AOI Olympus E-PL9 and E-PL10 Underwater Housing - Gray. The AOI UH-EPL10 housing set is designed to accommodate the Olympus PEN E-PL9 or the E-PL10 cameras mounted with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ kit lens.

So you've been using a compact camera based point and shoot underwater system as your constant dive companion. It's given you a visual record of your dives, and maybe even some great photos. However, like every underwater photographer, you wish your shots could be just a little more, well, better.

So you try to master a couple of new techniques, maybe even sign up for a course. But there's a point when up-skilling needs some equipment upgrades — to expand your macro ability for little critters, and perhaps a wide-angle conversion lens for bigger stuff. With wet lenses, accessories and strobes, a point and shoot can be a monster, but the limits remain — it's still down to the quality of the lens itself and sensor that you begin with.

Stepping up from a compact to a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera is probably the most intimidating (and costly) step you might take. But AOI has a solution. The brand known for its full range of accessories and wet lenses has now taken a step forward — designing a full system that behaves more like a platform, even if this is going to be your first step into underwater photography gear. And the best part is this platform is affordable.

Introducing the AOI UH-EPL10 Housing

The newly released AOI UH-EPL10 is not just a housing — it's a platform that grows as your skills do. Depth rated to 45 metres, it works with the venerable Olympus PEN E-PL9 or E-PL10, a camera that has picked up plenty of praise for its innate abilities. The sensors on these cameras, when paired with the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ kit lens, easily outperforms most compact cameras. It also allows you to switch between a wide range of M.Zuiko lenses and can be your all-in-one camera underwater or on land.

You need an end-to-end platform. A platform that will grow as your skills do, taking on new capabilities just by adding components to it. Today, as underwater photographers advance, they are switching almost entire sets of equipment — the camera, housing, accessories — it's endless. But not anymore, all upgrades are plug and play with the AOI UH-EPL10.

(All lenses and ports not included.)

Starts Way Ahead of the Others

In its ‘out of the box’ form, the AOI UH-EPL10 allows underwater photographers an easy start. A platform that sits at a comparable cost to a good point and shoot but gives you so much more.

Take the housing out of the box, and you'll notice that it's a similar size to compact camera housings. Just add your camera and you're ready to play. But the similarities stop there. First, as you slip your hands through the comfortable lanyard band, you notice that everything is where your fingers naturally fall. The ergonomically designed Thumb Rest and Finger Grips, made of over-moulded rubber allow you to hold the set-up easily, reducing fatigue.

The buttons are all clearly marked just as it is on the camera, and the typically hard to reach ones are angled conveniently toward your fingertips. Dials and knobs are large, knurled and easy to turn, even with dive gloves on. The housing comes with a large Shutter Release Lever that sits right where your trigger finger rests.

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Ergonomics

If that's not enough, it also comes with an Extended Shutter Release Lever — swap to this if you're using this setup with an arm and tray for an easier reach. An ultra-compact Flat Port featuring Optical Glass with a double-sided multi-layer AR coating and Lens Gear comes as standard, so all you need is an Olympus PEN E-PL9 or E-PL10 with its kit lens — the M.Zuiko Digital ED 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 EZ — and you're all ready to shoot.

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Large Shutter Release

Protects Your Investment

Like many premium housings, the door of the housing is secured through the Cam Lock, a Cam Lock Release and a Security Lock, removing the possibility of accidentally opening the housing.

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Safety Lock

But look through the specifications and you'll discover even more features usually found on more expensive housings such as the built-in AOI Multi-control Device. Powered by a USB-rechargeable battery, it's an electronic brain that does a number of things. For example, it runs the housing's Vacuum Analysation and Wet Detection System (VWS).

The Vacuum Analyser is a pre-dive inspection system. To use, you simply attach the included Vacuum Pump to the Vacuum Valve on the housing and pump out the air from the housing. This ensures the housing has a stable seal, which means that no water can get in. The system then monitors the vacuum seal throughout the whole dive, indicating its status via the Signal Indicator — a coloured blinking light. From before your dive and all the way through your dive — you can rest assured that the housing has a watertight seal.

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Electronic Control Device

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Vacuum Analyser

If a failure were still to happen, the Wet Detection part of this system provides a visual and audible warning that's triggered by even the tiniest drop of water. It's an advance warning that gives you a chance to exit the water safely and still save your camera.

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Wet Detection System

Provides A Pathway To Advanced Set-Ups

The ultra-compact Flat Port that comes standard with the housing has a 67 mm thread that allows you to screw on a wide range of AOI Wet Lenses and Accessories. You can choose to go with a wide-angle conversion lens or various diopters of close-up wet lenses, which can be stacked for ultra close up shots. You can also mount your close-up wet lenses to an AOI Wet Lens Flip holder (not included) that attaches to the port. The arms of the holder keep your close-up lenses of different diopters attached. Using them is as easy as "flipping" them into position.

(Optional Flip Adaptor not included.)

At this point, you may want to add lights. With the AOI UH-EPL10 housing, you can easily attach a small video light to the convenient Cold-Shoe Accessory Mount. Or you could reserve it for a focus light or an action camera and put your video lights or strobes on arms, connected via fibre-optical cables that plug into the two built-in Fibre Optical Cable Ports on the housing for remote triggering.

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Fibre Optic Ports

That's when you discover that the AOI Multi-control Device does one more trick — it also runs an Optical Flash Trigger that helps conserve your camera's battery. This is connected to your camera's hot-shoe, and it triggers the flash without needing to fire your camera's built-in flash unit — which is a very power-hungry camera function. The USB rechargeable Battery has enough capacity for most divers doing approximately three dives a day for three days at 250 shots per dive — while also running the previously mentioned Vacuum Analysation and Wet Detection System (VWS).

Even the humble detachable LCD monitor hood is another component that benefits from platform-based design thinking. It prevents the bright sun from blinding your view of the LCD — but take it off, and its mounting points fit an AOI LCD Magnifier or Angled Viewer accessory. With either of these accessories, you can put your mask right up to viewer for a large and clear view of the LCD.

(LCD Magnifiers not included.)

Grows With You All The Way To A Pro-Level Setup

The platform is still far from done — you can still get into even more advanced equipment. It's as easy as changing up to a dedicated macro or wide-angle M.Zuiko lens. With the lens, all you need is the matching Focus Ring Gear, Extension Ring and Port. These accessories come from the AOI Port System, which is designed to fit this platform (as are a selection from the Olympus Port System). The accessories you need are clearly detailed on the expansion pathway on the user guide. For more information on other lenses and AOI accessories that also fit, you can check www.aoi-uw.com.

View/download the AOI Ports Chart for OLYMPUS Housings (PDF, 680Kb).

Otherwise, the expansion pathway is an excellent starting point. You can choose from the M.Zuiko 14-42mm or 12-50mm Wide-angle, 9-18mm Superwide, 8mm Fisheye, 30mm and 60mm Macro Lenses. What's better, is that you can easily switch between these — just press the Port Release Button, twist to remove, and switch in another lens with the matching port and accessories. It's all kept secure thanks to the Port Lock on the housing.

You can use this expandability to help set up your rig to match your diving. Not sure of what you'll see? Take the 14-42mm Kit Lens and a couple of wet lenses. Going on a tiny critter hunt? Put in a Macro Lens (and you can still add on wet close up lenses too!). Diving with the big fish? Switch over to a Superwide or Fisheye Lens. Doing all of this in one day? Find a nice dry spot on the boat and switch setups between dives. It's that easy, and it will all fit into a compact bag.

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Changeable Port

Makes The Most Sensible Starting Point

The AOI UH-EPL10 system is your partner as you take a large step forward. We’ve always recognised the issues (and costs!) behind building or upgrading your underwater rig. Get the starting point right, and you have a perfect platform that can grow with you as your appetite for photography and dive skills grow.

It's human nature to want to expand, to explore, to play. Underwater photography should be a means to extract more enjoyment out of what you're already doing, without being a burden in itself. The right platform is a one-time investment. Everything else can be added on at your pace, as your skills, abilities and type of diving you're doing changes. It's as simple as twisting on the tools you need, it will always fit perfectly.

So jump right in with the AOI UH-EPL10. It can be your constant dive companion that will reveal your true potential as you adapt, expand and master the art of underwater photography.

Why compromise when you can have it all? The AOI UH-EPL10 housing for the Olympus PEN E-PL9 and E-PL10 cameras enables you to get more out of your underwater photo system than ever before and for a great price! It's rugged and durable yet lightweight and compact. With extra vacuum protection, its practical, yet ergonomic and stylish. Ready to go out of the box*, it is as easy to handle as a point and shoot yet packed with extra features to enable pro-level photography.

* Camera and Lens not included

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Features

• Durable, shock resistant design
• Lightweight and compact
• Extra protection with a Vacuum Analyzation and Wet Detection System (VWS) and secure lock
• Optical flash trigger saves camera battery life and eliminates the use of the camera internal flash
• Advanced ergonomics allow use even with gloves with a thumb rest, finger grip, and accessible controls including an extended shutter release lever
• Clearly marked controls allow full access to essential camera functions
• Ready to use out of the box with housing, lens port and lens gear included.
• Full accessory package available: Compatible with most common underwater housing accessories using these connection points: 1/4'' tripod thread, cold shoe mount, LCD monitor hood rails, lanyard loops, 67mm lens port thread, QRS slots and fibre optic cable ports.
• The platform that grows as your skills do: Explore advanced possibilities with dedicated camera lenses and AOI's PEN Mount type lens ports using the UH-EPL10 housing interchangeable lens port design.

AOI UH-EPL10 Housing Specifications

• Model: UH-EPL10
• Accommodates: Olympus PEN E-PL9 or E-PL10 camera mounted with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ (kit lens)
• Waterproof: 45 metre (148 ft)
• Operating environment (During operation): 0 C ~ 40 C (32 F ~ 104 F)
• Operating environment (During storage): -20 C ~ 60 C (-4 F ~ 140 F)
• Main materials (Housing body): Polycarbonate
• Main materials (Port glass): Optical glass with double sided multi-layer AR coating
• Battery: Built-in rechargeable lithium polymer battery (3.7V)
• Charging: USB charger DC 5V, 0.5A (not included) for approx. 1 hour
• Battery operation time: Approx. 3 days (based on 3 dives/day and approx. 250 shots/dive)
• Dimensions: Approx. 166 mm (W) x 128 mm (H) x 135.5 mm (D)
• Weight on land: Approx. 734 g (LCD monitor hood and lanyard included,
  camera and accessories not included)
• Weight underwater: Approx. 26 g (LCD monitor hood, lanyard, camera, kit lens, batteries, media card and lens gear included)
• Manufacturer limited warranty: 12 months

Colour: Grey (UH-EPL10-GRY) or White (UH-EPL10-WHT)

In The Box:

• AOI UH-EPL10 housing body
• FLP-06 flat lens port for use with the M.ZUIKO DIGITAL ED 14-42mm F3.5-5.6 EZ kit lens.
• LG-OM-1442EZ Zoom Gear for 14-42mm Kit Lens
• Hotshoe Connector
• LCD Monitor Hood
• LED Trigger with USB charging cable (required for any external strobe)
• Vacuum Pump (valve already fitted to housing)
• Leak Alarm with Vacuum Sensor
• Extended Shutter Release Lever
• Micro USB Cable
• Spare O-Rings (Housing and Vacuum Valve Cap)
• O-Ring Remover
• Colour Slate with Pencil
• Wrist Lanyard
• Port Caps (67mm clip in type and rubber push-on types)

View/download the AOI UH-EPL10 Underwater Housing General Guide (PDF, 3.7Mb).

About the Olympus PEN E-PL10 Mirrorless Camera (Not included)

When it comes to photography, your smartphone only does so much. Step up to the Olympus PEN E-PL10. This super-compact, lightweight camera is comfortable to carry and designed for a sleek and timeless feel.

Advanced technology ensures you’ll capture stunning photos and smooth 4K video. This camera was built to help you create and capture your visions. Share your work on-the-go easily with the built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection. Stay connected and go beyond your smartphone with the PEN E-PL10.

• 180° Flip Touch Screen
• 4K Ultra HD Video
• Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Sharing
• 16 Megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor
• 3-Axis Image Stabilization
• TruePic™ VIII Image Processor
• Built-in Flash
• Touch to Focus & Shoot
• 4K Ultra HD Video
• 180 Degree Tilting Touch Screen
• Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
• Silent Shooting Mode

A Camera That Complements You: A timeless design featuring premium materials and classic colour combinations to complement every style so you always look your best.

Premium Materials: The Olympus PEN E-PL10 combines pure aesthetics and stylish design with materials like leather, brushed aluminium, and metal textures.

Three Complimentary Colors: Choose from three colours that will complement any style. Try our new sleek all-black look with matching body and lens.

Compact And Lightweight: Carrying this camera is so refreshingly easy you’ll take it everywhere. A lightweight body and compact lenses deliver portability only Olympus can offer.

Olympus PEN E-PL10 Camera Main Specifications

• Sensor Effective Resolution / Type: 16.1 Megapixel 4/3” Live MOS
• Processor: TruPic™ VIII
• Focusing System: Contrast Detection with 121 Focus Points
• Image Stabilisation System: In-Body 3-Axis Image Stabilization
• Rear Monitor: 3.0 inch 180° Tilting Touch LCD
• Sequential Shooting Speed: 8.6 fps [H Mode], 4.8 fps [L Mode] Mechanical Shutter
• Weight: Approx. 380 g (with BLS-50 battery and Memory card, based on CIPA standards) Approx. 332 g (body only)

Drop Ship:
This is not a regularly stocked item in our Rye dive shop. It will be ordered for you from the distributor upon request and typically shipped directly from them to you the same day thus resulting in no delay in delivery. However, if they are out of stock this item becomes a special international order, typically resulting in a 4-week delay.

(11/20 LRB)