Cameras & Housings

Frequently asked questions

What underwater camera is best for scuba diving?

The best underwater camera depends on your experience level, budget, and how seriously you want to pursue underwater photography. For beginners and casual divers, the Sealife Micro 3.0 is the most recommended starting point — it is a dedicated sealed underwater camera with no housing to maintain, 4K video capability, and a wide-angle lens optimized for reef photography. It accepts Sealife wet lenses for wide-angle and macro shooting. For divers who prefer to use their iPhone or other brand of smartphone, the Sealife SportDiver housing provides a high-quality alternative that leverages the computational photography capability of recent iPhone models. For serious underwater photographers building a full system, a mirrorless camera in a professional housing provides the highest image quality but at significantly higher cost and maintenance complexity.

How do I prevent my underwater camera housing from flooding?

The o-ring is the only thing standing between your camera and flooding. Before every dive, remove the o-ring completely, inspect it for cuts, debris, or flat spots, clean the o-ring groove, apply a thin film of silicone grease to the o-ring, and reseat it carefully — ensuring it sits evenly in the groove with no twists or gaps. Close the housing and perform a visual inspection of the seal. Perform a soak test in a bucket or the pool's shallows before descending with your camera for the first time on any trip. Never open the housing underwater or immediately on surfacing when there is a pressure differential. If you hear or see bubbles coming from the housing during a dive, ascend calmly and address the issue at the surface before water enters the electronics.

What depth can I take an underwater camera to?

Depth rating varies by camera and housing model and is clearly stated in each product description. The Sealife Micro cameras are rated to 60 metres — significantly deeper than recreational dive limits. The Sealife SportDiver housing is rated to 40 metres. Standard GoPro waterproof cases are typically rated to 10 metres for snorkeling use and require a dedicated dive housing for scuba diving depths. Always check and respect the stated depth rating — exceeding it risks flooding even on a housing in perfect condition, because o-ring seals are engineered for a specific pressure range. Add a comfortable margin below your rated limit as a practical safety buffer.

Will the Sealife Sportdiver flood and ruin my phone?

The Sealife Sportdiver housing has a pressure pump system that allows you to vacuum seal and test your housing seal before entering the water. The Sportdiver app will perform a 3-4 minute pressure check to ensure that the pressure inside the housing remains the same and there are no leaks. If no leaks are detected, it will tell you that you're good to go. If a leak is detected, it will beep and you can deal with it prior to entering the water. The most common reason for the housing o-ring to not seal properly include dirt, hair or sand on the oring; insufficient lubrication of the oring; twisted or damaged oring; improperly sealed vacuum port cap.