QUICK REVIEW: AOI UH-ACT Universal Action Camera Housing

Action cameras like GoPro have been popular with divers for years, and now, with increased competition from Chinese brands like DJI and Insta360 and the demise of the traditional digital compact camera market, they are here to stay.  What makes these types of cameras popular is their reasonably low price and simplicity. Although somewhat limited in features beneficial for underwater photography, they are often the ideal starter camera for a new diver. There's already a growing 3rd-party underwater housing market for these types of cameras, and more companies are joining all the time. 

AOI has also recently focused heavily on the action camera market and introduced the popular QRS-02 quick-release bayonet-mount lens range for these types of cameras. Their latest offering, the "universal" UH-ACT action camera housing, takes a step further.  The company's aim was to create a simple, affordable, and ergonomic casing for action cameras that works with most current and future models, without the need to buy a new housing and a mount base every time you upgrade or switch models. 

AOI UH-ACT Features.

The new Universal action camera housing is a simple, 60m-rated polycarbonate case shaped like a more traditional digital compact camera housing. This offers much better ergonomics and underwater handling than the rather minimalist housings sold by camera manufacturers. The AOI UH-ACT is meant to be held in hand, unlike the standard cases, which were originally designed for mounting on helmets and surfboards. 

The second big feature, of course, is camera compatibility.  The new ACT housing currently fits GoPro Hero 10, 11, 12, and 13, DJI Osmo Action 4, 5, and 6, and the Insta360 Ace Pro and Ace Pro2 cameras. This compatibility is achieved by inserting the camera into a special adaptor cage before going into the housing. This clever design means that, unless camera companies completely change the designs or sizes of their cameras, even future models will work simply by getting a new, inexpensive camera adaptor. 

The third main feature is the already built-in QRS-02 bayonet mount. The AOI UH-ACT housing port can accommodate the excellent UWL-03II wide-angle and UCL-03 close-up wet interchangeable lenses as standard. No need to purchase any extra adaptor pieces. These lenses massively expand the scope of photography possible with action cameras underwater.  

UH-ACT Housing Accessories

AOI offers a range of accessories for ACT housings. As mentioned above, the housings' built-in bayonet mount is compatible with AOI's 03 series lenses. The new, improved UWL-03II wide-angle lens offers better compatibility with a range of cameras and their view angles. The older MK1 version lens can also be used, but is more limited in the camera modes it supports. There are extensive lists on the manufacturer's website on which mode works best optically. The UWL-03II lens recovers the lost angle of view (underwater) from about 90 degrees back to around 140 degrees, depending somewhat on the camera used.  As a bonus feature, thanks to the high-quality dome port on these lenses, the frame corners stay sharp, and the minimum focus distance is reduced.

The UCL-03 close-up conversion lens also allows action cameras to be used for macro photography/videography. With the lens added, the footage stays sharp down to 5-6cm distance. Just a word of warning: Because action cameras don't have focus, it is often quite hard to judge the right distance on the small screen in water. 

Other useful accessories include the UMG-01 LCD magnifier. This little loupe greatly improves the view of the camera's screen and allows it to be seen even in bright sunlight near the surface. 

The UH-ACT Action camera housing can be used with most standard camera trays, as it comes with three ¼" 20 tripod sockets at the bottom, instead of the GoPro-style mount. For a compact and ultra-lightweight option, AOI recommends the new MDS-01-HT modular tray/cage system for this housing. With the added (sold separately) extension pieces, the cage fits the ACT housing perfectly and provides attachment points for additional equipment such as lights and lens mounts. 

Final Words

The AOI UH-ACT Universal housings offer great value. For example… The genuine Insta360 Ace Pro 2 housing and the AOI QRS-02 lens mount together cost £134.00 (as of today). The ACT housing that already includes the bayonet lens mount with the Ace Pro Adaptor is £139.00. For this price, you also get a lens cap, screen hood, spare O-rings, wrist lanyard, etc., not to mention how much better this housing handles compared to the flimsier original housings and the forward compatibility. It's a no-brainer.

The original idea of body-worn action cameras works well for above-the-water type sports. Underwater, you will still need to hold the camera in your hand for the best possible footage. And here's where the AOI UH-ACT housing excels. 

There are some limitations, of course. For example, an underwater strobe cannot be used, so certain types of UW photography are not possible, such as sharp, colourful macro. The lack of focus makes close-up photography difficult, if not impossible, especially with the smallest critters. Video lights can be used, but they never fully replace the need for a flashgun. However, for wide-angle and general underwater photography on a budget under £700, there is nothing better on the market than the UH-ACT housing with an add-on lens. 

Get the UH-ACT Action camera HERE