Top 5 Underwater Video Cameras Under $1000

[loganhand]

Give me a list of video cameras in your opinion are the best. Try to lean more towards Camcorders that are HD and have a screen, and also have zoom capabilities.
Thanks

 

[diversteve]

Including the housing? It's a pretty short list:

Canon Vixia MF 50/500 in their WP-V4 housing.
Canon Vixia MF 40/400 in their WP-V3 housing if still available

Any sub-$400 Canon/Sony camcorder in an Electronic Aquacam HDX (Aquatix) housing.

Possibly one of the vertical format "Flip" style camera/housing combos - like this one. IDK if they still make the camera though.
Underwater Housing for Panasonic Camcorder

That's all I can think of - there's a housing list here if you want to look for other options: http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/un...-housing-manufacturers-updated-02-2013-a.html

If the $1000 is for the camera only, look at one of the better Canon's. Sony did something to their electronics a few years ago that caused several mfr's to be unable to support them now. Unless you buy an Ikelite/Equinox box and they're model specific since they use fixed mechanical controls.

 

[sharksdelight]

Why buy new? There are many higher end cam systems in classifieds here and wetpixel that will give you more for the money without sacrificing quality. Most underwater shooters take great care of their systems. I have both bought and sold 2nd hand systems without a complaint in either direction.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

For that budget.... I'd suggest taking a look at basic Canon point and shoot system. I use a Canon SX230 Powershot in a Canon WPDC-42 Canon Housing on a Fantasea tray / arms with two Fantasea 1600lm each led lights. The entire set-up (camera, housing, lights, everything) can be built on your budget. One thing great about the SX230 is that it has auto-focus while zooming.. A must have. Has a nice sized view screen and shoots full 1080dp HD.

The entire system is light and packs small. Also, the Canon makes a nice topside camera. Anyway, judge for yourself. I shot this video just a few weeks ago. The underwater stuff starts at about the 02:50:00 mark.

[video=youtube;SbVBdnA8FXc]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SbVBdnA8FXc&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[dvankirk]

I love my GoPro with minimal investment (added a Blurfix housing and a homemade tray). You can notice the red filter out of the water. This is only even the 720 version.

[video=youtube;m1dy1XP0Tis]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m1dy1XP0Tis[/video]

 

[Rderige]

GoPro is probably the best value for money video camera out there. Get yourself the Hero3, an lcd bacpac, a monopod and a red filter and you're all set. Quite durable too.

However, if you are planning to do some macro, or if you are looking for a zoom-in, zoom-out feature, then the GoPro won't cut it.

 

[emoreira]

I have just bought an Intova Sport HD. It's the size of a GoPro but the cost is less than one half. The UW housing is the camera itself. It comes with wide angle lens, 1080 HD, micro SD memory and USB battery. A 16 gbytes memory card can store a 90 minutes video in full HD and the battery, fully loaded lasts the same.
It's also available a red filter.

 

[ronscuba]

I like my GoPro, but if the budget is $1000, skip right past the GoPro and look for something better.

A compact camera like a Panasonic LX7 or Sony RX100 and Ikelite housing will cost around $1000. I know you asked to lean towards camcorders, but $1000 for camcorder and housing is tough. You'd be surprised at how good the video qualitity is with today's compact cameras.

 

[Interceptor121]

I have used both the rx100 and lx7 and they beat all single chip camcorders in terms of quality by a great deal and even some 3-chip small sensors

Have a look at my YouTube channel for few examples

 

[robint]

I have to agree with RonScuba on this one. If you want under $1000, you should probably go for a small P&S camera. They have very good video quality nowadays, BUT be aware there is editing involved, and that requires a good computer and video editing software.... and time.

I am pretty happy with my GoPro Hero 2, but if I were to move to another system, it would be just what RonScuba suggested to you.

robin