FAQ_Cameras

10 Reasons Photographers and Cinematographers Worldwide Trust Outex Built to combine the best aspects of all underwater housing systems, Outex combines the best optical performance, complete functional control, universal compatibility for all cameras and lenses, modular support for all accessories such as tripod mounts, lights, strobes, triggers, domes, tethering, etc, and an unparalleled transportability that adds no weight or bulk to your camera gear. The patented Outex system has been trusted by award-winning content creators, production professionals, the armed forces, and outdoor enthusiasts alike since 2010. And its passionate worldwide community shares tips, tricks, user cases, and inspiration on a regular basis to go with its 4.7/5 satisfaction rating. Here’s why Outex outshines the competition across most critical criterion.

Discovering the best underwater housing system for cameras for professional underwater use. Plastic bags are cheap and unprofessional. Hard camera housings are bulky, heavy, expensive, and camera specific. The Outex waterproof housing system combines the best of both worlds, offering an universal waterproof flexible case that fits any camera make and model, as well any any type of lens, from wide-angle to telezoom. The case's patented seal works with optical glass ports, including domes for professional optical results that are second to none, in a lightweight, compact, travel friendly, and affordable design that grows with one's needs over time, and is compatible with lighting, flash, triggers, strobes, cables, tethering, tripods, mounts, pistol grips, etc. It's the best camera waterproofing solution for all environmental conditions.

What Outex Cover Sizes are Available? Which One is Best for my Gear? There are currently three Outex underwater housing cover sizes available: 100, 110, 130. Larger covers can be used for smaller cameras, but not the other way around.  Small (Entry Kit)  This kit is designed for compact and mirrorless cameras, but works with DSLR. The Entry Kit ships with Cover 100X (Small). "X" denotes no opening for the glass Medium (Pro Kit Regular) This is the most common and fits most cameras (other than full-body). The Pro Kit ships in regular or large sizes (110, and/or 130), depending on your camera or specific choice.   Large (Pro Kit Large) Our largest kit works with full body cameras or cameras using a battery grip.  All Pro covers work with all/any rear and or front glass options. 

The Outex front glass ports match your lens filter thread diameter size. The front lens filter thread size is not your focal length or zoom range. The Outex front glass will thread onto your lens just like an UV filter or polarizer would, and it becomes one with the lens, moving with it and producing the best optical results.

Why use Dome ports for Underwater Photography?  Domes make it better - Domes help correct aberrations that occur when light travels thru water as opposed to air. Domes can deliver better results compared to flat ports, and also make it easier or possible some results that flat ports would not capture.  Size matters - Bigger domes are better than smaller domes, for a number of reasons. The tradeoffs are; heavier, bulkier, pricier than smaller domes.  Glass is optically superior - Glass domes are optically superior to plastic or acrylic, and they do not scratch as easily. All of the Outex ports, including its domes, are American-made glass ports.  Universal fit protects your investment - Both Outex glass domes are designed to fit any/all lenses thru adaptors and brackets. This design protects your investment and optimizes your usability and upgradeability over time. Our Waterproof Camera Housing Dome Kit supports both threaded, unthreaded, hooded, curved, and fisheye lenses.  Domes are ideal for split-level and underwater use - While dome ports will not take anything away from your work above water, their impact or difference above the surface is irrelevant. Domes are ideal for split-level and underwater work. For additional information, explore our underwater camera housings and photography FAQ's to learn more about domes and this subject. 

The Outex system is compatible with most, if not all of the lighting solutions in the market, including hot-shoe flas...

  Outex Ambassadors and Collaborations Thank you for your interest in joining our outdoor photography community. Our brand wouldn’t be what it is today without the support from our worldwide community of photographers. We don’t buy influence or placement by giving away product in exchange for posts or reviews. We instead foster engaging, relevant, educational, entertaining content thru genuine relationships with folks that want to be contributors and make the community better in some way.  In other words, every single one of our ambassadors and collaborations started with Outex customers. There’s no application process, or specific rules. Once you purchase and use the Outex gear, you can start participating and creating content as you see fit and relevant for your own audience. We encourage you to tag/notify us so we can track, react, answer questions, contribute, and assist in promoting your work and your story accordingly. For consideration, please tag #Outex @realOutex on social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, etc.) and contact us at info@outex.com with our video, review, or other contribution examples along with your reason for the interest in the collaboration. We can’t wait to hear from you!

The Outex underwater housing system that makes camera gear waterproof also allows it to float—even with your heavy camera and lens inside. This works by utilizing the trapped air inside the Outex camera housing as a float, which allows you to control buoyancy by how much air you allow inside the cover. Simply squeeze out the air before you seal it to reduce flotation. 

Selecting the Rear Glass; Viewfinder or Tripod-Mounted There are two types of rear glass options the viewfinder mount or Tripod-mount: Viewfinder Mount Option The viewfinder-mounted option is available for most standard camera brands, makes, and models such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Pentax. It combines an adaptor that slides or threads onto your camera's viewfinder eyecup and then holds the rear glass (LCD window). Our patented design allows it to pivot/swing back and forth so it can be moved out of the way of your access of buttons, knobs, and functions.  And you can use both the viewfinder and LCD screens accordingly. Tripod/Mirrorless Mount Option The tripod-mounted option is called the mirrorless viewfinder and is universal to all camera makes brands and models as long as they have a tripod mount at the base or bottom of the camera. It uses a provided adjustable bracket and screw that also allows for a positioning that fits your camera and the position of your LCD screen and viewfinder. This allows you to use both LCD screen and viewfinder. The only exceptions are very large camera bodies (such as the Canon 1D series, Nikon 5D), where the tripod mount is rather far away from the viewfinder. For these types of cameras, we suggest the viewfinder mount option. The below video and images showcase both examples for various cameras.There's no right or wrong solution as it is your personal preference as to which option is best. The kit defaults to the viewfinder mount option for cameras listed as having that option available but chose the tripod/mirrorless mount option for all other cases. If you have a specific preference, you have to specify it accordingly in the shopping cart comments section. There's another option that many customers opt for which we call the floating option. Floating Option It is possible, and some people prefer to simply float the rear glass window (either mirrorless or LCD provided in the first two options) by simply leaving it unattached to the camera. In this scenario, the rear glass is simply held in place by the cover itself, and possibly the strap holder. This option gives you even more freedom of movement for the rear glass if/when needed. All 3 options work well and use depends on personal preference.

When choosing the best underwater camera case, it's essential to be well informed and to compare available options holistically. You want to compare usability for various needs, imaging performance, protection characteristics, cost of ownership (including transportation), and modularity to accommodate current and future needs. This detailed comparison includes competitive charts, comparison highlights, and rationale for industry differences beyond the obvious. It illustrates the differences between Outex and leading competitors, including AquaTech, Ikelite, SeaFrogs, EwaMarine, and others. Whether you're a professional photographer or an adventure enthusiast, this guide will help you make an informed decision. If you're looking for a professional, reliable, versatile, travel friendly, and affordable  underwater camera system that grows with your needs, Outex is the clear winner. With its universal fit, superior image quality, and ease of transport and use, it's the preferred choice of professionals and enthusiasts alike. If you have a very specific need that will drive 85%+ of your use, such as surfing, or scuba diving, and don't envision changing cameras or lenses very often, you may be better off with a corresponding, dedicated system.

Outex is the best underwater camera housing system compared to other waterproof cases because of its imaging performance, universal compatibility, modular design, light weight, travel friendliness, and affordability. Especially when you consider its optical glass ports, full operational control over lens and camera functions and settings, support of tripod mounts, triggers, lights, remotes, tethering, and more.  This competitive comparison illustrates the advantages and disadvantages of each category of products, bags and hard cases comparatively, so potential customers can make informed decisions.

The Outex Questions page covers a lot of ground when it comes to underwater camera gear, the waterproof system, and tips for outdoor photography. If you're new to it, and want a quick overview, you've come to the right place. The excerpts of this video are from an interview with TV Host, diver, and Model Kinga Phillips, and Outex co-founder JR deSouza.