By Brian Jones

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. This is a very small and very tough camera that is meant to be beaten up as you explore your favorite extreme sports. It’s shockproof and comes with a waterproof housing so you don’t have to worry about bumping it or getting it wet. The camcorder is ideal for hands-free shooting since it is mountable with adhesive strips that are connected to the waterproof case. This will be the best way to go whether you’re motorcycling, sky diving, white water rafting, or mountain climbing. While the audio quality isn’t the best, the picture quality is nothing to scoff at. You’ll be glad to show your friends your unique POV videos from all your adventures. This camera can be found online for $269.

Quick Specs

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

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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]]> https://10rate.com/sony-hdr-as15-review/feed/ 0 https://10rate.com/gopro-hero3-black-edition-review/ https://10rate.com/gopro-hero3-black-edition-review/#respond Tue, 06 Aug 2013 14:55:41 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=15579

4K Waterproof HD Camcorder

9.5/10

By Brian Jones

The GoPro HERO3 Black edition is a waterproof HD camcorder that differs slightly from the White and Silver versions. This is the 3rd generation of the HERO cameras, so you know that a lot of the bugs have been worked out and useful features have been packed in. 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 gets another boost in megapixels for shooting stills. It goes from 11 megapixels to 12 with an impressive 30fps burst. This is handy for those looking to make larger prints of their adventures. Frames per second with video is really great too on this cameras. The numbers are: 1440p 48fps, 1080p 60fps, 720p 120fps. That alone is more than enough reason to drop the extra $100. There is built-in wifi for the remote or interaction with the free GoPro smartphone app. The wifi remote is included in this package as well. The GoPro HERO3 Black edition is perfect for a young one looking to record videos with their friends while they play outside or go on extreme adventures. It is available for the exellent price of $399.99.

Quick Specs

• 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

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 equipment as he experiemented with everything available… See more about Brian

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By Brian Jones

The GoPro HERO3 Silver edition is a waterproof HD camcorder that differs slightly from the White and Black versions. This is the 3rd generation of the HERO cameras, so you know that a lot of the bugs have been worked out and useful features have been packed in.The first thing is the price. It costs $100 more than the White and $100 less than the Black. What does that get you? The Silver version gets a substantial boost in megapixels for shooting stills. It goes from 5 megapixels to 11. This is handy for those looking to make larger prints of their adventures. The still frames per second comes in at 10 instead of 3 as well. Those are the biggest diffences. The video quality is top notch at 1080p, but the focal length and frames per second takes a hit for that. 720p video recording can be captured at 60fps and with a very wide lens. There is built-in wifi for the remote or interaction with the free GoPro smartphone app. The GoPro HERO3 Silver edition is perfect for a young one looking to record videos with their friends while they play outside or go on extreme adventures. It is available for $299.99.

Quick Specs

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

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 equipment as he experiemented with everything available… See more about Brian

Prices

While the waterproof camcorder has quickly become a popular video recording device, with more models being developed each year, you still may have trouble finding a wide selection of the devices. If you already own a camcorder but envy the waterproof camcorder’s ability to record video in rugged environments, then consider purchasing a waterproof housing for your model.

Several manufacturers offer waterproof housing for their camcorders on their websites. The clear molded plastic fits over the camcorder and seals it tight against water and dust. Some waterproof housings allow you to take the camcorder down farther than 10 feet underwater. There are a few drawbacks, naturally:

• Not every make and model will have a waterproof housing that fits.
• They can be expensive, some as expensive as the camcorder itself.
• You can’t easily access all the camcorder features, like touchscreen displays.

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

Once you know how much a manufacturer charges for a waterproof housing, you can determine the most cost effective decision.

Related Top 10 Lists

Top 10 Waterproof Camcorders

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 … [more]

Top 10 HD Camcorders

We are surrounded by devices that are capable of taking video today. We always have our smart phones or our digital cameras with us. These things may be great alternative to taking video when an unexpected event comes up, but nothing will beat a device dedicated to taking … [more]

By Brian Jones

For an inexpensive waterproof pocket camcorder, the JVC Piscio GC-WP10 makes recording and sharing 1080p HD video easy and fun. The camera withstands water splashes and submersions up to 10 feet, making it safe to bring to the pool, the beach, snorkeling, and white water rafting. With a USB connector that pops out, you can quickly upload videos to Facebook or YouTube. While the 5 MP camera has no flash, it still takes photos in low light fairly well. You can choose to shoot video in 30 fps or 60 fps if you’re trying to capture a lot of action. The touch panel controls are simple enough to figure out. While the audio quality may not be that great, the camcorder still provides good overall quality for the price, $84.99.

Quick Specs

• Video recorder waterproof up to 10 ft.
• Captures HD 1080p video and 5 MP camera stills
• 3-inch display
• 4x digital zoom
• Built-in USB connector
• 2.4” x 4” x 1”
• 5.1 oz.

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/jvc-piscio-gc-wp10-review/feed/ 0 https://10rate.com/sanyo-xacti-vpc-e1-review/ https://10rate.com/sanyo-xacti-vpc-e1-review/#respond Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:18:06 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6565

By Brian Jones

While the Sanyo E1 has been updated by the E2, this waterproof camcorder still functions well as a video recorder and 6 MP camera. You could even argue that it’s more sensitive to light than the E2, making it better at capturing images in low light settings. Best of all, the camcorder starts up in just a matter of seconds, so you won’t miss those important moments that are over in a flash. We appreciated the small, compact design and the simplicity of just 3 buttons: one for shooting video, one for taking pictures, and one for zooming. You can also take stills without interrupting your video recording. While the video resolution isn’t as sharp as competing models, it’s still pretty clear and bright. This Sanyo camcorder is available for $119.98.

Quick Specs

• Waterproof digital camcorder
• Available in blue, white, and yellow
• 6 MP camera
• Shoots HD video in 640 x 480p at 30 fps
• 5x optical zoom
• 2.5-inch LCD display
• 2.8” x 1.6” x 4.8”
• 8 oz.

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/sanyo-xacti-vpc-e1-review/feed/ 0 https://10rate.com/kodak-playfull-ze2-review/ https://10rate.com/kodak-playfull-ze2-review/#respond Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:13:07 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6562

By Brian Jones

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 about dropping the camera or getting it wet; it withstands drops from 5 feet and is waterproof up to 10 feet. As a camcorder, it records up to 10 hours of HD video in 720p—sharp enough to watch on your TV. We liked the dedicated Share button that makes uploading videos to Facebook or Twitter fast and easy. While the 1 MP camera doesn’t have all the snazzy features or high quality of more expensive models, it still lets you take photos in a couple cool image modes like high saturation and ‘70s film. For the price of $69, you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Quick Specs

• 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
• 2-inch LCD display
• 1 MP camera
• 2.2” x 3.7” x 0.5”
• 85 grams (with memory card)

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/kodak-playfull-ze2-review/feed/ 0 https://10rate.com/sanyo-xacti-vpc-e2-review/ https://10rate.com/sanyo-xacti-vpc-e2-review/#respond Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:09:09 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6559

By Brian Jones

A fairly priced digital video recorder and camera from Sanyo, the Xacti camcorder takes videos and pictures of pretty good quality. You can record videos on the ground or underwater at 640 x 480p, which is a perfectly adequate resolution for sharing videos online. The 8 MP camera also works great with autofocusing on faces even when your subjects are moving. The ISO range goes all the way up to 3200 which is handy when you want to take some shots in low light. While this isn’t the kind of video recorder you take with you snowboarding or dirt biking, it’s still lightweight and easily portable. You can capture some fun underwater videos of clear quality. This Sanyo video recorder is available for $169.

Quick Specs

• Video recorder waterproof up to 5 ft. and 30 min.
• Available in blue and white
• Records video in 640 x 480p resolution at 60 fps
• 8 MP digital camera
• 5.2” x 6.9” x 4.8”
• 9.1 oz.

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/sanyo-xacti-vpc-e2-review/feed/ 0 https://10rate.com/samsung-hmx-w200-review/ https://10rate.com/samsung-hmx-w200-review/#respond Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:04:58 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6554

By Brian Jones

A small but durable video recorder from Samsung, this waterproof model withstands not only water splashes and submersions but dust, dirt, and accidental drops. Lightweight and compact, it fits easily in your pocket so you can take it with you on trips and adventures. The camcorder records HD video at 1080p or 720p and 30 fps, good enough quality to view on your HDTV. The software makes it easy to upload videos to social network sites or email. The 5 MP camera handles well-lit scenes quite well, but we noticed it’s hard to get a steady shot without a tripod. For $135, this Samsung camcorder holds up to all sorts of treatment very well.

Quick Specs

• Video recorder waterproof up to 16.4 ft.
• Available in red and gray
• 5 MP camera
• 1x digital zoom
• 2.3-inch LCD display
• Records HD 1080p or 720p video at 30 fps
• 1” x 2” x 4”
• 0.3 lbs.

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/samsung-hmx-w200-review/feed/ 0 https://10rate.com/svp-wp5300-review/ https://10rate.com/svp-wp5300-review/#respond Fri, 20 Apr 2012 13:01:05 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6549

By Brian Jones

SVP has produced a slim and durable digital video recorder with this WP5300 model. Waterproof up to 10 feet, it captures clear video and photos with no problems. With face detection and smile shutter mode, you can capture great portrait shots that are focused on your subjects’ beaming faces. While this camera seems to go through batteries quickly, you can always purchase a rechargeable battery for those long vacations. For such an inexpensive camcorder at $45.99, we were surprised by how well it held up to some rugged conditions.

Quick Specs

• Video camera waterproof up to 10 ft.
• 2.5-inch color LCD display
• 12 MP
• 8x digital zoom
• Compatible with a micro-SD card
• 3.54” x 2.32” x 0.71”

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/svp-wp5300-review/feed/ 0 https://10rate.com/gopro-hd-hero-naked-review/ https://10rate.com/gopro-hd-hero-naked-review/#respond Fri, 20 Apr 2012 12:55:59 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6546

By Brian Jones

If you’re into extreme sports and want to document your death-defying experiences, then this GoPro Hero Naked video camera may be just what you need. A small, lightweight device that mounts atop your helmet, it’s waterproof and shockproof and shoots in different pixel resolution settings. You can also take HD stills with a self-timer or in intervals. The camcorder is ideal for hands-free shooting, whether you’re motorcycling, sky diving, white water rafting, or mountain climbing. While the audio quality isn’t the best, the picture quality is nothing to scoff at. You’ll be glad to show your friends your unique POV videos from all your adventures. The video recorder costs $190.

Quick Specs

• Video recorder waterproof to 180 ft.
• Shoots video in 1080p, 960p, or 720p in 30 fps; 720p in 60 fps
• 5 MP camera
• Rechargeable battery with 2.5-hour life
• Includes a helmet mount
• 2.4” x 1.2” x 1.6”
• 3.4 oz.

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/gopro-hd-hero-naked-review/feed/ 0 https://10rate.com/kodak-playsport-zx3-review/ Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:53:09 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6160

By Brian Jones

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, dust, water, and snow. Waterproof up to 10 feet, it captures pretty clear images in pools and oceans without looking terribly murky or blue. If you’re using this camera to capture some extreme sports, you’ll be satisfied with its image stabilization technology, which keeps your videos from shaking like crazy. One advantage that this model has over its successor is the removable battery, so you can pop in a spare if the juice runs out. This camcorder is available for $113.

Quick Specs

• 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
• 4.4” x 0.8” x 2.3”
• 1.3 oz.

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/ge-dv1-review/ Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:43:15 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6152

By Brian Jones

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 of this pocket video camera from GE. Waterproof and shockproof, it’s a rugged device you can carry around with you on all your adventures. The built-in USB flips out for fast transferring or charging. The picture and sound quality are excellent; you can display your 1080p HD video on an HDTV. Of course, with this kind of camera you’ll get the best quality images in good light. But for the price, $99.99, and the amazing durability of this amazing little camcorder, you won’t be disappointed.

Quick Specs

• Video camera waterproof up to 16.4 feet
• Available in blue, orange, gray, red, and green
• 2.5-inch LCD screen
• 32 GB
• 5.6” x 2.4” x 5.8”
• 5.1 oz.

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/kodak-playsport-zx5-review/ Fri, 13 Apr 2012 13:35:07 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=6146

By Brian Jones

The Kodak Zx5 pocket video camera is waterproof, shockproof, and dustproof, making it a highly durable little camcorder. You can take it with you underwater up to 10 feet and for 2 hours and capture colorful sea or pool scenes. Don’t worry about everything turning out blue or murky—the camera’s white balance mode preserves the true colors underwater. While the camera’s images have some noise in low light, its picture quality is pretty great overall. You have the option of shooting in 1080p HD video, which is sharp enough to show on your HDTV with an HDMI cable (sold separately). For the fun features this camera provides, it’s a bargain at $99.

Quick Specs

• Digital camcorder waterproof up to 10 ft.
• Available in black, aqua, and red
• 2-inch display
• 5 MP camera
• 4x digital zoom
• Comes with an adapter, charger, and wrist strap
• 6.6” x 2.9” x 6.1”
• 4.4 oz.

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

Prices

]]> https://10rate.com/panasonic-hx-wa2-review/ https://10rate.com/panasonic-hx-wa2-review/#respond Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:54:08 +0000 http://10rate.com/?page_id=2711

Waterproof Camcorder

7.5/10

On January 9, 2012, Panasonic announced its upcoming HX-WA2 waterproof camcorder, which is designed to withstand active use and water submersion up to 9 feet, 8 inches. The durable camcorder, available in blue and orange, shoots HD video and takes 14 MP photo stills. With the HD Writer VE2.0 software, users can edit their videos and stills by adding music, transitions, and retouches. One creative effect is the Short Movie Story feature, which converts a series of stills into a short movie with background music. To access the 15x zoom, users must press the Double Range Zoom button; the camcorder zooms only 12x when the Electrical Image Stabilizer is activated. Price and availability will be announced later this year.