The complete guide
A Parent's Guide To Choosing A Kids Underwater Camera
The view from under the water
Every parent at a swimming lesson has the same footage. A row of small heads in swim caps, filmed from a plastic chair ten metres away. It is sweet, and it all looks alike.
Your child's version of that lesson is different. It has bubbles in it. It has the black line on the bottom of the pool, the coach's legs, and a classmate pulling a face under water. A kids underwater camera is a way to see that version.
It is also a way to say yes for once. Children ask to hold the phone at the pool, and the answer is always no. A small camera of their own, sealed in a case, turns that into "go on then".
How the waterproofing works
Some children's cameras are sealed units. This one is not. It is a small camera plus a separate case, and the case is the waterproof part.
That design has a long history in action cameras, and it works well if you respect it. The maker says the camera can be used under water up to about 30 m when it is inside the case. No time limit is stated. For family use, that depth figure simply means you have a lot of margin. Nobody's child is going to 30 m.
The seal is where your attention should go. Sand from the beach, a strand of hair, a smear of sunscreen: any of these across the seal can let water creep in. Make closing the case an adult's task. Feel along the seal, shut the case, and look all the way round to see that it has closed evenly.
When the camera is out of the case, it is not waterproof. Wet hands and poolside puddles count.
The silent film effect
Here is something the maker says plainly, and it is worth repeating. When the camera records video inside the waterproof case, there is no sound.
That surprises people. They expect splashing and laughter and get a silent clip. It is not a fault. A case that keeps water out keeps sound out too.
Tell your child in advance, or the first playback will be a disappointment. Some families turn it into a game and add their own commentary afterwards. On dry land, out of the case, you can film birthday songs and scooter runs at the park in the usual way. The maker does not go into detail about sound out of the case, so record a test clip when it arrives.
Picture quality, stated plainly
This is a waterproof kids camera with a 32GB card, and it is a toy before it is anything else.
Photos are 5MP. That is a low number by phone standards, and good enough for a child's album.
Video is HD. We say HD and stop there for a reason. The maker's description says 1080p. The maker's own technical table says 720p. We cannot tell you which is right, so we would not want you to buy on the higher number. On a 2 inch screen your child will not see the difference, and on a laptop both look like what they are: simple home video.
The lens is listed as wide angle, which is forgiving. A child does not have to aim well to get the whole scene in. A 2x digital zoom is listed too, and it is not worth much attention.
Water changes everything about image quality. In a bright outdoor pool at midday, clips are clear and colourful. In an indoor pool, or in the sea on a cloudy day, expect things to look green and soft. That is true of any small camera.
The fun extras
Children like buttons that do things. The maker lists 40 photo frames, 7 colour video modes, time-lapse photo and a mini game.
The frames and colour modes get heavy use in the first week, then settle down. Time-lapse is worth showing an older child. Prop the camera up at the beach, point it at a sandcastle in progress or the tide coming in, and let it take a photo at intervals.
The mini game divides parents. The maker does not describe any way to switch it off. If you would prefer the camera to be for filming only, say so at the start.
The maker also mentions fun stickers as part of the design. Stickers are small, so keep them out of reach of any very young brothers or sisters.
Using it on dry days
It would be a waste to keep this camera for the pool alone. Out of its case it is a small, light camera that slips into a pocket or a school bag.
Rain is a fact of life here, and the case earns its keep then too. A child can film the storm drain filling up from under the shelter at the bus stop, or a walk home through a downpour, without anyone fretting about the electronics. Wet-weather outings to the zoo or the gardens become something to look forward to. Just remember the silent clips whenever the case is on.
Power and storage
The battery is a 600 mAh rechargeable lithium cell. A full charge takes 2 to 3.5 hours through the USB cable in the box. There is no wall charger listed, so you will plug into a laptop or an adaptor you already have.
The maker does not state how long a charge lasts. We will not guess. The practical answer is to charge it the night before and to film in short clips. Short clips are better to watch anyway.
Storage is generous. A 32GB SD card is supplied, and the maker says it stores thousands of photos. Video uses much more space than stills, so move files to a computer after a holiday. The camera connects over USB, and the maker lists smartphones, tablets, laptops and personal computers as compatible devices. For a phone or tablet you may need an adapter of your own.
Who should buy it
The maker suggests ages 3 to 12.
For a 3 or 4 year old, be realistic. They will press the button and wave the camera around in the shallow end while you stand next to them. You will do everything else. Keep the lanyard for dry land, with you watching, and take it off before they get in the water.
From 5 to about 9 is where this camera fits most naturally. A child that age can start and stop a recording and loves replaying it on the bus home. If you are looking for a camera for a 5 year old who has just started lessons, this is the kind of thing to consider. Check with the swim school first, since some pools do not allow cameras.
For 10 to 12 year olds, it depends on expectations. As a knockabout holiday camera for snorkelling at the surface, it is fine. As a tool for a child who wants good video, it will feel basic.
One line on other people, since pools are shared. Recording other people is covered by Singapore law, including the PDPA, and by HDB, Town Council or condominium rules for shared corridors.
Care in heat and humidity
Rinse the closed case in tap water after every swim. Chlorine and salt both leave a film on the case and are hard on the seal.
Dry the outside before opening it. Then leave the case open overnight to air.
Do not close the case in a cold room and walk straight out into the midday heat if you can help it. The air inside can mist over. Sealing it somewhere dry and shaded reduces that.
Keep the camera and case out of parked cars and off sunny ledges. If the case ever cracks or the seal looks worn, retire it from water use and treat the camera as a dry-land toy.
Delivery and returns
Most orders arrive in 7 to 12 working days by tracked courier, sent from overseas warehouses. Delivery is free across Singapore on orders of $150 or more, and $20 under that. Order early if a holiday is coming.
You can return it within 14 days of delivery in resaleable condition, with everything that came in the box.
The short version
This is a small green kids digital video camera that goes under water inside its own case, to about 30 m by the maker's figure. It takes 5MP photos and HD video, has a 2 inch IPS screen, and comes with a 32GB SD card, a USB cable and a lanyard. It charges in 2 to 3.5 hours. The maker's age range is 3 to 12.
Know the two catches before you buy. Underwater clips are silent, and the picture quality is that of a toy. If both are fine with you, it does what it says. An adult seals the case, and your child comes home with the pool as they saw it.