You can get a Canon HF M500 in their WP-V4 housing for under $900 from B&H also. The housing has limitations - depth limited to 130', no access to the touchscreen, no MWB, not a lot of control options. That price doesn't include the light either. It's pretty compact since they molded the housing around the camera body. My buddy dives a previous generation with good results. The camera also has an u/w mode but he gets better results using a light.
Advantages over the Bonica from my perspective - true 1920x1080HD, takes up to 64GB SDXC memory cards, has image stabilization (not always a plus u/w).
canon hf m500 | B&H Photo Video - $462
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=canon+wp-v4&N=0&InitialSearch=yes&sts=ta- $429
Another option:
Check out some of the footage shot with the GoPro Hero in the GoPro video sub-forum. Or the demo's on their website.
http://gopro.com/ - the Black with the housing is $400. It now shoots in 4K at 15fps using their proprietary software - or 1080p/60. The main page video has footage of freediving with humpbacks at about 4:20. so you can get a sense of how good it can be u/w. or this one:
Shark Riders - TV Commercial - You in HD
It does a nice job for a fixed focus camera. You can build a package with lights comparable in price to the Bonica. It's a lot smaller also if you plan to travel with it.
What video camera(s) do you own? It might be possible to house one of them for slightly over $1K.
Ikelite housings are typically $800-$1300, the
Equinox line starts at $950 - plus about $3-400 for a back mounted LCD and
Amphibico sold a Turtle line - cost reduced version of their $2200 Evo line - for $1200 until just recently - may be discontinued. It's a flat port but has full electronic controls, MWB, LCD monitor, 330' depth rating and you can add an internal flip filter or hydrophone for over $100 ea.
