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Are GoPros Waterproof?

All of the recent GoPro models use a design where the camera body is waterproof without the need for a separate housing. Older models used a different design that required an external housing to be waterproof.

GoPro HERO7 Black

By David Coleman | @havecamerawilltraveldc
Last updated about 7 months ago // Categories: Tips

Deal: GoPro HERO9 Black Bundle

GoPro is running a deal on the new HERO9 Black, their newest and best camera. It's a bundle that includes the HERO9 Black, a 1-year subscription to GoPro, a Magnetic Swivel Clip, a spare battery, a Floating Hand Grip, and a 32GB SD card. It's all for $399.98.

All of the recent GoPro models use a design where the camera body is waterproof without the need for a separate housing. Older models used a different design that required an external housing to be waterproof.

The first model that came with the waterproof body design was the HERO4 Session. Since then, GoPros have been waterproof without the need for an external housing.

But there are also degrees of waterproofness. A camera that is fine for rain isn’t necessarily good for swimming and surfing at the surface. Spray and rain will usually qualify for “water resistant,” while “waterproof” usually implies that it can be submerged. But even then, the pressures of a short dunking while swimming near at the surface are different than if you’re taking it Scuba diving for an hour. Pressure increases the deeper you go, the longer the time the more chance for moisture to seep in, and things like whether it’s still water or a jet stream like out of a hose make a difference. That’s why you’ll often see waterproof ratings expressed as an IP number, like IPX6. GoPro has chosen not to use that standardized system of testing and rating waterproofness–they use their own simpler measure based on water depth.

The default waterproof rating for most of the recent GoPros is 33 feet (10 meters). But there are some variances.

These are the waterproof depth ratings for GoPro models:

GoPro ModelWaterproof Depth Rating (without external housing)
HERO8 Black33 feet / 10 meters
MAX16 feet / 5 meters
HERO7 Black33 feet / 10 meters
HERO7 Silver33 feet / 10 meters
HERO7 White33 feet / 10 meters
Fusion16 feet / 5 meters
HERO6 Black33 feet / 10 meters
HERO (2018)33 feet / 10 meters
HERO5 Black33 feet / 10 meters
HERO5 Session33 feet / 10 meters
HERO4 Session / HERO Session33 feet / 10 meters
HERO+ LCD131 feet / 40 meters
HERO+131 feet / 40 meters
HERO (2014)131 feet / 40 meters
HERO4 BlackNot waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.
HERO4 SilverNot waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.
HERO3+ BlackNot waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.
HERO3 BlackNot waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.
HERO3 SilverNot waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.
HERO3 WhiteNot waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.
HD HERO 2Not waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.
HD HERO OriginalNot waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.
SD HERONot waterproof. Requires external waterproof housing.

Of course, with any discussion of something being waterproof, there’s always a caveat: that it’s only as waterproof as the weakest part. In practice with GoPros, that usually means the seals on the compartment doors. They have small rubber seals running around them, but it’s pretty easy to get a piece of sand or grit lodged in there. And the rubber seal itself can become damaged or degraded (in which case, you can replace the whole door; see below). And, obviously, any damage or cracks in the housing or around the buttons are potential places for water to get in.

Going Deeper?

The default waterproof rating for most of the recent GoPros is 33 feet (10 meters). That’s good for anything near the water’s surface, such as surfing, swimming, snorkeling, or boating. It’ll hand rain and splashes no problem.

But if you’re going SCUBA diving or venturing deeper underwater with your GoPro, you can get stronger, more durable protective dive housings that are rated for the pressures of greater depths.

Make sure you get the one that’s compatible with your specific GoPro model because they’re not all the same due to camera body shapes and positions of buttons.

GoPro has official dive housings for recent models. You can also find aftermarket versions for older models (and newer ones, for that matter). For those, depth ratings and quality control will vary, so it’s worth spending extra care in choosing if going down that road.

These are the protective dive housings for recent GoPro models:

GoPro CameraCompatible Protective HousingDepth Rating of Protective Housing
HERO8 BlackProtective Housing*196 feet / 60 meters
HERO7 BlackSuper Suit196 feet / 60 meters
HERO7 SilverProtective Housing131 feet / 40 meters
HERO7 WhiteProtective Housing131 feet / 40 meters
HERO6 BlackSuper Suit196 feet / 60 meters
HERO (2018)Super Suit196 feet / 60 meters
HERO5 BlackSuper Suit196 feet / 60 meters
HERO5 SessionAftermarket Dive Housing
HERO SessionAftermarket Dive Housing
HERO4 SessionAftermarket Dive Housing
HERO4 BlackAftermarket Dive Housing
HERO4 SilverAftermarket Dive Housing
* NB: Despite sharing the name, the Protective Housing for the HERO8 Black is not the same model as the one for the HERO7 Silver and White.

Things Worth Knowing about Dive Housings

  • With most dive housings–and especially the better ones–the back touchscreen will become inoperable. That’s a good thing underwater, because the touchscreens can act a bit wacky in water, but it can be a consideration if you’re using your camera near the surface, going in and out of the water, and still want to the touchscreen accessible when out of the water. Most, but not all, have a clear back panel so you can still at least see the screen. Some come with an extra skeleton back door that allows access to the touchscreen. That does nothing for waterproof protection; it’s designed for when you’re using the housing only for protection against bumps and knocks.
  • While waterproof housings are trickier for 360-degree models like the MAX and Fusion because of the nature of those cameras, you can nevertheless find aftermarket dive housings for those. I haven’t had the chance to try any of those yet, but you can find some here.
  • The combination of heat from the camera, humidity and dampness, and cooler external temperatures in the water is a recipe for the lens port fogging up. There are various strategies for trying to minimize that risk, including packing in defogging strips, treating the lens port with an anti-fogging solution, and sealing the camera in a low-humidity room.

Basic Precautions

There are some basic precautions you can take to reduce the risk of leaks.

  • Make sure that all the compartment doors are closed properly. It might sound obvious, but it’s pretty easy to forget to reattach a compartment door or close it properly after you’ve been charging your camera or using a different accessory. It’s also possible when removing and reattaching compartment doors that the locking hinge isn’t correctly attached.
  • Check the seals regularly. Remove any grit. If the seals look at all damaged, replace the doors. You can find the doors for newer models as spare parts. Yes, they’re often overpriced for what they are, but it’s better than putting the camera at risk of water damage. You can find the spare part doors for newer models at GoPro.com. For older models, it’s worth checking at Amazon.
  • Use an appropriate housing if necessary. The depth ratings are guidelines, and in practice, there’s often a little leeway. But if you’re SCUBA diving and know that part of your dive might dip below 30 feet, it’s worth being safe by using a dive housing.

Things Worth Knowing

  • Touchscreens don’t work underwater (though you can still see the display). Nor will wifi, so you can’t use wireless remotes.

More GoPro Tips & Tricks:

  • GoPro Camera Tips Help Popups
    How to Enable Camera Help Tips on the GoPro HERO7 Cameras
  • 20160529120504266 300x200 - Do GoPro Touchscreens Work Underwater?
    Do GoPro Touchscreens Work Underwater?
  • 03 300x200 - How to Make a GoPro Float
    How to Make a GoPro Float
  • GoPro Split Files 300x193 - Why Do GoPros Split Videos into Segments?
    Why Do GoPros Split Videos into Segments?
  • Svalbard with a GoPro HERO5 Black
    Does GoPro Wifi Work Underwater?
  • GoPro HERO7 Black Wet
    Tips for Using GoPros In and Around Water
By David Coleman
Instagram: @havecamerawilltraveldc

Last updated on August 3, 2020

Categories: Tips

I may earn a commission for purchases using links on this page. Learn more.

GoPro News & Deals

New Smart Remote GoPro will be announcing the new Smart Remote for the HERO9 Black on December 17, 2020. The HERO9 Black isn’t compatible with the previous version of the Smart Remote.

HERO8 Black firmware v2.0 now available. Enables webcam mode; enables Display Mod compatibility; expands HyperSmooth 2.0 High and Boost availability to more video settings; general bug fixes. Update through the mobile app or manually.

GoPro Launches New Live Streaming Service for GoPro PLUS. GoPro has launched their own live-streaming platform for PLUS subscribers. It’s a pretty bare-bones offering for now, with livestreams shared with a dedicated URL. This is alongside their efforts to make the HERO8 Black useful as a webcam when connected to a computer (via USB plug-in-play, not requiring the Media Mod accessory with HDMI out). New firmware adds that functionality for Mac users, and the Windows version is in Beta.

New GoPro Zeus Mini Video Light. GoPro has released released a new video LED light designed to complement their GoPro cameras. It’s tiny, waterproof, and has a built-in magnetic swiveling clip. It’s waterproof down to 33 feet (10 meters), has four levels of brightness, and includes a diffuser to cool the color temperature to 5000K. GoPro claims that the built-in battery lasts up to 6 hours (presumably at the lowest brightness setting, although they don’t specify). It’s available now and priced at $69.99.

DJI Osmo Action firmware update adds live streaming. DJI has released a firmware update for the Osmo Action (v. 01.08.00.10) that adds live streaming support, so you can upload directly to platforms like Facebook and YouTube (it goes through the DJI Mimo mobile app). They’ve also improved the in-camera video stabilization. You can find the new firmware here.

New Underwater Housing for GoPro HERO8 Black from Isotta. Isotta, an Italian brand specializing in underwater housings, has announced a new high-quality underwater housing for the HERO8 Black. It’s an aluminum housing depth-rated to 650 feet (200 meters), has a one-handed open/close switch, double o-rings, and can be used with filters. There’s also a dual-handled tray to go along with it. And like all their housings, it’s in their distinctive red. Priced at $450, it’s only for those who need a highly specialized piece of underwater kit. It’s available for preorder from underwater specialists Backscatter.

Light Mod Now Shipping The Light Mod, one of the three new GoPro accessories, is now shipping. It’s a standalone light that is waterproof, rechargeable and compatible with all GoPro mounts. It was originally announced along with the HERO8 Black, but it hasn’t been available until now. It’s priced at $49.99, and you can find them at GoPro.com.

GoPro MAX Now Shipping. The new 360° camera, the MAX, is now shipping.

GoPro HERO8 Black and Max Unveiled. The new GoPro cameras and accessories have been unveiled. I have a rundown of the highlights of the HERO8 Black here.

DJI Osmo Action vs GoPro HERO7 Black. I’ve posted my detailed hands-on comparison of the Osmo Action and the HERO7 Black. There’s a lot similar between the models, but once you start digging down into the details there are differences that can help in choosing between them. And each has strengths the other doesn’t have. You can find my review here.

GoPro HyperSmooth vs DJI RockSteady. The new DJI Osmo Action also has built-in electronic stabilization to smooth out video. They’re calling it RockSteady (GoPro has HyperSmooth). I’ve been out testing them side-by-side. You can see the results here.

GoPro Deals page. I’ve put together a dedicated page on GoPro deals. So if you’re looking for cheap GoPro deals, check it out.

DJI Osmo action 4K Camera. Best known for their camera drones, DJI has released a new 4K action cam that’s taking direct aim at the GoPro HERO7 Black. It shoots up to 4K60 video and 12MP stills, includes electronic stabilization, has high-dynamic range video at 4K30, voice commands, a touchscreen on the back and another smaller live view screen on the front, and is waterproof down to 36 feet (11 meters). It’s priced at $349, and they’re now available at B&H Photo.

Comments

  1. Liz says

    February 12, 2021 at 9:06 pm

    I bought a gopro hero 7 iwas wobdering if its safe in the casing it cones with on a ski lift with blowing snow

    Reply
    • David says

      February 14, 2021 at 10:42 am

      Yes, the HERO7 cameras have a built-in waterproof casing. That is, it doesn’t need a separate waterproof housing–the camera itself is waterproof. Just make sure the door covers are properly closed to the battery compartment, etc.

      Reply
  2. Jason Arbour says

    February 10, 2021 at 5:12 pm

    I am trying to research a post on gopro stuff and underwater diving. This post helped me out a lot. Thanks!

    Jason from arboursabroad.com

    Reply

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About Me

I’m a professional travel & location photographer based in Washington DC and traveling all over. Seven continents. Dozens of countries. Up mountains. Under water. And a bunch of places in between.

I’ve owned and used every GoPro since the HD HERO and particularly like finding new and different ways to use them to capture photos, video, and time-lapse.

You can find my main site at havecamerawilltravel.com.

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