dsmeltz Loc: Philadelphia

Also shoots RAW

glennroby

I second the float strap.

Canisdirus

Yup ... TG6 is the ticket.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

GoPro

dick ranez

try this:
https://www.bestproducts.com/tech/gadgets/a27348068/top-reviewed-waterproof-cameras/?src=arb_fb_ga_d_bmm_na&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_fb_ga_d_bmm_na&gclid=CjwKCAiAx_DwBRAfEiwA3vwZYrekEXtj4ys63Mzb5Eux4gZ-rELZjtG60vZ4ZFnI3Tv9lfivesznCBoCiE8QAvD_BwE

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I like the Nikon Coolpix AW130. There are several good waterproof camera's out there. But I have found this camera to be very sharp. Waterproof to 100 ft. Good for shooting Manatee or fleeting glimpses of Mermaids.

superdadplano Loc: Dallas, TX

I had both waterproof (Olympus and Nikon) and GoPro cameras in the past, but I have to go with the GoPro as a recommendation. If you decided to go a with GoPro, make sure you get the Hero7 or newer. The stabilization is superb and you can extract 4k photos out of your video footage.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

If you get a good waterproof case for your your phone, both methods will work out for you. But the Olympus TG-6 will be much easier to use than the cellphone because that is exactly what it was made for.

LarryLancaster Loc: Seattle, WA

I add my vote for the TG-6. My wife has it and loves it. Great for less than 50'.

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Dear SD,
Sorry, I'm a little late to your Topic in terms of the various camera recommendations! But I won't be making any specific ones myself.

First, welcome to the Hog! From this post, I get the impression that you want to get by expending as few dollars (this is an assumption, as you did not specify what country you reside in on your UHH Profile,) as possible on such a camera as you doubt you’ll use it much at all following this upcoming sailing, kayaking, and snorkeling trip. You may very well be right, though I wonder whether you’ll be doing any time at beaches in the future, where such a camera may have particular advantages over a smartphone camera nonetheless.

I am not going to give you specific camera recommendations at all. I do not know the specific capabilities or deficiencies of this Olympus T5 or your iPhone 8. What I want to do is provide you with some concepts, some of which you may already know.

But next, though, I want to provide you with a little bit of my background so as to reveal any potential biases or agenda on my part. As a photographer, I am just an amateur. I got into "land" photography backwards, i.e. I really started in U/W film photography, mostly while scuba-diving (and snorkeling to a much lesser extent,) in the late 1970s. Most of my U/W photography equipment dates from the 1990s and is film-based. Thus, I have no bias with respect to current U/W cameras. I bought my first SLR in 1995 and acquired some mirrorless cameras. Oh, yes, I did buy a Nikon AW300 (or some similar model designation) in the mid-2000s; it worked great.

Two concepts first come to my mind given your request for guidance:
A. The notion of "waterproof" as opposed to water-resistance
B. Clearly, there is no need for an ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera)

With respect to "waterproof", you may want to consider reviewing at least one of these 3 URLs:

https://geargadgetsandgizmos.com/what-really-is-water-resistant-waterproof-and-ipx-ratings/
http://news.outdoortechnology.com/2013/07/02/water-proof-water-resistant-and-ipx-what-does-it-all-mean/
https://www.howtogeek.com/209024/htg-explains-how-water-resistance-ratings-work-for-gadgets/

Though this might not apply to your specific question, please be aware that UHH has its own U/W Photography section:
https://www.uglyhedgehog.com/s-104-1.html

Last, in my humble opinion, I believe you'd be best off knowing the range of cameras available. With the exception of one post, it appears to me that opinions posted thus far pertain mostly to just one model or another. The first group of URLs below are various "Best" list. The smaller second group will be just about a couple of different models.

Best Underwater Cameras of 2019: Compact Cameras - Underwater Photography - Backscatter
https://www.uwphotographyguide.com/digital-underwater-cameras#Best%20Underwater%20Compact%20Cameras

Best Waterproof and Rugged Cameras 2019
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-waterproof-cameras,review-2194.html

Best waterproof cameras in 2020
https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/buying-guide-best-waterproof-cameras

5 Best Waterproof Cameras - Jan. 2020 - BestReviews
https://bestreviews.com/best-waterproof-cameras

The 6 Best Waterproof Cameras of 2020
https://www.lifewire.com/best-waterproof-cameras-493678

10 Best Underwater Cameras of 2020 | In-depth Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
https://opticsmax.com/best-underwater-cameras/

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The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 V, Submerged
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/hands-review/sony-cyber-shot-dsc-rx100-v-submerged

The Sony RX100 VII: An Adventure-Ready Camera in a Truly Compact Package
https://reefphoto.com/blogs/trending/the-sony-rx100-vii-an-adventure-ready-camera-in-a-truly-compact-package

The SeaLife DC2000 is the best tough camera you've never heard of
https://www.dpreview.com/articles/4765216829/the-sealife-dc2000-is-the-best-tough-camera-you-ve-never-heard-of

Nikon announces COOLPIX W150 kid-friendly waterproof digital camera
https://www.dpreview.com/news/9812251866/nikon-launches-coolpix-w150-kid-friendly-waterproof-digital-camera

Good luck and I hope you make note of which model you ultimately chose to buy AND how it performed on your upcoming trip.

lev29

dgingerich Loc: Cape Coral, FL

I agree with the TG-6 suggestions. I have had the Olympus TG-4 since 2016. Great for snorkeling, etc. At the time I bought it, it was the only compact all-weather camera that would shoot in both JPG and RAW. Not sure if that is still the case. But it's a great little camera and there have been significant improvements in the newer versions. I also have had a GoPro top of the line 3 series for 5 years. I think it is the Black 3. It's good especially for video wide-angle action images and underwater shooting. But it doesn't shoot RAW and has no telephoto range. Unless the newer GoPro's may have added those features. I do know the newer GoPro's have added a rear LCD screen that mine doesn't have.

11bravo

I've used a TG-4 as a secondary camera for years. One to stick in my baggy pocket while I mainly shoot with my FZ1000. Very handy to take when I don't want to be burdoned with my main camera (as in out to dinner, never know what you'll be doing after). A must for me is it shoots RAW.

Never shot that much, but comforting to have. So much so, recently bought a TG-6 for the improvements. Yes, your phone is always with you, but the TG's aren't that big, surprising versatile, and unlike a phone, tough.

mikee

Plenty of positive replies regarding the TG-6, and I agree...but, if you deep dive while snorkeling it will flood and die. I think if you snorkel you should get a DIVE camera. For kayaking, I use a TG-6. Stay away from Fuji, the pic quality isn't there. I also agree with the gopro for snorkeling, and if doing stills you don't need the latest and greatest model. An older model gopro with a housing will go to recreational dive limits, and you can get filters to attach to bring back the red hues. Also adamantly agree with an attached brightly colored float strap.

Canisdirus

Your wish has been granted.
The TG-6 is rugged on its own, but as you said ... it is 'shallow water' waterproof.
If you want to go deeper ... and still have a great travel/land camera .... then you upgrade to the housing made for the TG-6.
Best of both worlds....

Retired CPO Loc: Travel full time in an RV

You betcha. I'm a diver but I haven't dove with my TG-6 yet. Any certified scuba diver who can't maintain a preplanned dive depth so as to protect equipment or for whatever reason, shouldn't have a C card.
"If you want to go deeper...then you upgrade" Absolutely correct.