How Much Weight Can a Camera Float Hold?
Each Nordic Flash camera float is made to float an item up to 7 oz (200 g). That limit covers everything hanging from the float: the camera, its battery, any housing or case, and mounts or accessories. Add those up before you go in the water.
Key takeaways
- The float's rating (7 oz (200 g)) is for the whole setup, not just the camera body.
- A bare GoPro HERO13 Black is listed at 157 g before any housing or mount, so weigh the full setup.
- Popular cameras and phones range from about 146 g to 233 g on their own, per their makers, so compare your full setup with the float's rating of 7 oz (200 g).
- A kitchen scale is the easiest way to check.
Compare your setup with one float's rating
Each Nordic Flash float is made to float an item up to 7 oz (200 g). Enter the weight of the camera plus housing or case. The 1-pack has no published capacity claim, and we do not publish a combined rating for two connected floats.
By the numbers
- GoPro lists the HERO13 Black at 157 g, of which the battery is 33 g (GoPro (opens in a new tab)).
- DJI lists the Osmo Action 5 Pro at 146 g (DJI (opens in a new tab)).
- Insta360 lists the X4 at 203 g (7.2 oz) before you add a case (Insta360 (opens in a new tab)).
- Apple lists the iPhone 17 at 177 g (6.24 oz) and the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 233 g (8.22 oz), without a case (Apple, iPhone 17 (opens in a new tab); Apple, iPhone 17 Pro Max (opens in a new tab)).
Journalists and writers may use these figures with credit and a link back to this page. Questions: [email protected].
Is this the same as a GoPro Floaty?
No. GoPro's own Floaty is a wraparound case that the camera sits inside, and GoPro says it can't support the weight of additional GoPro accessories (GoPro (opens in a new tab)). This page is about a separate camera float with a published rating: 7 oz (200 g) per Nordic Flash float.
What does a float's weight rating mean?
It is the most weight one float is made to hold at the surface. Think of it as a budget. The camera takes the biggest share, and every extra piece, from the housing to a mount adapter, comes out of what is left.
The rating is 7 oz (200 g). If you are close to the line, use the lower of the two figures.
How do you weigh your setup?
- Put the camera together exactly as you will use it in the water: battery, card, housing or case, and any mount.
- Set it on a kitchen scale. Switch the scale to grams if it has the option; it is easier to compare.
- Write the number down, or tape it inside your camera bag.
- Compare it with one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g).
Here is a blank worksheet you can copy:
| Part | Weight (g) |
|---|---|
| Camera with battery | |
| Housing or waterproof case | |
| Mount or adapter | |
| Other accessories | |
| Total | |
| One Nordic Flash float is rated for | 7 oz (200 g) |
Use the maker's spec page for a starting number, then weigh the real thing. Spec sheets list the camera, not the extras you add.
What if your setup weighs more than one float's rating?
Then one float is not enough on its own. A few common examples from the makers' own spec pages:
| Device (maker's figure, no case) | Weight | Within one float's rating? |
|---|---|---|
| DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro | 146 g | Under 7 oz (200 g), no case |
| GoPro HERO13 Black | 157 g | Under 7 oz (200 g), no case |
| iPhone 17 | 177 g | Under 7 oz (200 g), no case |
| Insta360 X4 | 203 g | Over 7 oz (200 g), even before a case |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | 233 g | Over 7 oz (200 g), even before a case |
The camera float 2-pack lets you connect both floats to one camera for added security. The Insta360 X4 works with the 2-pack, and the Olympus TG-7 works when you use both floats. For other setups, weigh the full kit and compare it with one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g).
If the full setup weighs more than one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g), don't rely on a single float. We don't publish a combined rating for two connected floats.
When do you need two floats?
Even under the limit, a second float adds a backup. It is worth it in rough water, when you hand the camera to someone else, or when the setup sits close to one float's rating. Connect both floats to the camera, or keep the second one as a spare.
What should you avoid?
- Trusting the camera's bare weight. Housings and mounts add up fast.
- Assuming "waterproof" means "floats". Most action cameras sink. See how to keep a GoPro from sinking.
- Skipping a test. Clip everything on and try it in a sink or the shallow end before the trip.
- A loose attachment. A float only helps if it stays attached. Our guide to attaching a float to a GoPro housing covers this.
Gear for this
Frequently asked questions
How much weight does a Nordic Flash camera float hold?
Up to 7 oz (200 g) per float. That includes the camera, housing, mount and any accessory.
Will one float hold a GoPro HERO13 Black?
GoPro lists the HERO13 Black at 157 g. Compare that with one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g), and weigh it with your housing and mounts, because those count too.
Will one float hold an Insta360 X4?
The Insta360 X4 works with the camera float 2-pack. Insta360 lists the X4 at 203 g (7.2 oz) before a case, which is over one float's rating of 7 oz (200 g), so don't rely on a single float. We don't publish a combined rating for two connected floats.
Is a Nordic Flash float the same as a GoPro Floaty?
No. GoPro's Floaty is a wraparound case, and GoPro says it can't support the weight of additional GoPro accessories. A Nordic Flash float has a published rating of 7 oz (200 g) per float.
Does the Olympus TG-7 work with the floats?
Yes. The Olympus TG-7 works when you use both floats.
Will a float hold my phone?
It depends on the phone and the case. Apple lists the iPhone 17 at 177 g and the iPhone 17 Pro Max at 233 g before a case. Weigh the phone in its waterproof case and compare with one float's rating, 7 oz (200 g).
Should I use the ounce or the gram figure?
The rating is 7 oz (200 g). Use whichever figure is lower if your setup is close to the line.
Sources
- GoPro: HERO13 Black camera size and weight (opens in a new tab)
- DJI: Osmo Action 5 Pro specs (opens in a new tab)
- Insta360: X4 vs X3 comparison (opens in a new tab)
- Apple: iPhone 17 tech specs (opens in a new tab)
- Apple: iPhone 17 Pro Max tech specs (opens in a new tab)
- GoPro: Floaty (opens in a new tab)
Related reading
- How do you keep a GoPro from sinking?
- How do you attach a float to a GoPro housing?
- Does a GoPro float?
- Olympus TG-7 float: how to keep it from sinking
- Camera float 2-pack
- Nordic Flash FAQ
GoPro, DJI, Insta360 and iPhone are trademarks of their owners. Nordic Flash is not affiliated with them; brand names are used only to describe compatibility.