There is a category of photograph most people never take, because taking it would mean putting an expensive phone somewhere wet. The Kodak PIXPRO WPZ2 exists to fill that gap as cheaply as possible.
Sealed, and cheap enough not to worry
Waterproof, shockproof and dustproof with no housing required, this is a camera for pools, beaches, rockpools, water fights and muddy walks. The combination that matters is not just the sealing but the price: it is inexpensive enough that handing it to a child near water does not feel reckless.
What the pictures look like
Ordinary in good light, and noticeably soft in poor light. Underwater, expect a strong blue cast — that is physics rather than a fault, since water absorbs red light quickly. Staying shallow, keeping the sun behind you and correcting the colour afterwards all improve results considerably.
Zoom range is limited, and the screen is small and hard to see in bright sun, which is a slight irony for a camera designed to live at the beach.
Looking after it
Rinse it in fresh water after sea or chlorinated pool use, and check the door seals are clean and properly closed before every swim. Grit in a seal is how waterproof cameras stop being waterproof.
Who should buy it
Families with young children, holidaymakers, swimmers and snorkellers who want photographs without risking a phone. If you want genuinely good underwater and action footage, an Osmo Action 5 Pro or a GoPro HERO costs more but is in a completely different class.
