Looking for small allrounder

[BlScOfDe]

Hi,

i'm looking for a new action cam sized camera (99.9% video; up to 40m) with decent macro/close-up capabilities and i'd like to hear your suggestions.

A little backstory.
The latest "normal" cam i used was the Olympus XZ-2. Then i got myself an original Paralenz and I was pretty happy with the size and the overall capabilities. Close up shots weren't amazingly great, but i got decent results out of it. After sinking that one i upgraded to the Paralenz Vaquita which looked even better on paper. Finally a (even though small) display to frame shots and a "flipable" macro lens attachment where i can switch between wide and macro shots on the fly. Unfortunately it felt like the fixed focus through that lense had a margin of error of 10 nanometers. Almost everything was to blurry to use. The workaround was to start filming at a greater distance and slowly close in so that somewhere in 5-15 seconds of video there's at least a second of the target in focus.

Now i'm looking for a replacement. The insta360 Ace Pro looked amazing (even more than Paralenz) at first, but with a minimum focal distance of 40cm it probably won't be great at close up shots. The Hero 12 and Action 4 seem to have similar shortcomings.
The SeaLife Micro 3.0 looks interesting (doesn't require an extra bulky case and has built in color correction) but i never heard about them (are they any good?). Unfortunately it seems the battery can't be replaced which is a big turnoff for me.
The TG-6 seems to be recommended a lot but it would be back to a bulky housing... .
It's not easy

 

[lexvil]

I’m sort of evaluating the Tovatec Mera, I think it will combine all of you disappointments into a package with a nice light built in, at a very low price.

im sort of looking at adding a close up lens to one of the flip up filters. An interesting concept and I expect it would really do well in nice clear tropical waters.

 

[NW Dive Dawg]

The housing on the TG6 is really not that bulky...... The camera, packaged with housing, tray and strobe....all for under a grand seems like a great compact package.

Olympus TG-7, TG-6 Housing and Strobe Package

Olympus PT-059 Housing and Sea & Sea YS-03 Strobe Package, with recommended accessories. Contact us for our expert advice on your camera rig.

www.bluewaterphotostore.com

 

[BlScOfDe]

I’m sort of evaluating the Tovatec Mera, I think it will combine all of you disappointments into a package with a nice light built in, at a very low price.View attachment 825083View attachment 825084View attachment 825085View attachment 825086
im sort of looking at adding a close up lens to one of the flip up filters. An interesting concept and I expect it would really do well in nice clear tropical waters.

"I think it will combine all of you disappointments into a package"
lol, i can see that XD Sounds good on paper tho