Amphibico Video Housings

Manufacturer: Amphibico Inc. (Montreal, Canada) Type: Underwater video housings Years active: ~1990–2011 (acquired by Aquatica 2011) Specialization: Professional and consumer video camera housings

Overview

Amphibico was a Montreal-based manufacturer of underwater video housings that operated for over two decades, serving the professional and recreational underwater videography market. The company was known for its electronic control systems, aluminum construction, and comprehensive product lines spanning entry-level consumer housings to professional broadcast-grade systems. At its peak, Amphibico was one of only two major manufacturers (alongside Gates Underwater Products) producing housings for high-end video cameras (^[1]).

Company History

Founding and Early Years (1990s)

Amphibico was founded in Montreal, Quebec, with connections to what would later become Aquatica — forum users noted that “a loooong time ago, Aquatica people founded Amphibico” (^[2]). The company established itself in the underwater video housing market during the 1990s, when dedicated video housings were a specialized niche. Joe Bendahan was a key figure at the company, representing Amphibico at trade shows including DEMA (^[3]).

HDV Era and Peak Production (2005–2010)

The introduction of Sony’s HDV camcorders (FX1, Z1U, V1) created a boom in underwater video, and Amphibico was well-positioned to capitalize. The company’s Phenom series became its flagship line for professional HDV cameras.

Key products during this period:

• Phenom FX1 — Housing for the Sony HDR-FX1 HD camcorder, one of the first affordable HD video housings for underwater use. Paul “Wagsy” Wags was among the first users in Australia, using it for BBC and National Geographic documentary work (^[4], ^[5])
• Phenom NX5 SE Pro — Housing for the Sony HXR-NX5U professional camcorder, featuring 14 electronic controls and full menu access. No listed price — “if you have to ask…” (^[6])
• Endeavor — Housing for Sony V1/FX7 camcorders with 4.3” rear HD LCD viewfinder, debuted as prototype at DEMA 2006 (^[7], ^[8])
• EVO series — Consumer-oriented housings for Sony HDR-SR1 and similar cameras, featuring integrated LCD (^[9])
• XD Amphibicam X3 Hybrid — Professional housing incorporating the NanoFlash Convergent Recorder for the Sony PMW-EX3 (^[10])

At DEMA 2007, Amphibico showed “everything from entry-level Dive Buddy EVO housings for the Sony SR-7/8 to their workhorse housings for the Sony 900-series HDCAM” (^[11]).

Consumer Line: Dive Buddy

The Dive Buddy EVO series targeted recreational divers with more affordable housings for consumer Sony camcorders. Models were available for a wide range of Sony Handycam cameras including the XR550V, CX550V, XR350V, CX350V, and CX300V. Features included full electronic controls, 3.5” LCD viewfinder, moisture sensor alarm, and marine-grade aluminum construction. Depth rating was 330 feet (100 meters) (^[12], ^[13]).

Electronic One-Push White Balance (2010)

In June 2010, Amphibico began shipping its “electronic one-push white balance” feature on Dive Buddy EVO Elite II housing models. This innovation provided access to the camera’s white balance function via a push button on the housing hand grip — a significant convenience for underwater videographers who needed to adjust white balance frequently at different depths. The feature was rolled out across the Dive Buddy EVO Elite II range for multiple Sony camera models (^[14]).

Turtle Line (2011)

In February 2011, Amphibico launched the Turtle housing line — colorful, affordable housings available in six bright tropical colors, designed for recreational scuba divers. Built from marine-grade aluminum with electronic right-hand grip controls including one-touch white balance. For each completed registration, Amphibico donated $50 to Save Our Leatherback Turtle (SOLO) (^[15]).

EVO Port System

Amphibico developed a bayonet-style port system for their professional housings. Paul Wags reviewed a pre-production 95-degree EVO port in January 2010, testing it in Bali with an EVO housing, Discovery G3 HID light, and external monitor (^[16]).

Cessation of Operations (2011)

In April 2011, Amphibico abruptly ceased operations. The company’s bank recalled its loans on April 21, forcing the owners to shut down. Customers who had placed orders — including one who had sent $6,080 via PayPal — found phones unanswered and emails unreturned. By May, the closure was confirmed on forum discussions (^[17]).

The owner explained the closure in an email shared by Adam Hanlon:

“…because we are closing up Amphibico now. The market has changed so severely, new camera technology in the video camcorders has not kept pace with the DSLR’s, spending in the market has decreased hugely and I would have to invest very heavily in new R&D to see returns only in 3 or 4 years. I just turned 64 so I’m not interested in doing that.”

(^[18])

Acquisition by Aquatica (September 2011)

On September 28, 2011, Aquatica announced it had acquired the Amphibico brand. Blake Stoughton, co-owner of Aquatica, stated: “The Amphibico name is known around the world for excellence in underwater videography. While we are combining the operations of the two companies, we will maintain the Amphibico brand and the commitment to quality and excellence that it has inspired for many years” (^[19]).

Both companies were Montreal-based, making the acquisition a natural fit. Aquatica honored existing Amphibico warranties and provided spare parts to stranded customers (^[20]).

Post-Acquisition: Genesis Line (2011–2013)

Under Aquatica ownership, the Amphibico brand continued with the Genesis line of professional video housings:

• Genesis FS100 (October 2011) — Housing for the Sony FS100U NXCAM HD camcorder. Machined aluminum, 14 electronic push-button controls accessing over 25 functions, top-mounted 3.5” viewing window, bayonet port system compatible with Aquatica ports, and optional Atomos Ninja recorder accessory. Depth-rated to 300 feet / 90 meters (^[21])
• Rouge (July 2012) — Housing for RED Scarlet X and Epic cinema cameras. Priced at $12,999. Featured servo-driven focus, zoom, and iris controls, dual electronic Amphibi-grips with access to all camera functions without REDMOTE, and compatibility with Nikon, Canon, and PL-mount lenses. Described as “the most ambitious project that Amphibico has undertaken in the past 10 years” (^[22])
• Genesis FS700 (March 2013) — Housing for the Sony NEX-FS700U with native 4K sensor. Compatible with E-mount lenses. Priced at $6,395. The last major Amphibico product announcement found in the archive (^[23])

Design Characteristics

All Amphibico housings shared common design principles:

• Construction: 6061-T6 marine-grade aluminum, black anodized with polyurethane powder coat and clear coat
• Electronic controls: Amphibi-grips with push-button access to camera functions (14+ buttons on professional models)
• Monitoring: Top-mounted windows for viewing camera LCD (3.5” on most models)
• Hydrophone: Built-in sensitive hydrophone for underwater audio recording
• Moisture alarm: Standard across the range
• Depth rating: 300–330 feet (90–100 meters)
• Port system: Bayonet mounting (compatible with Aquatica ports after the acquisition)

Competition

Amphibico competed primarily with:

• Gates Underwater Products — The other major professional video housing manufacturer. After Amphibico’s closure, Gates briefly held a near-monopoly on high-end underwater video housings (^[24])
• Light & Motion (L&M) Bluefin — Professional video housing line
• Sony SPK series — Manufacturer’s own housings for consumer cameras, significantly cheaper but limited in features

Legacy

Amphibico’s importance lay in democratizing underwater HD video. The Phenom series made professional-quality underwater filmmaking accessible to independent filmmakers and documentary crews during the HDV revolution of 2005–2010. The company’s electronic control systems — particularly the one-push white balance — set standards that influenced later housing designs. The brand’s ultimate demise illustrated the rapid pace of camera technology change: the shift from dedicated camcorders to video-capable DSLRs and mirrorless cameras disrupted the traditional video housing business model that Amphibico had built over two decades.

Timeline

• ~1990: Amphibico founded in Montreal, Quebec
• 2005-07: Phenom FX1 housing available; early HDV underwater footage posted (^[25])
• 2006-07: Phenom HDV housing reviewed by Paul Wags for BBC/National Geographic work (^[26])
• 2006-11: Endeavor and EVO2 prototypes shown at DEMA 2006 (^[27])
• 2007-11: Full product line displayed at DEMA 2007, from Dive Buddy EVO to Sony 900 HDCAM housings (^[28])
• 2010-01: EVO 95-degree port reviewed (^[29])
• 2010-06: Electronic one-push white balance begins shipping (^[30])
• 2010-07: Phenom NX5 SE Pro housing shown (^[31])
• 2010-08: XD Amphibicam X3 Hybrid with NanoFlash announced (^[32])
• 2011-02: Turtle housing line launched (^[33])
• 2011-03: Endeavor XF105/100 and Sony PMW-F3 housings announced (^[34])
• 2011-04-21: Bank recalls loans; Amphibico ceases operations (^[35])
• 2011-09-28: Aquatica acquires Amphibico brand (^[36])
• 2011-10: Genesis FS100 housing announced under Aquatica ownership (^[37])
• 2012-07: Rouge housing for RED Scarlet X and Epic announced at $12,999 (^[38])
• 2013-03: Genesis FS700 announced at $6,395 — last known Amphibico product (^[39])

References