Waterproof video camera

[jaytip]

I’m after a cheap(ish) waterproof camera so that my kids and my can video our snorkelling on our upcoming holiday.
I don’t want to fork out GoPro money as it will only be used on holidays that offer decent snorkelling. My kids may not even enjoy snorkelling, so I’m after something simple and cheap.
Any recommendations?

Cheers.

[alanm_3]

Aldi do this one - https://www.aldi.co.uk/balco-action-...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Toddy]

I know you said no Gopro's but you can pick up the older models (Hero 4 black) for not much money on eBay. Even the older ones are still very good at what they do.

[lewie]

We have a pretty basic SJCAM with fair results
IMG_0894 by biglewie, on Flickr

[notnowkato]

I picked up a DJi Osmo Action quite worth the money , 2nd hand recently. Might be worth a look, they are rather good.

[Nigel306]

I've no idea how good they are, but have you thought about an underwater phone case?

[jaytip]

Aldi do this one - https://www.aldi.co.uk/balco-action-...B&gclsrc=aw.ds

Thanks for that.

I know you said no Gopro's but you can pick up the older models (Hero 4 black) for not much money on eBay. Even the older ones are still very good at what they do.

Apparently only the Hero5 and above are waterproof and they are more than I’d like to pay for something that may only get used once.

We have a pretty basic SJCAM with fair results
IMG_0894 by biglewie, on Flickr

Cheers, I’ll check them out.

I picked up a DJi Osmo Action quite worth the money , 2nd hand recently. Might be worth a look, they are rather good.

I’ll have a look, thank you.

I've no idea how good they are, but have you thought about an underwater phone case?

My IPhone 11 is waterproof but I don’t want to take a chance on it possibly having been compromised somehow due to a drop or whatever.
I’d rather just get a dedicated camera and keep the phone safe.

[langtoft lad]

Akaso Brave 7LE Action Camera

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[alanm_3]

We have a pretty basic SJCAM with fair results
IMG_0894 by biglewie, on Flickr

I’ve had one of there for a few years now, it was good at the beginning but the battery life now is really poor and the screen is so small as to render it pretty useless.

[Toddy]

Apparently only the Hero5 and above are waterproof and they are more than I’d like to pay for something that may only get used once.

You can normally get the Hero 4 with the waterproof case thrown in👍

[Toddy]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/313940681...mis&media=COPY

[M1011]

If you do go the GoPro path, the Hero 2018 is a good bet. It's the exact same hardware as a Hero Black 5, so you just need to update the firmware (5 min job following a YouTube tutorial) to have the exact same camera as a Hero 5 Black with 4k video recording etc. Also 10m waterproof without the need for any housing. I've had one for 4 years now and still use it as our knockabout holiday pool/sea cam with no issues.

[jaytip]

Apparently only the Hero5 and above are waterproof and they are more than I’d like to pay for something that may only get used once.

You can normally get the Hero 4 with the waterproof case thrown in�

I didn’t realise that, thank you, and thank you for the link below.

[jaytip]

If you do go the GoPro path, the Hero 2018 is a good bet. It's the exact same hardware as a Hero Black 5, so you just need to update the firmware (5 min job following a YouTube tutorial) to have the exact same camera as a Hero 5 Black with 4k video recording etc. Also 10m waterproof without the need for any housing. I've had one for 4 years now and still use it as our knockabout holiday pool/sea cam with no issues.

Forgive my ignorance but is it called a hero 2018 or just to look for one made in 2018?
Cheers.

[Tokyo Tokei]

In similar circumstances, I bought a Crosstour something or other (they have lots of models, I think it was this one )

It was cheap and my expectations were low, but it has survived many beach holidays since, and even takes perfectly okay stills:


(unedited)

It came with about 20 different mounts, waterproof case (and spare case back), a remote control, and two batteries. It can download to my phone over inbuilt wifi. I have no complaints.

[M1011]

Forgive my ignorance but is it called a hero 2018 or just to look for one made in 2018?
Cheers.

It's called a Gopro Hero officially, but was released in 2018 and pretty much is referred to as the Hero 2018 everywhere (less confusing). But it is it's own model, rather than a manufacture year of another model. Gopro effectively did this to offer a budget version of the Hero 5 Black, but to keep costs down it's actually an identical unit just with different software installed.

https://www.expertreviews.co.uk/gopr...ro-2018-review

[snowman]

I'd echo the comments on the Hero 4.

I've had one for years and it takes great underwater video with the standard waterproof housing (the ones on eBay are fine and cheap as chips).

I regularly use mine down to 40M, so it'll be fine for snorkeling.

Video resolution is perfect for watching on a TV.

You'll also have no problem reselling a GoPro.

IMO, don't waste your money on a new 'high-spec' cheap option.

M