When you’re shopping for a waterproof camera, you’re not just shopping for a new electronic device, you’re shopping for an adventure. Chances are, if you are planning to use a camera water, you’re not the run-of-the-mill tourist. So why would you want to shop for a sub-par underwater camera? Today we are going to help you fins the best waterproof camera for you and your many travels.

Shopping for a Waterproof Camera

As you start shopping for a waterproof camera, you need to have a few things in mind. They are:

• Price (always a factor)
• Image quality
• Weather resistance
• Depth (how deep the device is waterproof)
• Memory compatibility
• Design

For each of the products we review, we selected the waterproof cameras that scored high in each of these areas. Hopefully this will help in your quest towards finding the best waterproof camera.

Let get started!

1. Samsung AQ100 Waterproof Digital Camera

A simple, but elegant design

The Samsung AQ100 is the latest in Samsung’s portfolios of waterproof cameras. One thing I liked about the AQ100 is it’s size. It is small enough to store in a swimsuit pocket or in a small purse and at the same time it takes very high-quality photos. Now, I will say that this device is probably not going to be good for deep snorkeling or diving, as the depth for this one is 3 meters. What really made this camera stand out was a combination of a few things. First, the price is great for this category of camera. You can easily spend up to $500 for a good waterproof camera however this one can be found online for just over $100.

Another thing I liked about the AQ100 was that it came in a variety of colors. The model I tested was red and I liked this because it easily stood out in the water.

As far as image quality is concerned, the AQ100 scores high here as well. The 12 megapixel camera is the biggest bang for your buck in this category.

2. Fujifilm FinePix XP30 14MP Waterproof Digital Camera

One of the most cost-effective waterproof cameras

Fujifilm is a trusted name in photography. But does the XP30 measure up to some of the best waterproof cameras on the market? Let’s take a look. The FinePix XP30 is priced relatively well compared to some of the other cameras we review. You can find it for less that $148 online. The XP30 has a 14-megapixel sensor with a 5x wide-angle optical zoom. Good waterproof cameras nowadays are more than just waterproof. This one is also dustproof, shockproof and freezeproof. Now that I think about it, I should get this camera for my nine-year old.

Another thing I liked about this camera was that it takes HD videos. It’s got a 720p HD camera that captures at 30 frames per second. Pretty cool.

Another REALLY cool feature on this camera is the geo-tagging feature. You can immediately upload your pics and videos to Facebook and YouTube at the click of a button, and when you do this, you can enable geo-tagging to automatically show your friends what exotic locale you are at. How’s that for making your friends jealous?

3. Canon Powershot D10 12.1 MP Waterproof Digital Camera

Proof that this thing is waterproof

The Canon Powershot D10 is a great little device and has some of the highest quality features in the waterproof camera space. This one is available for around $250 online, and while it isn’t the highest on your list in terms of megapixels, the other features that this camera possesses make up for it by far. Let’s take a look at what makes this camera stand out.

The Powershot D1o has 3 times the depth limit of the Samsung AQ100. Where the Samsung can go about 10 feet underwater, this one can go down 33 feet. So if you are a snorkeler or shallow-water diver, this is going to be a great device for these kinds of expeditions. Even if you want to use this kind of device at the deep-end of the pool, this is going to be your best bet.

Of course, along with the Canon brand name, you are going to get some of the awesome features and advantages that come with all Canon cameras. The Canon D10 has one of the most advanced image processors in the industry. The D10 uses the DIGIC 4 image processor that captures images at the perfect moment. It automatically focuses in and out to get the best shot, and can automatically recognize faces. This means you will only have to take that picture once, and rest-assured you will have gotten the best shot.

It’s also got an intelligent contrast correction feature that automatically adjusts the contrast of items in the foreground, bringing to light what you are intending to focus on in the picture. Pair that with the automatic image stabilizer, and you may be looking at one of the best waterproof cameras for the year.

4. Casio Exilim EX-G1 12.1 MP Slim-Line Endurance Digital Camera

Great photo quality, great price

The Casio Exilim has a cool design and is paired with some pretty rugged features, all at the price of around $259 (online), which puts this one in the middle of the pack as far as price is concerned. The EX-G1 is waterproof and shockproof and has a scratch-resistance lens that is waterproof and polarized to prevent reflection from lights.

As far as water depth is concerned, this one can go around 3 meters deep in water for about an hour. So, its not the best waterproof camera for deep-sea diving or even deep snorkeling, but it great for that all-terrain adventurer who may want to bring this camping or just to the waterpark.

The main thing I liked about this camera was the design, which is often of chief importance to many shoppers. This is definitely the thinnest of the waterproof cameras I tested. It’s about 3/4 of an inch thick and pretty light as well. I also felt like I could throw this thing at the wall and it would still work just as well.

The image quality was also good. Where it lacks in megapixels (only 1.9 less than some of the others I tested) it makes up in image processing, stabilization and contrast control. Any good photographer will tell you that a good camera cannot just be measured in megapixels, and waterproof cameras are no different. So while I liked this camera, is it the best waterproof camera? I have to say no, because of the depth limit. Yeah it has some other cool features, but this article is for those looking for something that they can use in all different aquatic scenarios, so let’s keep moving.

5. Sony Cyber-Shot DSC-TX10 16.2 MP Waterproof Digital Camera

For the high-quality images and a stunning design, go with the Sony

Sony makes some great electronics and their cameras are no exception. The Cybershot DSC-TX10 is one of their forays into the waterproof camera space. Let’s take a look at some of the spec of this camera and see if the price (around $300 online) is justified by the features.

The TX-10 has many of the features that we’ve seen so far in our reviews. It’s waterproof (of course), shockproof (you can drop this thing from pretty far and it will be alright), dust-proof and freeze-proof.

But there are several things that make this camera stand out from the others.

First of all, this camera’s design is very sleek and stylish (which is important to me). The DSC-TX10 takes not only photos, but 3D photos. It also takes HD movies and has a sweep panorama function that will really impress your friends. Another awesome feature on the DSC-TX10 is the touch screen. It really makes navigating through your photos a breeze.

It’s waterproof depth is not at the same level as some of the others but is still good up to 16 feet. This is really one of the best all-around cameras I’ve tested. It has the highest megapixels of all the cameras I’ve reviewed. Add to it the fact that it is waterproof and all of the other cool features and it really makes this a great package.

Unlike the other cameras that I rated, this is the only one that takes true 1080p video. It also has the best fast motion playback of any of the cameras that I reviewed. The panorama feature is also really cool. I took a few awesome panorama shots on my trip to Belize and had a few printed out to frame back home. Talk about an awesome conversation piece!

The lens on the Sony is also top-notch. It’s got a 4x optical zoom (also higher than any of the models I’ve covered in this article).

6. Nikon Coolpix AW100 16 MP CMOS Waterproof Digital Camera

And the winner is...best waterproof camera of 2012

Did I save the best for last? Possibly. Hopefully I still have some readers. I got to test this camera out last year and I have to say, I was impressed. This thing has some of the best features that I have seen in not only a waterproof camera, but in a digital camera in its price ranges (which is around $300 online). It’s got all of the features that the cameras before have (water, shock, dust, freeze-proof) and then some. It can take full 1080p videos and has a 16 mp lense that produces stunning images. It also had one of the fastest shutters of any of the cameras I tested.

Add on top of all of that its awesome design…I think I’m in love. And if that isn’t enough it comes stock with a GPS system. If that doesn’t seal the deal, I don’t know what does. This thing is perfect for hiking/camping/rafting trips for this very reason. It’s also got an automatic steadying feature that stabilizes the pictures you take while moving. I tried this one out while I was riding shotgun and got some awesome beachside photos.

I really can’t do this one justice. It’s got great reviews on Amazon (which is typically where I go to do research and then buy products since they have good reviews and prices).

Which camera wins the best waterproof award for 2012?

I have to go with the Nikon for the following reasons:

• Best image quality
• Goes as deep as any of the other cameras I reviewed (33 feet)
• 1080p video camera
• Image stabilization feature
• Built-in GPS system
• And of course, all-weather-proof

If you’ve got an opinion on any of these devices, make sure you let us know by posting a comment below. Thanks for reading!