Ikelite OM System OM-5, Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Underwater Housing
Ikelite housing during field testing in Maui, Hawaii
The Ikelite OM System OM-5, Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Underwater Housing is a high-quality, polycarbonate housing, made in the USA. Suitable for all water applications - such as diving, surf photography, pool photography, snorkeling, etc, this housing offers full control of the camera with ergonomic controls. The corrosion free ABS-PC blend offers lightweight durability - ideal for travel.
The housing utilizes the DLM Type A Port System which makes it easy and simple to change or install ports, just press the port on and tighten three thumb screws. The port system can accomodate various lenses even with large diameters.
We took this housing scuba diving in Maui, Hawaii and loved how it performed. The dry lock micro port system allows for a small housing and small ports. So we truly felt the size benefits of shooting a mirrorless over a DSLR. After all, when it comes to underwater photography, you're limited by the size of the housing and port system. We thought the system paired really well with Ikelite's DS-160 II strobes and Ikelite to Olympus TTL converter. Almost all of our shots had accurate exposures, certainly more than if we had to select strobe exposure manually. It enabled us to stop worrying about lighting and focus more on composition - as you can see from the shots below.
Housing Features:
Ergonomics and Handling - The housing has great ergonomics. The button location, large curved control levers, soft-touch knobs and rear control wheel makes it very easy and can easily be operated intuitively. The shutter and autofocus (via the AE-L/AF-L button) is readily available at your fingertips. This combination allows you to shoot with or without back button focus, an advanced technique that is useful for tack sharp focus of super macro and fast moving subjects. All rear camera buttons are accessible by smooth action, hard anodized aluminum push buttons for reliable performance and easy maintenance. These controls are clearly labeled by laser engraving on the back of the housing that never fades or falls off.
Set Up - The camera mount is front-loading for easy installation and removal. A small mounting plate attaches to the bottom of the camera and secures in the front of the housing.
Vacuum - A spare 1/2-20 threaded accessory port is provided on the side of the housing for easily installation of the optional Vacuum Kit. This provides peace of mind that your camera is safe and watersealed.
Lighting - This housing supports your choice of shooting strobes by electrical sync cord or fiber optic triggering. You can enjoy the fastest and most accurate TTL exposure on the market by adding the Ikelite DL3 DS Link Panasonic, Olympus TTL Converter with ICS-5 Connector and a compatible Ikelite DS strobe. Exposure compensation may be used added or subtracted in the camera. Reliable locking connectors between the hotshoe and bulkhead make it easy to install the optional TTL electronics or carry back up parts when traveling.
Port System - The housings uses Ikelite's DryLock Port System (DLM/A)
Lens Recommendations for Underwater:
- Olympus 60mm Macro - fast focusing and stunning macro
- Panasonic 8mm Fisheye - perfect wide angle option for reefs, wrecks, and close focus wide angle
- Panasonic 7-14mm Wide Angle - Awesome for pelagics, sharks, and landscape photos. Wide angle when you do not want the wide fisheye view and zoom offers more flexibility if you can't get right up close to your subject.
- Panasonic 45mm Macro- High quality macro lens
- Olympus 9-18mm Wide Angle - great for pelagics, and wide angle when you do not want the wide fisheye view. Zoom offers more flexibility if you can't get right up close to your subject.
- Panasonic 12-35mm - great mid range wide lens for video, fast F2.8 min aperture.
- Olympus 12-50mm - a good mid-range zoom option. Offers built in macro mode that is compatible with the Nauticam housing
Read about the best micro-four thirds lenses for underwater
Recommended Ports:
- Ikelite 8" Dome Port + Ikelite Mirrorless Port Adapter for Panasonic 8mm fisheye lens and Olympus 9-18mm lens
- Ikelite Mirrorless Dome Port + Ikelite Zoom Gear for Olympus 12-50mm lens
- Ikelite Mirrorless Flat Port for Olympus 60mm lens
Recommended Strobes:
- Sea & Sea YS-D2J (Japanese Version)
- Inon Z-330 Underwater Strobe
- Ikelite DS-161 Strobe with NiMh Battery
- iTorch Symbiosis SS-3
For other options, see our other recommended strobes see our Buyer's Guide for Best Underwater Strobes
Recommended Video Lights:
- Light & Motion Sola 2500F Video Light - Bluewater Exclusive!
- Fisheye Fix Neo Premium 4030 EF II Video Light
- Big Blue VTL3500P Video Light
For other options, see our other recommended strobes see our list of best underwater video lights.
Learn more about the E-M5 Mark III features and why we love it for underwater photography in our full Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III Review.
Sample Underwater Images:
Related Underwater Gear Categories:
- Ikelite Housings and Strobes
- Recommended Strobes for Underwater Photography
- Underwater Photo Gear
- Underwater Camera Rental
- Depth Rating: 200 ft (60m)
- Port System: DLM Type A Port Mount
- Controls for all camera functions except Fn lever, preview button, and diopter adjustment dial
- Two 1/4-20 threaded tray mounts with 3" (76mm) spacing
- Slightly negative buoyancy in fresh water
- Actual buoyancy varies depending on choice of lens and port
- Weight: 2.7 lbs (1238 g)
- Dimension: 7.75 x 5.75 x 5.25" (197 x 146 x 133 mm)
- Ikelite OM System OM-5, Olympus OM-D E-M5 III Underwater Housing
- Rear O-Ring
- Front O-Ring
- .050" Hex Key
- 1/16" Hex Key
- Silicone Lubricant 1cc Tube
