How Does Outex Work? Understanding the Underwater Camera Housing System

Outex waterproofs a camera and lens using a flexible protective cover combined with front and rear optical glass ports and a patented mechanical sealing system. Instead of placing the camera inside a rigid housing built for one specific camera body, Outex conforms around the camera and lens — allowing the photographer to operate every button, dial, switch, and control through the flexible cover. The result is a modular underwater camera housing that works across DSLR, mirrorless, film, medium-format, and cinema cameras, with a wide variety of lenses.

Watch the overview below to see the system in action, then read on for a full breakdown of how it works and why it's different.

Outex System Overview

The video below shows how the Outex underwater housing system works universally across different camera brands, makes, and models. The flexible, tactile-rich cover waterproofs the camera and lens body while preserving complete functional control over all buttons, dials, and knobs. Combined with front and rear optical glass ports, the patented seal mechanism delivers superior optical clarity (glass, not acrylic) and full camera operability in any environmental condition — including underwater.

How the Outex System Works: Step by Step

The Outex system has three core components that work together to create a waterproof seal:

• Flexible Cover — Conforms to the shape of your camera and lens, giving you tactile access to all controls without removing the housing.
• Optical Glass Ports — Front and rear glass ports (not acrylic) maintain full image quality and lens performance underwater.
• Patented Mechanical Seal — A user-controlled sealing system that lets you calibrate the seal to match your environment, from light rain to surf to deep dives.

The following product overview video walks through each component in detail:

Why Outex Is Different: Modular by Design

Unlike rigid housings built for a single camera model, Outex is a modular ecosystem. Every component — covers, glass ports, domes, and accessories — is mutually compatible and interchangeable, like LEGO. You can mix and match to meet your current configuration needs, then add components over time as those needs evolve.

Outex vs. Other Underwater Housing Options

The video below explains why the Outex system outperforms traditional rigid housings for photographers who shoot across multiple environments and camera systems:

Compatible Camera Types

Outex works with all major camera brands and types:

• DSLR (Canon, Nikon, Sony, and others)
• Mirrorless (Sony, Nikon Z, Canon R, Fuji, Lumix, and others)
• Medium-Format (Hasselblad, PhaseOne, Fuji GFX 100)
• Cinema & Video (RED Digital Cinema, BlackMagic, Canon C70)
• Film cameras and camcorders

The flexibility of the Outex cover means users can control and operate any camera that fits inside — in rain, surf, snow, or underwater.

RED Digital Cinema camera inside the Outex Pro Kit Large housing system.

Hasselblad medium-format camera inside the Outex Pro Kit Large housing system.

Outex in the Field: Professional Use Cases

Outex has been used by professional photographers and cinematographers on major brand productions. Below are two examples from the Outex YouTube channel showing the system in real-world professional shoots.

Nikon Z Series Short Film — with TV Host Kinga Philipps and Photographer Lucas Gilman

Travel and Discovery Channel host Kinga Philipps and professional photographer Lucas Gilman used Outex on the set of a Nikon short film, shooting the Nikon Z series mirrorless camera with an Atomos Ninja V recorder outputting ProRes RAW. Co-founder JR deSouza walks through the setup in this interview:

Lumix GH5 Mark II Short Film — with Cinematographer Mathew Sutherland

Cinematographer Mathew Sutherland used Outex to produce a short film for Panasonic/Lumix at the launch of the GH5 Mark II. In this behind-the-scenes interview, Matt and JR discuss preparation, configuration, and results:

See More Examples

Thousands of examples from professionals and amateurs around the world are available on the Outex Community page, including the Community Blog, News, and Reviews. You can also follow along on our social media channels for daily inspiration.