Best Underwater Video Cameras Right Now [VIDEO]

Featuring Logan Wood

Camera specs all seem to run together these days, and more brands are starting to put out video focused cameras. So which ones really stand out?

Logan Wood talks through which cameras and housing break through the noise as of February 2026.

If you're more of a reader, scroll down to see the video transcript.

Underwater Video Cameras

What better way to spend the day than to talk about video cameras. Specifically, video cameras you should know about if you're wanting to get more into underwater videography. So let's talk cameras.

After about four years or so of shooting wildlife and commercial work, I've tried a ton of cameras. And fallen for the hype of specs that don't really add up when you get into the field and start shooting. So I want to run through some of the video cameras that I think you should know about, and I'll give you my thoughts on each one.

A Note on Hybrid Cameras

It's worth mentioning that hybrid cameras, those that shoot both photo and video, still shoot fantastic footage. And you'll find that they often share a lot of the same specs as the video-centric cameras. But if you're focused on shooting video, the difference usually comes down to design. Things like button layout and flipping screens, as well as sensor resolution. For example, video-centric cameras usually have a lesser resolution size sensor that performs better for video, because it's not so concerned with high-resolution stills. 

 

OM System TG-7

Alright, so first up on the list, we have the OM Systems TG-7, which I've covered a ton, but mostly for the stills. But with enough light, it can produce some pretty good 4K video at 30 frames per second or 60 frames per second at 1080p HD. And it's ready to share straight out of the camera. And just like stills, if you really want to see this camera shine, filming macro is where it's at. But one of the many reasons why we like the TG-7 is that you can switch between macro and wide angle throughout your dive. The TG7 and housing is an insane value at $950 USD.

Get the gear: Underwater Housing and OM System Tough TG-7 Camera Kit # 6233.06

 

Sony a6700

Next up on the list, we have the Sony a6700, which has an APS-C size sensor and some features that are specifically designed for shooting video. You get 4K 120 frames per second for super slow motion video, as well as 4K 60 frames per second down sampled from a 6K sensor. This gives you extremely sharp footage. I'm also personally a huge fan of the S-Log 3 color profile, which I think gives you beautiful and rich colors underwater. Across the board, Sony is also very good at button customizations. So you can set custom buttons for really any setting that you can find in the menu. And this is extremely important when you're shooting in a housing.

Now, the big jump that you'll see from the TG-7 to a camera like the a6700 is the ability to change lenses. So you can have a dedicated macro lens, you can have a dedicated wide angle lens, and really anything else in between. And the a6700 pairs especially well with the Sony 16-50mm lens and our flat port system. This allows you to zoom internally using buttons on the back of the camera, as well as attach external wet lenses. The camera and the base housing will run you about $2,800 USD.

Get the gear: 200DLM/E Underwater Housing for Sony Alpha a6700 Mirrorless Cameras # 69123

 

Sony ZV-E1

But we cannot stop there because we have to talk about the Sony ZV-E1. Now we're stepping into the world of full-frame cameras and the gateway to high-quality on-the-go travel video. Now, I loved this camera when it first came out and still use it almost every single day, including right now. It's basically an FX3 with the same full-frame sensor packed inside a tiny camera body. And this is the camera that I use to really hone in the craft of video because I could just throw it in my bag with a housing or not and just pull it out and get some great quality footage at a moment's notice.

What really shines in this camera is all the pro features. You've got 4K 120 frames per second with no crop, dual-base ISOs of 640 and 12,800 for insane low-light footage, S-Log3 and all the color profiles that I just mentioned. I love those underwater. And again, this thing is in a super small body and can fit in the smaller DLM-sized housings. Admittedly, it can run into some overheating issues, especially at 4K 60, which I tend to shoot at a lot underwater. But I found that if you just turn up the heat tolerance setting in the menus, it's not too much of a problem. Sony ZV-E1 is pro video. The camera and the housing is coming at you for $3,800 USD. It's hard to beat. 

Get the gear: 200DLM/A Underwater Housing for Sony ZV-E1 Mirrorless Cameras # 69121

 

Nikon ZR

Alright, up until now, we've talked about some really solid cameras. The OM Systems TG-7, the Sony a6700 and the Sony ZV-E1, which are great. But they do lean a little bit more towards the entry-level side of things. Let's up the budget now and get into some real heavy hitters, starting with the Nikon ZR. 

Now, I've done quite a few videos about the Nikon ZR. But it's worth mentioning here again because Nikon packed 6K open gate R3D RAW video and a host of other codecs into a lightweight small camera body. And all of that really brings it that much closer to a RED camera that's used on big budget productions. The ZR also bumps us up into the Ikelite DL style housings, which can accommodate bigger lenses like a lot of the legendary Nikon lenses that I'm sure you've heard of. If you want to see a deeper dive into some of those lenses, see the Top 3 Best Lenses for Nikon Full Frame Mirrorless Underwater. 

It's a great system that I've had a ton of fun shooting over the past few months. You can get the camera and the housing for $4,500 USD and, as with all the other housings mention here, it's available on our website as well as your local Ikelite dealer.

Get the gear: 200DL Underwater Housing for Nikon ZR 6K Cinema Camera # 71077

 

Panasonic Panasonic Lumix S1 II

The next heavy hitter is the Panasonic Lumix S1 Mark II, which is a new housing offered by Ikelite and is sure to deliver. I've seen nothing but great reviews on this camera and from the spec sheet, I can see why. 6K 30 frames per second open gate recording, 6K 60 frames per second with no crop and an optional ARRI C-Log3 color profile.

The Lumix line of cameras has been a staple in the wildlife filmmaking world for a while now and this release is definitely in the running for the best video camera on the market right now. And you can take it diving for $5,200 USD.

Get the gear: 200DL Underwater Housing for Panasonic Lumix S1 II Mirrorless Digital Cameras # 71319

 

Sony FX3

Alright, last but certainly not least, no list of underwater video camera would be complete without mentioning the Sony FX3. Five years old and still the king in so many ways, it's hard to list all the reasons why the FX3 is such a good camera for filming underwater. For all the same reasons the Sony ZV-E1 is good, the FX3 is great. We've got 4K 120 frames per second uncropped video, insane low light with that dual base ISO of 640 and 12,800 and great heat management for long record times. I've shot with this thing all day with extremely long clips at 4K 120 and other frame rates and I've never run into an overheating issue. Just like the rest of the Sony cameras, I love the color that's coming out of the FX3. It's really easy to work with and I love the ability to shoot in 48 frames per second. I think it's such a good look for wildlife. I usually pair the FX3 with a CF Express Type A card to have faster buffers and access to those frame rates and it's never let me down.

I've shot some of my favorite footage on the FX3 and would happily shoot it for years to come. You can get the FX3 body and the Ikelite housing for just over $6K USD. It's a bit of an investment but it's definitely worth it. 

Get the gear: 200DL Underwater Housing for Sony FX3, FX30 Digital Cinema Cameras # 71480

 

Insta360 X4/X5

Real quick, I have to shout out the Insta360 either the X4 or the X5. Personally, I still shoot on the X4. I would by no means use this as my main camera if I was getting into underwater videography, but people love to see behind the scenes footage. I found that the 360 is the easiest way to capture that. If you want to see a video on how I attach my 360 camera to my housing, watch Mounting an Insta360 X4/X5 on Your Underwater Housing [VIDEO].

Reach Out for Advice

As always, if you have any questions on anything that I covered here, please shoot us an email to ikelite@ikelite.com. Our team of experts is here to help guide you to make your underwater shooting experience the best it can be.

If you're looking for more articles like this one, be sure to check out our Advice page which is filled with gear reviews, technical advice, and more. If you want content like this delivered directly to your inbox every Friday morning, make sure you're subscribed to our Weekly Newsletter. 

 

Additional Viewing

Quick & Dirty Tips for Shooting Underwater Video

Choosing the Right SD Card for Photos and Video [VIDEO]

Setting the Right Frame Rate and Shutter Speed for Your Underwater Footage [VIDEO]

Should You Be Shooting LOG Video Underwater?

Color Grading // Adding Warmth to an Underwater Video [VIDEO]

This Camera is Better Than the Best Underwater [VIDEO]

Making a High Resolution Still from a Video Clip Using Topaz Photo AI [VIDEO]

 

 

Logan Wood is a published photographer, cinematographer, and Producer at Ikelite. Stemming from a great appreciation for the outdoors and living an active lifestyle, his work focuses on capturing and sharing the natural world through the latest technologies. When not in the studio, Logan can be found cruising on his bike, going to concerts, and researching where to go next. You can see more of his work at loganwood.net and on Instagram @jlowood