Diving is an experience in itself. Divers usually invest in gear and accessories with time, and if you are passionate about capturing marine life, an underwater camera is certainly a good investment. Before we talk about selecting the best underwater video camera, let’s understand the options and other important aspects.
The need for an advanced underwater camera
There’s a big problem with cheap underwater cameras – the tint. Unless you are using a color filter, the video footage is likely to look green or blue, depending on several factors including the lighting. This is exactly where the ‘term’ Depth-controlled Color Correction comes in the picture. There are brands have patented DCC that helps correcting colors, without changing filter manually or doing color grading in a lab. Advanced underwater cameras also can take the current pressure, which helps in adding more aspect to the footage. In short, you need one of these cameras to ensure easy capturing of best images. If you want to buy a diving camera, you also need to consider whether a regular DLSR camera will fit your requirement or you need a compact one. In case you don’t want to deal with all of those extra accessories, go for a compact underwater camera, which works on a single click – just like a flashlight.
Buying an underwater camera
First and foremost, start by checking for models. There are a bunch of choices, but find one that adds features in a compact design. The basics are also important. So, check the extent to which the model is waterproof to, and that should be at least 800 FT for the advanced ones. Check how the camera aims to fix the White Balance concern and if it has used any form of DCC. Battery life is another point to take note. You don’t want to run out of power while on a diving tour, so make sure to pick a model that offers at least 2-hour charge for 4K recording, which should substantially increase when you record in lower resolution.
Quality counts
Video resolution is another aspect that buyers need to be bothered about. Although it may cost a tad more, you need an underwater camera with resolution of at least 1080p, and in case you find the choice of 4K, don’t hesitate to shell a tad more. Most underwater cameras have their own apps these days, so you can literally carry the footage from the camera in your device, but again, make sure that all of it is easy to use. You also need to check for storage, which is usually expandable, and you should be able to use a 64 GB Micro SD-card at the very least. Micro SD-cards are usually not included as a part of the package, so check the cost for that, as well.
An underwater camera is almost a necessity for divers, and you will find many brands that are now challenging the traditional action camera brands. Do your homework and settle for a product that’s easy to use and doesn’t compromise on features.
