Best GoPro Underwater Cameras
Looking for a camera that can handle exceptional underwater photography? The GoPro underwater camera lineup is built for shooting high-quality photos and videos in and out of the water.
You can capture stunning shots whether you’re shooting for fun or for professional work. GoPro cameras are small and lightweight too, so you can take them anywhere without hassle.
According to reports, around 2.8 million GoPro units were shipped worldwide. Depending on your needs, you can choose from several different GoPro models.
This article also includes a quick shopping guide and tips for picking the right GoPro underwater camera. Its unique features set it apart from the competition.
A GoPro camera is one of the best ways to level up your diving experience. Multiple brands offer GoPro-compatible accessories, and GoPro itself has a range of cameras with different features, designs, and price points.
This article highlights some of the best GoPro underwater cameras based on their key features to save you time.
If you’re not familiar with camera tech, choosing the right model can feel overwhelming.
That’s why we’ve broken down the details on the best GoPro underwater cameras below. Let’s jump in.
Best GoPro Underwater Cameras Include:
| Product Name | Waterproof Depth | Image Resolution | Video Resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| GoPro Hero5 Underwater Camera | 33 ft | 12MP | 1080p |
| GoPro HERO6 Waterproof Digital Action Camera | 33 ft | 12MP | 4K/30fps |
| GoPro HERO7 Waterproof Digital Action Camera | 33 ft | 12MP | 4K/60fps |
| GoPro HERO8 Waterproof Action Camera | 33 ft | 12MP | 4K/60fps |
| GoPro HERO9 Waterproof Action Camera | 33 ft | 20MP | 5K/30fps |
| GoPro HERO10 Waterproof Action Camera | 33 ft | 23MP | 2880p |
Now, let’s look at the full descriptions to figure out which one fits your needs best.
Top 6 GoPro Underwater Cameras
Here’s the lineup of GoPro cameras that’ll improve your snorkeling, scuba diving, or fishing trips.
1. GoPro Hero5 Underwater Camera
The GoPro HERO5 is a great pick for budget-conscious scuba divers who still want solid performance. It offers video and photo modes including single, burst, and time-lapse.
You can record stabilized video at 4K/30fps, 80fps at resolutions up to 1440p, and 120fps at 1080p. Wind noise reduction keeps your audio clear and crisp.
The HERO5 has a one-button interface for simple operation. Even if you’re new to diving cameras, you’ll figure it out fast.
The camera includes mounting hooks and a USB-C port for connecting accessories. Without housing, the HERO5 is water-resistant to 33 feet.
Features:
- It offers preview and playback mode
- The camera has curved and flat adhesive mounting
- The dimensions of the camera are 9.1 x 9.1 x 9.1 inches
- It can shoot video at 1440p and photos at 12 MP Resolution.
- It also offers shooting Modes like Single, Burst, and Time-lapse
- The connectivity technology supports Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
2. GoPro HERO6 Waterproof Digital Action Camera
The GoPro HERO6, powered by the GP1 processor, lets you capture stunning photos quickly. This compact camera maximizes image quality regardless of the setting or lighting conditions.
The HERO6 is a step up from the HERO5. It offers two performance levels and next-generation video stabilization.
Whether you’re holding it in your hand or mounting it to your scuba BCD, the HERO6 records crisp, clear video.
The HERO6 also uses 5 GHz Wi-Fi, which downloads photos and videos about three times faster than the HERO5’s networking.
Features:
- It has voice-control functionality
- The camera’s dimensions are 1.75 x 2.44 x 1.26 inches
- It can shoot videos in 4K/30fps resolution and images at 12MP resolution
- It offers Time-lapse Shooting Modes
- The connectivity technology supports HDMI, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi
3. GoPro HERO7 Waterproof Digital Action Camera
The GoPro HERO7 is an excellent underwater companion. Its durable build makes it waterproof to 33 feet.
Interested in this area? We go deeper in our marcum underwater camera guide.
With the HERO7’s touchscreen, you can capture great diving shots by swiping and tapping. Voice control is available too.
The camera offers several shooting modes, including Super Photo, Burst, and Photo Timer.
You can also shoot vertically for portrait selfies that are ready to share on Snapchat, Facebook, and Instagram.
Features:
- It offers Hyper smooth and Timewarp function
- The camera has a built-in GPS and a touchscreen
- Dimension 2.4 x 1.3 x 1.8 inches
- It offers a Video Resolution of 4K/60fps and a Photo Resolution of12MP
- Shooting Modes: Time-lapse, Super Photo, Burst, and Photo Timer
- Connectivity Technology Bluetooth
4. GoPro HERO8 Waterproof Action Camera
The GoPro HERO8 comes with three levels of video stabilization, plus HyperSmooth 2.0 and TimeWarp 2.0.
Even if your scuba fins cause you to move around quickly underwater, the camera still produces smooth, high-quality footage.
One of the HERO8’s best selling points is its pocketable design. The folding fingers on the bottom let you collapse it into a compact size that fits easily in a suitcase.
The GoPro HERO8 is a solid pick for traveling divers. It offers multiple shooting modes for capturing high-resolution, stabilized video.
The compact size works great for frequent travelers. It’s also well-suited for vloggers, professional filmmakers, and aspiring creators.
Features:
- It supports live streaming in 1080p
- It has a TimeWarp 2.0 feature
- The dimensions are 1.14 x 1.89 x 2.6 inches
- It supports shooting in video 4K/60fps and images in 12MP resolution
- The camera offers shooting modes like RAW photo capture (Photo, Burst, and Night Modes)
5. GoPro HERO9 Waterproof Action Camera
The GoPro HERO9 is one of the newer models with a polished design and high-end features that deliver real value for your money.
It lets beginners shoot video at up to 5K resolution and photos at 20MP.
Even when zoomed in, your underwater selfies will look sharp, clean, and full of detail.
The HERO9’s HyperSmooth 3.0 and TimeWarp 3.0 produce exceptionally smooth results. It has a rear touchscreen and a front display for framing your shots from any angle.
The HERO9 also supports remote control via Bluetooth and uses less power for better battery life.
The remote has a large display for checking info at a glance. The camera’s buttons are large and easy to press, even with heavy gloves, making it a great choice for ice diving.
Features:
- It also offers HyperSmooth 3.0 and TimeWarp 3.0 features
- It comes in a compact design
- The dimensions are 9.08 x 5.42 x 3.25 inches
- It allows you to shoot videos in 5K/30fps and photos in 20MP resolution
- It is capable of Shooting in Time-lapse, LiveBurst, Hindsight, Super Photo Modes
- The Connectivity Technology supports Bluetooth
6. GoPro HERO10 Waterproof Action Camera
The GoPro Hero 10 is the most polished, powerful action camera in the lineup. The new GP2 processor is the biggest upgrade, unlocking a range of new capabilities.
This action camera is more versatile and fun to use than older models. As a waterproof companion, it goes wherever you go, perfect for filming outdoor adventures or shooting 4K vlogs.
For the complete picture, our 8K video camera guide fills in the gaps.
GoPro’s top-tier HyperSmooth stabilization is genuinely impressive.
The Hero 10 is worth the price for most buyers. It’s more user-friendly than older models and stands as the most flexible action camera you can get.
The improved slow-motion frame rates and wired data transfer modes are nice upgrades. The snappier interface and image quality improvements make it a fun, waterproof companion for any activity.
Features:
- It offers a Class-leading stabilization
- The New lens cover has a water-repelling capacity.
- It weighs:153g and is Waterproof to a depth of 10m5
- It can shoot video in 4K/30fps and 2.7K/240fps and pictures in 23MP resolution.
How To Select A Suitable GoPro For Underwater Photography?
A poor-quality GoPro can leave you disappointed, so it helps to list your basic requirements before comparing the many models out there.
Here are a few key features to focus on when picking the best GoPro underwater camera.
Picture Quality
GoPro cameras can all shoot underwater, but sensor size and lens quality matter when you want the sharpest images possible.
Sensor size is especially important underwater. A larger sensor performs better in low-light conditions.
Lenses also directly affect the clarity, contrast, and distortion in your photos.
Flexibility
A GoPro camera’s versatility shows in how many accessories you can pair with it. These accessories attach to GoPro’s mounting points and open up new possibilities for your underwater expeditions.
A dive light, for example, adds extra illumination in darker conditions so you can capture high-quality images and video.
Capabilities
There are hundreds of high-end models with advanced features on the market right now. But not everyone, especially beginners, will actually use all of them.
It’s a good idea to learn the basics of using a GoPro before you buy, so you end up with the right camera for your skill level.
User-friendliness
Nothing’s more frustrating than spending good money on a GoPro and then struggling to figure it out. That’s why ease of use is one of the most important things to consider.
The best GoPro underwater camera models have intuitive interfaces that make camera control easy. The menus are straightforward to navigate, and the buttons are water-resistant and easy to press through housings.
You won’t have to struggle to switch shooting modes while you’re underwater.
Why Should I Purchase a GoPro Underwater Camera?
A waterproof GoPro is built to be durable and resilient, making it a solid choice for deep diving. You can also add a dive light for better illumination in your photos and videos.
GoPro cameras mount to helmets, dive BCDs, and other attachment points, freeing up your hands for other gear.
These cameras are compact and include bottom mounts for connecting a variety of handles and grips.
Here are the top reasons to pick up a GoPro underwater camera.
Affordability
A GoPro with housing, an extra battery, and accessories will cost significantly less than most dedicated snorkeling cameras with housing. GoPro and third-party manufacturers offer a wide range of camera accessories at reasonable prices.
Compact Size
Many snorkelers use a GoPro on an extended pole in the water because its tiny size makes it easy to handle. The compact form factor also packs easily into luggage.
Fantastic Video Quality
The GoPro is designed for capturing selfie videos during action sports like surfing, snowboarding, and mountain biking. It performs just as well underwater while snorkeling.
Simple to Operate
Almost all GoPro functions are automated, making it one of the easiest cameras to use. You can tweak a few menu settings, but for the most part, you press a button and the camera handles the rest.
Editor’s Choice
Every camera on this list is solid, but our pick is the GoPro Hero10 with its new sensor and front-facing screen.
The Hero10’s upgraded sensor shoots still photos at 23 megapixels and captures 5.3K video at higher frame rates. At 60 fps in 4K, you can pull 19-megapixel stills directly from the video (though a powerful computer helps for processing).
The lens features a new hydrophobic coating that prevents water drops from sticking. This is a real plus for snorkelers, since you’ll get fewer water droplets on the lens when you surface.
The Hero10 can also transfer photos and video to your computer or phone via cable instead of relying on Wi-Fi or removing the SD card.
HyperSmooth stabilization and the horizon leveling feature have both seen improvements in this model.
Without housing, it’s waterproof to 33 feet. The folding fingers on the bottom let you attach handles and sticks directly, no separate housing needed.
For extra depth and physical protection, the Hero9’s housing should be compatible with the Hero10 (more details below).
Final Thoughts
The GoPro camera is one of the best pieces of tech gear for scuba divers. It brings a ton of features and shooting options that make underwater exploration more enjoyable.
With so many models available, choosing the right one can be tough. Hopefully this guide helps you find the best GoPro underwater camera for your specific needs.