Canon’s EOS-1D X Mark II is widely recognized as one of the most powerful flagship DSLR cameras available. It combines speed, resolution, and video capabilities in a way that makes it ideal for both professional photographers and filmmakers. With its 20.2-megapixel full-frame sensor, dual DIGIC 6+ image processors, and ability to shoot 4K video at 60fps or Full HD at 120fps, the camera delivers exceptional performance even under the most demanding conditions. It also includes a 61-point autofocus system with Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which ensures fast and precise tracking during video recording.
To complement this high-performance camera, Aquatica has introduced a robust underwater housing specifically designed for the 1DX Mark II. Known for producing durable and highly functional housings, Aquatica has created a model that meets the needs of serious underwater photographers and videographers. With ergonomic controls, superior build quality, and integrated safety systems, this housing is engineered to provide reliability and peace of mind at great depths.
Engineered for Harsh Underwater Environments
The Aquatica 1DX Mark II housing is designed with the professional in mind, built to withstand tough underwater environments while offering smooth handling and comprehensive control. Made from a solid block of 6061 T6 aircraft-grade aluminum, the housing is anodized and finished with a durable polyester electrostatic powder coating. This not only ensures resistance to corrosion and physical wear but also extends the housing’s operational life in saltwater environments.
The housing features large, knurled control knobs and precision-milled buttons, allowing for effortless operation while wearing gloves or navigating currents. The shutter release is extended and strategically placed, providing responsive control for capturing fast-moving subjects. Aquatica’s signature molded grips remain lightweight and corrosion-resistant, providing excellent balance and comfort for long dives. Threaded mounting points are built into the grips and housing body, enabling photographers to attach lighting arms, strobes, or tripods with ease.
A New Standard in Video and Focus Control
Aquatica’s new lens gear system includes a redesigned pinion and larger diameter gear selector, allowing users to zoom and focus smoothly during video sequences. This updated mechanism offers more precise transitions—an essential feature for capturing professional-quality video underwater. The housing also includes a quick-release camera tray with an intuitive push-tab system, making camera removal simple without detaching the lens or gear assembly.
One of the standout features is the positioning of the video record lever, which is placed for easy access on the right-hand side of the housing. Designed for natural thumb control, the lever provides a fluid on/off operation without requiring excessive movement or readjustment of grip.
All buttons and shafts are made from high-grade stainless steel (type 304) and are double-sealed with O-rings or Quad Rings for maximum protection against leaks. This meticulous attention to detail guarantees reliable performance over extended use and reduces the likelihood of maintenance issues.
Integrated Vacuum System for Leak Detection
Aquatica has taken safety a step further by integrating its Surveyor vacuum and moisture detection system into the 1DX Mark II housing. This system includes a vacuum pump, pressure-sensitive circuitry, and moisture sensors that constantly monitor the internal environment of the housing. The vacuum valve, located externally, allows divers to draw out air from the housing and monitor pressure levels through an LED indicator.
Once a vacuum is established, a green LED confirms the seal’s integrity, providing a visual signal that the housing is secure. The system is also equipped with temperature compensation to prevent false alarms caused by environmental changes. If moisture is detected, both visual and audible alerts are triggered, giving divers a critical early warning of potential leaks.
This level of built-in protection enhances confidence in the field and is particularly valuable when working in remote or deep-water conditions where housing failure would be catastrophic. Aquatica’s decision to include the full Surveyor kit as a standard feature reflects its commitment to supporting professional photographers with dependable tools.
Advanced Housing Features for Professional Use
The Aquatica A1 DX Mark II housing brings innovation and precision to the forefront with features designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional underwater photographers. It includes three bulkhead access points that allow for seamless integration with external accessories such as remote triggers, wireless transceivers, or external monitors. These bulkhead openings make the housing highly adaptable for both photography and videography setups, providing users with the freedom to configure their gear to suit their specific project requirements.
The housing is offered in two models: the 20082-NK with dual Nikonos connectors and the 20082-KM with a 5-pin Ikelite-style connector. These connectors are field-interchangeable, allowing users to customize or replace their strobe connections quickly and with minimal tools. This level of versatility makes the Aquatica 1DX Mark II housing a flexible and future-proof investment.
Precision Optics for Superior Image Viewing
One of the defining aspects of this housing is the optical quality of its viewfinder system. The standard Galileo-type eyepiece provides a bright and full-frame viewfinder experience, essential for accurate framing and focus. For those seeking even greater precision, Aquatica offers compatibility with two premium viewfinder accessories: the Aqua View 180 and the Aqua View 45.
These optional viewfinders deliver unparalleled clarity from corner to corner and enable critical focusing, even in low-light conditions or complex underwater scenes. Whether shooting macro or wide-angle, the enhanced optical performance provided by these finders elevates the user’s ability to compose their shots with confidence.
Comfort, Handling, and Mounting Capabilities
Ergonomic comfort is a critical factor in extended dives and challenging shooting conditions. The housing’s molded grips have been a hallmark of Aquatica for over two decades. Made from a single piece of material, these grips are not only lightweight but also impervious to corrosion and delamination. Their design ensures secure handling in both warm and cold water environments, with grooves that naturally fit a diver’s gloved hand.
Each grip includes two threaded mounting points that accommodate standard ¼”-20 accessories. These threads support the attachment of strobe arms, lights, or bracket systems. An additional mounting point on the top of the housing allows for a focus or video light, while three further mounting holes beneath the housing support trays or tripod systems. This extensive array of mounting options enhances operational flexibility, allowing users to adapt to various photographic challenges without compromise.
Legacy Port System with Exceptional Optical Compatibility
One of the key strengths of the Aquatica system lies in its compatibility with the long-standing Aquatica port system. For over 20 years, this port system has set the benchmark in underwater imaging optics, allowing photographers to produce sharp, high-quality images across a variety of lens setups.
The port locking mechanism is robust, ensuring the port stays secure during dives while remaining simple to operate. The lens release mechanism is intuitive and allows quick lens changes without removing the camera from the housing—an essential feature during fast-paced shooting sessions. Whether using fisheye, macro, or zoom lenses, the housing accommodates a wide range of optics with exceptional fidelity.
Aquatica’s system is not just versatile—it is trusted. Photographers around the globe continue to rely on it for its optical performance and mechanical durability. The inclusion of high-precision optical components ensures that underwater images retain clarity, color fidelity, and edge-to-edge sharpness, which are vital for both commercial and creative work.
Durability and Build Quality for Extreme Conditions
When investing in an underwater housing for a camera as capable and valuable as the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, durability is not just a bonus—it is an absolute necessity. Aquatica's legacy has been built upon engineering products that thrive in extreme environments, and the A1 DX Mark II housing carries this tradition forward with confidence. This housing is built from a solid block of 6061 T6 marine-grade aluminum, a material chosen for its impressive strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance.
This aluminum shell undergoes a meticulous multi-stage finishing process. First, it is anodized to military specification MIL-A-8625 (Type 2, Class 2), which enhances corrosion resistance and prepares the surface for further treatment. Following anodizing, the housing is powder-coated with a certified A.A.M.A. 2603-98 polyester coating. This coating is then baked at 177°C (350°F) to harden and permanently bond to the aluminum surface. The result is a rugged shell capable of withstanding decades of exposure to saltwater, impact, and UV radiation.
Such durability does not come at the expense of form factor or ease of use. At 8.5 lbs with grips attached, the housing offers substantial weight for stability underwater, yet it remains manageable during travel and boat entries. The compact dimensions, precise balance, and thoughtfully engineered controls allow the housing to behave as a true extension of the photographer’s body, enhancing rather than hindering creative expression.
Intuitive Control Layout and Functional Design
Aquatica’s engineering philosophy places strong emphasis on user experience. In underwater photography, even the most sophisticated camera becomes useless if the diver cannot access its functions smoothly. To address this, the A1 DX Mark II housing features an intuitive control layout that mirrors the physical layout of the Canon 1DX Mark II itself. All camera controls, including shutter, aperture, ISO, autofocus selection, metering, and white balance, are accessible directly from the housing.
Each control knob is oversized and knurled, ensuring easy handling with thick gloves or under pressure at depth. The extended shutter release lever allows a responsive half-press and full-press action with a natural hand position. Push buttons made from 304 marine-grade stainless steel glide smoothly with tactile feedback, giving divers confidence in their input. These buttons are sealed using either double O-rings or quad-ring configurations, dramatically reducing the risk of leaks and ensuring that critical controls remain responsive dive after dive.
The housing is also designed to prevent accidental activation. All controls are recessed or shielded in such a way that unwanted camera functions are not triggered when the housing brushes against wetsuits, gear, or reef structures. This design consideration is especially important in challenging dive environments where maintaining composure and control is vital.
Aquatica has also included a secure port lock mechanism and internal lens release, allowing fast port changes and lens swaps without disturbing the camera’s position inside the housing. Combined with the quick-release tray and zoom gear system, these features enable photographers to adapt rapidly to changing subjects and shooting conditions.
The Vacuum System Advantage: Surveyor Monitoring
A highlight feature of the Aquatica 1DX Mark II housing is its integrated Surveyor Vacuum System. This comprehensive leak prevention and monitoring solution provides users with the assurance that their housing is fully sealed before and during the dive. The system includes a vacuum valve, pump, pressure-sensitive circuitry, and a moisture sensor—all of which work in tandem to protect the camera.
Before each dive, the user pumps the housing to create a vacuum. Once sufficient negative pressure is achieved, a green LED indicator confirms that the seal is secure and holding. This pre-dive check eliminates the guesswork and anxiety often associated with underwater housings, particularly when operating in remote areas where backup equipment may not be available.
In the rare event of an internal leak, the moisture detector instantly alerts the diver with both a visual and audible signal. The pressure circuitry also compensates for ambient temperature changes, ensuring that fluctuations in temperature do not result in false alarms. This smart integration makes the Surveyor system one of the most effective and reliable protective technologies available in underwater imaging today.
By making the Surveyor system standard on all A1 DX Mark II housings, Aquatica demonstrates a strong commitment to user safety and equipment longevity. This is especially important when considering the high value of the Canon 1DX Mark II camera and lenses that professionals entrust to the housing.
Ergonomic Enhancements for Long Dive Sessions
Extended underwater shooting sessions can test even the most experienced diver. Fatigue, buoyancy shifts, and environmental challenges all make ergonomic design a critical factor in housing selection. Aquatica addresses this by refining the comfort and usability of its grip and body structure.
The A1 DX Mark II housing’s dual molded grips are made from a composite polymer that is both lightweight and resistant to corrosion. Unlike foam or rubber grips that degrade over time, Aquatica’s grips are permanently bonded, offering secure and consistent handling regardless of exposure to water, sunlight, or physical wear. The form-fitting shape of the grips reduces wrist strain and allows for better control, even when diving in strong currents or surge-prone environments.
Beyond the grips, Aquatica has built in multiple attachment points for accessories. On top of the housing, users will find a centralized mounting hole ideal for focus or video lights. Beneath the housing, three standard ¼”-20 threaded holes are available for use with trays, support brackets, or tripod systems. This ensures the camera can be properly stabilized for macro or studio-style underwater work.
Threaded mounts are also located at the top of both hand grips, enabling the attachment of lighting arms, strobes, or other equipment. The compatibility with Technical Lighting Control-Delta 3 systems further expands the possibilities for lighting setups. Whether you are building a minimalist macro rig or a dual-strobe wide-angle platform, this housing provides the modularity and customization necessary for professional imaging.
Depth Rating and Customization Potential
The Aquatica A1 DX Mark II housing is depth rated to 100 meters (328 feet) as standard. For photographers working in extreme environments or technical diving scenarios, the housing can be factory upgraded to a depth rating of 130 meters (426 feet). This level of adaptability ensures that the housing can grow with the user, serving a wide range of underwater applications from coral reef documentation to deep wreck exploration.
This customization potential extends beyond depth rating. Aquatica also offers a selection of accessories designed to work seamlessly with the A1 DX Mark II housing. These include optical and mechanical lens gears, dome and macro ports, viewfinder enhancements, external monitors, and lighting systems. Each accessory is built with the same attention to detail and precision as the housing itself, ensuring consistent performance across the system.
By supporting both current and legacy components in its port system, Aquatica protects the user’s investment over time. Photographers transitioning from older Aquatica housings to the 1DX Mark II model can often reuse their existing ports and gear setups, reducing the cost and complexity of upgrading.
Supporting the Creative Vision of Professionals
The Canon 1DX Mark II camera is a tool favored by action, wildlife, and underwater photographers because of its blazing speed, accurate autofocus, and outstanding video quality. Aquatica’s housing is crafted with this user in mind. Every detail of the A1 DX Mark II is designed to unleash the camera’s full potential in an underwater environment.
Whether you are filming high-speed marine life at 120fps in Full HD, capturing stills of shy reef creatures using quiet Live View bursts at 16fps, or composing dramatic wide-angle scenes in 4K, the housing gives you full, intuitive control. The ability to change settings quickly and confidently without removing the housing from the water is a game-changer for photojournalists and documentary filmmakers working against tight schedules and unpredictable conditions.
Aquatica’s dedication to ergonomic excellence, durability, safety, and modularity makes the A1 DX Mark II housing an indispensable tool for professionals who demand the highest standards from their gear. It reflects decades of collaboration between Aquatica’s designers and working photographers who understand the unique demands of underwater image-making.
Seamless Integration with Accessories and Port System Compatibility
Aquatica’s A1 DX Mark II housing is designed to serve as the centerpiece of a comprehensive underwater imaging system. Professionals who invest in this housing are not limited to a single configuration. Instead, they gain access to a versatile, field-proven port system that supports a broad range of lenses. This flexibility is crucial when adapting to different shooting conditions or working with specialized optics.
The housing is compatible with both wide-angle dome ports and flat macro ports, providing optimal performance for everything from expansive reefscapes to minute macro subjects. Dome ports offer excellent edge-to-edge sharpness and minimize distortion, especially with fisheye and rectilinear lenses. Macro ports are precision-engineered to eliminate chromatic aberration and optical blur, which is essential when shooting tiny marine life.
The port system also includes various extension rings and focus/zoom gears that allow the user to fine-tune the housing configuration based on lens size and behavior. This modularity means that photographers can plan and execute multi-subject dives without having to switch camera systems.
In addition to lens-related accessories, the housing is designed to accept external viewfinders, remote triggers, and underwater monitors through its five bulkhead access points. These ports enable seamless integration with Aquatica’s Water Wizard system or third-party wireless triggering and video monitoring solutions. Whether you're capturing high-speed action or orchestrating a still-life shoot on the seabed, the system adapts to your creative workflow.
Attention to Detail that Elevates User Experience
Every component of the A1 DX Mark II housing speaks to Aquatica’s commitment to functional elegance. The housing’s design includes small but impactful details—like dual sacrificial anodes placed at the front and rear of the housing to mitigate corrosion from saltwater exposure. These anodes are user-replaceable and help extend the lifespan of the entire system.
Aquatica’s optical eyepiece is manufactured with coated glass elements for superior brightness and clarity, reducing glare and internal reflections. The housing’s back plate is precision-machined to ensure perfect alignment with the camera’s optical axis. This level of detail prevents distortion in the viewfinder and ensures consistent autofocus behavior across all focus points.
Internally, the control shafts and push pins are not just water-resistant—they are water-proofed using high-grade sealing techniques. Each shaft is double-sealed with two O-rings, while push pins are sealed with quad-rings, offering multiple layers of protection. These robust seals ensure that the controls remain smooth and responsive even after repeated use in salt, sand, and silt environments.
Additionally, every control has been ergonomically positioned for minimal hand movement. Functions like ISO, shutter speed, and aperture—commonly adjusted during dives—can be changed with one hand while the other maintains housing stability. This hands-on efficiency makes the housing a true ally during unpredictable or fast-paced underwater scenarios.
Professional Reliability Backed by Legacy and Expertise
Aquatica has over 30 years of experience in designing underwater housings, and the A1 DX Mark II reflects this legacy. The housing is not just a protective shell—it is a carefully engineered interface that allows photographers to access every ounce of power from their Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.
Aquatica’s team continuously refines its housings by incorporating real-world feedback from professional photographers and technical divers. This collaboration results in design decisions that translate into real benefits—such as the inclusion of form-fitting grips, clearly labeled controls, and simple maintenance access points.
The company’s dedication to customer service also sets it apart. Aquatica understands that professional photographers rely on their equipment in time-sensitive and high-stakes environments. That is why their support includes fast turnaround on repairs, a global dealer network, and consistent communication on firmware and accessory updates. The housing is also covered by a comprehensive warranty and has a strong track record for long-term reliability in commercial and expedition settings.
Why the Aquatica A1 DX Mark II Housing is a Smart Investment
Investing in a housing like the A1 DX Mark II is a serious decision for any underwater photographer or cinematographer. The camera it protects is a high-end, professional-grade DSLR, and the work it enables often takes place in remote, difficult-to-access regions of the ocean. For this reason, reliability, safety, and control are not luxuries—they are necessities.
Aquatica’s housing meets all of these needs. It is engineered to last, designed for comfort, optimized for performance, and tested in real-world conditions. The inclusion of the Surveyor Vacuum and Moisture Detection System provides unmatched security against water intrusion. The compatibility with a wide range of ports and accessories makes it adaptable to future gear upgrades. Its design reflects the input of working professionals who understand how small ergonomic refinements can make a big difference on a long dive.
In terms of return on investment, the housing not only protects your valuable camera—it enhances your ability to produce world-class imagery. From scientific documentation to commercial filmmaking, from reef surveys to fine art, this housing supports your vision with confidence and clarity.
Conclusion
The Aquatica A1 DX Mark II underwater housing is more than a protective casing—it is a precision tool built for professionals who demand performance, durability, and full control over their camera systems in underwater environments. Designed for the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II, one of the most capable DSLRs ever made, this housing offers a seamless blend of strength, comfort, and functionality.
Engineered from aircraft-grade aluminum, treated with advanced coatings, and equipped with a comprehensive leak detection system, it stands as one of the most robust underwater housings available today. Its intuitive controls, modular accessory support, and refined ergonomic design make it ideal for a wide range of underwater photography disciplines—from macro and wide-angle stills to professional-grade 4K video.
Whether you are a documentary filmmaker, marine biologist, or adventure photographer, the Aquatica A1 DX Mark II housing will serve as a reliable partner in your creative journey. With more than three decades of design heritage behind it, this housing embodies the experience, expertise, and passion that define Aquatica’s contribution to the underwater imaging community.