Outex Depth Rating: How Deep Can You Use Outex Underwater?
Jul 26, 2021
Outex is rated for use to 10 metres (33 feet) underwater and carries an IP68 certification. This page explains what that rating means in practice, why depth affects camera operability, and how to get the most out of your Outex system underwater.
The Depth Rating: 10 Metres (33 Feet), IP68
Outex is IP68 certified. IP68 is an international standard (IEC 60529) that indicates a device has been tested for continuous submersion in water. For Outex, this means the system has been tested and rated to 10 metres (33 feet) of depth.
At 10 metres, the water exerts approximately 2 atmospheres of total pressure (1 atmosphere from the water column plus 1 atmosphere of ambient air pressure at the surface). This is the depth at which most recreational snorkelling and freediving takes place, and where the majority of marine life, light, and photographic opportunity is found.
Outex is not designed as scuba diving gear. It is designed as an all-around waterproof housing for use in any environment — rain, dirt, mud, dust, sand, and underwater. For dedicated deep scuba photography, a purpose-built rigid housing rated to greater depths may be more appropriate.
What the Rating Actually Means: Operability, Not Just the Seal
The depth limit has less to do with the waterproof seal than with your camera's operability under pressure. As you descend, increasing water pressure is exerted against the outside of the Outex cover. At depths beyond 10 metres, this pressure can make buttons, dials, and controls harder to operate — they may feel stiff, resist input, or behave erratically.
Importantly, this effect is reversible. If you find camera controls becoming difficult to operate at depth, ascend to a shallower depth and normal operability will return. The waterproof seal itself is not compromised by exceeding the depth rating — the issue is purely mechanical pressure on the controls.
Some customers have used Outex beyond the rated depth — in some cases to 20 metres — without issue. Results vary depending on the camera body, lens, cover size, and how much air is sealed inside the housing. However, 10 metres is the tested and warranted limit, and use beyond that depth is at the user's discretion.
How to Maximise Depth Performance
A few practical steps can help you get the best performance at or near the rated depth:
- Minimise trapped air: The more air sealed inside the cover, the more compressible the housing becomes under pressure. Squeeze out excess air before sealing (“burping” the cover) to reduce this effect.
- Pre-set your camera settings: Configure your camera before entering the water so you need to make fewer adjustments at depth. Use manual mode and set aperture, shutter speed, ISO, and focus mode before diving.
- Verify the seal before diving: Use the Outex TEST described in the Installation and FAQ pages to confirm the housing is correctly sealed before entering the water.
- Ascend if controls become erratic: If buttons or dials become difficult to operate, ascend to a shallower depth. Do not force controls under pressure.
What About the Outex Phone System?
The Outex phone waterproof system carries the same 10-metre (33-foot) depth rating. The same principles apply — touchscreen responsiveness may be affected by water pressure at depth, and minimising trapped air before sealing will help performance. For full details, see the Phone FAQ page.
Ready to Shoot Underwater?
Browse the full Outex system — including Pro Kits, dome ports, and accessory add-ons — in the Camera Kits section. For more tips on installation, sealing, and underwater use, visit the Questions / FAQ pages.