8 Best SeaLife Cameras: Your Top Choice For Underwater Photography


sealife camera

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The ocean is arguably one of the most paradisiacal settings for photography. You can capture glinting schools of fish, sea turtles gliding peacefully through the water, or dolphins dancing around one another. Get a shot of a diver next to a whale for an awe-inspiring size comparison, or perhaps focus on illuminating the beauty of a chaotically colored coral reef teeming with life. Whatever your fancy, you’re certain to encounter many opportunities for enchanting shots underwater.

But before you head off to spy kelp forests in Monterey Bay or hammerheads in the Bahamas, you should consider the type of camera you’re planning to use. There are a wide variety of cameras suitable for underwater photography, but SeaLife offers some of the finest models, with deluxe features that will enable you to capture calendar-worthy shots.

Product FAQs

Why buy a SeaLife camera?

underwater photographer

SeaLife is a company with 25 years of innovation and diving passion under its belt. Their cameras can be used above water but are designed to perform optimally underwater, making them the perfect option for divers, snorkelers and ocean enthusiasts aspiring to catalogue their adventures. SeaLife also offers an array of related products, including dive lights, cases, wrist straps, and moisture prevention capsules to keep electronics safe.

Beyond SeaLife’s solid reputation and deep immersion in the dive community, their cameras are built primarily for underwater photography. This type of specialization makes their products trustworthy and effective. For instance, their Micro 2.0 is completely leak proof, requiring only a rinse after adventures for maintenance, illustrating the ease and water compatibility of SeaLife’s designs.

It’s also important to recognize the value of preserving your underwater memories. The world beneath the waves is a strange and beautiful one, and moments spent looking below while diving, snorkeling, or swimming are fleeting at best. Do yourself a favor and buy a camera that will do your memories justice.

Where can you buy one?

underwater dive

SeaLife cameras can be purchased at a number of scuba retailers. They provide a useful Dealer Locator function on their website to locate a shop near you. Customers can also easily purchase cameras and accessories through SeaLife’s online store.

How We Reviewed

We took an in-depth look at SeaLife’s cameras and camera sets, noting details like shooting modes, durability and depth rating. We also factored in affordability and included accessories to make this comprehensive list of the best SeaLife has to offer.

Overall Price Range

Current models are reasonably priced, considering their high degree of specialization and general quality. SeaLife cameras run from $499 for a more compact, simple model to $1,399 for an incredibly versatile set. However, remember to factor in additional expenses like shipping, warranties and optional accessories.

Top 8 SeaLife Cameras and Camera Sets

DC2000

DC2000

https://www.bhphotovideo.com

With advanced features such as RAW image capture, multiple underwater modes, and a depth rating of 200 feet/60 meters with housing, the DC2000 is a powerful tool for underwater photography. The DC2000 has been favored by prominent underwater photographers, such as Tobias Friedrich, to capture colorful scenes and fantastic wildlife.

The auto focus feature enables you to get the clearest photo possible by using sensors to detect contrast, and it can even focus to infinity, meaning that you can keep a wide expanse of ocean clear in your shot. RAW image capture enhances this clarity by effectively processing all levels of brightness to create a smooth picture. Another perk of this camera is its ease of use; “piano key” controls make it simple to navigate underneath the waves.

The DC2000 is not only your go-to for underwater photography but it also proves a solid choice for land shots as well, with 25 land scene modes to compliment the four underwater modes.

The DC2000 provides ample space with a 64GB SD card, and its dive, snorkel, external light, and flash modes make it perfectly suited to serious divers and hobbyist snorkelers alike. Get breathtaking stills of underwater wildlife or utilize the full HD video to preserve a moment like no other.

Micro 2.0 32GB

Micro 2.0 32GB

https://www.bhphotovideo.com

The Micro 2.0 32GB is a close second to the DC2000. It’s a compact camera with an excellent combination of features for underwater photography.

The Micro 2.0 32GB shares many of the same characteristics as the DC2000, including dive, snorkel and external light modes, the same easy-to-use “piano key” controls, and full HD video capabilities. It’s also slightly more adventure-ready than the DC2000 because it doesn’t need any housing to achieve its 200 feet/60 meters depth rating. It has a 16 MP Sony sensor and is capable of upside-down shooting. The Micro 2.0 32GB is largely favored for its compact size and rubber armor; these characteristics make it ideal for beginners because it is lightweight and easy to clean.

Micro 2.0 64GB

Micro 2.0 64GB

https://www.bhphotovideo.com

The Micro 2.0 64GB is essentially identical to the Micro 2.0 32GB. It has a larger storage capacity and therefore commands a higher price but shares all the same wonderful features as the Micro 2.0 32GB, like three underwater shooting modes and a 16 MP Sony sensor. Another awesome feature of the Micro 2.0 models is that they’re easy to clean: no housing means no fuss. You can simply rinse it off and set it aside for your next dive.

If you want to be certain that your camera will be able to store all your underwater memories but still prefer a lightweight camera, then the Micro 2.0 64GB is for you.

DC2000 Pro 2500 Set

DC2000 Pro 2500 Set

https://www.bhphotovideo.com

Carry the sun with you for the best shots with the DC2000 Pro 2500 Set, which includes the Sea Dragon 2500 Light. The Sea Dragon 2500 Light is designed to imitate natural sunlight to bring out colors and definition in underwater photos, with its star features being its three levels of brightness and a fantastic score of 90 on the Color Rendering Index. Coral reefs and colorful fish will stand out in your photos with the help of this light.

This set attaches the light with a Flex-Connect, a lighting arm that is adjustable, customizable, and easy to put on and remove.

You can purchase the Sea Dragon 2500 Light separately, but this set saves you a few bucks while also providing the same high level of quality.

DC2000 Pro Flash Set

DC2000 Pro Flash Set

https://www.bhphotovideo.com

The DC2000 Pro Flash Set is another fabulous choice if you’re craving photos exploding with color. The included Sea Dragon Flash provides bright, adjustable light to illuminate creatures you encounter on night dives or in dark waters.

This set attaches the Sea Dragon Flash with a handy Flex-Connect arm, so that you can customize your lighting options if you want to go beyond the flash. SeaLife offers several flash and strobe lights available for purchase separately, but as with the DC2000 Pro 2500 Set, this set will give you more bang for your buck than adding a light after obtaining your camera.

DC2000 Pro Duo Set

DC2000 Pro Duo Set

https://www.bhphotovideo.com

If you thought the DC2000 Pro 2500 or Flash sets were the stuff of dreams, wait until you learn about the DC2000 Pro Duo Set: the consummate combination of SeaLife’s specialized technology, the DC2000 Pro Duo Set includes both the Sea Dragon Flash and the Sea Dragon 2300 Auto Light, both attached via a Flex-Connect arm. The latter has several beneficial characteristics, such as Auto Flash Detect and Auto Bright Mode, which work together to capture stills with minimal backscatter and optimal lighting on the photo’s subject.

Don’t forget that this camera is also stellar when it comes to photography above water. Housing and lightning aside, the DC2000’s 25 land scene modes ensure that you’ll capture landscapes in just the way you want.

This set fetches a higher price than any other camera on this list, but the included lighting undoubtedly makes it worthwhile. Whether you’re a professional filming wildlife or a vacationer capturing memories, the DC2000 Pro Duo Set is sure to cover all your bases.

Micro 2.0 1500 Set

Micro 2.0 1500 Set

https://www.bhphotovideo.com

This delightfully low-maintenance set builds on the genius of the Micro 2.0 by adding the Sea Dragon 1500 Light, which is attached via a Flex-Connect Micro Tray and Arm. The Micro 2.0 is a durable and easy-to-clean camera, and the Sea Dragon 1500 Light helps make colors pop and gives you more room to exercise artistic preference for lighting than the camera does alone.

Perfect illumination and three underwater shooting modes make this camera a savvy choice for any buyer.

Micro 2.0 2500 Set

Micro 2.0 2500 Set

https://www.bhphotovideo.com

A similar set to the Micro 2.0 1500, this set is equipped with the Sea Dragon 2500 Light, which is a slightly more sophisticated light. As the name implies, the Sea Dragon 2500 boasts a 2500-lumen LED light while the Sea Dragon 1500 caps off at 1500 lumens. However, they both have three brightness levels and the same 120-degree wide beam angles. For this reason, the Micro 2.0 2500 Set is probably a better choice for more advanced photographers with refined camera taste, as it’s about a hundred dollars more than the Micro 2.0 1500 Set.

As with the other sets, the Micro 2.0 2500 is equipped with a Flex-Connect Micro Tray and Arm, which is easy to remove if you don’t want the added weight or if you want to try out a different light.

Product

Features

Price

DC2000

  • Size/weight: 24.4 ounces/691 grams (with housing)
  • Depth rating: 200 feet/60 meters (with housing)
  • Underwater modes: External Light, Flash, Snorkel, Dive
  • Memory: 64GB

Price: $699

Micro 2.0 32GB

  • Size/weight: 10.1 ounces/285 grams
  • Depth rating: 200 feet/60 meters
  • Underwater modes: External Light, Snorkel, Dive
  • Memory: 32GB

Price: $499

Micro 2.0 64GB

  • Size/weight: 10.1 ounces/285 grams
  • Depth rating: 200 feet/60 meters
  • Underwater modes: External Light, Snorkel, Dive
  • Memory: 64GB

Price: $549

DC2000 Pro 2500 Set

  • Size/weight: 37.3 ounces/1,056 grams (with housing)
  • Depth rating: 200 feet/60 meters (with housing)
  • Underwater modes: External Light, Flash, Snorkel, Dive
  • Memory: 64GB

Price: $999

DC2000 Pro Flash Set​​​​​

  • Size/weight: 42.4 ounces/1,200 grams (with housing)
  • Depth rating: 200 feet/60 meters (with housing)
  • Underwater modes: External Light, Flash, Snorkel, Dive
  • Memory: 64GB

Price: $999

DC2000 Pro Duo Set

  • Size/weight: 65.4 ounces/1,852 grams (with housing)
  • Depth rating: 200 feet/60 meters (with housing)
  • Underwater modes: External Light, Flash, Snorkel, Dive
  • Memory: 64GB

Price: $1,399

Micro 2.0 1500 Set

  • Size/weight: 23.2 ounces/650 grams
  • Depth rating: 200 feet/60 meters
  • Underwater modes: External Light, Snorkel, Dive
  • Memory: 32GB

Price: $789

Micro 2.0 2500 Set

  • Size/weight: 23.2 ounces/650 grams
  • Depth rating: 200 feet/60 meters
  • Underwater modes: External Light, Snorkel, Dive
  • Memory: 64GB

Price: $899

Selecting the Best SeaLife Camera for You

SeaLife offers a variety of incredible equipment for underwater filming and photography, but selecting the best camera or camera set for you is contingent upon your personal goals. If you’re a professional looking to build up a portfolio, photograph a particular species, or showcase a specific destination, perhaps the DC2000 Pro Duo 2500 Set would be ideal for you. This set has two different lighting options, and the camera itself is a reliable and specialized tool, making it perfect for those with serious ambition. However, this set is more expensive than any of the others, so if you’re wallet-conscious, this isn’t the choice for you.

If you’re thinking that you’d like to elevate your underwater experiences to a form of art, but wouldn’t exactly call yourself a professional, consider the DC2000. It’s an all-around good choice that allows for considerable creative freedom and is less costly than a set.

If you’re simply an ocean lover who wants to capture some memories, we recommend starting off with the Micro 2.0 32GB, Micro 2.0 64GB, or one of the Micro 2.0 sets. These cameras are low-maintenance, do not require housing like the DC2000, and are more compact, making them easier to use for novice photographers. While they may lack some of the more sophisticated features that the DC2000 has, they’re still reliable, considerably advanced models. The Micro 2.0’s low price also makes it suitable for non-committal beginners.

Whatever your path is in the stunning underwater world, be sure to check out SeaLife’s selection to help you attain your goals.

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