Nauticam has “officially” announced their housing for the Olympus OM-D E-M10 mirrorless camera. It is a smaller housing than the one for the E-M1, and features a port lock similar to that of the Nauticam SLR housings. It is supplied with electronics for their vacuum system, and the housing allows access to both LCD and EVF as required. It has ports for fiber optic triggering of strobes.

The housing will be available from 15 May. Pricing is to be confirmed.

Press release

Housing for Olympus OM-D E-M10

Innovation Underwater

Nauticam is pleased to announce the NA-EM10 underwater camera housing for the new Olympus OM-D E-M10 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera. The E-M10 inherits the spot as the “go to” mirrorless camera for underwater shooters, taking over for the wildly popular E-M5; adding a better LCD, a better processor, EVF improvements, and WiFi in a smaller body. The E-M5 has been the most popular mirrorless camera in the Nauticam lineup to date, and the E-M10 will build on that and keep the Olympus mirrorless tradition going strong for underwater shooting.

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Camera

The E-M10 arrives as a logical successor to the E-M5. It inherits the same acclaimed Micro Four Thirds image sensor from the E-M5 but adds a new and faster processor chip that is able to extract even better image quality. The E-M10 shares the same excellent Electronic Viewfinder (EVF) as the E-M5 (a 1.44m dot SVGA LCD), but adds something Olympus calls “Adaptive Brightness” to enhance the EVF and make it seem more natural to the eye. The 1M-dot tilting TFT LCD screen is a considerable upgrade from the E-M5 as well, meaning images are easier to review.

The camera features a built-in popup flash (as opposed to the add on unit in E-M5). This is great news for the u/w photographer as the smaller popup allows the housing to be noticeably less tall than was required for the E-M5. E-M10 also adds WiFi for ease of photo sharing.

Perhaps it is better to compare the E-M10 to the newer and top-of-the-line E-M1. The E-M10 shares the same image quality and focus speed with the flagship E-M1 camera at an aggressive new $699 price point (body only, USA), which is almost 50% less than the E-M1 street price today.

All of this imaging capability comes in a new smaller size… this is the new m4/3 mini powerhouse!

The NA-EM10 Housing

Nauticam’s mirrorless housing lineup continues to get better and better, incorporating features pioneered in the digital cinema and SLR lines at a consumer friendly price point.

Ergonomics are still the driving design objective. Aperture and Shutter Speed controls are at the fingertips, and can be reassigned to other key functions with a single function button press. The F1 function button is placed at the photographer’s right thumb, an ideal location for focus lock, and F2 is just behind the shutter release and easily located by feel. The Video Record button is engaged via a lever placed at the right thumb, and easily distinguished from other pushbutton functions.

The housing gains the new-style port locking mechanism, which will be familiar to people who have seen Nauticam SLR housings. This style locking lever made it’s mirrorless debut with the Nauticam NA-EM1 housing, and is an iconic symbol of Nauticam innovation. The new locking lever makes port changes quick, easy and as secure.

The NA-EM10 comes standard with the Nauticam vacuum system electronics built in. By default, it serves as a audible and visual leak detector, but add a Nauticam M16 Vacuum Valve, (p/n# 25612) and it becomes a vacuum check system - early warning for any problem with watertight integrity - which means peace of mind when shooting underwater.

Milled from solid aluminum, the housing is rated to 100m/330ft depth, and is rugged and ready for use!

Lenses and Ports

One of the strengths of the Micro Four Thirds system is the wide selection of excellent lenses from both Olympus and Panasonic. Olympus packages the E-M10 with the M.Zuiko Digital 14-42mm f/3.5-5.6 II R kit lens, which is a very capable optic for mid-range and fish portrait photography.

One of the most versatile lenses available for any system is the Olympus M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 12-50mm F3.5-6.3 EZ Lens, which is a power zoom that features a built in macro mode. Nauticam is the only housing manufacturer that fully support this multi-purpose lens, and it is worth considering for someone interested in shooting macro and fish portraits on the same dive. Add Nauticam’s pioneering SMC, the first accessory optic designed exclusively for in water use, for even higher magnification on the macro side.

For those wanting to further expand their range underwater, lenses like the Panasonic 8mm fisheye, the Olympus 9-18mm and Panasonic 7-14mm rectilinear super wide zooms, and the Olympus 60mm macro are all supported. Nauticam supports more lenses for m4/3, and has more m4/3 lens experience than any other underwater housing manufacturer.

Key NA-EM10 Features

• Signature Nauticam Port Locking System: The iconic red locking lever is right at home on the NA-EM10, making lens/port changes quick, easy and secure.
• Vacuum System: The integrated vacuum check and leak detection system adds extra assurance of watertight integrity. Use it without an optional vacuum valve and it serves as a audible/visual water ingress detector. Add the vacuum valve, and get watertight integrity indication via a color-coded LED light.
• Locking Rotary Latch: Locking rotary latches are easy to use and secure.
• Fingertip Control: Fingertip control for all key shooting controls, including shutter release, focus lock, both command dials, and video start/stop. All of the controls are easy to operate, even with gloves on.
• LCD or EVF - Your choice: The switch means either the LCD or EVF can be used and the shooter can instantly switch between them - underwater!
• EVF Viewfinder Options: For shooters wanting to take the ultimate advantage of the exceptional EVF in the E-M10, the renowned 180º Enhanced Viewfinder or the excellent 45º Enhanced Viewfinder are available. It is easy to change these viewfinders and no tools are required.
• M16 Accessory Bulkhead: For Vacuum Valve or an Electrical Bulkhead (or both using the offset vacuum valve).

Magnifying Optical Viewfinders

Nauticam produces a “straight” 180º magnifying viewfinder (#32201) and a 45º angled viewfinder (#32202) that provide a bright, corner to corner view of the E-M10’s excellent EVF. A patented external dioptric adjustment allows personal adjustment to a sharp-as-a-tack standard underwater and viewfinder changes can be executed in less than 30 seconds without using tools. Exceptional composition and focus accuracy have never been more accessible. An optional LCD window, containing the viewfinder mounting ring, is required to attach these finders.

Optional Rubberized Ergonomic Handles

The optional Nauticam Flexitray or Easitray provide a lightweight, compact mounting solution for strobe arms and the NA-EM10 housing. Nauticam uses a sophisticated over-mold process to produce extremely comfortable rubberized ergonomic hand grips. The soft feel and comfortable design makes the housing easy to grip and minimize hand fatigue on long dives. Both single and double handle configurations are available for complete customization, and each handle can be adjusted laterally allowing the user to dial in a perfect fit.

Flash Connectors for Inon S-TTL, and Sea&Sea DS-TTL

Reliable automatic flash exposure is available with the NA-EM10 and a variety of optically fired flashes. The Inon Z-240, D-2000, S-2000, Sea & Sea YS-01 and YS-D1 strobes provide automated lighting, precisely reproducing the camera’s onboard flash at a proportionally greater intensity. This system yields accurate automatic TTL flash performance – even in manual mode - with no electrical sync cables to flood! The NA-EM10 comes fiber optic ready and accepts standard Sea & Sea style bushing connections. Nauticam Fiber Optic cables, available for both Inon and Sea & Sea strobes, provide the best light transmission and therefore more accurate TTL of any fiber optic cable on the market.

Strobes can be attached to the housing via optional strobe mounting balls secured to the handles of the Nauticam accessory tray systems or a single strobe mounting ball location on the housing. The housing also features a cold-shoe mount for a focus light or other accessory mounting options.

Nauticam Build Quality

Only the finest materials and cutting edge manufacturing processes are used to make Nauticam housings. The housing body is machined from solid aircraft grade aluminum, then hard-anodized making it impervious to salt water. The housing is rated to 100 meters depth. The large acrylic LCD window is treated with an anti-reflective, scratch resistant coating.

Specifications

Depth Rating: 100m
Weight: 1.1kg
Dimensions: 187mm x 135mm x 100mm

Model Number: 17807 Shipping May 15, 2014 More information is available from Nauticam USA. A full USA dealer list is also available.

Contact Nauticam USA:

Chris Parsons
Nauticam USA
2303 N. Andrews Ave.
Ft. Lauderdale
FL 33311.
Phone: 954-489-8678. Web. Email.

About Nauticam USA:

Nauticam USA is the exclusive wholesale distributor of Nauticam products in the North American Market. Nauticam USA’s warehouse and service center is located in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Our staff of underwater photography experts strives to provide the best customer support and after sale service available. Dealer enquiries are welcome!

Please email for dealer enquiries Outside of North & South America.

See here for an International Dealer Listing.