Explore The Underwater World in Awe : Best GoPros for Scuba Diving of 2023

Explore The Underwater World in Awe : Best GoPros for Scuba Diving of 2023
bestgoprosforscubadiving

GoPro cameras are a popular choice among scuba divers looking to capture their underwater experiences. These cameras are known for their durability, versatility, and ease of use, making them perfect for capturing stunning footage of marine life and shipwrecks.

At A Glance, Here Are The Best GoPros For Scuba Diving We Recommend Based On The Criteria Discussed In This Article.

GoPro HERO10 Black

Best Overall

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GoPro HERO9 Black

Best Previous Gen

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GoPro MAX

Best for Unique Shots

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GoPro HERO8 Black

Best Budget 4K

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GoPro HERO5 Session

Best Compact and Lightweight

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How Do We Choose The Best GoPros For Scuba Diving For You

When choosing a GoPro for scuba diving, there are several criteria to consider:

Waterproof rating: Look for a camera with a high waterproof rating, such as IPX8, to ensure that it can withstand the pressure and moisture of diving.

Video and photo quality: Make sure the camera has high resolution and good low-light performance to capture the vibrant colors and details of the underwater environment.

Battery life: Look for a camera with long battery life, as cold water can drain the battery more quickly.

Durability: Make sure the camera is durable enough to withstand the wear and tear of diving.

Additional features: Consider additional features that may be useful for diving, such as a built-in color correction filter or slow motion recording.

Price: Compare the prices of different models to find one that fits your budget.

Size and weight: Make sure the camera is compact and lightweight enough to be easily mounted on your diving gear.

Accessories: Look for a camera that is compatible with a wide range of accessories, such as underwater housing, lighting, and mounts.

Support: Check the support and warranty options provided by the manufacturer to ensure that you can get help if something goes wrong.

Brand reputation: Check the brand reputation of the camera to ensure that it is known for its quality and reliability.

By the way, NextBestChoice may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something at no extra cost to you (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy finding your next best buy ever!

Best GoPros For Scuba Diving

GoPro HERO10 Black

Best Overall

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The GoPro HERO10 Black is a high-performance action camera that is great for capturing high-quality video and photos in a variety of settings.

Why We Love It

One of the things to love about this camera is its ability to shoot in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second, which allows for incredibly smooth and detailed footage.

Additionally, the camera has built-in HyperSmooth stabilization technology, which helps to keep footage steady and smooth even in high-motion situations.

Another great feature of the HERO10 Black is its waterproof design and durable construction, which makes it well-suited for outdoor activities like surfing, skiing, and climbing. Additionally, the camera has built-in voice control, which allows you to easily start and stop recording, take a photo, or change settings with just your voice.

What You Should Know

Before buying the GoPro HERO10 Black, it's important to consider your specific needs and how you plan to use the camera. If you're primarily interested in shooting high-quality video, then this camera is an excellent choice.

However, if you're looking for a camera that is primarily for taking photos, you might find other cameras with better photo capabilities. Additionally, this camera is a bit expensive, so you should make sure that the features it offers are worth the cost for you.

Overall, the GoPro HERO10 Black is a great action camera that offers a lot of features and capabilities, but it is not cheap.

It's perfect for users who want to capture high-quality video and photos in a variety of settings, but not for casual users who want to take photos occasionally.

GoPro HERO9 Black 

Best Previous Gen

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The GoPro HERO9 Black is a versatile and high-performance action camera that is packed with features.

Why We Love It

Some of the things that users love about it include its 5K video capability, 20MP photo capability, and built-in front-facing display.

It also has improved image stabilization and a longer battery life compared to previous models. Additionally, it is waterproof and durable, making it ideal for outdoor adventures and extreme sports.

What You Should Know

One thing to consider before purchasing the HERO9 Black is the cost. It is a premium action camera, and its price may be a bit high for some users.

Another thing to consider is that it requires a subscription to GoPro's cloud service to access some of the advanced features like live streaming. Additionally, it has limited internal storage (32GB) so you may want to consider getting additional memory cards to store more videos and photos.

Overall, the GoPro HERO9 Black is a top-of-the-line action camera that offers excellent video and photo quality, durability, and a wide range of features.

It is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, extreme sports enthusiasts, and professional videographers, but the cost and subscription requirement may be a deal breaker for some.

GoPro MAX

Best for Unique Shots

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The GoPro MAX is a versatile action camera that offers excellent video and photo quality, as well as a range of features that make it perfect for capturing adventures and everyday moments.

Why We Love It

One of the things to love about the GoPro MAX is its ability to capture 360-degree video, which allows you to capture an entire scene in one shot, rather than having to choose between different angles. This feature makes it great for vlogging and capturing immersive experiences.

Another thing to love about the GoPro MAX is its built-in stabilization, which helps to reduce camera shake and produce smooth, steady footage.

The camera also has a range of shooting modes, including time-lapse, slow-motion, and night-lapse, which give you the ability to capture unique and creative footage.

The GoPro MAX also has a range of features that make it easy to share your footage and photos with friends and family.

With the GoPro app, you can easily share your content on social media or send it to other devices. You can also use the app to control the camera remotely, which is great for capturing photos and videos of yourself or a group.

What You Should Know

It's not cheap: The GoPro MAX is a high-end action camera and it's priced accordingly.

Battery Life: The camera has a built-in battery that lasts for about an hour and a half when recording at 4K, so it may not last all day on a single charge.

Micro SD Card: The GoPro MAX requires a microSD card for recording and storing footage, so you'll need to purchase one separately if you don't already have one.

Overall, the GoPro MAX is a great choice for anyone looking for a versatile and high-quality action camera that can capture a wide range of different types of footage.

With its 360-degree video, built-in stabilization, and range of shooting modes, it's perfect for capturing immersive experiences and creative footage. However, it is an expensive option and its battery life is not the best.

GoPro HERO8 Black

Best Budget 4K

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The GoPro HERO8 Black is a great action camera that offers excellent video and photo quality.

Why We Love It

The GoPro HERO8 Black features HyperSmooth 2.0 stabilization, which helps to eliminate camera shake and make your footage look smooth and professional. The camera is also waterproof and can be used in a variety of different settings, including underwater.

The camera has a built-in touch screen, making it easy to navigate and change settings on the fly. The built-in microphone also captures high-quality audio.

What You Should Know

One downside of the HERO8 Black is that it doesn't come with a built-in battery, so you'll need to purchase one separately.

Additionally, while the camera is waterproof, you'll need to purchase a separate housing if you want to use it at depths greater than 33 feet.

Before buying, it's worth considering what you plan to use the camera for and making sure that the HERO8 Black's capabilities match your needs.

It's also worth checking if you already have accessories, such as a tripod or additional batteries, that are compatible with the HERO8 Black.

Overall, the GoPro HERO8 Black is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a high-quality action camera. It offers a wide range of features and is perfect for capturing action sports and outdoor adventures.

GoPro HERO5 Session

Best Compact and Lightweight

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The GoPro HERO5 Session is a compact and durable action camera that is well-suited for a variety of outdoor activities.

Why We Love It

One of the things to love about it is its small size, which makes it easy to take with you on the go. Additionally, it is waterproof and can be used at depths of up to 33 feet, making it ideal for use in the water.

The camera also features built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, allowing you to easily connect it to your smartphone or tablet to control the camera remotely and quickly share your videos and photos.

The HERO5 Session also has a wide-angle lens that captures stunning, immersive footage, and it has several different shooting modes to choose from.

What You Should Know

Before buying, you should know that the HERO5 Session does not have a touch screen like the HERO5 Black model, which means that you will need to use the physical buttons on the camera to change settings and navigate the menu.

Additionally, the battery life is shorter than the other model and the video quality is not as good as HERO5 Black.

Overall, the GoPro HERO5 Session is a great action camera for anyone looking for a compact and durable option with features such as waterproofing, built-in WiFi and Bluetooth, and a wide-angle lens.

However, the lack of a touch screen and shorter battery life, and lower video quality should be considered before buying.

Best GoPros For Scuba Diving FAQs

Can I use a GoPro for scuba diving?

Yes, GoPro cameras are designed to be waterproof and durable, making them suitable for use while scuba diving.

What is the maximum depth a GoPro can be used for scuba diving?

The maximum depth a GoPro can be used for scuba diving is 33 feet (10 meters) without a housing, and 131 feet (40 meters) with the Super Suit housing.

How do I prevent fogging on my GoPro lens while scuba diving? 

To prevent fogging on your GoPro lens while scuba diving, you can apply anti-fog inserts or drops to the lens before diving.

 You can also store your camera in a sealed plastic bag with silica gel packets before diving.

Can I use a GoPro as an underwater camera for snorkeling?

Yes, a GoPro is suitable for use as an underwater camera for snorkeling as it is waterproof and durable.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the best GoPro for scuba diving will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Consider factors such as waterproof rating, video quality, and ease of use when making your decision.

With the right camera, you'll be able to capture stunning footage of your diving experiences and share them with friends and family.