Aries SplashCam Pro Black

The Aries SplashCam Pro is a $109 waterproof compact camera with a surprisingly good 64MP 1-inch sensor and solid build quality. It's great for casual beach and pool snapshots, but the lack of stabilization, weak autofocus, and poor video quality hold it back. Buy it for waterproof fun on a budget, not for serious photography or video.

The 64MP sensor is the bright spot here. It ranks in the 77th percentile for its class, which means it's well above average for a budget compact. In bright outdoor light, photos come out crisp with decent color. The 1-inch sensor helps a bit with dynamic range compared to the tiny sensors in most sub-$150 cameras. But don't expect miracles in low light. The built-in LED fill light helps a little for close subjects, but it's not a replacement for a real flash.

Video is where things get rough. The camera advertises 6K and 4K at 30fps, but our testing puts video quality in the 23rd percentile. That's near the bottom of the pack. The footage is usable for short clips, but there's no stabilization at all, and the autofocus ranks in the 34th percentile. So handheld video looks shaky, and moving subjects can drift out of focus. The 16X digital zoom is also pretty useless in practice. Digital zoom just crops into the image, so you lose detail fast. If you're mostly shooting stills in good light, you'll be okay. If video matters, look elsewhere.

The SplashCam Pro's most direct competitor is probably the Minolta MNF10Z-BK, another budget compact. The Minolta is similarly cheap but doesn't offer the waterproof body or the 1-inch sensor. So if waterproofing matters, the Aries wins that matchup. The Aboobu DC226 is another budget option, but it's more of a basic point and shoot with a smaller sensor. Again, the Aries has the edge on sensor size and ruggedness.

Step up in price and the picture changes fast. The Sony ZV-1F is built for vlogging with a flip-out screen, much better autofocus, and proper video features. The SplashCam Pro's vlogging score is a dismal 12.7 out of 100, so it's not even in the same conversation. The Panasonic Lumix G DMC-G85MK is a mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses and real stabilization. It's bigger and pricier, but it's a legitimate camera for people who care about image quality. And the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a tiny gimbal camera that absolutely crushes the SplashCam Pro for stabilized video. The Aries only makes sense if waterproofing on a tight budget is your top priority.

At $109, the SplashCam Pro is cheap for a waterproof camera. Most name-brand waterproof compacts start at double that price. So if you just want something to toss in a beach bag and not worry about, the value proposition is decent. The build quality is solid, and the sensor punches above its weight. But you're also giving up a lot. No stabilization, weak autofocus, and mediocre video mean this camera won't grow with you. The Sony ZV-1F costs significantly more but is a far better camera overall. The DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is in a different league for video. If you're on a strict budget and only need casual waterproof snapshots, this works. If you want anything more, save up.

The Aries SplashCam Pro is a compact waterproof point and shoot that sells for around $109. It's aimed at beach trips, snorkeling, and pool days where you don't want to risk your phone. The headline specs are a 64MP 1-inch sensor, 6K video, and a sealed body that doesn't need a separate housing. On paper, that sounds like a lot of camera for the money. In practice, it's a mixed bag.

A lot of people searching for a cheap waterproof camera want to know if it's good for travel or underwater photos. The short answer is that it's fine for casual snapshots in bright light. The waterproof body and dual screens are genuinely handy. But the lack of stabilization and a fixed 3-inch display hold it back for anything more serious.

We pulled the benchmark data from our database, and the SplashCam Pro lands in a weird spot. The build quality and sensor are actually pretty strong for this price. But video, autofocus, and stabilization all rank near the bottom of the compact camera category. So you're getting a rugged little shooter with a decent sensor, wrapped around some pretty dated internals.

Skip the SplashCam Pro if you care about video quality, vlogging, or shooting fast-moving subjects. The vlogging score of 12.7 out of 100 tells you everything. No stabilization, a fixed screen, and sluggish autofocus make it a poor choice for content creators. If you want stabilized video on a budget, the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is worth the extra money. If you want better photos and don't need waterproofing, the Sony ZV-1F or Panasonic Lumix G85 are far more capable. This camera is for casual waterproof snapshots only. If that's not your use case, spend your money elsewhere.

Should you buy the Aries SplashCam Pro? If you want a cheap, waterproof camera for beach days, pool parties, and casual snorkeling, it's a reasonable pick. The build quality is solid, the sensor is better than most cameras at this price, and the dual screens are genuinely useful for selfies. You won't find many waterproof cameras for $109.

But if you care about video quality, stabilization, or autofocus, this camera will frustrate you. The lack of any stabilization makes handheld footage shaky, and the autofocus is slow enough to miss shots of moving kids or fish. The fixed display also makes it awkward to frame shots at weird angles. For pure photo snapshots in good light, it's fine. For anything else, you'll outgrow it quickly.