Waterproof camera body
Also known as: waterproofing, native waterproof camera, housing-free waterproof
An action camera sealed to survive water without an extra housing, usually rated to around 10 m, so it can go surfing, snorkeling or into rain as it is.
Updated
What it means
Early action cameras needed a clear plastic case to go anywhere near water. Modern models seal the body itself with gaskets around doors, buttons and the lens cover, so the bare camera can be submerged to a stated depth rating, often around 10 to 20 meters depending on the model.
A waterproof body means better sound, easier access to buttons and screens, and less bulk on a helmet or board. It is the reason action cameras became the default for surf, kayak, snorkel and rainy rides, and why many people never buy a separate case at all.
How it works in practice
The seals only work when every door is fully closed and clean. Before each water session, check the battery door and the USB cover for sand, hair or salt crystals, close them until they click, and look for any gap. After salt water, rinse the camera in fresh water with the doors closed and let it dry before opening.
For deeper diving, a dedicated dive housing is still needed, and some people use one for surf as well, since a housing protects the lens and adds grip for a mouth mount or a board mount.
What to watch out for
Depth ratings assume still water. A camera hitting a wave, falling from a height or rinsed under a strong jet can see pressure spikes beyond its rating, and a door seal that is fine at five meters may leak after a hard wipeout. Treat the rating as a maximum, not a target.
Seals age. Rubber dries out, scratches and collects grit, so a camera that was waterproof last summer may not be now. Inspect the gaskets, replace damaged doors, and if water ever gets in, power off, open it and dry it at once instead of hoping. Also avoid opening the camera in humid or wet conditions, since moisture trapped inside leads to fog on the lens.
How RawClip handles it
A waterproof body gets you footage from places other cameras cannot go. Upload surf, snorkel and rain clips together with your dry footage, and RawClip picks the best moments for one highlight.