Underwater photography has a history of 150 years, and the first underwater photo was recorded in 1856. The equipment is very basic. It actually uses a metal box and a glass wall to house a camera. Since then, underwater cameras now come in a wide variety of styles, capable of pr

Underwater photography has a history of 150 years. The first underwater photo was recorded in 1856. The equipment is very basic. It actually uses a metal box and a glass wall to house a camera. Since then, underwater cameras now come in a wide variety of styles, capable of producing incredibly high-resolution media. With so many options on the market now, this article will detail how to make a good underwater camera.

What is an underwater camera?

Simply put, an underwater camera refers to any camera that can work underwater. While this broad definition is correct, there are huge differences in the quality and usefulness of different models of underwater cameras.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to purchasing an underwater camera. First looking at the task at hand, it's important to compare the features of each model and decide which one is best for the project. After reading this article, you should be able to confidently decide which model is right for you.

What is the use of underwater camera?

Underwater cameras have many different applications, from recreational to professional. These uses include documentaries, sports recording, asset inspections, ocean exploration and research, hobby photography, and more. With all these different applications, logically, many different styles of underwater camera systems exist to meet different needs.

Types of Underwater Cameras

In the modern world of photography/videography, there are more than a dozen major types of cameras that are commonly used. However, due to the special requirements of underwater cameras, many of these categories are impractical to use due to size constraints. Generally speaking, there are five main types of underwater cameras:

Action cameras

As its name suggests, action cameras are built for immersion in the action. Their compact, durable, and handheld/mountable design makes them perfect for capturing up close or POV footage during sports or events.

can be mounted on a helmet or other device, making them ideal for divers or snorkelers. This design allows users to keep their hands free to manipulate the water while shooting. Being digital cameras, they can easily store the photos they take directly on the SD card. These saved images can be later uploaded to the main desktop or laptop .

Although they are most commonly used for video recording, action cameras can also take impressive photos, especially on high-end models. Thanks to the CMOS sensor , the action camera is capable of time-lapse, slow-motion and continuous shooting modes.

burst mode is a great feature for divers to get better shots of moving subjects. The camera is capturing a large number of images in rapid succession to create a shooting "pool". After the photoshoot is complete, you can choose from a variety of images to get the best possible shot.

Since action cameras are designed for water sports , they usually have an extra waterproof layer. This means they don't have to worry about waterproof casings, although waterproof casings can increase their pressure rating.

Compact Cameras

Compact cameras (aka point-and-shoot cameras) are designed with simplicity in mind. Ideal for beginners or amateur photographers, these cameras use an automatic system to set focus, aperture, ISO and white balance. With just a few steps, the automatic settings make it incredibly easy to get a decent photo.

Some higher end point and shoot cameras may have manual settings and higher quality sensors. However, the main selling points of point-and-shoot cameras are their affordability and simplicity, so this can come down to personal preference.

Another major selling point of point-and-shoot cameras is the single lens. This single lens design offers less versatility at different focal lengths but offers excellent portability. Professional photographers can use professional lenses according to different scenarios. However, for most amateurs, this just adds unnecessary bulk and overcomplicates the process.

Point-and-shoot cameras typically do not have built-in waterproofing. However, some models do offer waterproofing at the expense of image quality.For standard point-and-shoot cameras, an underwater housing is a must. The underwater housing is basically waterproof and pressure-resistant and designed for complete control of the camera. Point-and-shoot kits cost between $500 and $1,500, about five times cheaper than a DSLR camera. This is an easy price to accept.

DSLR cameras

DSLR cameras have been the standard for professional photography for decades. A SLR function that utilizes the mirror inside the camera. This mirror reflects light that passes through the lens and up into the viewfinder . When you press the shutter, the mirror flips over and light passes through the imaging sensor to capture a photo.

The powerful sensors on DSLR cameras produce higher quality images than point-and-shoot cameras. They also offer excellent low-light performance due to the increased sensor size. The DSLR uses the optical viewfinder , which provides excellent dynamic range and clarity. Additionally, the optical viewfinder provides instantaneous display compared to electronic lag.

Manual settings and RAW shooting capabilities make DSLRs more suitable for professional photography. Photographers have full control over aperture, shutter speed and ISO, rather than a simple point-and-shoot approach. For skilled operators, this results in higher quality shots, as each image can have its settings optimized. On the basis of manual settings, the adjustable SLR lens also provides better scene flexibility.

DSLRs are usually not waterproof, and underwater photography requires a housing. The cameras themselves come in a wide range of prices, ranging from $400 to $6,000 or more depending on quality. The price of the housing will usually match that of the more advanced camera modules, usually between $1,000 and $4,000.

While high-end DSLRs can be significantly more expensive than point-and-shoot cameras, they do offer superior imaging performance. Additionally, low-cost models are a great entry point for hobbyists interested in honing their photography skills.

Mirrorless Cameras

The modern mirrorless camera was once considered a step back from DSLRs, but it has certainly caused a stir among contemporary photographers. The functional difference between a mirrorless camera and a DSLR camera should be fairly clear – mirrorless cameras don’t have a mirror. Instead, light enters the imaging sensor directly through the lens and is displayed through the electronic viewfinder . As a result, mirrorless camera bodies are typically lighter, more compact, and better suited for travel.

Mirrorless cameras operate very similar to DSLR cameras, with high image quality, manual settings controls, adjustable lenses, and a comparable price range. However, their different mechanical designs do have some significant differences. Typically these include using an electronic viewfinder, quieter operation, faster shooting speeds and better focus. These features make its overall video performance better compared to DSLRs, which can be a major pain point.

Remote Robot Camera

For locations that cannot be reached by manual operations, the built-in camera of a drone or underwater robot is the solution. Over the past few decades, drones have become extremely popular for adding a cinematic effect to videos/photos in aerial photography, or for surveying land for construction projects. Generally speaking, drones use CMOS imaging sensors similar to action cameras and can range from a basic $100 recreational model all the way up to a $35,000 defense survey/heavy duty recovery model.

For underwater photography, the operation of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) is very similar. An ROV is a submersible robotic vehicle used to observe underwater content at different depths by operators on shore. These submersibles are used in a variety of industries: aquaculture, search and rescue, military, marine life, petroleum, natural gas, offshore energy, shipping, underwater infrastructure, ocean exploration, etc.

ROV can capture high-definition images and videos of underwater assets that far exceed the capabilities of human divers. A commercial diving license allows diving in open water to 200 feet (60 meters). Shooting at these depths requires diving certification, protective gear, and the ability to withstand the dangers of open water diving.In contrast, ROVs can capture 4K images and video at any depth underwater, while the operator can remain safely on shore!

What should you consider when choosing an underwater camera?

Pixels vs Sensor Size

While counting pixels is a valid measurement tool for image resolution, it does not necessarily mean higher camera performance. A camera sensor is composed of pixels, which are light-sensitive points that capture digital images.

The ratio of megapixels to pixels is 1:1 million, which means that a 20MP camera will accommodate 20 million pixels. A larger sensor could also allow for more of these pixels, which would produce higher quality images, better depth of field and improved low-light performance in underwater photography, where there isn't as much light compared to the surface. is the key to optimal imaging.

Manual shooting controls

As mentioned in the camera style breakdown, manual controls allow manipulation of ISO, aperture and shutter speed. For underwater photography, manual settings can be crucial. There's not a lot of light underwater, and while modern 'auto' settings are adaptable, manual controls offer unparalleled flexibility.

Having said that, sometimes underwater cameras are used for asset inspections rather than artwork. Automatic cameras with auxiliary lighting are a simpler, more streamlined method of clear imaging.

Raw image capabilities

RAW images are files that have been minimally processed and compressed. Since all image data is stored in RAW files, the quality is very good, but storage costs are high. The file size to megapixel ratio is roughly 1:1, so a 16mp camera will produce a 16mb RAW image.

Photographers who want to control image quality through post-processing editing will choose the RAW shooting function. Keeping image data intact allows for flexible adjustments to exposure, white balance and noise. If the average photographer just wants a quick picture and does some basic post-editing, then using the JPG format may be more suitable.

Which bitrate is best?

Bitrate refers to the amount of data encoded per second during video recording. Increasing the bitrate improves video quality, but in turn results in larger file sizes. When purchasing an underwater camera, it is important to weigh its intended use.

high bitrate camera can be the best choice for professionals or content creators looking for the best quality. However, this may be overkill for amateurs, or someone wishing to primarily shoot still images.

As a standard, the bitrate is measured in mbps (megabits per second). While it may seem intuitive that higher bitrates are better, this is not always the case.Depending on your resolution and FPS settings, here are the best ranges:

SDR video upload recommended bitrate

HDR video upload recommended bitrate

Dynamic range in underwater photography

Dynamic range in photography refers to the ratio between the lightest and darkest tones in an image. Measured in "stops", the human eye can detect a dynamic range of 20 stops.

Dynamic range has different levels of importance depending on what is expected. For shooting documentary footage, sporting events, or creating high-end content, dynamic range can help deliver impressive color and image clarity. For asset inspections for industrial purposes, it may not do much good for the natural tonal structure of the inspection.

Videos and Photos

The difference in photography and video performance can be huge when it comes to camera selection. As mentioned above, a typical action camera will be ideal for videographers. They offer excellent video lenses in a compact size and are very durable.

Photographers, on the other hand, should consider a point-and-shoot, mirrorless, or DSLR camera. These options have been a staple of still photography for years, and for good reason. Beginners may appreciate the simplicity of the automatic mode on point-and-shoot cameras. Professionals are better suited with a DSLR or mirrorless camera with a large sensor, manual shooting mode, and RAW file format.

Key Points

Underwater photography, like above water photography, is constantly evolving. With new upgrades and camera styles emerging every year, it can be confusing to find the "best" camera. Understanding the pros and cons of camera styles and deciding which one is best for your specific project is key to determining camera quality. After narrowing down to a camera model and budget, photographers can finalize their decision based on the other features we designed.