Isotta presents its aluminum housing for the OM System OM-5 Mark II - 100m depth rating. Integrated fiber optic ports. Specifications and who this Micro 4/3 housing is designed for.
The OM-5 Mark II features a 20.4-megapixel Live MOS Micro 4/3 sensor with the TruePic IX processor, in-body image stabilization offering up to 7.5 stops of correction, a 121-point phase detection autofocus system, and an IP53 dust and moisture resistance rating (dust, splashes, and freezing temperatures down to -10°C). The camera body weighs 370g without a lens.
Isotta has not yet announced the official price for this model. As a general guideline, Isotta housings for premium camera systems typically range from €2,000 to €4,000, depending on the configuration, including or excluding the port and window.
The housing incorporates fiber optic connections for controlling external strobes. An optional vacuum monitoring system is available to verify the watertight seal before diving.
Yes, especially for travel diving. A Micro 4/3 housing like the OM-5 Mark II is lighter and more compact than an equivalent full-frame system, which is important when you're taking multiple flights and trips. The 20.4 MP resolution is more than sufficient for most common web uses and prints.
Full-frame cameras are dominating the conversation right now, so let's take a look at an announcement that goes against the grain. Isotta has just released a housing for the OM System OM-5 Mark II, and this is a good reminder that the Micro 4/3 system hasn't disappeared from underwater photography, not by a long shot.
The 20.4-megapixel Live MOS Micro 4/3 sensor, paired with the TruePic IX processor, doesn't seem particularly impressive on paper compared to the 60 or 66 megapixels of current full-frame mirrorless cameras. But in underwater photography, resolution is never the only factor that matters.
The 5-axis stabilization, advertised at up to 7.5 stops, is a huge help for both video and handheld stills, especially for those who shoot without a tripod or external stabilizer in currents. The 121-point autofocus system, which uses phase detection, tracks movement effectively in both clear and turbid water.
The camera body's native IP53 dust and splash resistance, as well as its freeze protection down to -10°C, obviously plays no role underwater once it's inside the housing, but it does provide reassurance about the overall design of the camera. And at 370 grams without a lens, the OM-5 Mark II remains one of the lightest interchangeable cameras on the market, which is a real advantage for those who travel with multiple bags of diving equipment in addition to their camera gear.
An optional vacuum monitoring system is offered to verify the seal before entering the water, rather than relying on chance. The controls are designed to remain accessible while wearing gloves, which is more important than one might think in cold water.
The price has not yet been announced by the manufacturer. Isotta housings for premium camera systems typically range from €2,000 to €4,000 depending on the configuration, a range that should be taken with caution until the official price is confirmed.
The OM-5 Mark II and Isotta housing combination targets a specific user: the underwater photographer who travels frequently and wants to avoid carrying a full-frame system on every trip. It's also a good entry point into a serious hybrid system for those coming from compact cameras who want more control without completely changing the size of their camera bag.This isn't the right choice for those who want to heavily crop images in post-production or sell large-format prints. But for most underwater photographers, the sensor size has never really been the main issue. It's what you do with it underwater, the light you seek, and the patience you bring to it.
That's exactly what we focus on in the AquaExposure training program, regardless of the sensor size inside the housing.