I was searching for an underwater housing for the Sony RX-100 II and found quite a few that might be worth sharing on this blog. Why a housing for such a small camera? Well, first of all, I am a casual underwater shooter. I don't do it very much and when I do I don't want to lug around a large housing to fit one of the pro Nikon cameras like the D4 or D800. Plus, I'm not sure I really want to risk taking such expensive equipment under water anyway. The RX-100 II on the other hand is a really small camera with a practical zoom range, is tiny, and won't break the bank if I flood it. On top of that, it takes really good pictures.
Most of the higher end models can use the internal flash of the RX-100 to trigger an external flash via an optical cable. Also they all can accept auxiliary lenses.
At the top of the list are:
Nauticam NA-RX100 and NA-RX100II: (new model to be released soon)
- sells for $950
- can accept 67mm accessory wide angle lenses to allow for either 100 or 145 degree angle of view
- rated to 100 meters
- machined alumininum case
- has flash connectors
Recsea WHS-RX100MkII:
- sells for $900
- rated to 100 meters
- aluminum alloy body
- fixed lens
- 67mm thread for conversion lenses
- can use internal camera flash or take auxiliary flash
Acquapazzo APSO-RX100: - sells for $850
- rated to 75 meters
- corrosion resistant aluminum
- port has 67mm thread for accessory lenses
- comes in 14 colors
- has an accessory monitor hood with magnification for viewing
- can use external flash
Patima PDCH-RX-100MK2: - sells for $700
- rated to 120 meters
- corrosion resistant aluminum body
- port has 67mm thread for accessory lenses
- has dual flash connectors
Ikelite 6116 RX100 II: - sells for $400
- rated to 60 meters
- polycarbonite body
- port has 67mm thread for accessory lenses
- allows use of internal camera flash
If you are not planning to go very deep and do not need an external flash, take a look at the less expensive models below.
Generic underwater housing for RX100 RX100II: - sells on eBay under various names for $210
- rated to 40 meters
- polycarbonite body
- port has 67mm thread for accessory lenses
- allows use of internal camera flash
EWA-Marine 3D-L: - sells for $165
- rated to 10 meters
- double laminate PVC body
- port has 67mm thread for accessory lenses
- allows use of internal camera flash
I have not used any of these underwater housings and so cannot recommend any particular one. I am beginning my own search for one and thought it might be interesting to post the contenders I have found so far.
When I first started my search I thought I would find one or two housings. It is interesting to note that the Sony RX-100 may have more underwater housings made for it than any other camera model, which says something about its growing popularity.
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