Best Underwater Camera Housings for DSLR and Mirrorless Cameras
Selecting the correct underwater camera housing isn't quite as simple as just selecting a waterproof case. In addition to withstanding extreme pressures in the water column at depth, an underwater camera housing should be capable of providing a precise mechanical control over each individual aspect of your camera.
Also, since interchangeable lens ports are available from some manufacturers, it would be ideal if your underwater camera housing could also accommodate these. If you make the incorrect selection, your equipment will likely become flooded at the bottom of the ocean (or possibly even earlier), or the limitations of the selected housing will require you to change your lens on the surface before making another shot.
The remainder of this article addresses the top brands and products currently available in varying price ranges, what makes them distinct from one another, and how to determine which product(s) best meet your specific needs based upon the type of underwater photography/videography that you actually perform.
What to Look for in an Underwater Camera Housing
Firstly you have to take a look at the specifications of each camera housing. The depth rating is very important as it will give you an idea on how deep you can dive.
Scuba diving usually goes down to about 30-40 meters (100-130 feet) while technical diving and filmmaking may be able to go down much further. Most housings within this price range can easily cover the depth rating requirements of both recreational scuba diving and most professional dives by going to a maximum depth of 60 meters (200 feet).
The second specification to consider is the port system. The port system allows you to determine what lenses you can use when filming underwater.
Flat ports allow you to film at close ranges with wide angle lenses, while dome ports help eliminate the refraction distortions of using wide angle lenses. However each port is designed to fit a specific length of focal lens therefore you should always verify that your housing has a port that fits your current lenses prior to purchasing the housing.
Lastly there are two types of materials used in constructing a camera housing. These are polycarbonate and aluminum.
Polycarbonate housings are lighter and cheaper however they tend to crack more readily due to physical impacts. Aluminum housings are heavier than polycarbonate housings and provide greater rigidity allowing them to withstand both the crush of water at great depths and physical impacts. As a result, many filmmakers who specialize in underwater cinematography use aluminum housings.
Vacuum testing capability is one of those features you'll want to have. The vacuum test allows for some housings with vacuum valves to pull a very slight vacuum in the housing before a dive. If your vacuum remains intact then it's safe to say your O-ring seals were closed prior to your dive. It will be safer if you detect a vacuum leak before entering the water rather than finding out you've flooded while diving.
Ikelite 200DL: The Mid-Range Standard
The Ikelite 200DL is a polycarbonate underwater housing that can be rated to a maximum of 200 ft. of depth. Ikelite has created a variety of housings for many popular DSLR and mirrorless camera bodies.
They have two main lines of housings, and the DL series includes Canon, Nikon and Sony. Ikelite offers housings for almost all of these camera systems.
The clear polycarbonate body provides an excellent opportunity to visually inspect the inside of the housing. The DL port system is highly versatile allowing users to attach ports to cover most lens combinations commonly utilized by underwater photographers. There is also a 5 pin bulkhead on the back of the housing for use with strobes that support TTL capabilities.
Polycarbonate, while suitable for most consumer level applications (and even some commercial), does lack the strength of aluminum at great depths or when subjected to physical impact. This will never be a concern during typical recreational dives. However if you plan to shoot in demanding conditions such as deep water or high risk environments then an aluminum alternative may be worth spending the extra money.
The Ikelite 200DL is available for purchase from B&H for almost all Sony mirrorless bodies. Due to the variation in each housing design for every specific model body, please select your specific model body prior to making your final housing choice.
Sea & Sea MDX: Japanese Craftsmanship
The Sea & Sea MDX series was created by one of Japan's most respected manufacturers of underwater housings. Their products use aluminum as their primary material, and they fit into a price range that fits in between those of both the Ikelite brand and higher end professional level brands.
MDX housings are significantly stronger than polycarbonate materials commonly used for less expensive underwater housings. Users who shoot frequently underwater can also appreciate the precision feel of the controls on an MDX housing. Since Sea & Sea has developed a unique set of controls for each supported camera model, you would know that your housing was specifically engineered to be compatible with your camera.
Professional underwater photographers and cinematographers who do not require the advanced depth rating and port systems available through the highest tier brands often choose Sea & Sea housings because of their superior build quality compared to lower priced polycarbonate housings. Professional documentary filmmakers and sportscasters that cover ocean activities at recreational dive levels find the MDX series to be a great option.
Aquatica: Canadian Professional Grade
Aquatica builds professional-grade aluminum underwater housings that are utilized in both high-end commercial and professional filmmaking. Unlike many other recreational housings, which have ports for still photography or shallower depths, Aquatica's aluminum housings are specifically engineered for cinema lens applications.
They have an ergonomically-designed control layout that allows for easy operation while wearing gloves (for example). The ergonomic design also has a stabilizing hand-grip arrangement that can be operated safely at much deeper water depths. These are important considerations when you have to shoot hours of footage as part of a documentary series and need to maintain precise shot framing even under difficult operating conditions.
For this reason alone, the price point for these housings will make them unaffordable for those who want to try out underwater filming. However, if you are working in the professional world of film and television, there are no better options available.
Seafrogs: The Budget Entry Point
Seafrogs is another company that has stepped into the space with their aluminum housings for Sony mirrorless cameras at much lower cost than some other well-established companies. If you're a filmmaker that will be doing an occasional underwater shoot and do not have a large professional diving budget, then Seafrogs may provide the best entry point.
One example of this is their Seafrogs V3 housing for both the Sony A7 III and A7R III. The Seafrogs housing is good to 40 meters and includes a vacuum seal test port. This allows the user to check the housing for leaks before going underwater.
The V3 housing also includes control mapping for all of the primary camera functions and an interchangeable port system that can accommodate a variety of lens configurations. Each Seafrogs housing comes with a 24-month manufacturer warranty and includes a standard zoom ring.
The main drawback of buying a housing from Seafrogs is that it is a new brand. They do not have the same level of experience as either Sea & Sea, Ikelite or Aquatica.
Therefore, if you are planning to spend extensive amounts of time underwater using your equipment and would like a certain level of reliability regarding replacement parts, then one of the larger established brands is probably the safer bet. However, if you are just looking to learn about shooting underwater photography and videography, then Seafrogs offers the opportunity to gain experience at a fraction of the cost of a traditional housing.
Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not to purchase a housing depends upon how serious you are about shooting underwater and the amount of depth you expect to encounter while shooting.
If you are a recreational diver that expects to spend no more than 30 meters below the water's surface, then an Ikelite 200DL could be ideal for your needs. The Ikelite 200DL has a polycarbonate body that can handle normal recreational depths without fail. Additionally, the DL port system has been designed to cover nearly all commonly used lens configurations. As a result, it is currently the most popular mid-range underwater housing on the market today.
Filmmakers who routinely dive and have a desire for aluminum construction (but do not wish to move into the upper echelon) will find Sea & Sea as their option. While the cost may be slightly increased for the same quality aluminum construction, the MDX series does offer superior physical durability and additional precision control options.
Aquatica and Nauticam are the housing lines used by the majority of professional underwater cinematographers on paid productions for documentary diving and professional cinema work that requires more than average depth capabilities.
Documentary filmmakers working within limited budgets to explore the ability to shoot underwater can utilize Seafrogs to begin exploring this type of production and transition into an established brand when they understand the process involved with underwater shooting.
For both the audio and video aspects of documenting underwater and producing content on land, the documentary audio setup guide provides information regarding equipment needed to capture clear audio on land while filming underwater. The best budget fluid head video tripod guide addresses camera support needs on land and many times these productions provide opportunities to film the subject from under water.
If your production involves using multiple cameras to produce one feed that includes both underwater and surface footage, the multi-camera live streaming setup guide provides information about integrating multiple camera sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What depth rating do I need for recreational diving?
Recreational scuba diving should be no farther than 30-40 meters (100-130 feet). An underwater housing rated to 60 meters (200 feet), will give you a comfortable safety factor over the normal limits for recreational diving. Depending on how far down you want to go in your technical dives, or depending on what type of professional product you are producing, your housing may also be rated as such.
Can I use my existing camera lenses underwater with a housing?
Yes you can. You will just need to purchase the correct port for your lens. Some lenses work fine with flat ports, while others will require dome ports to compensate for the distortion caused by refracting light when it goes through flat glass. Be sure to research your specific port requirements before buying an underwater housing so you know whether you will be able to use all your lenses with it.
What is the O-ring and why does it matter?
The O-ring is a rubber gasket used in the design of underwater housings to keep water out of the housing around the ports and any other gaps where water could potentially get inside. The O-ring requires regular maintenance and is the most likely source of leaks causing flooding of an underwater housing.
Before every dive, clean and inspect the O-ring and apply a thin layer of silicone grease to help protect against wear. Look for any signs of debris or excessive wear.
Is aluminum better than polycarbonate for underwater housings?
Aluminum is stronger, heavier-duty and well-suited for heavy duty applications including those requiring repeated exposure to harsh environments. Polycarbonate is lighter, cheaper and still offers reliable performance for normal recreational uses. For someone who only plans on using their housing occasionally for recreational purposes, polycarbonate is sufficient. However, for anyone looking to create products professionally, or planning to extend their diving time repeatedly, aluminum is the best option.
Do I need a vacuum test before every dive?
Creating an environment in which you have controlled air pressure prior to descending into the water will create the least amount of risk when it comes to creating a flood condition. Prior to descending into the water, if your housing has a vacuum connection (port), create a very small vacuum at the port and observe the reading on the vacuum gauge for at least five minutes.
A drop in reading may indicate a problem that requires identification and repair on the surface. The time added to the pre-dive procedure is minimal while the assurance that your seals are properly sealed is substantial.