Best Waterproof Camcorders

Top Rated Waterproof Camcorders 2024

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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

1080p HD video recording at 60fps
More than 1080p video recording at 48fps
Built-in Wifi
10 stills per second burst
Waterproof to 60 meters

The Black edition of the series is the king of them all. It sells for $200 more than the White and $100 more than the Silver. The extra money adds a lot of features making it a great value. This version…read more


Sony HDR-AS15  8.5/10

Video recorder waterproof to 180 ft.
Shoots video in Full HD 1080p at 30fps
2MP stills
Includes a helmet mount
2 oz.

If you’re into extreme sports, you probably want to document your death-defying experiences in first person. This action camera from Sony might be just the right piece of equipment…read more


Built-in Wifi
Waterproof to 60 meters

The GoPro HERO3 HD is a waterproof HD camcorder in a class of its own, but worth mentioning here. This is the 3rd generation of the HERO cameras…read more


GE DV1  8.5/10

Video camera waterproof up to 16.4 feet
Available in blue, orange, gray, red, and green
2.5-inch LCD screen
32 GB

As you’re shooting video, you can take a separate shot with the camera button and not disturb the video recording. That’s one of the several great features…
read more


Video camera waterproof up to 10 ft.
Available in black, blue, and purple
2-inch color display
Comes with wrist strap, AV and HDMI cables, rechargeable battery, user guide, and software for the PC

Kodak updated its PlaySport waterproof pocket video camera with the Zx5, but the Zx3 model is still an acceptable choice. It’s incredibly rugged, able to withstand drops…
read more


Video recorder waterproof up to 16.4 ft.
Available in red and gray
5 MP camera
1x digital zoom
2.3-inch LCD display

A small but durable video recorder from Samsung, this waterproof model withstands not only water splashes and submersions but dust, dirt, and accidental drops…
read more


1080p HD video recording at 30fps
Built-in Wifi
10 stills per second burst
Waterproof to 60 meters

The GoPro HERO3 Silver edition is a waterproof HD camcorder that differs slightly from the White and Black versions. This is the 3rd generation…read more


Video recorder waterproof up to 10 ft.
Available in white and black
Built-in USB plug
Records HD video at 720p at 30 fps
2x digital zoom

As a lightweight, portable video recorder that you can take to the beach or water park, the Kodak PlayFull ZE2 doesn’t disappoint. Now you don’t have to worry…
read more


 

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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