There are many situations in which it’s essential to have a camera that can withstand different elements. Whether you’re an avid surfer, or someone who just wants to document moments with friends and family while on a vacation, sometimes having a waterproof action camera is necessary. GoPro is one such rugged action camera. But, how waterproof is GoPro?
In this article you are going to learn about GoPro’s waterproof specs, tips for using your GoPro underwater and the top GoPro underwater accessories/mounts for capturing your adventures with ease!
Which GoPro Cameras are Waterproof?
Listed below are the waterproof specs of different GoPro models:
Is the GoPro Hero 9 waterproof?
The GoPro Hero 9 Black is waterproof down to 10m (33ft) without a housing. But, with the GoPro Protective Housing for Hero 9, it can go down to 196ft (60m) — perfect for deep-water diving.
Is the GoPro Max waterproof?
The GoPro Max is waterproof down to 5m (16ft) without a housing. GoPro doesn’t make a waterproof housing for this model. However, you can use a third-party housing – VGSION Underwater Housing for the GoPro Max camera to take it down to 40 metres underwater. More details about this housing are available in the next section.
Is the GoPro Hero 8 waterproof?
The GoPro Hero 8 Black is waterproof down to 10m (33ft) without a housing. However, the users can use the GoPro Protective Housing for Hero 8 to take it down to 60m (196ft).
Is the GoPro Hero 7 waterproof?
Like most other cameras on this list, the GoPro Hero 7 Black/Silver/White cameras are waterproof down to 10m (33ft) without a housing. The Hero 7 Black users can use the GoPro Super Suit housing to dive deeper with your camera down to 60m (196ft). The Hero 7 Silver/White users can use the GoPro Protective Housing to use their camera down to the depth of 40m (131ft).
Is the GoPro Hero 6 waterproof?
The GoPro Hero 6 Black is waterproof down to 10m (33ft) without a housing. Like the Hero 7 Black, the users can use the GoPro Super Suit housing with the Hero 6 Black too, in order to dive deeper with your camera down to 60m (196ft).
Is the GoPro Hero 5 waterproof?
The GoPro Hero 5 Black is waterproof down to 10m (33ft) without a housing. You can use the GoPro Super Suit housing to dive deeper with your camera down to 60m (196ft).
Is the GoPro Hero Session waterproof?
GoPro Hero Session cameras are waterproof down to 10m (33ft) without a housing. However, you can add a third-party dive housing and the Session becomes waterproof down to 196 ft (60 m).
Is the GoPro Hero 4 waterproof?
The Hero 4 Black & Silver are NOT waterproof without a housing. However, these cameras come with a Standard Housing that can go as deep as up to 40m (131ft).
Is the GoPro Hero 3 waterproof?
The Hero 3 Black/Silver/White – all three of these cameras are NOT waterproof without a housing. But, they come with a Protective Waterproof Case that can withstand depths of up to 60m (197ft).
5 Must-Have GoPro Underwater Accessories
Listed below are the five must-have underwater accessories that you should have with your GoPro for capturing memorable water adventures.
#1. Waterproof Housing
For Snorkelling (Hero 4 and older)
You need a waterproof housing for snorkelling only if you have GoPro model that launched before Hero 5. The GoPro Hero 5 and all the models that came afterwards are waterproof down to 10m/33ft (beyond which nobody usually goes while snorkelling).
- Waterproof depth: Use this Black waterproof housing you can take your gopro hero...
- TWO BACK COVER: Waterproof back cover and Touch back cover for your use, when you use...
- Compatible with Gopro HERO4/HERO3+/HERO3, When you insert your camera, you can also...
Compatible with the GoPro Hero 4, 3+, and 3 cameras, the Suptig Waterproof Housing lets you easily operate your shutter button or select key/mode buttons on the camera – all this while it’s underwater up to 45 meters deep! You won’t have any worries about dust getting in or scratches happening due to how much protection it provides against those things. It also offers extra protection from shocks as well which makes sure everything stays safe even when diving into some of deepest parts of our oceans! The tough glass protecting the lens will let light through at 98%, which means you’ll be able use all functions just as if they were above water—without having any noticeable change in quality for pictures taken under-water
For Scuba Diving (Hero 5 and newer)
For shooting your scuba diving action, ALL GoPros require a waterproof housing because you need to go deeper than the maximum 10 metre limit (that comes with the latest GoPro models) while diving.
- Protects your HERO8 Black from mud, dirt and debris during extreme activities
- Waterproof down to 196ft (60m)—perfect for deep-water diving
- Includes a skeleton backdoor for improved audio capture and easy access to the...
This GoPro official waterproof housing for Hero 8 is perfect for deep-water diving. The underwater case protects your Hero 8 Black from dirt, debris and mud while you’re underwater. Designed with skeleton doors, this protective piece of equipment also includes improved audio capture so be sure to make some beautiful memories under the sea without worrying about sound quality.
Similar waterproof housings are also available for other latest GoPro models, including Hero 9, Hero 7, Hero 6 and Hero 5.
#2. Floating Stick/Pole/Grip
A floating Stick/Pole/Grip is a very useful GoPro accessory when filming underwater. It helps you have a better overall control of the camera underwater and prevents your camera from sinking.
- Keeps Your GoPro afloat Better than ever before so you can Shoot in and around the...
- Easy to switch between mounts with a quick release base
- Enables more stable footage than Holding the Camera by hand makes it easy to aim your...
The GoPro Handler Floating Hand Grip helps you shoot worry-free in and around the water with its bright orange cap piece that makes it easy-to-spot if dropped. The comfortable, non-slip construction lets you maintain a secure grip while holding your camera!
#3. Dome Port Housing
A Dome Port Housing is an amazing gear that lets you shoot amazing split-photos and videos half above water & half underwater.
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Compatible with the GoPro Hero 8 Black, the SHOOT Dome Port is a well-designed Dome Post Housing for capturing vivid 50/50 above and below the water photos/videos by the sea or by the pool. It’s waterproof down to 45m/147ft.
There are many other dome port housings available for GoPro models other than the Hero 8 Black.
#4. Red Filter Diving Lens
You can use Red Filters to enhance the picture quality of your dive. The three kinds are – Light Red, Magenta and Red Filter for different depths in water. Light Red filter is useful for color correction at shallow depths, Magenta filter for correcting green water and Red filter to correct the blues.
I recommend that you use a multi-filter pack, so that you can easily change filters as you change depths. Here’s the one that I recommend:
- Specially designed for the HERO8 protective housing (only suitable for the HERO8...
- Capture vibrant colours in blue, green and shallow waters
- Dual lock installation with a primary snap-on design and reinforced screw pull...
#5. Waterproof LED Lights
Night-time diving is a pretty exciting experience, but it can be hard to see and record things in the deep dark waters. Luckily for the sea-life enthusiasts, there are waterproof LED lights that help light up what we would otherwise miss!
- Widely used: Perfect compatibility with Gopro Hero 13/Hero 12/11/10/9/8/7/6/5/4/3/2/1...
- GREAT DIVING LIGHTS Take amazing POV underwater video with this Suptig light for...
- WIDE-ANGLE 500Lumen Max. (5500K-6000K) by 36 LEDs.This is THE underwater light to buy...
Compatible with all GoPro cameras, the Suptig Waterproof LED Light is the perfect addition to any adventurer’s gear. With three modes and a capacity of going down to 45m/147 ft underwater, it has everything you need for your next deep-sea dive.
The amount of light can be adjusted between HI (500 lumens), LOW (200 lumens) and SOS mode which flashes brightly in dark to help you in case you get lost!
So, How To Shoot Underwater?
It is not enough to just go underwater with your GoPro and start filming. To capture the best shots and videos, just follow a few key rules for shooting quality under water videos:
- Keep the camera steady by using a floating stick while snorkelling or a camera rig when scuba diving; this will help avoid vibrations that produce shaky images.
- The sun should always be behind you so as not to cast shadows on people’s faces from its glare.
- Underwater, record long sequences of video instead of many takes so you can focus on your dive instead of thinking about the camera.
I hope that this tutorial helps you gain knowledge regarding the waterproof specs of different GoPro models & about the accessories to use with the GoPro underwater.
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