Gates Underwater Products (San Diego, CA) has announced that they will have an Underwater Housing available for Sony's new PMW-EX1 Solid State High Definition Video Camera.

According to Sony's website, "The PMW-EX1 is the first in a new range of professional HD products - called XDCAM EX - which record onto memory-based SxS ExpressCard media. Designed from the ground up to exploit the ultimate high performance of SxS PRO memory cards, the PMW-EX1 combines a state-of-the-art, non-linear XDCAM workflow with simply the best HD quality yet seen in a compact camcorder. It is also the first handheld camcorder to carry the legendary CineAlta 24P brand with multiple frame rate recording capability such as 59.94i, 50i, and native 23.98P, as well being 1080i/720P switchable."

The new PMW-EX1 will ship standard with 1x 8GB Express Card. However 16GB cards are available to maximize recording time. H2O Photo Pros will have a Sony PMW-EX1 camera and a Gates Housing (when it becomes available) in our rental department. Our Camera and Express cards are due in First Quarter 2008.

The underwater housing from Gates is expected to be available for delivery Summer 2008. To sign up for EX1 updates, please email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it to be put on the mailing list.

 
We are now officially taking orders for June delivery.  To view the EX1 listing in our store, or to pre-order, please visit click here .

 We also have a special going on the 16GB Express cards for $849!!  Cards are in stock and ready for delivery.

UPDATE: 4/18/08

We received an update from Gates Underwater Products today regarding the development of their Underwater Housing for the Sony EX1 XDCAM. According to Gates, The following is a list of individual controls on the EX1 Housing and a picture of the Housing!!

These are individual controls. Some access more than one function.

1. Rec/Stdby
2. Zoom
3. Power On/Off/Media
4. Menu
5. Picture Profile
6. Sel/Set (Roller)
7. Manual Focus
8. Manual Iris (with a lockout feature to avoid damage to the camera)
9. Assign 1 / 3
10. Zebra / Full Auto
11. Macro / A/M Iris
12. A/M Focus
13. ND Filter
14. Gain / WB Presets
15. WB Set
                                                                                16. Color Correction Filter
                                                                                17. Flip Diopter (not confirmed)

There will be an adjustable buoyancy system with weights to adjust the trim weight of the housing depending on the variables of your system

*You will be able to change batteries and SxS flash cards without removing the camera from the housing.