Ikelite Sony RX-100 Underwater Housing

I had a chance to use this housing with my RX100. I chose it since it was the cheapest option for housing my RX100 and the depth rating covers the type of diving I like to do.

Pros:

1. Solid build and good depth rating

2. Cost vs other options

3. Clear housing enables you to spot leaks quickly and check seal of o-ring.

Cons:

1. Loading camera into housing is kind of a long process when you have to secure it to the back plate then clamp the back plate/camera assembly to the housing. If you don't secure it correctly, it can misalign the camera.

2. Some buttons require a very firm press to engage camera controls (i.e. sometimes the power button was hard to engage). The menu buttons are very close together even when using thinner gloves)

3. Lack of firm mounting option for fiber optic triggered strobes. I had to use the Inon clamp on the included diffuser and it wasn't a very sturdy solution. The diffuser would rotate. It would be nice if Inon had made an FO mount for it similar to the one it makes for the S100 Ike housing.

4. Coupled with the dual handle tray and strobes, it is "heavy"

Overall, it is a good housing for those not interested shelling out a lot of money for a housing but the ergonomics leave a little to be desired.

Ikelite Housing – Sony RX-100
Ikelite AF35 Strobe Package
My primary consideration to buy the Ikelite Housing Sony RX-100 was price. This is my first proper underwater housing purchase (go-pro’s are good but not a proper camera so that one does not count). My second consideration was flexibility, I wanted to learn about underwater photography slowly and at some point in the future invest in some good macro lenses which would not just be limited to a specific housing. Considering these, I knew Ikelite products were generally of high quality so the decision to purchase was pretty simple.
First impression is that the housing is rather bulky when compared to the size of the camera, and other brand housings on the market. The housing is very strong, construction is well engineered and manufactured. I had to make a couple of minor adjustments, one being that the screw mount to the camera was slightly out of alignment, other being the fine adjustment of one of the control knobs, nothing major.
I used the housing for the first and only time on a recent dive trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Underwater the housing is very easy to use and is NOT bulky at all. I like the fact the housing is clear and you can see the camera inside. I also purchased the AF35 Strobe Package which I have not used underwater yet.
I am very pleased with this housing and am happy to recommend it to anybody considering purchase