Best Waterproof Camera Under $100

There are 2 types of people — those who like to spend their vacation on a beach or pool and those who don’t. And for the first category, a waterproof camera is a must! This might sound a little biased coming from a beach person but who wouldn’t want to capture the amazing in-water moments if it’s just within $100?

That’s right! We are talking about affordable waterproof cameras, cameras that you can use for any kind of aquatic activity without anything to worry about. In this article, I’ll introduce you to a list of the best waterproof cameras under $100 and tips and advice on how you can choose the best one out there. 

So, let’s dive right into that!

List of the Best Waterproof Camera Under 100: Top 5 Picks

Having a waterproof camera makes it effortless to record aquatic activities. However, it’s important that you choose something that you can rely on. That’s why I’ve handpicked the top 5 cheap waterproof cameras that can be a great choice for you. Here are the details you need to know –

AKASO EK7000 4K30FPS Action Camera(best waterproof action camera under $100)

The first one on this list is the AKASO EK7000 4K30FPS Action Camera. With this camera here, you can record all the actions in high quality. You can record both 4K and 2.7K videos at 30 fps (frames per second). This camera is offering a 30 fps frame rate for capturing photos as well. 

With 16 MP photo resolution, take photos of your exciting adventures in anticipated quality. The resolution is quite impressive because the resolution offered by traditional HD cameras is usually 4 MP. There are other convenient functions like time-lapse, burst photo, and loop recording. 

This cheap underwater camera can deal with water pressure up to 98ft which makes it one of the best budget underwater cameras for snorkeling. This AKASO EK7000 waterproof camera with wifi offers a signal range of 10 meters. Instantly share your aquatic actions at any time from any place. 

Key Features:

• Comes with a 2-inch screen for clear visibility
• 2 x rechargeable batteries with 90 mins battery health
• Has necessary accessories for easy mounting
• 170° wide-angle lens for a larger field of view
• Comes with a wrist remote for convenient use

Drawbacks to Consider:

• The 2.4G wrist remote is not waterproof

YISENCE Underwater Camera FHD 2.7K 48 MP

YISENCE Underwater Camera FHD 2.7K 48 MP is one of the cheapest underwater cameras with great functionality and features. You can capture photos at 48 MP resolution with this underwater digital camera. This camera is also offering incredible 16x zoom at this price range.

For recording videos you’ll have 2 options, 2.7K resolution at 20 fps or FHD 1080P quality at 30 fps. This is one of the best waterproof cameras for snorkeling as you can go up to 10ft underwater without any issue. However, it won’t be a good idea to go deep diving with it.

It comes with two 2 screens, a rear-facing LCD display (2.7 inches), and one secondary display (1.8 inches) at the front. The front display is convenient for taking selfies on your solo adventures. On top of all that, this camera offers features like a self-timer, burst mode (6 shots), white balance & exposure, etc.

In terms of quality and performance, this camera is on par with some of the best underwater cameras for under $150!

Key Features:

• Offers built-in EIS and anti-shake feature
• Has a compact and solid build for real action
• Comes with a 650 mAh rechargeable battery
• Has a built-in flashlight for low-light shots 
• Offers semi-adjustability for anticipated results

Drawbacks to Consider:

•  Picture quality is not satisfactory considering the 48MP

Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera(best underwater camera under $100)

If you’re looking for the best action camera under 100 dollars, the Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera is something you should consider. It’s a waterproof action camera that offers professional-grade results in three different video recording resolutions – 4K, 2.7K, and 1080P. 

This camera is about the balance between fps and resolution. You can avail of the 4K and 2K resolution at 30 fps or you can go for 1080P resolution for 60 fps. The 20 MP photo quality will provide the anticipated results. This camera also offers a zoom range of up to 4X. 

The Dragon Touch 4K Action Camera is a great choice for those looking for a waterproof camera on a budget. With this price point, it offers something more than its competitors in the market. 

This camera is a complete package with 18 different accessories and a convenient wristband. Those incredible accessories allow you to mount your action camera with almost anything. The sturdy waterproof case is one of the major accessories. This is what makes this camera suitable for diving up to 100 ft underwater.

Key Features:

• Comes with tons of convenient functions
• Has 2x 1050 mAh rechargeable batteries
• The accessories offer great compatibility
• Has a 2-inch screen and a 170° wide-angle lens
• Battery health up to one and a half hours

Drawbacks to Consider:

• Not suitable for low light or night vision

AKASO V50X Native 4K30fps WiFi Action Camera(waterproof digital camera under $100)

AKASO V50X Native 4K30fps WiFi Action Camera comes with a CMOS sensor that’s great for recording videos and capturing photos. It offers 12 MP picture quality with Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) feature. The EIS feature ensures clear and sharp images of your exciting adventures. 

The lowest video recording resolution of this camera is 2K at 60 fps which is quite impressive. You can also select between 4K/30fps and 2.7K 30fps according to your convenience. Switching to different functions and easier with the intuitive touch screen that this camera is offering. Swiping and taping are all you got to do. 

You can also set the view angle to 70°, 110°, 140°, and 170° according to your preference for the anticipated results. Also, there is a distortion calibration feature that allows you to cope with image distortion. On top of all that, this camera comes bundled with a 17 accessories kit for easy mounting. 

With 4K video recording at 30 frames per second, built-in Wi-Fi, and waterproofing up to 100 feet (30 meters) the camera comes with everything you need to capture amazing photos and videos underwater, including two rechargeable batteries, a carrying case, a helmet mount bracket kit, USB cable, and HDMI cable.

This model is perfect for capturing smooth, vivid videos underwater. The built-in internet facility will allow you to control the device remotely. Altogether, this will be a great choice for the best budget underwater action camera when someone looking for underwater cameras under $100.

Key Features:

• Comes with multiple convenient functions
• Offers a 2.4 GHz remote control for convenient control
• Allows you to dive up to 131 ft underwater
• 180 mins recording time with 2 rechargeable batteries 
• Comes as a complete package

Drawbacks to Consider:

• The sound recording quality is satisfactory

Yifecial Waterproof 10FT Underwater Camera

For someone who wants to buy the best underwater camera, Yifecial Waterproof 10FT Underwater Camera has a lot of offers. This camera offers 30 MP image quality and allows you to record videos at 1080P resolution. The 16x zoom offers great convenience in capturing photos and videos. 

This camera has a 2.7 Inch TFT screen with thin-film-transistor technology. In terms of lifespan, it’s better than AMOLED displays. The 650 mAh lithium battery in this camera offers a working time of up to 3 hours. Battery life won’t interrupt recording as you can keep using it while charging. 

The Yifecial this model camera is a compact option that can reach up to 10 feet of depth and provide clear images with a clear 2-inch LCD making it a wonderful choice for underwater photography.

A suitable camera for snorkeling and other aquatic activities as you can dive up to 10 ft without any kind of waterproof case. Has convenient features like burst shots (up to 6 shots) and time shooting for capturing underwater movements.  

Key Features:

• Comes with a compact body for easy portability
• Offers anti-shake feature for increased clarity
• Easy to use with convenient control buttons
• A good deal within an affordable price range

Drawbacks to Consider:

• Doesn’t produce satisfactory picture quality

Things You Should Know to Choose the Best Waterproof Cameras

Choosing the right thing has never been easier. Especially, when it’s a camera that has tons of features to think about. But worry not! I’ve got some tips and tricks to make this whole thing a little bit easier for you. Here are the basic things that you need to understand before buying a waterproof camera – 

Decide Your Purpose of Buying

Deciding what you need it for is the key to this whole thing. The basic things to look for are depth limit, functions, photo & video options, and mounting accessories. But what you need completely depends on what purpose you want it to serve. This will also help you prioritize things.

For example, the required depth limit depends on whether you want to go snorkeling or deep diving. Some dedicated functions such as anti-shake or EIS might be good to have for surfing but won’t be that necessary for taking shots underwater. So, I  hope you get the picture here.

Waterproofing

Look for cameras with an IPX8 rating or higher. IPX8  men’s camera is waterproof and which means that the camera can be submerged up to 10m underwater and still take clear photos and videos. 

Some cameras come with a waterproof case that will provide even more protection against water damage.

Depth Limit is Crucial

For a waterproof camera, the depth limit is undoubtedly the most important feature. The least depth limit of a waterproof camera is usually 10 ft but you can go up to 100 ft or more. Usually, action cameras offer a great depth limit as you can see in AKASO EK7000 Action Camera, Dragon Touch Action Camera, and the AKASO V50X Camera. 

It’s safe to go for the 100 ft limit, just in case you decide to go for some deep diving action.  Other than that, the 10 ft limit does just fine!

Look for the Required Functions & Options

Some functions and options offer great convenience for capturing photos and recording videos. If you want to capture a quickly moving object in your frame, the ‘burst shot’ function comes in handy. To cope with the constant shaking and movement, EIS & anti-shake helps a lot. 

Then there are other functions and options like – wide angle adjustment, slow motion shot, time-lapse, zoom, wifi share, different recording modes, etc.

Battery & Mounting Accessories

Make sure a rechargeable battery is capable of providing enough power for recording 1 hour in medium quality. It’s preferable if a camera comes with an extra battery. Recording while charging is also a convenient feature you can have for dire situations.

Mounting accessories will make it easier for you to capture your aquatic action. For example, if you’re going off-road biking or deep diving, mounting the camera with the helmet is something you’ll need.

FAQ

People often ask, do waterproof disposable cameras work on land?

Ans: There is no reason why you can’t use a waterproof disposable camera on land. You point the lens at something, press a button, and get the picture — that’s all a camera is concerned with. It might be an issue to discuss if we were talking about using a non waterproof camera underwater. 

The thing about waterproof electronics is that they are designed so that they can ‘also’ perform underwater or don’t get damaged by water. So, the answer is pretty clear. However, the result under sunlight might not be what you expect. So the bottom line is, don’t expect too much if it’s designed for underwater functions only. 

Another common question is, which camera is best for water?

Ans: “Which camera is best for water” is a vague question, to say the least. Instead, you can specify by factoring in a budget. For example, what’s the best waterproof camera under $150 or $100? You can also specify what type of camera you’re looking for and for what purpose for specific answers. 

This should answer your question in terms of budget- 

• Under $150 – Akaso Brave 7 LE. 
• Under $300 – Inexpensive GoPro, GoPro Hero 7 Black, etc.
• Under $100 – all 5 cameras on the list

My Two Cents

We’ve dealt with cheap underwater camera reviews this whole time. And as you can notice, some cameras aren’t offering what the other cameras are offering and vice versa. The thing is, when you want the best waterproof camera under $100, it’s obvious that one camera can’t possibly have everything!

Cutting some corners is an inevitable thing to cope with the budget. That’s why it’s important to know what you want from this $100 investment. Prioritize your needs and see which camera seems suitable according to that. That’s the one you should go for. 

I’ve written this article based on my knowledge of inexpensive waterproof cameras, well-thought comparison, and thorough research. Hope you found it helpful!

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