Action cameras like GoPro have been popular with divers for years, and now, with increased competition from Chinese brands like DJI and Insta360 and the demise of the traditional digital compact camera market, they are here to stay.  What makes these types of cameras popular is their reasonably low price and simplicity. Although somewhat limited in features beneficial for underwater photography, they are often the ideal starter camera for a new diver. There's already a growing 3rd-party underwater housing market for these types of cameras, and more companies are joining all the time. 

After almost 15 years of using Micro Four Thirds cameras for underwater photography, it was finally time to move up to a full-frame camera. For a few years, I had been thinking that the reasonably compact Sony A7C would be a brilliant camera to have, but the lack of suitable housing options delayed the decision for a couple more years. There were a few housing options available, but they slotted into two distinct groups: high-end, very expensive aluminium housings like Nauticam, or cheap-and-cheerful straight-from-eBay-type cases of questionable quality. A fully featured middle-of-the-range model was missing… until now.

The latest action cameras, such as the GoPro Hero 13 and DJI OSMO models, boast a wide array of impressive features. However, it is important to note that these cameras were not originally purpose-built for scuba diving. Although most action cameras offer waterproof capabilities, they are unable to endure the high pressure encountered at greater depths without the support of additional accessories...