Nikon

Nikon 3780 WP-N3 Waterproof Housing for Nikon 1 Cameras

4.8 (12 reviews)

Take your Nikon 1 system to 148 feet underwater with full mechanical camera control and accessory expandability built into the housing.

$384.31*
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated:Jul 14, 2026.Price and availability are subject to change.

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Overview

The Nikon WP-N3 is the manufacturer-designed waterproof housing for the Nikon 1 J4 and S2 mirrorless cameras, built to carry those compact interchangeable-lens systems to depths of 148 feet (45 meters) — the recreational scuba diving threshold. Polycarbonate construction keeps weight manageable for snorkeling and free-diving use, where a heavy aluminum housing becomes a liability. The housing wraps tightly around the J4 and S2 body profile, with mechanical actuators positioned to mirror the camera's physical controls — no guesswork about which external button maps to which camera function. The included inner-reflection prevention ring and sticker are purpose-built details that eliminate lens flare artifacts caused by light bouncing inside the optical port, a problem that generic housings leave unaddressed.

The WP-N3 is purpose-built for underwater travel photographers, dive instructors, and ocean sports enthusiasts who want to bring a capable interchangeable-lens camera into the water without the expense or complexity of a professional aluminum housing system. The two supported zoom lenses — the 11-27.5mm and the VR 10-30mm PD-ZOOM — cover the wide to normal range most useful for reef scenes, marine life portraits, and group diver shots. The top-mounted cold shoe invites expansion: a compact video light or clip-on focus beam transforms the rig from a point-and-shoot experience to a genuinely creative underwater kit. As with all waterproof housings, pre-dive o-ring inspection and lubrication is the non-negotiable maintenance ritual that determines whether this housing performs at depth or not.

Key Features

Features a depth rating of 148'.

Mechanical and button controls afford access to key camera functions

A built-in cold shoe mount located on top of the housing permits the attachment of optional accessories

Specifications

Model
Nikon 3780 WP-N3
Compatible Cameras
Nikon 1 J4, Nikon 1 S2
Compatible Lenses
1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6; VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM
Waterproof Depth Rating
148 ft (45m)
Material
Polycarbonate
Color
Black/White
Accessory Mount
Cold shoe (top-mounted)
Included Accessories
Wrist strap, front cap, front cap strap, inner-reflection prevention ring, inner-reflection prevention sticker, zoom gear sleeves

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • 148-foot (45m) depth rating covers the full range of recreational scuba diving, giving underwater photographers confidence for reef and wreck work without exceeding the housing's tested limits.
  • Mechanical controls pass through shutter, zoom, and key camera functions directly to the camera body, enabling real compositional and exposure adjustments without surfacing.
  • Cold shoe mount on top of the housing supports optional strobes and lights, allowing the rig to grow into a more capable underwater lighting setup as shooting needs develop.
  • Polycarbonate construction keeps the housing lightweight relative to aluminum alternatives, reducing fatigue on long dives or snorkeling sessions where you're carrying the rig with one hand.
  • Included accessory kit — wrist strap, front cap, inner-reflection prevention ring and sticker, zoom gear sleeves — provides everything needed for immediate deployment without additional purchases.

👎 Cons

  • Compatibility is limited strictly to the Nikon 1 J4 and S2 — owners of any other Nikon 1 body cannot use this housing, and the discontinued nature of these camera models limits the long-term useful life of the investment.
  • Only two lenses are supported; photographers who want to shoot with a wider or longer focal length underwater have no compatible option within this housing system.
  • Polycarbonate construction, while lightweight, is more susceptible to scratching and surface abrasion from repeated dive use than machined aluminum housings at a higher price tier.
  • The cold shoe mount provides an accessory attachment point but does not include fiber optic or electrical sync ports for triggering external strobes optically or electrically — adding strobes requires compatible passive mounting arrangements.
  • No vacuum leak detection system is included or mentioned, meaning divers cannot verify housing seal integrity before submerging without a separately purchased accessory.

Frequently Asked Questions

The WP-N3 is designed exclusively for the Nikon 1 J4 and Nikon 1 S2. It will not accommodate other Nikon 1 bodies such as the J5, V3, or AW1 — the internal dimensions and button layout are matched specifically to these two models.
Two lenses are supported: the 1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6 and the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM. The included zoom gear sleeves interface with the housing's mechanical zoom actuator. No other lenses are compatible.
Nikon rates the WP-N3 to 148 feet (45 meters). This depth rating covers recreational scuba and snorkeling use — appropriate for reef dives, underwater photography courses, and most open-water certification dive scenarios.
Yes. The WP-N3 includes a cold shoe mount on top of the housing that accepts compatible optional accessories such as underwater strobes, video lights, or arm/tray systems. The cold shoe provides the attachment point; additional arms or clamps are purchased separately.
The housing features mechanical passthrough controls that physically actuate key camera buttons and the shutter release. Zoom is controlled via the gear sleeve that couples to the lens barrel. Not every menu function accessible on the camera body may be reachable through the housing's external controls.