FUJIFILM Quicksnap Waterproof - Film Review

The Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof 35mm Single Use Camera is Fuji’s dedicated underwater and adventure-ready disposable camera. While it operates just like any other single use camera – with a fixed exposure for daylight and a fixed-focus plastic lens – its waterproof housing is designed for pools, lakes, beaches, snorkeling, and environments where you wouldn’t risk a normal camera. This is also the only QuickSnap model loaded with 800 ISO film, giving it one extra stop of flexibility compared to the standard 400 ISO QuickSnap. That said, because this underwater version does not have a flash, it still requires plenty of bright sunlight for best results.

Above water, this camera can be used just like a regular disposable, but only in strong, direct light. For anything indoors, cloudy, shaded, or evening light, we strongly recommend the standard Fuji QuickSnap instead – its built-in flash makes it far more versatile for everyday conditions. The waterproof version is really best when you specifically need a camera that can get wet, splashed, submerged, or used at the surface of the water on a bright, sunny day.

In terms of image quality, the Fuji QuickSnap Waterproof is similar to the Kodak waterproof model and performs slightly below the standard Fuji QuickSnap. This is mainly because the lens is not only plastic (like all disposables) but also shooting through an additional plastic waterproof housing, which can reduce clarity and contrast. When using it, one important tip is to make sure the protective front window is free of water droplets – any droplets can create blurry soft spots in your image.

Tip: Like all disposable-style cameras, the QuickSnap Waterproof has a fixed focus, typically sharp from about 4–8 feet so while underwater, staying close to your subject – and near the surface where light is strongest – makes a big difference in clarity. This camera has 800 ISO film, but underwater environments still eat up light quickly, so always keep subjects close and avoid deeper, darker water.

The QuickSnap Waterproof includes 27 exposures and is widely available online and in many vacation or beach-area shops. Fuji and Kodak are the two major waterproof single use options, and both produce very similar results; we generally recommend choosing whichever one is most affordable or easy to find.

Why We Recommend It:
Here at The Darkroom, we develop, scan, and print a large number of waterproof disposable cameras each year – and we recycle every camera that comes through our lab. While waterproof disposables are not meant for everyday shooting, they excel in specific situations: snorkeling, swimming, canoe trips, beach vacations, river days, or anywhere your main camera might get splashed or damaged. If you don’t actually plan to go underwater, the standard Fuji QuickSnap with flash will give you much better results in more lighting situations. But for bright, sunny water adventures, the Fujifilm QuickSnap Waterproof is a simple, fun, and reliable option.