We are back on Scuba-People, after a somewhat prolonged absence. We must admit that our inspiration had left us, but rather than resorting to a quick fix like Chat GPT, we preferred to take the time to produce our own content, based on our experiences and knowledge Together let's analyze mirrorless cameras underwater here are our recommendations for choosing the best model.
The era of digital devices is coming to an end, giving way to a new generation of “mirrorless” devices. More compact and faster than traditional digital cameras, these boxes are legion and are often ultra-efficient, whether for photo or video. But what does the future hold for us? What will be the best device to come? A complex question that is difficult to answer.
However, one thing is certain: these high-tech devices are becoming more and more versatile, and a high-end body can now be used for portraits as well as for travel, wildlife or even underwater photography. We too have to change cases, and the choice is so complex that we decided to make an article about it, in the hope that this can also help you to see more clearly. We will review the most recent releases and try to highlight the advantages and disadvantages of each, while keeping in mind that we seek above all to find the best compromise between hybrids in photo and video quality.
Sony, state-of-the-art technology.
At Sony, the A1 is a real war machine, capable of handling everything, whether for photo or video. Certainly, its price remains one of the highest on the market, but it offers the possibility of shooting up to 30 frames per second with a full frame sensor of 50 million pixels, and is capable of filming in 8k30fps and 4k120fps without overheating. The new A7R5 is also a great success from Sony, with a 61 million pixel sensor and a 9 million pixel HD viewfinder. In video, it is just as efficient, being able to go up to 8k24fps and 4k60fps.
However with Sony, it is not possible to shoot in internal RAW, for that, you have to use an external recorder such as the Atomos Ninja v or even its + version. It is therefore necessary to make do with the H.265 codec. The RAW format in video, just like in photography, makes it possible to achieve white balance in post-production. By using the RAW format, color correction is more accurate. For underwater imaging, this is the best way to use natural light and avoid a blue-green tint in images. Despite the absence of files in RAW format, Sony has very flat color software that allows you to edit files with a certain quality, but which is still inferior to RAW format.
The focusing technology on the A7R5 is even better than that of the A1, which was already very responsive and 'sticky' the subject, to use photography lingo. The AF of the A7R5 is equipped with artificial intelligence capable of recognizing faces, which is a first for a camera. However, it is unfortunate that a case like the A1, at such a price, does not benefit from the same technology
Sony's biggest weakness lies in its infrequent updating of the operating system of its boxes.
Canon, on the lookout for consumer demand.
Canon caused a stir with the release of its R5, which quickly ran into problems. Although the performance is amazing, some flaws have damaged the reputation of the device.
Indeed, it tended to overheat quickly when recording high-resolution videos, forcing users to turn it off or even often the device remained off because of the anti-heating protocol. This issue has been resolved with the latest firmware update, which allows the heat sensitivity of the sensor to be adjusted.
Canon nevertheless presented a higher version, the R5C for Cinema, equipped with a larger sensor of 75 million pixels. This device is amazing for video and also produces wonderful photos. It allows filming in 8k 50 fps in Cinema Raw Light, as well as in 4k 120 fps. But it is expensive.
Canon also offers the R3, an excellent body capable of incredible photo and video performance, but it's quite bulky and its 20MP sensor is significantly inferior in resolution to that of the R5C. Canon's autofocus systems are highly accurate and, along with Sony's, are among the best on the market. It is possible to follow the focus directly from the viewfinder, which follows the gaze and automatically adjusts the AF, an incredible technology. Canon is constantly innovating and trying to attract users. Canon's greatest strength, however, is its optics, but for now, I'm only talking about the bodies.
Nikon, has not said its last word.
Nikon, which was once a frontrunner and direct challenger to Canon, has lost steam over the years, especially during the Covid pandemic, as competition from Sony came in and made things worse. However, about a year ago Nikon launched the Z9, an incredible camera that shines in both photo and video performance. With a 45 MP sensor, it can take photos in Raw at 20 frames per second and up to 120 frames per second in jpg
The Nikon Z9 is a hybrid body that has generated a lot of interest in the world of photography. It is one of the first to offer the possibility to pre-record for a second before pressing the trigger. Additionally, the Z9 is capable of shooting 8k at 60fps in Raw and 4k at 120fps in Raw, making it one of the only mirrorless cameras to offer this capability. Although the autofocus had some problems at first, Nikon was very careful to rectify this situation with a firmware update. Many wildlife photographers have praised the merits of this camera.
However, it is not unanimous in underwater because it does not have a mechanical speed shutter mechanism and synchronization with flashes beyond 1/200 is only possible with HSS compatible flashes (currently only two manufacturers offer this as an option). It is true that this type of underwater flash is expensive. If the Z9 is incredible in photos on land and underwater, there is a questionable point in video. The white balance would not work beyond 15 meters depth and the Raw video format named N-Raw would not be the best for underwater video. However, it is very difficult to find underwater videos that indicate whether this is true or not.
Nikon currently finds itself somewhat neglected by underwater photographers, whereas on the older generation of DSLRs, the D850 or the D500 had been great successes. It's true that flagship cases like the Z9 are rarely the most common, especially for scuba diving. It is mainly aimed at professionals or experienced amateurs.
Nikon should soon unveil a new body, the Z8. For many, Nikon's future in the imaging world rests entirely on the success of this camera. It will compete directly with Sony's A7R IV and Canon's R5. If Nikon offers us such a high-performance body, with a faithful 9 million pixel electronic viewfinder, the ability to shoot in 4k at 120fps and an autofocus as efficient as the A7R5, the tide could turn. We still think that the criticisms against the Z9 are unfair and not necessarily founded. The button customization capabilities are very effective, the autofocus and IBIS are out of the ordinary, not to mention that it is highly appreciated by wildlife photographers.
Panasonic and Fujifilm boxes that are not to be excluded.
Panasonic recently launched the S5ii, a camera that corrects the AF problems encountered by the brand so far. This is because previous AF systems were often slow and inefficient at tracking moving subjects, resulting in missed focus. The S5ii benefits from a new high-performance and innovative AF that should appeal to demanding photographers. In addition, it is one of the few boxes to offer the possibility of recording directly on an external SSD, which is a significant asset for professionals.
Fujifilm is also on the rise with quality cameras that are popular with terrestrial photographers and videographers. However, few manufacturers offer underwater housings for this brand, which is a shame because Fujifilm cameras offer remarkable image quality, with brilliant colors and exceptional sharpness. That said, hopefully this will evolve in the future to allow Fujifilm users to explore the possibilities of their gear even further underwater.
The optics à don't underestimate
We are witnessing the dawn of a new era for mirrorless, with significant technological advances that continually improve the quality of captured images. However, we must not forget that the optics also play a key role, especially in underwater photography. Sony has understood this and has launched a new generation of ultra-fast and high-performance optics that are making a difference in the market. However, there are still gaps to fill, especially with regard to fisheye optics or rectilinear wide-angle equivalent without distortion or vignetting. On the other hand, Canon is a benchmark with its 8-15mm fisheye, offering an ultra-clear image and exceptional rendering for underwater photography. At Nikon, the Z range is more focused on telephoto lenses and high-quality fixed focal lengths, with unfortunately few options for Z-mount wide-angle enthusiasts.
Renowned photographer and guru Alex Mustard recently announced his move to the Sony A1. Until then a big Nikon user, he will use a ring to adapt most of his Nikon lenses to his case. However, Sony has taken drastic measures: any non-Sony lens used on the A1 automatically clamps the camera which ends up stuck at 10 frames per second, instead of the incredible 30 frames per second. Another downside is that you can't use any third-party lens with a teleconverter on the A1. This is a shame, because this policy cuts off our desire to make a transition to Sony.
On this side, Nikon and Canon were much more diplomatic. It doesn't matter if the lens doesn't have a Z or RF mount for Canon, the performance remains the same.
The conclusion.
To conclude, it is important to distinguish between things: each manufacturer has positive and negative points. It is important, before rushing on a housing, to see if there are housings for the coveted housing. If Sony dominates the market, Canon is right behind and Nikon could change the situation very quickly. To make a choice, it is important to consider whether you already have a number of lenses with a certain type of mount, or whether you are starting from scratch. Personally, for us, owners of many Nikon lenses, it is difficult to switch to Sony or Canon.