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MIRRORLESS CAMERAS WITH FULL MANUAL CONTROL AND TTL

The mirrorless cameras are now the most popular choice for high quality underwater photography at low cost and small size. Many people are downsizing from the large, heavy DSLR camera systems in favor of these compact, less expensive cameras. When housed in a Nauticam housing, you can add a full size SLR style viewfinder, and interchangeable ports allow use of a wide range of lenses.

When Olympus offered the first Mirrorless cameras, there was little competition. Now there are dozens available by Sony, Panasonic, Nikon, Fuji and more. How do you choose?

The FIRST consideration in choosing a system for underwater is to find the one with the best housing.

Olympus continues to make their own, wonderful, ergonomic, low-cost housings with clearly marked controls, and light-weight neutral buoyancy. These features are important to divers and are why these systems are so popular.

Another excellent housing option is made by Nauticam. While they are more expensive and complex, and much heavier above and underwater, they offer several important advantages that are worthwhile to the serious photographer. See my review below.

 

Olympus OMD E-M5III

When purchasing the complete system with us, you receive a free one hour set-up class.

At first glance, the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III is an E-M1 Mark II in a more compact and lighter package.  In fact, the E-M5 Mark III shares the same 20MP Live MOS sensor and autofocus system as the E-M1 Mark II.  With the E-M5 Mark III there is also 4K DCI video recording at 24p, UHD at up to 30p and 10fps burst shooting with continuous autofocus. To help nail focus and exposure, the electronic viewfinder is also now an OLED display with 60fps refresh rate.
The OM-D E-M5III is the most advanced Olympus cropped sensor mirrorless camera to date. It has a host of new features and Olympus has really improved the design and ease of use of this model. In the Nauticam housing the camera truly comes alive!

Pros

  • 5 axis image stabilization, up to 5 stops – producing steadycam-like video footage and crisp macro stills
  • Great video capabilities – choice of 24, 25, 30, 50 or 60p frame rates, 77Mbit/s encoding. Full Manual control whilst filming and focus peaking available
  • Built-in Wifi for image transfer to your iPhone or pad, and remote control of camera setting from your phone or pad (topside only!)
  • Weatherproof body for any wayward drips!
  • OMD’s superb image quality as well as lightning fast autofocus
  • NEW redesigned camera body and control options – function 1/2 switch enables control of ISO and White Balance using front and rear dials
  • 4 custom White Balance options.

Olympus OMD EM-1III

When purchasing the complete system with us, you receive a free one hour set-up class.

The Olympus OM-D E-M1 Mark III, the latest iteration of the ground-breaking Micro Four Thirds camera brings improvements from the larger E-M1X to the more compact E-M1 form factor.  The Mark III features a a 20MP Four Thirds sensor that is paired with the latest TruePic IX processor from the E-M1X to deliver even more autofocus and stabilization horsepower to the already impressive E-M1 system.  The E-M1 Mark III can also capture 4K UHD at 30p in the OM-Log profile with excellent autofocus performance.

 

The OM-D E-M1III is the most advanced Olympus full framed sensor mirrorless camera to date. It has a host of new features and Olympus has really improved the design and ease of use of this model. In the Nauticam housing the camera truly comes alive! You really are dealing with the most complete mirrorless underwater systems ever made!

Pros

  • NEW Improved 5 axis image stabilization, up to 5 stops – produces steadycam-like video footage and crisp macro stills
  • NEW Improved Video capabilities – choice of 24, 25, 30, 50 or 60p frame rates, 77Mbit/s encoding. Full Manual control whilst filming and focus peaking available
  • NEW Built-in Wifi for image transfer to your iPhone or pad, and remote control of camera setting from your phone or pad (topside only!)
  • Weatherproof body for any wayward drips!
  • OMD’s superb image quality as well as lightning fast autofocus
  • NEW redesigned camera body and control options – function 1/2 switch enables control of ISO and White Balance using front and rear dials
  • 4 custom White Balance options

Cons

New 40 megapixel mode requires tripod and perfectly still subject—therefore mostly unusable underwater

Olympus E-PL10

When purchasing the complete system with us, you receive a free one hour set-up class.

Want to shoot photos more easily? Want to casually take the camera with you and enjoy capturing your own unique style? The PEN E-PL10 is a refined, high-performance interchangeable lens camera that makes this possible. You can fully enjoy the high image quality of an interchangeable lens camera while easily importing photos to your smartphone for seamless sharing on social media.

 

The high-performance E-PL10 makes it easy to capture photos with natural, beautiful defocusing effects that are only possible on an interchangeable lens camera. Simply leave the settings up to the camera for difficult shots, such as night scenes, for beautifully detailed photos.

Pros

  • 16 Megapixel Live MOS Image Sensor
  • 180° Flip Touch Screen
  • 4K Ultra HD Video
  • 3-Axis Image Stabilization
  • TruePic VIII Image Processor
  • Built-in Flash
  • Compact-like size and simplicity with SLR-like performance at a competitive price
  • Shoot it like a compact with wet lenses, or like a pro with interchangeable lenses
  • Offers an ideal upgrade path for new shooters, or those moving up from a beginner rig
  • Cool looking housing with Octopus graphics

Cons

No viewfinder option

Contrast AF can be hit-and-miss

Relatively shallow ambient light white balance limit for wide angle video shooters

Nikon Z 50 with 16-50mm lens 

Nikon Z 50 with 16-50mm and 50-250mm 

Interchangeable lens / 20.9 MP / 4K video / wi-fi / capable on adding microphone input very easy to use. Wider mount that brings more details into your pictures or video. Very sharp, good contrast, good focusing speed and good in low – light.

Nikon Z 5 with 24-50mm lens 

Interchangeable lens / 24.3 MP / Full frame / 4K video / wi-fi / Dual SD card slot / capable on adding microphone input very easy to use. Wider mount that brings more details into your pictures or video. Very sharp, good contrast, good focusing speed and good in low – light.

Nikon Z 6II with 24-70mm lens 

Nikon Z 6II body only 

Interchangeable lens / 24.3 MP / Full frame / 4K video / wi-fi / Dual card slot SD/XQD /
Outstanding low-light capabilities / With 273 focus points across the frame, or let subject tracking automatically select the focus points based on where your subject is within the frame / Easy live stream camera – Webcam Utility When using a single USB-C connection connection, your computer will actually power the Z6II while capturing video.

Nikon Z 7II with 24-70mm lens 

Nikon Z 7II body only 

Interchangeable lens / 45.7 MP / 4K video / wi-fi for smartphone pairing / Improve subject tracking operation / Eye auto focus for people and animals / From deep blacks to bright whites exhibits brilliant dynamic range from ISO 64 – 25,600 / Dual card slot SD/XQD / Stream for as long as you need without any extra cables, power adapters or third-party hardware.

FujiFilm X-T200

Mirrorless micro four thirds with 15-45 mm lens
24 MP, 4K video at 30fps, 425 point of focus, 8fps with continuous AF, with mic & headphone inputs, wi-fi and Bluetooth built – in

FujiFilm X-E4 with 27mm f2.8 lens 

Interchangeable lens / 26. MP / 4K video / 20fps burst with AF / electronic viewfinder / 3.0 tilting LCD screen / with mic or headphone socket

FujiFilm X-S10 with 18-55mm lens 

FujiFilm X-S10 with 16-80mm lens 

Interchangeable lens / 26 MP / 5 axis in body image stabilisation / On sensor phase detection / fully articulated touchscreen / electronic viewfinder / 30 fps burst shooting / 4K video / with external mic & headphone sockets / bluetooth & wi-fi.

FujiFilm X-T30 with 18-55mm lens 

FujiFilm X-T30 body only 

Interchangeable lens / 26.1 MP / 4K video / 425 point AF system / bluetooth & wi-fi / 3.0 tilting LCD touchscreen. Versatile mirrorless camera distinguished by advanced stills and video recording along with sleek and intuitive.

FujiFilm X-4 with 18-55mm lens 

FujiFilm X-4 body only 

Interchangeable lens / 26 MP CMOS sensor / 4K video / In-body image stabilisation / 20 fps shooting with AF / fully articulated rear touchscreen / bluetooth & wi-fi / Dual SD card slots Hybrid AF system with 425 phase-detect points, The camera has analog controls for shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation with numerous customisable dials.