Underwater photography with kit lens and wet lens for sharp, clear shots

If you've browsed photography forums or chatted with experienced photographers, you've probably come across the advice: "Consider upgrading from the kit lens." And in most traditional photography, especially topside, that suggestion makes sense. Many kit lenses, like the Sony 16–50mm PZ or Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm EZ, are budget-friendly but may not offer the sharpness, build quality, or low-light performance of more premium lenses.

But when it comes to underwater photography, things change especially once wet lenses come into play.

Unlocking Underwater Potential: Kit Lens + Wet Lens

Underwater, we're not always limited by the same constraints that apply on land. One big reason? Water contact optics. When you pair a basic kit lens like the Olympus M.Zuiko ED 14-42mm with a high-quality wet wide-angle lens (think AOI UWL-09), you're no longer relying on the camera to focus through the lower-quality virtual image created by a standard dome port. Instead, it behaves more like shooting above water, the lens focuses on the actual subject itself.

This results in:

  • Sharper corners (yes, even combined with a kit lens)
  • Better image clarity overall
  • Significantly improved wide-angle performance

You can get some seriously crisp shots like wire coral or schooling anthias without shelling out big bucks for a fancy lens up front.

 

It’s Not Just the Lens — It’s the System

Take Olympus mirrorless cameras, for example the OM-D series like the Olympus OM-5 or OM-1. These cameras use Micro Four Thirds sensors, which, while smaller than APS-C, still deliver impressive performance underwater. When paired with the right wet lens, even a standard kit lens can surprise you with its potential.

Despite the 2x crop factor of Micro Four Thirds sensors, Olympus cameras are known for their sharp image rendering, reliable autofocus, and rugged build, all major assets in an underwater shooting environment. Add in a high-quality wet lens like the AOI UWL-09 or INON UWL-95 or macro lens like the INON UCL-165 or Nauticam CMC-1, and suddenly that modest kit lens transforms into a versatile underwater tool.

Flexibility in the Water

Another often-overlooked advantage of kit lenses underwater? Zoom flexibility. While shooting wide, you can still zoom in to tweak your framing or emphasize certain parts of the scene. For example, zooming slightly on small reef fish can make them pop more from the background, adding a bit of depth and storytelling to the image.

In some cases, you can focus almost right up to the glass of your wide angle wet lens dome, something that’s pretty rare with traditional wide-angle setups.

Also one of the biggest advantages of using a kit lens with wet lenses is versatility. You don’t have to choose between wide-angle or macro before the dive. Just bring both wet lenses, and you can switch from wide scenes to tiny critters underwater, no housing / ports change needed. It saves time, space, and lets you capture whatever you find in the moment.

 

So, Do You Even Need to Upgrade?

Honestly? Maybe not.

One of the best things about shooting underwater with a wet lens setup is that your basic kit lens can deliver top-notch results. When paired with a high-quality wet wide-angle or macro lens, you're actually getting sharper corners, better flexibility, and optical performance that rivals and often beats more expensive traditional setups.

That means you don’t have to rush into buying pricey underwater-specific lenses or ports. Wet lenses let you keep your kit light, affordable, and incredibly versatile. You can shoot wide, shoot macro, and switch it all up mid-dive, no fancy upgrades needed.

So instead of worrying about gear, focus on your composition, lighting, and subject. The results will speak for themselves.