Will the Olympus PT-046 Underwater Housing Case Really Protect My Olympus FE-3010 Digital Camera?

Two years ago I purchased an Olympus 1030SW Underwater Digital Camera for our very first tropical vacation in the Caribbean. The following year, my boyfriend really wanted an underwater camera for himself, but he did not want to spend the $450.00 on a camera.

While pecking around online for other lower priced solutions I came across the Olympus FE-3010, which was a lower priced 12MP digital camera. The camera was sold in a bonus pack that included an underwater housing case, known as the Olympus PT-46.

I was very hesitant on picking it up for him, but for $250.00, and a warranty, I figured if anything went wrong, I'd demand a refund. The reason I was hesitant is because the camera alone is not waterproof like the 1030SW model. It is standard, which means if it gets wet, it's done.

The PT-046 Underwater Housing Case, is supposed to keep the camera in it's protective shell, which will keep it safe and dry, allowing you to tow the camera into the sea, or pool. The PT-046 allows the user to bring the camera down to depths up to 131 feet.

I loved the Olympus Housing for the 1030SW (the PT-043), and hoped that the PT-046 would work just as well with the FE-3010 digital camera.

We got to test how well the housing worked with the camera, first in our pool last summer. There were no leaks, and no condensation formed inside of the housing. The camera was well protected, but the real test of durability came with our second vacation to the Caribbean this past fall.

In the water, paired up with the Olympus FE-3010, the PT-046 worked like a charm. It kept the camera safe the entire time, and some runs in the water would last up to 8 hours. Not once did we experience any leaking. We did have a bit of condensation one day when we left the housing case in the air conditioned room, and then immediately into 80 degree water.

The small beads of condensation however did not ruin the camera. It did leave us worried though. My suggestion would be to leave the PT-046 in a warmer environment if you plan on bringing it into warm water. Condensation formed because of the quick temperature changes we put it through.

All in all though, yes, the Olympus PT-046 will protect your Olympus FE-3010 Digital Camera. It will save you a bunch of money instead of having to buy an underwater camera.

My 1030SW is capable of going underwater up to 33 feet, I added the PT-043 for deeper dives. In all it cost me $800.00 for both.

I wished I would have known about the Olympus FE-3010, and the PT-046 before purchasing my equipment, because it only cost $250.00 for both sold in bundles. You can still find these bundles for sale online, for around the same price, if not less.