5 best waterproof compact cameras of 2016

If you’re off on holiday, chances are you’re going to come across some water, whether that’s a glistening pool or the deep blue of the sea. This bunch of waterproof wonders are right at home capturing subaquatic scenes, and will let you dive as deep as 30 metres to fish out the perfect shot. The fun doesn’t stop there, as you’ll also find many rugged cameras come packed with features such as GPS location tagging, WiFi connectivity and even action-orientated extras like a compass or altimeter.

Nikon Coolpix AW130 Sensor 1/2.3-inch, 16MP | Lens: 24-120mm | Waterproof: 30m | Freezeproof: -10 degrees | Shockproof: 2.1m | Monitor: 3-inch, 921K dots | User level: Beginner The AW130 comes loaded with a host of features — there’s an impressive GPS system for starters, interactive world map and WiFi connectivity, plus an altimeter. The best part, it can function underwater to a depth of 30 metres — as far as an Advanced Open Water diving certificate will get you.


Picture: Amazon

Panasonic FT5/TS5 Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 16.1MP | Lens: 28-128mm | Waterproof: 13m | Freezeproof: -10 degrees | Shockproof: 2m | Monitor: 3-inch, 460K dots | User level: Beginner Panasonic’s FT5 comes with 4.6x optical zoom lens that provides a focal range of 28-128mm and is optically stabilised to smooth out camera shake. Factor in extras like GPS, WiFi with remote camera control and NFC pairing for easy image sharing, and the FT5 shapes up as a great all-rounder.

Olympus Tough! TG-4 Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 16MP | Lens: 25-100mm | Waterproof: 15m | Freezeproof: -10 degrees | Shockproof: 2.1m | Monitor: 3-inch, 460K dots | User level: Beginner Few rugged cameras can match the TG-4’s exceptional build quality and confidence-inspiring feel. It is built to survive pretty much anything you could throw at it. A chunky, ergonomic design and well-designed controls make the TG-4 a pleasure to use in any weather.

Fuji FinePix XP90 Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 16.4MP | Lens: 28-140mm | Waterproof: 15m | Freezeproof: -10 degrees | Shockproof: 1.75m | Monitor: 3-inch, 920K dots | User level: Beginner Compared to ultra-rugged competition, the XP90 doesn’t have quite the same credentials. That means it might not be quite up to some of the more active users, but still more than up to the job of a family beach or skiing holiday. There are a host of fun filters included and WiFi connectivity, but no GPS. Simple to use, this is a great option if you’re after a durable point-and-shoot compact camera for family use.

Canon PowerShot D30 Sensor: 1/2.3-inch, 12.1MP | Lens: 28-140mm | Waterproof: 25m | Freezeproof: -10 degrees | Shockproof: 2m | Monitor: 3-inch, 460K dots | User level: Beginner The D30’s design features oversized controls that makes the camera exceptionally easy to operate, even when underwater as we found or while wearing gloves. The D30 is certainly a pleasure to use, but it is let down by under whelming image quality. The D30 features GPS location tagging, but doesn’t record altitude or depth data, while there is no WiFi connectivity either.


Picture: Amazon