SeaLife Micro 3.0 Reef Edition: The compact camera that lets you dive without a second thought.

There are two types of underwater photographers. Those who want complete control over every parameter, and those who just want a decent image quickly. The SeaLife Micro 3.0 Reef Edition is designed for the latter. Not in a condescending way - but deliberately.

The Micro 3.0 is not a case for your smartphone. It's a compact, waterproof camera in itself, designed to dive up to 60 meters without requiring any maintenance on seals. You don't open it to insert a phone, you take it out of the bag and put it in the water.

The sensor has 16 megapixels. The device captures in JPEG and RAW formats. The field of view underwater is 100 degrees, which is already generous for a compact camera. Video recording goes up to 4K at 30 frames per second. Battery life exceeds 3 hours. Internal memory is 64 gigabytes.

The Reef Edition includes the wide-angle dome lens as standard. With this dome, the field of view increases by 40%, and the minimum focus distance decreases to 12.7 cm. In practice: you can frame a wide shot of a reef or shipwreck, and then switch to a subject that is only 12 cm away from the lens without changing anything.

The price of the set is 1,129 euros.

The SportDiver is a case for your smartphone. The Micro is a camera. This may seem obvious, but the implications are concrete.

The Micro doesn't need any proprietary application to operate. It has its own buttons, its own file system, and its own battery. You don't rely on your phone to take a picture underwater.

It captures in RAW format. The SportDiver does not.

It is permanently sealed at 60 meters - no gasket to check, and no risk of forgetting to lubricate the gasket before a dive. The SportDiver is certified to 40 meters, with a gasket that is exposed each time it is opened.

In return, the Micro has its own limitations. The autofocus is automatic, and you cannot manually lock it onto a specific subject as you would with the native app on an iPhone using DiveVolk. It's also slightly bulkier than a smartphone case. And while functional, the screen on the Micro doesn't have the same display quality as a recent iPhone.

The Micro 3.0 Reef Edition is designed for divers who want something simple and reliable, that can go down to 60 meters, and who prefer not to rely on their phone underwater.

It is also suitable for travelers: no risk of damaging a smartphone, it has a dedicated camera with 64 GB of internal storage, and there's no need for complicated preparation before diving. It's a compact option for someone who regularly takes photos underwater but doesn't want the complexity of a mirrorless system with an external housing.

For beginners who are learning the settings, AquaExposure recommends a housing that allows access to the phone's native app - for example, an iPhone with DiveVolk. The training relies on the professional and RAW modes built into the phone, which are not available on the Micro. This is not a matter of quality, but of pedagogy.

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• AquaExposure Training