Best Waterproof Camcorders

Top 10 Rated Waterproof Camcorders 2013

By Brian Jones

Waterproof camcorders allow you to capture exciting moments, be they on land or underwater. We reviewed several models and chose our top 10 based on the following:

1. Completely watertight
2. Rugged build that withstands shocks and dust
3. Lightweight and easily portable
4. Starts up quickly
5. HD video of sharp, clear quality
6. Good audio
7. High quality camera stills
8. Ease of use
9. Editing tools and easy uploading
10. Good battery life

Waterproof Camcorders Buying Guide

The Pros and Cons of Waterproof Camcorders

When you go on a vacation or an excursion that involves water (kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, etc.), you want to document your good times without worrying about damaging an expensive camcorder. Today there are several waterproof camcorders on the market that are safe not only to dunk in water but also to expose to dust, dirt, snow, and extreme temperatures. Some of the camcorders are also protected against drops and bangs thanks to their sturdy housings.

You don’t necessarily have to sacrifice video or picture quality to get these benefits, either. While picture and audio quality vary depending on the model, you can find waterproof camcorders that shoot in full 1080p HD, high quality enough to display on your HDTV.

There are drawbacks, of course. Because these camcorders are sealed tight to keep out water and dust, their buttons and controls are covered by rubber. Some people note that the buttons feel mushy or hard to push down. It takes a while to adjust to the different feel, and some camcorders just won’t have very responsive buttons.

The typical waterproof camcorder can descend about 10 feet underwater. Any deeper, and the great pressure could damage the device. So while you can shoot videos in a swimming pool or while snorkeling, don’t expect to take it far beneath the waves with you on your next scuba dive.

Price is another factor to consider. Unless you select a pocket-size camcorder, waterproof models can be considerably more expensive than their regular counterparts.

Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian

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