Comparison of dome port and wet lens for underwater photography setup

“Should I get a dome port, or is a wet lens a better choice?”

It’s a question we hear all the time at UWcamerastore.com and for good reason. If you're just getting into underwater photography or looking to upgrade your gear, deciding between a dome port and a wet lens is a big step. Both options have their strengths and limitations, and the right choice really comes down to your shooting style, camera setup, and what you want to capture beneath the surface.

In this blog, we’ll break down the differences and help you figure out which one fits your underwater world best.

First Things First: What’s the Difference?

Dome Port

A dome port is a curved optical element typically made of glass or acrylic mounted to your camera housing. It’s designed to work with wide-angle or fisheye lenses and corrects the distortion caused by water refraction. The result? A wide, natural field of view with minimal image distortion. Dome ports are most commonly used with mirrorless and DSLR systems.

Wet Lens

A wet lens (or “add-on lens”) attaches to the front of your flat port housing underwater. There are two main types: macro wet lenses (for small critters and super close-ups) and wide-angle wet lenses (to expand your field of view). They're also popular with compact cameras but are also increasingly used with mirrorless setups that have flat ports and standard lenses.

Dome Ports: Pros and Cons

  • Exceptional optical quality
    Paired with a good native wide-angle lens, dome ports offer sharp, detailed images with minimal edge softness.
  • Ideal for split shots
    The curved dome makes it easier to shoot “over-under” images half above, half below the water. The larger the dome, the smoother the transition.
  • Maximizes your lens potential
    You’ll get full use of your fisheye or ultra-wide lens capabilities, which is critical for scenes like wrecks, reefs, and big marine life.
  • Durable build
    Glass domes are long-lasting and more scratch-resistant than acrylic as long as they’re properly cared for.

But there are downsides:

  • Bulky and expensive
    Dome ports can be costly (especially glass), and you may need extras like zoom gears or extensions. Plus, they add significant weight and size to your travel kit.
  • No switching mid-dive
    What you mount before you dive is what you’re stuck with. No swapping between macro and wide once you're underwater.

Wet Lenses: Pros and Cons

  • Ultimate flexibility
    Attach or remove a wet lens underwater. That means you can shoot a nudibranch and a sea turtle on the same dive without changing lenses or ports.
  • Compact and lightweight
    Easy to travel with, and many lenses clip onto your tray or arms so they’re always within reach.
  • Budget-friendly
    Compared to full-frame dome setups, wet lenses are more affordable and you can shoot macro and wide-angle with the same camera.
  • Creative control
    Wide-angle wet lenses let you shoot close-focus wide-angle (CFWA), and macro lenses help you go extremely tight on small subjects like shrimps and nudis.
  • Improved corner sharpness
    Many high-end wet lenses actually outperform dome setups in terms of edge-to-edge sharpness!

But consider these drawbacks:

  • Droplet. air bubbles and backscatter
    Since wet lenses are handled during the dive, there’s always a chance of water/air droplets or backscatter.
  • Compatibility isn’t universal
    Some wet lenses work better with specific cameras or flat ports. If the combo’s off, you risk vignetting or blurry edges.
  • Negative buoyancy
    Many wet lenses are heavy in water, but this can be offset with a floating ring or float arms.

Which Setup Is Right for You?

You shoot with a compact camera and want maximum flexibility

Using a Canon V1, Olympus TG, or Sony RX100? Wet lenses are the obvious choice. A solid wide-angle lens like the AOI UWL-09 or WFL02 delivers amazing results, and when paired with a powerful macro lens, you’ll have a lightweight, creative setup that fits easily in your luggage.

You use a mirrorless or DSLR and focus on wide-angle

Shooting wrecks, reefs, sharks, or split-level images with a fisheye? Then a dome port is the way to go. It brings out the full potential of your lens and gives you those cinematic, wide scenes that underwater photographers dream of.

You want both macro and wide in one dive, without sacrificing image quality

If you're shooting with a mirrorless system and a flat port, pairing a zoom lens (like a 14–42mm or 28–60mm) with high-quality wet lenses gives you amazing flexibility. Today’s top wet lenses offer corner sharpness and image quality that can rival or even beat many dome setups. You’ll be ready for anything the dive throws at you.

Final Thoughts

Both dome ports and wet lenses are essential tools in underwater photography, and neither is “better” across the board; it’s all about the right tool for your camera, your subject, and your dive goals.

  • If you need flexibility and want to shoot both big and small on the same dive, go for a wet lens setup.
  • If your focus is dedicated wide-angle work or you love shooting split shots, a dome port with a native wide-angle lens is hard to beat.

Still not sure? Reach out to us at UWcamerastore.com we’re divers ourselves and happy to help you find the right solution for your underwater kit.
See you under the surface!