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You've chosen your camera. Now you need to protect it underwater. This guide covers the housings we actually see working well—from smartphone cases to professional mirrorless setups—so you can decide what makes sense for your budget and shooting style.
You can have the best camera in the world, but without the right housing, it's staying on the boat. The housing protects your gear from water, pressure, and salt. It also determines how easily you can control your camera underwater.
Here's what's actually working in 2026.
If you're shooting with an iPhone, the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus changes everything about how you interact with your camera underwater.
What makes it different:
Full touchscreen functionality underwater. Not buttons that approximate your phone's controls—actual touchscreen access to everything. You can use any app, change any setting, access third-party photography apps, even use fish identification tools. At depths up to 60 meters (200 feet).
The housing uses a gel membrane that transmits touch through the case. It takes a little getting used to—swipes sometimes need a second try—but having complete access to your phone's features is worth the minor learning curve.
Compatible with iPhone 12 through 17 series (Plus, Pro, and Max versions), with modular adapters so you don't need to buy a new housing when you upgrade your phone. It also works with Android phones if you get a custom phone tray.
Where it struggles:
The gel membrane can be harder to see through on land, though underwater it clears up. The housing is bulky compared to simple waterproof cases—you're carrying something substantial. And at $239, it's more expensive than basic waterproof pouches.
You also need to remove your screen protector completely. The housing won't work properly otherwise, and fitting the phone becomes difficult.
Who should consider it:
If your iPhone is your primary camera and you want full creative control underwater, this housing delivers. It's particularly useful for people who use specific photography apps or want to adjust settings on the fly rather than relying on pre-configured buttons.
The touchscreen access means you can shoot RAW with apps like Blackmagic Cinema, adjust manual settings precisely, or switch between different camera modes without limitations.
Insta360's Invisible Dive Cases do something genuinely clever—they disappear from your footage while protecting your camera.
The X4 case is waterproof to 50 meters (164 feet) and designed specifically for the X4's 360-degree capture. The dome housing uses special geometry to minimize refraction errors, which means cleaner stitching and fewer artifacts in your final footage.
The hydrophobic coating sheds water instantly, preventing droplets from ruining shots when you surface. And because the case becomes invisible in 360 footage, you get those impossible third-person perspectives—like you're filming yourself from a floating camera.
What it does well:
Seamless stitching underwater. The case is engineered to work with the Invisible Selfie Stick, creating perspectives that look like drone footage. Compact enough for travel. Compatible with standard action camera mounts. Quick-dry storage bag protects the case between dives.
Where it struggles:
Depth rating of 50 meters is fine for most recreational diving, but technical divers might want more. The case requires anti-fog inserts to prevent condensation. And while the case is invisible, it's still bulk you're managing underwater.
The dome scratches more easily than you'd expect for something this essential. Handle with care, rinse thoroughly after each dive, and use a soft cloth for cleaning.
The X5 gets two housing options: the standard Invisible Dive Case and the new Invisible Dive Case Pro.
Standard Invisible Dive Case:Waterproof to 60 meters (197 feet). Lighter and more compact. Better for travel. Proven reliability.
Invisible Dive Case Pro:Waterproof to 50 meters (164 feet). Uses advanced optics that reduce refraction distortion. Sharper details, truer colors, especially in clear water and close-up shots. Professional-grade materials instead of plastic. Larger dome, heavier build (420 grams vs. standard case). Only £12 ($15) more expensive than the standard case.
Our take: We use the X5 with the Invisible Dive Case Pro on our expeditions. The improved optical quality is noticeable, especially when shooting whale sharks up close or in the clear waters of the Maldives. The extra weight is negligible when you're already managing camera gear, and the results justify choosing Pro over standard.
Both cases work with the Invisible Selfie Stick to create those signature Insta360 shots that make viewers feel like they're swimming alongside you.
When you need to protect a Sony A7SIII, Canon R5, or other mirrorless camera, you're looking at serious housings with serious price tags. SeaFrogs offers a budget alternative to brands like Nauticam and Ikelite.
What SeaFrogs offers:
Polycarbonate housings rated to 40 meters (130 feet) for a fraction of the price of aluminum alternatives. The Salted Line series is their upgraded version, specifically designed for ocean use with better sealing, corrosion-resistant parts, and improved reliability for saltwater diving.
Housings are available for Sony A7SIII, Canon R5, R50, Fuji X-S20, and many other popular mirrorless cameras. They include leak detection sensors, interchangeable port systems, and compatibility with strobes and accessories.
What works:
Price. You're looking at $400-800 for a complete SeaFrogs setup versus $3,000-5,000 for premium aluminum housings. For people starting in underwater photography or who shoot occasionally, this difference matters.
The housings are widely available, which means you can often find spare parts or replacements while traveling. The ergonomics are decent once you get used to them. And the optical quality of the ports is surprisingly good.
What doesn't work:
Build quality is inconsistent. Some users report excellent experiences, others encounter problems with controls sticking underwater, O-rings feeling loose, or latches being finicky. The buoyancy tends to be positive, meaning the housing wants to float—fixable with weights, but annoying.
Camera insertion is tight and takes practice. Changing ports requires loosening a screw inside the housing, which is cumbersome when you want to swap quickly between wide and macro setups.
Customer service is responsive, but shipping gear back for repairs from most countries is expensive enough that it's often not worth it.
The honest assessment:
SeaFrogs housings work fine if you understand what you're getting. This isn't premium equipment. It's budget gear that makes underwater photography accessible to more people. Some units work great. Some have issues.
If you're just starting out or shooting occasionally, SeaFrogs lets you test whether underwater photography is something you want to pursue seriously. If you're already committed and shooting regularly, save up for Nauticam, Ikelite, or Aquatica.
Our setup: Our expedition photographer uses Nauticam housings for both the Sony A7SIII and A7CR. After years of professional shooting, the investment in premium housings makes sense—better ergonomics, complete reliability, and knowing the gear won't fail on a once-in-a-year encounter with a humpback whale.
But he started with budget housings years ago. Everyone does.
If you shoot with an iPhone: Get the Divevolk SeaTouch 4 Max Plus. The touchscreen functionality is worth it.
If you shoot with Insta360 X4 or X5: Get the appropriate Invisible Dive Case. For the X5, consider spending the extra $15 for the Pro version—the optical improvements are noticeable.
If you shoot with a mirrorless camera and you're starting out: SeaFrogs gives you a way to begin without massive investment. Just understand you're accepting some compromises.
If you shoot professionally or very seriously: Skip budget options and invest in Nauticam, Ikelite, or Aquatica. You'll appreciate the difference every dive.
Our photography workshops cover housing setup, maintenance, and best practices. We see people using everything from iPhones to professional Sony setups, and we help them get the most from whatever gear they bring.
Our expedition photographer shoots with Nauticam housings for both video (Sony A7SIII) and photos (Sony A7CR), plus the Insta360 X5 with the Invisible Dive Case Pro for creative 360 content. This combination covers every shooting scenario we encounter—from wide-angle whale shark footage to detailed macro photography to those unique perspectives that make people ask "how did you get that shot?"
The gear matters, but what matters more is knowing how to use it. That's what we teach in our photography workshops.
Want to learn underwater photography from experienced shooters? Join us in the Maldives or Mexico where our optional photography workshops cover everything from housing maintenance to capturing whale sharks in their natural habitat. Explore our expeditions.
At Maui, we believe the best travel stories start with the people you meet, not just the places you go. Join us, and become part of something bigger than just another trip.
📩 Questions? Reach out at info@mauitravel.io – we'd love to hear from you.
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