Canon WP-DC36

Introduction: The WP-DC36 at a Glance

The Canon WP-DC36 is a waterproof case for a digital camera, one of the photography accessories that extend what a camera can do. You slide a compatible digital camera into the case, close it, and take it into the water.

Canon rates the case for use within a depth of 40 metres. Its user guide was first published in November 2009, and the package contains the case, a neck strap, a wrist strap, a diffusion plate and silicone grease for the waterproof seal.

Shooting through a housing is a different experience from shooting with a bare camera. Controls are operated through the case, and preparation matters as much as technique. A calm, methodical routine usually pays off more than speed.

Design and Background

A case built around a sealed shell

The WP-DC36 body is made of polycarbonate. Waterproofing relies on a crimp-type O-ring seal, which is the single most important part of the whole design: if it is clean, lubricated and undamaged, the case does its job.

Canon states that the case meets an IEC/JIS protection rating equivalent to IPX8. That rating only applies when the case is closed and maintained as the manual describes.

Documentation from 2009

The original WP-DC36 user guide is dated November 2009 and covers several languages. Reading it before the first dive is well worth the time.

Key Specifications

Canon lists the case at 132.5 x 89.3 x 67.2 mm, excluding protrusions. The case alone weighs about 285 g, including the diffusion plate, and its internal volume is about 455 cm³. Canon recommends mounting one optional WW-DC1 waterproof case weight, which is sold separately. The camera operating temperature inside the case is 0 to 40 degrees C.

• Depth rating: up to 40 m.
• Protection: IPX8-equivalent (IEC/JIS).
• Seal: crimp-type O-ring; body: polycarbonate.
• Size: 132.5 x 89.3 x 67.2 mm; weight about 285 g.
• Internal volume about 455 cm³; one WW-DC1 weight recommended.

Compatibility: Which Cameras It Works With

A waterproof case is moulded around a specific camera body, so it only works with the cameras it was designed for. Canon describes the WP-DC36 as a case for a digital camera, but the exact list of supported models is not given in the information we reviewed. Check the original manual or Canon's own compatibility list before you buy.

The buttons, lens position and dial layout must line up with the case, so even a camera of the same family can be a poor fit.

• Confirm your exact camera model against Canon's official list.
• Test-fit the camera with the case empty of water, before any dive.
• Check that every button and the zoom control can be operated through the case.

Modern-Day Use in 2026

Where the WP-DC36 excels

In 2026, a case like this lets you reuse a compatible digital camera you already own for water-based photography, while keeping it protected from spray and splashes.

Use it for:

• Snorkelling and shallow dives.
• Beach holidays and pool days.
• Boating and water sports where spray is constant.
• Creative underwater experiments with a vintage compact.

Practical tips

• Do Canon's leak test first: close the empty case and hold it about 15 cm under water for about three minutes.
• Keep the seal and its groove free of sand, hair and lint.
• After use in the ocean, soak the case in clean water for several hours to remove salt.
• Keep the camera within the 0 to 40 degrees C operating range.

Buying and Maintenance Guide

What to check before buying used

The seal and the shell decide whether a used case is a bargain or a risk. Work through this list before you commit:

• Inspect the O-ring for cracks, flat spots, cuts or stiffness.
• Check the polycarbonate body for cracks, deep scratches or clouding.
• Examine the closing latches and hinges for wear or play.
• Look inside for salt deposits, moisture marks or corrosion.
• Confirm that the straps, diffusion plate and grease are included.

Look closely along the seal groove: hair, grit or dried salt there can let water in.

Basic care

Pair the case with a few simple photography accessories:

• Rinse the case in clean water after every use and dry it before storing.
• Apply the silicone grease sparingly to the seal, as the manual describes.
• Use a microfiber cloth to clean the case and a soft brush for the seal groove.

Conclusion: A Sealed Shell for Wet Adventures

The Canon WP-DC36 turns a compatible digital camera into an underwater tool, with a 40 m depth rating, an IPX8-equivalent seal and a clear set of care instructions from Canon.

Because everything depends on the seal, verify compatibility, inspect the O-ring and run the leak test before every trip.

Ready to explore more gear like the WP-DC36? Browse our photography accessories and the Canon collection at DutchThrift.com.

Sources: Canon WP-DC36 User Guide (Canon manufacturer PDF, first edition November 2009). Cover image from the original manual.