Best Underwater Strobes for Compact Cameras 2026: TG-6, TG-7, RX100

Choosing the right Kraken strobe for your compact camera setup

TG-6, TG-7, or RX100? Your compact camera is capable of stunning underwater shots—if you have the right strobe. This guide helps you choose between the Kraken S40, S80 and S80+ based on what you shoot and how you dive.

S80 or S80+: choose the beam for the way you shoot

Both strobes deliver 80 Ws; the difference is how they direct that flash. The KR-S80 uses a round flash tube for broad coverage. The KR-S80+ uses a straight flash tube and a more directed beam, allowing a snoot to capture the light more effectively. For photographers building a setup around snooted macro, that is a practical reason to choose the S80+—not simply a higher guide number on a specification sheet.

Choose S80+ when snoot efficiency and directed lighting are priorities. Choose S80 when broader native coverage better suits your shooting. The S80+ offers over-60° flash coverage, expanding to 100° with a diffuser, compared with the S80’s over-140° coverage. Neither replaces the other: choose the beam pattern for your subjects and lighting accessories.

Both are manual strobes with a built-in 3000-lumen video light. The S80+ is US$599. The KR-SN07 optical snoot fits both the S80 and S80+ directly, with no different adapter required. They share the same body; the S80+ differs in its internal flash tube and LEDs.

Quick Answer: Which Strobe Do You Need?

Strobe Comparison: S40 vs S80

Kraken S40: The Macro Specialist ($359 USD)

40Ws power | 60° beam | 300-lumen spot light | 200g underwater | 1.2 sec recycle

Perfect For:

• TG-6/TG-7 macro shooters
• Dedicated macro photographers
• Budget-conscious beginners
• Travel minimalists

Real-World Performance

The S40 delivers plenty of power for close-up work. Shooting nudibranchs 6 inches away at f/8? You’ll have power to spare. The compact size makes it easy to position for creative lighting angles.

What it does well:

• Macro subjects at 6-12 inches: Excellent
• Lightweight and travel-friendly
• Affordable entry point
• Fast 1.2-second recycle time
• ~500 full-power flashes per charge

Limitations:

• Narrow 60° beam struggles with wide-angle shots
• 300-lumen spot light too weak for video
• You’ll outgrow it if you start shooting wide-angle

Macro Accessories

Snoot (optional): Push-on rubber boot design makes attachment quick and secure. Perfect for isolating tiny subjects with dramatic spot lighting.

Warming filter (optional): Reduces color temperature for more natural skin tones on fish and divers.

View S40 Details →

Kraken S80: The Versatile Workhorse ($599 USD)

80Ws power | 140° beam | 3000-lumen video light | 375g underwater | 1.0 sec recycle

Perfect For:

• Shooters who do both macro AND wide-angle
• TG-6/TG-7 users who shoot video
• RX100 photographers
• Photographers planning to upgrade cameras

Why the S80 is the Better Value

Here’s the math: S40 ($359 USD) + separate video light ($300 USD) = $659 USD. Or just buy the S80 ($599 USD) and get 2x the strobe power plus a 3000-lumen video light built-in. Easy decision.

What makes it special:

• Dual functionality: Strobe for stills, video light for clips
• Power to grow: Handles wide-angle shots, even with dome ports
• 140° beam: Covers wide scenes evenly
• Future-proof: Works great even if you upgrade to mirrorless later
• ~800 full-power flashes per charge

Macro Accessories

Snoot (optional): Bayonet mount design allows quick attachment/removal underwater. Essential for serious macro shooters who want precise lighting control on tiny subjects.

Warming filter (optional): Reduces color temperature for more natural-looking subjects.

Real-World Scenarios

View S80 Details →

Specific Camera Recommendations

Olympus TG-6 / TG-7

For macro only: S40 works fine
For macro + wide-angle + video: Get the S80

The TG-6/7 can shoot excellent macro AND wide-angle (with wet lenses like AOI UWL-400). If you have any interest in wide-angle or video, the S80 is the smart choice.

Sony RX100 VII

Recommendation: S80

The RX100 shoots fantastic 4K video. Don’t cripple it with the S40’s weak 300-lumen spot light. Get the S80 and unlock the full potential of your camera.

Complete Setup Costs

Budget Macro Setup (S40)

Versatile Setup (S80)

Common Questions

Can I add a second strobe later?

Yes. Most compact camera shooters start with one strobe, then add a second within 6-12 months. Two strobes give you balanced lighting and eliminate harsh shadows.

Best practice: Buy matching strobes (two S40s or two S80s) for consistent color temperature.

Will these work with my wet lens (AOI, Weefine, etc.)?

Yes, but choose carefully:

• S40: Works with wet macro lenses fine, struggles with wide-angle wet lenses (beam too narrow)
• S80: Handles both macro and wide-angle wet lenses perfectly (140° beam coverage)

How long does the battery last?

S40: ~500 full-power flashes per charge
S80: ~800 full-power flashes per charge

In practice, you’ll get 4-6 dives per charge since you’re rarely at full power the whole time.

Do I need a snoot for macro?

For serious macro shooters: Yes. Snoots let you create dramatic spot lighting that isolates your subject against a dark background. Essential for nudibranchs, shrimp, and other tiny critters.

S40 snoot: Rubber boot design (push-on)
S80 snoot: Bayonet mount (quick-release)

Both available as optional accessories from Kraken.

Do I need a float arm?

For S40: Optional (it’s light enough at 200g underwater)
For S80: Recommended if you want neutral buoyancy

Kraken sells float collars for both models (~$30-40 USD).

Bottom Line: Which Should You Buy?

S40 makes sense if:

• You’re 100% committed to macro-only shooting
• Budget is absolutely maxed at ~$400 USD
• You’ll never shoot video or wide-angle

S80 is the better choice if:

• You want to try both macro and wide-angle
• You shoot any video underwater
• You might upgrade cameras in the future
• You want power to spare and not feel limited

Our honest recommendation: Unless you’re absolutely certain you’ll only ever shoot macro, get the S80. The extra $240 USD buys you versatility, future-proofing, and a legitimate video light. Most divers who “save money” with the S40 end up buying an S80 within a year anyway.

Last updated: March 2026