending $1000+ on a new camera or housing for my dslr, so I am looking for the best photography experience I can have for around $500.  I won't be SCUBA diving, but I will be snorkeling and am an excellent swimmer with an interest in modest free diving on the trip.  I keep seeing the Olympus Tough Tg-5 on the top of most "best budget dive camera" lists.  It has some interesting features (super macro with optional macro light, decent slow motion video, raw support), but I am wondering what people think about the Nikon 1 AW1.  It has some similar features, is priced about the same used, and has a 1 inch sensor.  Is the AW1 a good buy for underwater photography on a budget, or should I get a new, modern compact like the TG-5?  Or are there other good options out there that I haven't seen yet?

The Nikon underwater cameras have a poor reputation for reliability.  Basically they leak if you sneeze in their direction.

I've seen nice shots from the TG series of cameras, particularly macro stuff.  Definitely worth a look.

In the past, before point-n-shoots became extinct, I'd just say go get a PowerShot and matching Canon dive housing.  I've had the SD630, two SD870is, s95 and s120 with dive housings, and all were good.   The housings were totally reliable for me, and I never had a leak.  All of the cameras failed (usually zoom quits retracting) above water.

All of these systems cost around $500 new, including both camera and housing.

Now, it looks like Canon isn't selling small cameras prices less than about $400, though the housing costs are still fairly low, in the $250-400 range.

You could certainly look used, and if you are in a city you'll probably find tons of used gear online.  I worry about the reliability of the camera.   When my first s95 died, I managed to find a used one, but that camera died two years later.  I'm on an s120 now, and it still works mostly because it doesn't get used.

It can be difficult finding the right replacement o-rings for older housings too, so keep that in mind if shopping for used.

Sorry, I'm not familiar with the Nikon AW1, but I've used a Panasonic TS3 for several years while snorkeling.  After it died, I bought the TS6 and have used it as well. I like the output of the Panasonic "rugged" cameras, but keep in mind that you may need to do some post processing with just about any of these types of cameras (unless there's excellent lighting or your have strobes/lights).

Here are a couple examples from the TS3:

Hi Doc,

I do not have experience with the small cameras, but if I would go for one I would have a look at:

#1.: Olympus TG-5

#2.: UW housing for smartphone:

https://www.aditech-usa.com/en/shop/3860-weefine-wfh02.html

Wolfgang

Architeuthis wrote:

Hi Doc,

I do not have experience with the small cameras, but if I would go for one I would have a look at:

#1.: Olympus TG-5

#2.: UW housing for smartphone:

https://www.aditech-usa.com/en/shop/3860-weefine-wfh02.html

Wolfgang

Completely agree with #2 above, and it is what I use. Far better than a TG-5 in my experience (I demo'd one and sent it back due to poor handling and IQ), and far better than GoPro's (I've had several, stopped at the Hero 5; good for video, not for stills)

In fact, the Weefine case is the same as the brand Kraken in North America. I've posted a review here https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/61994163

Can't go wrong with Sony RX100 series, probably RX100 III now is ok price.
All other purposely build " waterproof cameras have low" depth rating", so either way a housing investment needed if you want to go more than 15 meters deep.

Meikon RX100 III/ IV housing - around 220 USD.

A similar qu I have been wondering about: for a "once in a lifetime trip" involving a week of snorkeling do I need anything other than my trust Pana rugged compact (TS3) and GoPro Session 5?

I was thinking initially of a waterproof casing for an RX100-II I already have (~$150). But was also tempted by a Sony AS50 which seems to have good stabilization and costs about the same (~$180) and has a good waterproof case... I guess the answer depends on optimizing for photos or video...

I would have no issues with recommending going with the TS3 and GoPro that you already have. I've used the TS3 & TS6 with decent results while snorkeling.

I've posted some pics from a recent trip using the TS6 here:

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/62110539

Here's one example of an octopus we found in about 8ft of water.

any suggestions for less than 200 usd? Buying one for my niece, her phone is too expensive for the bag risk

SafariBob wrote:

any suggestions for less than 200 usd? Buying one for my niece, her phone is too expensive for the bag risk

You could probably fit a used Nikon J1 + housing into $200 or thereabouts. A used older GoPro is another option. Weefine Smart Housing for phones is much safer than a bag (it even has a vacuum system), but it costs in the $300-400 range, which is considerably above your budget.

Hello,

if you just start out to shoot underwater I strongly recommend the TG-5. Since like me you only intend to snorkel, the most important thing will be to learn how to get your shots, since you will not have much time underwater (Except if you can hold your breath for more than 1 min while moving).

Just staying at the surface does not get you the shots I presume you would like to take. You will need to go down to get level with your object of desire (though there are exceptions of course), and for that a small compact in the beginning is much less cumbersome than a housing. Plus, with the TG series you get an incredible macro mode. Autofocus could be better though, here the LX100 in a housing is doing better.

Don't forget, that the TG series features a built-in (albeit weak) flash and LED, that helps with macro and closeup illumination (I'd say with things 1-1.5 m away).

Got lots of images from last summer, may post some if of interest.

Regards

I had similar demands and went with the Sealife DC2000. You can buy the inner separately directly from the supplier which is cheaper. Its a fixed 31mm f.18, small, sharp lens and a handy little cam on dry land also. DP review did a review and if you search this forum I did a 3 part review also.

Recommended if you can handle a fixed lens.

kelpdiver wrote:

good GoPro knockoffs (Yi) sell under 200, and cheap ones are $50.

thank you. I got her the Yi Lite for about 150, three days later it dropped to 69...

I use 2 GoPro's 4 silver for 3D underwater pictures when diving (you can see some of the pictures in the 3D forum.

When using red UW filter and appropriate post processing is possible to shoot nice pictures down to 30m.

There are clones (SJ4000) that are very chip (I have some) and also can dive to 30m.

You can put them on your list.

Anyway, enjoy!

I find that for snorkelling, the Oly TG5 (and TG4 before it) work fine.  The camera is only one of the factors in good underwater photos with water clarity being one of the key issues.  Some examples from a recent snorkelling trip to the Big Island.

Dale

DocHolliday wrote:

Hello,

I am planning a trip to the Caribbean next year and want to have a decent underwater camera with me. I am an enthusiastic amateur photographer on land. I can't currently justify spending $1000+ on a new camera or housing for my dslr, so I am looking for the best photography experience I can have for around $500. I won't be SCUBA diving, but I will be snorkeling and am an excellent swimmer with an interest in modest free diving on the trip. I keep seeing the Olympus Tough Tg-5 on the top of most "best budget dive camera" lists. It has some interesting features (super macro with optional macro light, decent slow motion video, raw support), but I am wondering what people think about the Nikon 1 AW1. It has some similar features, is priced about the same used, and has a 1 inch sensor. Is the AW1 a good buy for underwater photography on a budget, or should I get a new, modern compact like the TG-5? Or are there other good options out there that I haven't seen yet?

The Meikon housings are ~$600 and they (IIRC) have one for your D500. Your other option is a gently used D7000 and the Meikon housing for that. I recall each was about $400 last I looked. Both options keep you well under $1000.