Subyspecialist

Hate to say it but not sure I have any recommendations in your price point. What I will say is I have an Olympus Tough TG5 that is an absolutely stellar waterproof point and shoot, been using the thing for years and it is bulletproof. They are now available in newer models as OM systems Tough TG6 and TG7, although it may be possible to pick up a used older model like mine in your price point. Works great as a little pocketable point and shoot that I use when I don’t want to take out my pro gear for general above water photography too. Alternatively you might want to look at Ricoh/Pentax compact offerings, they have a handful of waterproof cameras in their lineup that are also well spoken of. 
 

I transitioned away from go pros to my tough and the image quality is much nicer, faster aperture, has more manual controls available and I always hated the ultra wide fish eye look that action cams had. The model I have is a proper camera that has a more traditional wide to telephoto zoom and offers good quality photos and 4k video. 

5 hours ago, Hezu said:

Note that OP mentioned Fujifilm X30, not XT30. Since X30 is somewhat older compact camera with a smaller sensor, it probably behaves somewhat differently than XT30, which is a mirrorless ILC.

I don't have experience with either Fujifilm model, so I cannot give any advice  specific to these cameras, but I think give one universal advice: make a note on battery life based on your usage patterns and if battery tends to run out earlier than you would like, it is a good idea to invest in extra battery since it is very frustrating if there is a good opportunity to use camera and you can't do that if its battery has no power.

My mistake, I must have misread the model. X30 also offers programmable auto iso with minimum programmable shutter speed, and same exposure modes as XT30, so everything I stated still applies except you would want to lower your max iso expectations as it is a 2/3” sensor camera.

Shot Wednesday. Playing around doing a little water droplet photography using a MIOPS splash that a friend loaned to me.

I’ve been a Fujifilm shooter for about 8 years and use my gear for both personal and professional work. The XT30 is a solid little camera, I had one a few years back as a travel cam. Auto SR is decent, but the camera can’t read your mind for what you want the exposure to look like, it will try to expose for a balanced image and often end up flat and boring. As a newer photographer you don’t have to jump right into Manual exposure, but the best thing I can suggest is start practicing with Aperture priority and learning to use your exposure compensation to expose for the subject in your image. Program your Auto ISO in your camera with a base minimum shutter speed IE 1/250 is pretty safe for general photography and whatever max iso you don’t want it going over. 3200 iso is fine 6400 is about the max that I like to go on my Fuji’s especially if you don’t have a good denoise program. By using Auto iso with a preprogrammed base shutter speed the camera can still do a lot of auto assist but you have more control using your aperture and exposure comp. Just get out and practice a bunch. Hope that is of help.

Just recently joined this forum and saw this section so wanted to add a couple I shot start of January. Coyote and a short ear owl.