Canon R5 Underwater Housing

Buyers Guide for Canon R5 Underwater Housing

Which Canon R5 Underwater Housing is Right for you?

We've extensively reviewed the Canon EOS R5, and it has become a firm favorite of ours for underwater photography and video; we often recommend it to people as the best overall camera for underwater photography. Despite being launched back in 2020, it's still ahead of the pack when it comes to shooting photos and videos underwater. There are many different Canon R5 underwater housings to choose from to suit all budgets - which is another reason we think this camera is so great. Versatility and compatibility are important in the world of underwater photography as there are so many different system setups and configurations that are possible.

If you're looking for a Canon R5 underwater housing, this is the guide for you. We're going to talk about housings from all the major manufacturers, the pros and cons, what we like and don't like and much more so you can make your own informed decision about which Canon R5 underwater housing is right for you.

Reach Out to Our Experts Here at Bluewater Photo

All of our sales staff are skilled underwater photographers with many years of shared experience. We've tested all of these Canon R5 underwater housings multiple times, some having racked up hundreds of dives! We're one of the world's leading retailers of underwater photography equipment and have helped countless people find their perfect system, so if you have any questions don't hesitate to get in touch via email at sales@bluewaterphotostore.com or call 310-633-5052.

Canon R5 Underwater Housing Options

Ikelite 200DL Canon R5 Underwater Housing

*Affordable, Sturdy, great TTL option*

Unlike other dive housings in this guide, the Ikelite Canon EOS R5 200DL Underwater Housing isn't built from aluminum, but rather from a solid polycarbonate material. Polycarbonate is lighter than aluminum and is impervious to corrosion. It also means the Ikelite Canon R5 underwater housing is the most affordable of the bunch, which will be music to the ears of the more budget-conscious underwater photographer. The housing is equipped with a vacuum system (pump not included) to ensure your seal is not compromised before getting in the water. The housing is equipped with Ikelite's newer style dry lock (DL) port system.

It's also important not to overlook some Ikelite-specific housing features like the fast and accurate Ikelite to Canon TTL converter or a trim rail system which balances the buoyancy of large dome ports (great for video). The Iklite EOS R5 housing features a clear back so you can easily monitor the housing for any leaks.

As this is the "200DL" version of the Ikelite Canon EOS R5 underwater housing, it's depth rated to 200 feet.

Depth rating: 200 ft. (60m)

Dimensions: 8.75 x 6.875 x 6.5 in (220 X 175 X 165 mm)

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Nauticam Canon R5 Underwater Housing

*Excellent Ergonomics, User-friendly, Durable*

The Nauticam Canon R5 Underwater Housing is made from aircraft-grade aluminum. Great ergonomics are the defining feature of Nauticam housings. The button layout is very intuitive and you can access all of the buttons, switches and dials easily while operating the camera underwater. For example the focus button and the shutter button and almost opposite each other on the top right-hand corner of the housing which makes locking onto your subject and taking a photo very easy, it's almost like a pinching motion.

Another unique feature of the Nauticam Canon R5 underwater housing is the way you mount ports onto the housing body. It's a bayonet-style system where you only have to insert the port into the opening and twist a quarter turn to lock it in place. The housing is compatible with all Nauticam optics, bayonet systems, and flip adaptors for fast port changes. Finally, Nauticam housings have a wide range of lens combinations available to them, which gives you added versatility when shooting underwater.

Depth rating: 330 ft. (100m)

Dimensions: 14 x 7.9 x 6.3 in (357 X 200 X 161mm)

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Marelux MX-R5 Canon R5 Underwater Housing

*Made from Durable Aluminum Alloy*

The Marelux Canon EOS R5 underwater housing is the newest housing in this guide to hit the market. Marelux housings have an incredible price point for an anodized aluminum housing.

The anodized coating is one of the toughest out there; during our tests we found it to be extremely scratch-resistant. We put it through its paces, and even when we accidentally banged it against a rock, there were no visible scratches on it. The housing comes in a number of different custom color options (for $200 more).

Another really nice feature of the Marelux Canon R5 underwater housing is the huge port opening which is so wide that you will not need to remove the port to install the lens in most cases.

The housing is compatible with a vacuum valve (sold separately) that allows you to test the seal before you take the housing underwater. The manual optical flash trigger is also sold separately.

Depth rating: 330 ft. (100 m)

Dimensions: 14 X 7.1 X 5.9 in (354 X 181 X 149mm)

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Isotta Canon R5 Underwater Housing

*Ferrari of the Sea*

The Isotta Canon EOS R5 Underwater Housing is an Italian-made housing that we like to call the 'Ferrari of the seas' because of its origins and its striking red finish. It's made from anodized aluminum, which gives it a premium feel, yet it's super lightweight - giving it a really nice trim underwater. Isotta housings are made to order and can be purchased through Bluewater Photo, but keep in mind that delivery times are around a month because of their bespoke nature.

Operating this housing is a breeze, even down to how the bulkhead is removed. It's a single screw lock that is super secure yet lets you open the housing up quickly. The housing also has a double o-ring design so your Canon EOS R5 sitting inside is extra safe and well protected from any leaks. Ergonomically, Isotta housings are exceptionally well designed; the button layout is logical and gives you full control over your camera. The handles are super comfortable too, which, alongside its compact design, makes handling it underwater easy.

It does have a built-in moisture alarm but, unfortunately, doesn't come with a vacuum valve. If you want to ensure your system is properly watertight before getting in the water, you'll need to purchase a third-party vacuum valve like the Vivid Leak Sentinel V5 and pump.

Depth rating: 330 ft. (100 m)

Dimensions: 5.4 X 3.8 X 3.4 in (135.8 X 97.5 X 88 mm)

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Aquatica Canon R5 Underwater Housing

*Affordable, Rugged, Compact*

Aquatica underwater housings are well-known for being extremely tough, so much so that they are a choice housing for military applications. As you'd expect from a housing that prides itself on being able to take a beating, they are made from strong anodized aluminum. Because of the rugged design and standard depth rating of 300 feet (90m), which can be upgraded to 450 feet (140m), they make excellent tec diving housings.

You can order the Aquatica Canon EOS R5 Underwater Housing in custom colors and even with your own custom logo, which is something none of the other brands in the guide offer. Another big plus for this housing is that it comes with a vacuum valve and sensor included as standard. Flash triggers and sync chords can be added as optional extras making an Aquatica system versatile and customizable to your own needs.

Depth rating: Standard 300 ft. (90m) | Extended 425 ft. (130m)

Dimensions: 9.50 X 7.10 X 5.96 in (241 X 180 X 151 mm)

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Sea & Sea Canon R5 Underwater Housing

*Built to last, Compact Size, Elegantly Engineered*

The Sea & Sea Canon R5 Underwater Housing is made from high-quality aluminum which makes it incredibly tough and durable. It has a very robust design and feels solid to hold and use. One of the really great things about the Sea & Sea Canon R5 underwater housing is its compatibility with Sea & Sea strobes using a TTL flash trigger - making it the most accurate TTL option with Sea & Sea strobes. Another really well thought out part of its design is the large LCD window on the back which gives you a clear view of your camera's LCD screen, and the window on top so you can see your camera's top control panel, something you don't often find on other housings. Finally, the glow-in-the-dark buttons are a nice touch and come in super handy when diving either at night or in low-light conditions. It's a small detail that we really appreciated during our tests.

Depth rating: 330 ft. (100m)

Dimensions: 13.5 X 6.8 X 6.4 in (345 X 173 X 164 mm)

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Surf & Snorkel Housings

Surf and snorkel housings are generally more compact, lightweight, and often cheaper than their counterparts meant for scuba divers. They have shallower depth ratings and are normally designed for use at or just under the surface. Below are our top choices for surf and snorkel underwater housings; check them out, and don't forget to contact us if you have any questions about depth ratings, dimensions, weight or setup.

Ikelite 50DL Canon R5 Underwater Housing

*Affordable, Sturdy, compact*

Unlike its big brother, the Ikelite Canon R5 50DL Underwater Housing is only depth rated to 50 ft (15m), not 200ft (60m), which is why we've included it here in this surf and snorkel section. The housing is made from the same polycarbonate material as the 200DL version but is noticeably more compact and lightweight.

The Ikelite 50DL Canon R5 underwater housing shares many of the features we love about the 200DL, like the transparent back, which lets you see inside the housing, so you know immediately if the housing springs a leak, so much so that you don't even need a moisture alarm. It also has excellent TTL options that we think are some of the most accurate available. The housing has a built-in vacuum valve (pump sold separately) that can help ensure the housing is sealed properly before entering the water with it.

Depth rating: 50 ft. (15m)

Dimensions: 8.75 X 6.875 X 6.5 in (220 X 175 X 165mm)

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AquaTech Canon R5 Edge Water Housing

*Fantastic for Surf and Snorkeling*

The AquaTech Canon EOS R5 Water Edge Housing is a fantastic underwater housing for snorkeling & surf photography. Compared to other housings in this guide, it's relatively inexpensive as it's depth rated to 33ft (10m). If you are an avid surfer or snorkeler then consider the AquaTech. There are optional housing accessories like a pistol grip that are specifically designed for surf photography.

It's also one of the smallest and most compact housings on the market, which makes using it in the surf or over shallow reefs easy and hassle-free - which is exactly what it was designed for. Other watersports enthusiasts such as stand-up paddle boarders and kayakers will love this housing too.

Depth rating: 33 ft. (10 m)

Dimensions: 7.9 X 6.7 X 4.5 in (200 X 170 X 115mm)

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ABOUT THE CANON EOS R5:

Canon EOS R5 product image

The Canon EOS R5 is one of the best underwater cameras out there. It's a firm favorite with the team here at Bluewater Photo, and we often recommend it to people looking for a great all-around underwater setup. Packed with a high-resolution 45-megapixel sensor, animal eye autofocus, 100% AF coverage, and 12 fps/20 fps electronic burst shooting, it's hard to beat it. Because of its popularity, every major housing manufacturer has a Canon R5 underwater housing in their lineup, so there are many excellent options to choose from.

Quick Specs:

New 45-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor and Digic X processor
Canon's first 5 axis In-Body Image-Stabilization (IBIS) which works in conjunction with optical IS RF and EF lenses. Up to 8 stops of correction
Improved dual-pixel II autofocus
5,940 AF points
100% of the sensor has AF coverage!
ISO 100 - 51,200
Animal eye AF detection (for birds, cats, and dogs) - we'll see if it works for fish!
12fps burst shooting with mechanical shutter
20 fps burst shooting with silent (electronic shutter)
180 shot RAW image buffer
Dual card slots - 1x CFexpress and 1x SD UHS-II
8K video @ 30p, 10- bit 4:2:2 - using the full width of the sensor!
Internal RAW and C-Log recording
4K oversampled video up to 120p, 10-bit 4:2:2
5.69 million dot OLED Electronic Viewfinder
Dimensions: 135.8 X 97.5 X 88mm
Weight: 738 grams (with card and battery)

Sample Images Taken With The Canon R5

A moon jelly under the sun captured with the Canon EOS R5 in an Ikelite EOS R5 housing, Canon 8-15mm fisheye lens, dual Ikelite DS 161 strobes, and Ikelite Canon TTL converter. f/22, 1/160, ISO 100

A moon jelly under the sun captured with the Canon EOS R5 in an Ikelite EOS R5 housing, Canon 8-15mm fisheye lens, dual Ikelite DS 161 strobes, and Ikelite Canon TTL converter. f/22, 1/160, ISO 100

Spectacular resolution with the Canon EOS R5. Photo of a mosshead warbonnet captured with the Canon EOS R5 in an Ikelite housing, Canon 100 mm macro lens, dual Ikelite DS 161 strobes, Kraken +13 diopter, and Ikelite Canon TTL converter. f/16, 1/160, ISO 100