Action Waterproof and Underwater Recording Devices (like GoPro, Insta, DJI) and Where to Get Them

 

If you are going camping, hiking, sailing, fishing, snorkeling, diving, jet-skiing, or other water sports etc., you may be thinking how can I get some really cool video and photos like I see on Youtube and Facebook. Well, for that you can get something like a Gopro which is designed for this or their competitors which are now as good or better. Or you can go to the lower end and get a waterproof camera (which actually aren't that much less expensive). There are also dive enclosures for you phone or regular camera. So here are the options and what you need to know and where to get them .

You can go as low as $40 for basic generic underwater cameras on up to $500 for GoPro type underwater action recording equipment.

Topics

• Dive cases and enclosures for any camera or phone
• Basic underwater cameras
• Underwater action cameras like GoPro
• Accessories
• More related gear

Related information

• Sea Base Shopping/Ordering Checklist - Helps you easily track what you have ordered, received and packed! Track, update, view and print it anywhere, anytime.
• Sea Base Final Packing Checklist - This is a streamlined version of the shopping/ordering  checklist for when you actually are ready to pack your duff, to be certain you don't forget anything!
• Sea Base! The Official UNofficial page. What you need to know!
• Snorkels and Masks - what to get and where to get it for best price and quality
• Sea Base ultimate packing lists
• Merit badges to work on at Sea Base

Underwater dive cases for phones

Just put your phone in the matching case and use the external buttons to take photos or record video. Range from $10 to $200. I will forewarn you, if you go to a dive shop, the cheapest case you can get there can easily be $400 on up to $1000 or more. In order of descending waterproof rating (IP68 is best, IPX8 is lesser):

1. ProShot Dive 2.0 - Underwater housing for iPhone Rated to 130 feet. Underwater Camera housing Compatible with All iPhones  Waterproof case for Diving and Snorkeling. Now Compatible with ALL iPhones, including the NEW iPhone 17, iPhone Air, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max. 12 month iPhone Protection Guarantee included.
   Floating Hand Grip & Protective Travel Case included.
   Underwater Camera App included: 'ProShotCase'
   
2. Floating IP68 rated waterproof bag for up to 8.3" iPhone's like 17, 16, 15, 14, 13 (and smaller sizes) and for Pro Max Samsung S25 Ultra S24 S23, It gets thousands of  4+* reviews but is a much bigger seller - for twice the price. This one says it is IP68 Certified Waterproof protection to 3 feet/1 meter and said to be best for Phone Screen Sizes Up to 6.1 Inches. I didn't add a photo because it looks exactly like the one below. just a better waterproof rating and slightly smaller. 
   
3. Waterproof Phone Pouch - IPX8 Waterproof (snorkeling depths) 8.9 inch Phone Case for iPhone 17/16/15/14 Pro Max, or Samsungs, any phone that fits (Fits Up to 8.3”), Cell Phone Dry Bag for Beach & Cruise Essentials, Touch Screen, Lanyard Included, 2 Pack. They say, it has a Touch-Friendly Screen that lets you use your phone, take photos/videos, check maps or read messages without removing it from the pouch  down to 3 feet/1 meter, but underwater may take repeated tries if you are trying the touchscreen. Nonetheless, this one has over 10,000 reviews and a high rating!  So, obviously people like it and for the under $20 range, it is hard to beat. I would recommend using mostly for splash and drop overboard protection, not extensively underwater, maybe just the occasional right below the surface photo.  
   
   

Traditional Waterproof Cameras

Waterproof camera - Less expensive (usually) than GoPro and other brand "action cameras", these Fuji's and knockoffs work great and do ok video.
I have a 2013 Fuji XP50 which STILL works great! It's not 8k like the action cameras, but plenty good for most folks.
The cheapest one-time use cameras are around $40-$55 for one or 2 of them, and the regular waterproof digital cameras can be had for as little as $60. Fuji's tend to be triple that!

1. Generic 4K Underwater Camera, Overall, I think this is the best and most reliable economical option. Especially for teenagers. 64MP 16FT Waterproof Digital Camera with 32GB Card, Autofocus Floatable Waterproof Camera with IPS HD Screen, 16X Digital Zoom, Fill Light, for Snorkeling, Surfing, Swimming.
    
2. Fujifilm XP-80 - pricy for a camera, BUT
   it is waterproof, utterly reliable, and easy to use underwater.
   Fujifilm FinePix XP80 Waterproof Digital Camera with 2.7-Inch LCD (Blue).
   Does a really good job and is waterproof with no cases needed. 
   I have its predescessor from 2013 (XP-50) and it STILL works!
    
3. Cheap option: Fujifilm One-Time-Use Paper FILM Camersa - Hard to believe but they make disposable, one-time use underwater 35mm chemical film cameras.
   It is olde tyme FILM that must be mailed off or dropped off to be developed. I'm sure many people under age 30 don't even know what that means. Anyway, it's waterproof, 27 exposures, 35mm Camera with  800ASA Film. And fixed focus, of course.
   You buy however many cameras you need based on taking 27 photos per camera. And remember, there's no do-over or "delete". One your press the buuton, it takes the photo and your have one less to take. I guess, for younger scouts who may lose the camera, several of these IS a good option.
   But for anyone more responsible, I think it's better to get the Generic 4K Underwater Camera above for just a few dollars more, no developing fees, takes 4K video, and as many photos as you have SD cards.  

GoPro-Type Waterproof and underwater action recording devices

GoPro was the big hands-free brand that started it all, but there are BETTER, reliable and less expensive options. .

All are waterproof but even so, a dive housing (around $25 - $60) is recommended for all underwater action cameras, because of the pressure shock when you get hit by a wave or jump in the water.

Total cost of the camerasincluding filters, dive enclosure, carring cases, SD cards is about $500 -  $700.  A solid Insta360 with 2 batteries, case, dive enclosure, sd, etc is about $500.

Highly rated alternatives to the GoPro brand:
These are actually preferred to GoPro by enthusiasts. Here they are, in order of top quality to least, but all are good:

1. Insta360 Ace Pro 2 Dual Battery Bundle - This is an 8K Waterproof Camera Co-Engineered with Leica, 1/1.3" Sensor, Dual AI Chip, so the AI is a big selling point, along with Leica lens. Great in Low Light, great Audio. Often sells around $325 - $350. Compared to budget cameras (AKASO), it has much better video quality (especially underwater color), Far better stabilization, More durable waterproofing systems than others.
   Recommended accessories: Usually less than $50 for all below together.
   Dive case: usually <$25 and recommended for all action cameras, due to the impact of waves and jumping into the water
   Red filter (get both red and light red (or pink) filters for light correction underwater):
   Floating Handle Grip
   Wrist tether
    
2. DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro Essential Combo, Waterproof Camera with 1/1.3" Sensor, 4K/120fps Video, with subject tracking, Stabilization, Dual OLED Touchscreens, Often sells around $325 - $350. The DJI Osmo Action 5 action pack has 3 batteries.
   DJI is Chinese made, with an online activation requirement before it can be used, so some people have privacy concerns.
   The DJI Osmo Action 4 is almost as good as the Insta360 and about $200,
   Considered a close second to Insta 360 Pro 2.
    Recommended accessories:
   Underwater Red Color Correction Filter - NECESSARY  for underwater, about $18, this corrects for the effects of light properties underwater to improve the video quality - you must order one specific to your device.
    
   
3. GoPro has a new model that came on the market in May 2026, the MISSION 1 series of professional compact cinema/action cameras (powered by the new GP3 processor with larger 1-inch 50MP sensors, 8K video support, and more advanced features). Pre-orders ($600 - $700) for the main models open globally on May 21, 2026, with shipping and on-shelf availability that started on May 28, 2026.
   Pros: GoPro is the orginal in this market
   Cons: hundreds of dollarts more expensive than the alternatives above, which are now general even better than GoPro.
   
   Higher-end variants of the Mission 1 (to be called the MISSION 1 Pro ILS, Creator Edition, and Ultimate Creator Edition) are scheduled for Q3 2026 (July–September). Accessories will roll out on a staggered basis starting in May 2026 through Q3.
    
4. AKASO Brave 7 LE 4K - This is the budget version of the action cameras. A 30FPS 20MP WiFi Camera with Touch Screen EIS 2.0 Zoom Remote Control, 131 Feet Underwater Camera with two 1350mAh Batteries. It does support an external Mic. Often as low as $115. OK, so Reddit says “Get what you pay for… image quality is fair, stabilization is weak”, in other words, video pro's won't like it, but normal people will.
   Price tier: ~$120–$180 (depending on bundle)
   Water rating: IPX8 → about 33 ft (10m) without a case
   With case: up to ~40m (130 ft)
   Video: “4K 30fps” (but not Insta/DJI/GoPro-level quality)
   Screens: front + rear (nice for framing yourself)
   Stabilization: basic electronic stabilization (EIS)

Accessories

For any camera, you'll want add-ons, and some are necessary for decent underwater photos.

• Polarization filter (NECESSARY above the water - reduces glare off the water) -
  you must order one specific to your camera, phone or device
   
• Underwater Red Color Correction Filter - NECESSARY  for underwater, about $18, this corrects for the effects of light properties underwater to improve the video quality - you must order one specific to your device
   
• Dive case / dive housing - Hmm - necessary for expensive cameras - technically, it's only necessary if going below ~20–30 ft, so obviously not for ordinary snorkeling, but if you really want to protect your expensive camera from shocks that will  damage the electronics - which includes shocks from just jumping into the water or being hit by an ordinary wave. ...  yeah, you get one. They are cheap insurance; they only cost about $12 to $25. Even the high end ones are $50 - $75. Unless you go to a local dive shop, where the charge literally 10 times to 50 times that! You must order one specific to your device.
  This dive housing is for Go Pro Hero 13/12/11/10/9. 
  And this dive case is for Insta360 Ace Pro 2.
   
• Micro SD cards - you must order one specific to your device. Or several 128GB to 256GB seems to be the sweet spot in quality and price. Good brands are SanDisk, Samsung. Avoid generics.
   
• Selfie-stick ($10-$60). GOOD TO HAVE
  For in and underwater:
  • Floating Handle Grip Floaty Stick Waterproof Handler Accessory Makes holding nthe camera underwater, and makes the camera FLOAT if you let go! Compatible with
    GoPro Hero 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, Session, 3+, 3, Hero(2018), Max,
    DJI Osmo Action Cameras
  For above water, you can go for a
  • cheap but popular selfie stick,
  • highly rated, mid-range selfie-stick or
  • DJI Gimbal with auto stabilization.
     
• Head Strap mounts: For hands-free use on land, you get
  a head strap (good quality Magnetic Head Strap Mount ) online, or at Wal-Mart about $25-$30.
• Lens clearers
• charging cords - NECESSARY 
• camera clamp rigs, not tripods
• power-pack or spare batteries - NECESSARY  - you must order one specific to your device
• camera bag

Other accessories

More miscellaneous gear

1. Waterproof bags for phone, keys, wallet, etc. and this one is a floating IP68 rated for up to 8.3" iPhone's like 17, 16, 15, 14, 13 (and smaller sizes) and for Pro Max Samsung S25 Ultra S24 S23,
2. Dry bags: Floating Waterproof Dry Bag Backpacks; sizes 5L/10L/20L/30L/40L, with Roll Top Sack, Keeps Gear Dry

Electronics

1. Headlamp - waterproof, rechargeable, very bright, multiple settings include red (for nighttime, not to wake others)
2. Battery backups to recharge devices:
   BEST: This Portable Power Bank 50,000 mAh, Ultra-High Capacity Battery Pack, 2 USB ports, and 4 different cords - lightning, USC, USA and micro, all built-in, Charging Power bank would work great.
   This power bank with a built-in solar-panel for recharging Power Bank 10,000mAh, Battery Pack with USB C for Cell Phones even has a flashlight. But reviews say the solar charging would take a super bright day for a half-charge.

 

• Small inexpensive binocular - Only need one per boat
• Green glow sticks - to hang over the side to attract and see fish and marine life at night.
• Waterproof Lightweight Solar Charger - perhaps one per boat, there are charging ports built in to the boat. 40W Foldable Solar Panel Charger,25% High Efficiency Portable N Type Cell,USB-C/USB-A/DC12V MPPT Fast Charging, IP67