best underwater compact cameras 2014

Transcription

BEST UNDERWATER
COMPACT CAMERAS 2014
For the latest version of this guide, please visit Backscatter.com/compacts
Backscatter.com | Backscatter West +831-645-1082 | Backscatter East +603-432-1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION
1
OUR TOP PICKS FOR 2014
Best Entry Level Camera
2
Best Waterproof Camera
6
Best Point & Shoot Camera
9
Best Point & Shoot Camera Runners Up
12
Best Entry Level Mirrorless Camera
15
Best Advanced Mirrorless Camera
18
Still an Amazing Advanced Mirrorless Camera
22
Best Advanced Mirrorless Camera Runner Up
25
HOW WE SELECTED: OUR 2014 TEST CRITERIA
This print edition published February 2014. Please visit Backscatter.com/compacts for the latest version.
All Content © Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo
28
BEST UNDERWATER COMPACT CAMERAS 2014
Introduction
We at Backscatter all fondly remember the excitement (and trepidation) we felt as we purchased
our first underwater camera system. This guide is diligently compiled each year to eliminate the
hassle and headache often associated with shopping for underwater camera gear. Whether you
are just getting started with underwater photography, an intermediate shooter looking to upgrade
his/her system or an advanced image-maker looking to assemble a more compact rig for travel
to combat those ever-rising baggage fees, this BEST UNDERWATER COMPACT CAMERAS article
is for you!
Today’s compact cameras are now able to deliver
high quality photos and video that come closer
than ever to matching that of higher end SLR
systems. All underwater imagery in this article
was taken with compact cameras.
We’ve searched and tested dozens of
compact cameras to find the best match
between portability, price and the goals
of aspiring and experienced underwater
shooters. From our own waters of
Monterey, to the Caribbean, to the Coral
Triangle, and Micronesia, we’ve spent hundreds of hours shooting compact cameras underwater. These
top performers will enable you to capture stunning images underwater. Here are our picks for 2014.
As the field of compact cameras is changing extremely rapidly, we will update this article on a continuous basis.
In 2014, we’ve studied a landscape that has changed considerably from previous years. Point and
shoot options are fewer and further between, but exciting new low-cost options such as the GoPro
and interchangeable lens mirrorless cameras like the Olympus PEN now provide alternate options for
the shooter who is not interested in traveling with a bulky SLR system. This year, rather than restricting
our review to just the point and shoot class, we looked at a broader range of cameras that include
everything from the GoPro, point & shoots, Micro 4/3 cameras, and the Sony NEX series. With this
roundup, we’ve put together options for every budget and every shooter from novice to pro.
All content © Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo | Backscatter.com | Backscatter West +1 831-645-1082 | Backscatter East +1 603-432-1997
1
BEST ENTRY LEVEL CAMERA 2014
GoPro
The GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition
Camera & Housing starting at $400
GoPro Hero3+ Black Edition
In the past few years, the availability of solid point
and shoot systems available for less than $500 has
diminished, which GoPro was ready to quickly fill and
maintains this year as the top pick in this category.
You won’t need to break the bank to get started with
a GoPro system, and it will deliver high quality video
unimaginable even just a few years ago, for the price.
The Hero 3+ Black edition has incredible high quality
optics, and a plethora of frame rate and resolution
options for capturing the best underwater video or
still images. Although GoPro makes a Silver Edition,
because of the image quality and additional frame rate
options, our recommendation is to simply go with the
Hero 3+ Black Edition. The Backscatter Flip3.1 Filter is
essential for getting good results with this camera, as
it makes a dramatic difference in restoring color and
contrast.
Now in its fourth generation, the GoPro Hero 3+ is one
of the most exciting things to come along in underwater
photography and videography. In a very exciting development
for divers, GoPro includes a flat port housing that is ready to
shoot images underwater with every version of the Hero3+.
Our preference is to run the GoPro Hero 3+ Black in the
Dive housing (for a deeper depth rating [197’/60m]), which
is the same as the Hero3 standard housing. Our favorite
jump settings are 1080p 60fps wide mode, and sometimes
in the 2.7K resolution 30fps mode.
• GoPro Hero 3+ Black Edition $400
• FLIP3.1 Underwater Color Correction
System with DIVE $69
• FLIP3.1 Combo Package with SHALLOW,
DIVE, and DEEP $134
2
The Backscatter Flip3.1 filters will dramatically improve the quality of the Hero3+’s footage, saturating blue water, restoring perfect underater
color, and increasing overall contrast.
Here’s why: If you wish to slow down some fast action you’ve
captured, the 1080p 60fps will allow you to put that footage
into a 30fps timeline in your video editing software, and
it will playback at super-slow motion speed. If you want
to have the latitude to reframe your footage and crop in
a little tighter, or run image stabilization on the clip, the
2.7K resolution can be used on a 1080p timeline. This
camera also has an exciting amount of other frame rates
and features, and can also take 12 megapixel resolution still
images, up to 30 images a second.
For Novice Shooters as Well as Professionals
The GoPro is a great system for the novice shooter who
wants to start taking video and pictures underwater, and
doesn’t want to fuss with settings or lugging a bulky system
around. It’s also an awesome option for the still shooter
who wants to dabble in video, and can easily attach the
GoPro to their housing using an Ultralight ball mount.
One of the great features of the GoPro is its wide angle
lens. Designed for adventure sports, it’s field of view is
nearly equivalent to full-frame fisheye on SLR systems when
used topside. The new “Super View” mode, offers an even
wider view for capturing impressive wide angle footage.
Underwater, some of the angle of coverage is lost due to
the housing’s flat port, but it is still plenty wide - much wider
than other typical underwater point & shoots. It’s terrific to
have these optics without the need to purchase an accessory
lens. The Hero 3+ camera also features the ability to shoot
in medium, and narrow fields of view. These alternate “in
camera” field of view changes can help when using various
55mm magnification filters such as the Close Focus +10
Filter.The quality of video that GoPro delivers in the right
conditions is astonishingly good. However, manual control
is nonexistent, and an LCD Touch Monitor BacPac is highly
recommended in order to see your framing of the footage.
Getting Perfect Underwater Color
As hardcore GoPro users, we discovered that capturing the
best underwater color requires the use of multiple filters.
After hundreds of hours of testing, we’ve perfected a multifilter system and integrated it into our world renowned FLIP
design. The all new Backscatter FLIP3.1 gives you multiple
filters at the flip of one finger. There are SHALLOW, DIVE,
and DEEP filter options. Additionally, we’ve developed a
filter for greenwater diving, a yellow filter for fluorescence
night diving, a 55mm threaded adapter for our +10 Closeup lens, the all-new Macromate Mini underwater macro lens
and other topside filters. The FLIP3.1 offers the best color
and most rugged design of any filter on the market. In our
testing, we’ve found that leaving the light on all the time can
really make colors pop, even when using a filter. Typically,
it’s been a rule never to use lights and a filter at the same
time, but the GoPro has proven to be an exception.
3
GoPro Hero3+
While the GoPro can shoot decent stills, if photography
is your main goal, we suggest looking at options in the
next category as the GoPro has limited capability for
stills, especially since there is no way to make manual
adjustments. There is also no way to attach a strobe,
which is important for taking high quality photographs
underwater. So if your primary goal is underwater
photography, then it is probably worth stepping up to
a more sophisticated point & shoot camera that offers
manual control. But for just grabbing some great
footage of your dive adventures at an entry-level price,
the GoPro can’t be beat.
GoPro Hero3+ Pros & Cons
Pros
• Most inexpensive underwater HD camera
system on the market today
• Wide angle lens a standard feature
• Backscatter Flip3.1 Filter System restores
color and contrast
Cons
• No manual controls
• No ability to connect a strobe
• Video quality not as good compared to
higher end cameras, especially in low light
4
BEST ENTRY LEVEL CAMERA STATISTICS 2014
GoPro Hero3+
GoPro Hero3+ Vital Statistics
Model
Black Edition
Resolution
12 MP
Frame Rate (Stills Burst)
30 fps
Popular Movie Resolutions &
Frame Rates
4K/15 fps
2.7K/30 fps
1080p/60 fps
1440p/48 fps
960p/100 fps
720p/120 fps
WGVA/240 fps
LCD Size
2” (requires purchase of LCD Touch Monitor
BacPac)
*Only use the Standard BacPac Backdoor.
DO NOT use the Touch BacPac Backdoor, or
the Skeleton BacPac Backdoor as these are not
waterproof.
Raw Format
NO
Camera + Housing Price
$400
5
BEST WATERPROOF CAMERA 2014
Olympus TG-2
The Olympus Tough TG-2
Olympus Tough TG-2
The Olympus TG-2 is a fantastic splashproof pocket
camera, one that you can take snorkeling on its own, or
take it deeper while diving using the PT-053 Underwater
Housing. In addition, the TG-2 Tough lives up to its name,
as it is shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof and dustproof.
With a fast f2.0 lens, and an impressive depth rating of
50 feet (without a housing), the Olympus TG-2 is a great
camera to keep with you on the boat, and take with you
while swimming, or in any damp environment without any
concern for it getting wet.
The Olympus TG-2 is an update to the previous Olympus
Tough series line flagship, the TG-1. The Olympus TG-2 is a
splashproof pocket camera, one that you can take snorkeling
on its own, or take it deeper while diving using the same PT-053
Underwater Housing as the TG-1. In addition, the TG-2 Tough
lives up to its name, as it is shockproof, crushproof, freezeproof
and dustproof. With a fast f2.0 lens, and an impressive depth
rating of 50 feet, the Olympus TG-2 is a great camera to keep
with you on the boat, and take with you while swimming, or
in any damp environment without any concern for it getting
wet. The image quality looks quite good, though we are
disappointed that Olympus did not include a raw file format.
• Olympus Tough TG-2 camera $380
• Olympus PT-053 housing $310
• Backscatter TG-2 Camera, Housing, and
Sea & Sea Strobe Package $1280
6
The fast frame rate makes taking low percentage shots a lot easier. This shot
was taken by placing the camera with a fisheye lens inches beneath the jellyfish,
and doing a high frame rate burst while blindly changing the camera position in
the hopes that one of the shots will make the cut. Olympus TG-2. Shot with the
Fisheye FIX UWL-28 wide angle lens. ISO 800, 1/2000, F10
Snorkelers should be intrigued by the relatively inexpensive
FCON-T01 Fisheye Converter Lens that will mount directly
onto the camera for use underwater. But for most diving,
you will be better off using the PT-053 housing; in addition
to increasing the depth rating to 130 feet, it also allows the
easy attachment of strobes, making this a fully-featured
rig.
This Japanese seaplane was shot with only natural light, a wide angle
fisheye lens, and a custom white balance. This technique works great when
shooting large objects in low vis when strobes would light up a lot of scatter
in the water and wouldn’t be able to cover such a large subject anyway.
The fisheye lens lets you get extremely close to the subject, minimizing the
effects of low vis. Olympus TG-2. Shot with the Fisheye FIX UWL-28 wide
angle lens. ISO 400, 1/160, F9
The focus and shutter are incredibly fast, making this one of the
quickest firing cameras in our roundup. Even macro shooting,
where most compact cameras have an issue with fast focus,
was quite fast. The PT-053 underwater housing has 52mm
aluminum threads on the front for attaching accessory macro
and wide angle lenses. The camera’s native macro capability is
very good, which just about eliminates the need for a macro lens.
The TG-2 has 2 custom white balance presets, allowing you to
get accurate colors in wide angle video with no artificial lighting.
The 1080/30p video looks good in shallower conditions, but a
color filter will be essential for use at deeper depths.
Olympus TG-2 Video
The video from the Olympus Tough TG-2 has great
looking color due to a custom white balance feature being
added to the Tough series. It works best in the shallows.
Any deeper than about 40 feet will benefit from a color
correction filter. Unlike most other compact cameras, the
TG-2 has live focus like a camcorder, and it’s super fast.
This occasionally led to a small amount of focus hunt
from time to time like a camcorder, but was not enough to
outweigh the benefits of live focus.
7
Olympus TG-2 Improvements & Downsides
The largest improvement for the photographer has been the
addition of aperture priority. Getting consistent results was
much easier with shooting strobes on manual exposure.
This also allows for controlling depth of field and makes it
easier to get darker backgrounds in macro. Another benefit
to stoping the lens down is sharper corners when using wide
angle accessory lenses.
A downside we discovered is that Sea & Sea and Inon strobes
will not slave TTL properly with this camera--both need to
be shot in manual mode. The Olympus UFL-2 strobe will
TTL in the camera’s RC mode. On the plus side for topside
adventures, the addition of GPS is great for showing your
photos on a map. For the price, the TG-2 performs great,
and we love having a camera that we can bring anywhere
without fear. This camera is going to survive your adventures.
When the camera’s aperture changes, you need to adjust your strobe output
accordingly. Having aperture priority and setting a constant aperture made
working with strobes in manual exposure a lot easier by not having to readjust
the strobe after it’s dialed in. After it’s dialed in you can concentrate on the
composition. Olympus TG-2. Shot with the Fisheye FIX UWL-28 wide angle
lens. ISO 400, 1/80, F9
Olympus Tough TG-2 Pros & Cons
Pros
• Aperture priority is a major upgrade
• Even better built in shockproofing and
waterproofing than the previous camera
make this the ultimate “take anywhere”
camera.
• Very fast focus and shutter for a camera
in this class
Cons
• Aperture priority is a welcome change,
but full manual exposure would be better
• No Raw format
• Sea & Sea and Inon strobes will not slave
TTL properly
8
BEST POINT & SHOOT CAMERA 2014
Sony DSC-RX100 II
The Sony DSC-RX100 II
Sony RX100 II
Sony has created one of the most exciting compact
cameras in years with the RX100 II. This diminutive
camera is a remarkable piece of engineering that
delivers outstanding stills and full 1080p video in a sleek,
elegant package. Featuring a very large sensor size, the
RX100 II has the best of all worlds, with class leading
performance and extremely high image quality. The
RX100 II sports a stunning resolution of 20 megapixels
and still maintains great low-light performance. For the
shooter that wants to go as streamlined as possible, with
manual control, and the best quality available today,
the RX100 II is our top pick.
• Sony RX100 II Camera $750
• Ikelite RX100 II Housing $400
• Recsea RX100 II Housing $880
• Nauticam NA-RX100 II Housing $950
• Backscatter Recsea RX100 II Housing,
Camera, and Strobe Starting at $2215
Sony RX100 II vs. the RX100
We’re excited that Sony has taken their already fantastic
RX100 compact to the next level with the Mark II. The
difference in low light performance is noticeable, but it’s
the new hot shoe that has us excited about taking this
camera underwater. At last, the compact shooter doesn’t
have to rely on the camera’s own flash to recycle, and
can have truly instantaneous shot-to-shot performance
when using an electronic sync connection for their
strobes. We’re happy to see that the new NA-RX100II
housing accommodates this feature. Easily grabbing
your latest underwater photos off of the camera to share
with the world on Facebook and Instagram is also a
welcome bonus thanks to the new WiFi feature on the
RX100 II.
9
Sony RX100 II Macro
Sony RX100 II Video
The Sony RX100 II does not have a dedicated Macro
mode, and must be zoomed all the way wide in order
to achieve close focus. This provides a reasonable
option for shooting small critters, but most users
will find themselves hitting up against the limits of
the camera’s internal magnification. Fortunately,
accessory lenses such as the Subsee +5 and Subsee
+10 can be added to the front of the housing in
order to achieve closer focus. One downside of the
RX100 II’s large sensor is that focus must be much
more precise. But the RX100 II makes it a simple
matter to switch between auto and manual focus, so
it’s possible to lock focus and then move the camera
in order to achieve maximum sharpness. Fortunately,
the high resolution screen makes it easy to see critical
focus. The camera’s front ring can also be configured
to drive “fly by wire” manual focus adjustments, but
this requires long turns in order to cover the camera’s
full focal range. Like Sony mirrorless cameras such as
the NEX-5N and NEX-7 (discussed later in this article),
The RX100 II features focus peaking which can be a
useful aid when dialing in manual focus. In general,
sharpness in the corners when shooting macro is a bit
disappointing. But given the RX100 II’s incredible 20
megapixels, there is plenty room to crop.
On the video side, the Sony RX100 II is an extremely
interesting camera. With a class-leading 60p frame rate at
the full 1080p resolution, the camera’s specs make even an
SLR shooter jealous. The footage can be slowed down to
half speed at 30p, and with in-camera optical stabilization,
the RX100 II can deliver some extremely smooth looking
footage. Video capture can be initiated when shooting in
any still camera mode, but the RX100 II reverts to Program
mode and picks the best settings for the current situation.
A dedicated movie mode allows complete manual control
of shutter speed and aperture, though this must first be
configured in the menu. Unfortunately, not only is onetouch white balance missing, custom white balance must
be executed while the camera is in a still mode, and then
can be assigned once back in movie mode, which is a bit
cumbersome. One of our favorite ways to set white balance
is to dial in the Kelvin temperature to the maximum of
9900, and then customize the tint based on the depth we
are shooting. This worked pretty well, and delivered good
colors, especially with lights.
The native macro capabilities of the Sony RX100 II are limited. To pull off this
shot a Subsee +10 close up lens was needed. ISO 200 F11, 1/125
10
The Sony RX100 II’s video performance is so exciting, that
Nauticam developed a special version of their housing, the
NA-RX100V, to allow the attachment of an external monitor to
allow a larger and more detailed feed from the camera.
All in all, the Sony RX100 II is one of the most interesting
cameras of the year, its main downside being its relatively high
price. Considering the performance it offers though, we think
it’s the breakthrough the compact camera market has been
waiting for. For the shooter that wants to go as streamlined as
possible, with manual control, and the best quality available
today, the Sony RX100 II is our top pick.
Sony RX100 II Pros & Cons
Pros
• Exmor® R 1.0 CMOS sensor provides
twice the amount of low-light performance
from its predecessor
• Built in Hotshoe for faster strobe firing
and less camera battery drain
Wide angle is where the Sony RX100 II shines. Even in low light
and low vis conditions, you can get smooth gradations on the
background water color. Shot with the Fisheye 28M52 168 degree
lens. ISO 200 F8, 1/60
• Stunning 20 Megapixel Resolution
• Class-leading 1080/60p video with
optical image stabilization
Cons
• In camera macro is limited; doesn’t focus
as close as other cameras in its class
• Large sensor leads to shallower and less
forgiving depth of field
• No way to execute custom white balance
in movie mode, must jump to photo modes
11
BEST POINT & SHOOT CAMERA RUNNERS UP 2014
Canon G16 & Canon Powershot S120
The Canon G16 & Canon Powershot S120
Canon S120
With RAW shooting, a relatively large sensor, great
premium 3rd party housing options, and lots of great
macro and wide angle lens options, it’s easy to justify
these cameras among our top pics. The Canon G16
and Canon S120 will, for the most, part take the same
picture. Both share the same sensor, processor, shooting
features, and menu system. The G16 features a larger
size, slightly longer zoom lens, and more dedicated
buttons.
• Canon S120 ($450)
• Canon G16 ($550)
A major improvement from previous models is a much
needed update to 1080 60p in video mode.
The greatest feature that none can match is the ability
of Canon to take an excellent custom white balance at
depth, a crucial factor in delivering good quality video
footage. The G16 and S120 both have assignable
buttons making it very easy to assign a true one touch
white balance function button. In fact, these are the only
cameras in this review that allows one touch custom
white balance execution in both photo and video modes.
And it takes more accurate white balances at all depths
compared to any other camera in this review.
Housings for the Canon S120
• Canon WP-DC51 Housing ($350)
• Ikelite S120 Housing ($325)
• Recsea WHC-S120 Housing ($820)
• Nauticam NA-S120 Housing ($900)
Housings for the Canon G16
• Canon WP-DC52 Housing ($350)
• Ikelite G16 Fiber Optic Housing ($550)
• Ikelite G16 TTL Housing ($675)
• Recsea WHC-G16 Housing ($1050)
• Nauticam NA-G16 Housing ($1050)
12
With a 165 degree wide angle lens, the G16 can take fantastic wide angle
shots. The lens was only inches from the moray when this shot was taken,
resulting in great color and contrast by being so close. ISO 200, F8, 1/60
The G16 has good ergonomics due to its larger size and more
dedicated buttons for direct access to controls. However it’s not
very “pocket” friendly when walking around topside. The S120
is a smaller camera that easily fits in a pocket for a night out on
the town, but still has enough dedicated buttons and dials to
make quick adjustments. The menu system is simple and easy to
navigate. For years the Canon G series and S series cameras
ruled the top of the roost in our annual review. While we
really like the G16 and S120, unfortunately we have not
seen much development in some key areas. Still, there is
no TTL in manual mode. Movie mode, while being updated
to 1080 60p, still only offers exposure compensation.
While image quality has continually improved in the G and
S series, the Sony RX 100 and Sony RX 100 II with their
much larger sensors edge out the Canons and relegate
the Canon G16 and S120 to runner up/alternative option
status.
We would recommend the G16 or S120 cameras as an
alternative to the Sony RX 100 II to someone who is more
macro focused as the capabilities and options are very
good in this area. Ambient light video is made very easy
with the excellent one touch white balance. With it’s limited
movie controls, it’s a great way for novice video shooters
to get an easy start.
An accessory macro lens greatly expands the already good macro capabilities of
the Canon G16. ISO 100, F8, 1/60
Canon G16 / S120 Pros & Cons
Pros
• Finally, 60p video
• Good out of the box macro
• Still the best custom white balance color
and execution in the industry
Cons
• After all these years, still no TTL in manual
• Video is still auto mode, but does have
exposure compensation
• Smaller sensor compared to Sony RX
series, but still larger than most other
cameras
Both the Canon S120 and the Canon G16 Cameras have housings available from
Canon, Ikelite, Recsea, and Nauticam.
13
BEST POINT & SHOOT CAMERA STATISTICS 2014
Point & Shoot Cameras
Best Point and Shoot Vital Statistics
14
Model
Olympus TG-2
Sony RX100 II
Canon G16 /
Canon S120
Resolution
12.0 MP
20.2 MP
12 MP
Image Size
3968x2976
5472x3080
4000x3000
Sensor Size
1/2.3” (6.17x4.55mm)
1” (13.2x8.8mm)
1/1.7” (9.5x7.6mm)
Lens (35mm equiv.)
25-100mm f2.0-5.9
28-100mm f1.8-4.9
24-120mm f2.0-5.9
ISO Range
100-6400
80-25600
80-12800
5 fps
10 fps
9.4 fps
Movie Resolution
1080p
1080p
1080p
Movie Frame Rate in full HD
30p
60p
60p
LCD Size
3” 460K px
3” 460K px
3” 461K px
RAW Format
NO
YES
YES
Closest Macro Focus
.39” / 1 cm
(telephoto)
1.97” / 5 cm (wide)
1.2” / 3 cm (wide)
$690
Starting at $1150
Starting at $775
BEST ENTRY-LEVEL MIRRORLESS CAMERA 2014
Olympus PEN Series
The Olympus PEN Series
Olympus PEN Series
Olympus changed the underwater compact camera
world forever with their launch of the PEN series of
cameras with underwater housings which we first
reviewed in 2010. Now in its fourth generation,
the PEN is better than ever with the new E-PL5. The
16MP sensor of the E-PL5 comes from the Olympus
OM-D E-M5, which performs excellent in low light
and higher ISO’s. We love the PEN cameras for their
quick autofocus, snappy performance, and great
image quality. Continuous shooting speed has been
improved to an amazing 8 frames per second. Raw
files delivered by both the E-PL5 are rich and detailed.
Startup time is quick, and shutter lag is non-existent.
Shooting with a PEN feels like using an advanced
camera. With the Olympus housing at $747, this is
the most affordable interchangeable lens underwater
camera system in our lineup.
and Panasonic, covering a variety of focal lengths.
Custom ports for micro 4/3 lenses are available from
Zen Underwater that work with the Olympus branded
housings, including versions for the Olympus 9-18,
Panasonic 7-14, Panasonic 8mm, and Panasonic 45mm
Macro. These are our four favorite lenses to shoot
underwater, so it’s great to have them all covered.
Olympus PEN Series Customization
One of our favorite features of the Olympus PEN
cameras is the ability to customize them. On all of our
cameras, from compact to SLR, we like to separate the
shutter function from focus. This way, we can acquire
• Olympus E-PL5 PEN Camera with 14-42 Lens $600
• Olympus PT-EP10 Housing for the E-PL5 $747
• Backscatter PEN and Sea & Sea Strobe Package
$2118
In addition to wet lenses, a wide variety of lenses for
the Micro 4/3 system make the PEN series a platform
that you can build on for the future. This is one of the
major advantages of choosing an interchangeable
lens camera over other compacts. The PEN cameras
support a large selection of lenses from both Olympus
15
Olympus PEN Series
The Olympus PEN Series
focus, recompose the image, and the camera is not going to
“hunt” to re-acquire focus at the moment we choose to trip
the shutter. Fortunately, the PEN cameras are equipped with
customizable function buttons which can be programmed
to be the equivalent of an “AF-On” button found on many
SLRs.
Two custom white balance settings are available.
Unfortunately it can only be captured in photo mode, but
can be set in both video and photo modes. We preferred
to change the record button function to Custom WB. While
While shooting splits with a small dome is challenging, having 8 frames per
second made getting the shot a lot easier. We were also impressed with the high
ISO performance. Taken with the 8mm Panasonic Fisheye. ISO 1600, 1/160, f18
16
pressing and holding the record button, and the pressing
the shutter, we were able to quickly capture custom white
balance and then have the option of assigning it to one of
the two presets. After capturing in manual photo mode it is
easy to bump the mode dial over 1 notch to the video mode
setting, and is an easier process than setting white balance
in some of the larger SLRs.
Olympus PEN Video
The E-PL5 is definitely capable of shooting some great
video, and supports full 1080p HD resolution. Full manual
exposure is available and is our preferred way to shoot
video. While we’ve found natural light video works best in
the shallows (about 30 feet), the E-PL5 was able to white
balance significantly deeper. At about 50 feet it would
still consistently take a manual white balance, although
the colors looked a little unsaturated and flat. With a
little saturation in post, the color perked right up and
looked great. Many cameras have problems executing a
proper white balance below 30-40 feet without a color
correction filter, so being able to do one with no filter at
50 feet, is a big bonus. If you know in advance you’ll be
dedicated to shooting natural light video for your dive, we
recommend using a color correction filter with a manual
white balance which will allow for more color saturation
at deeper depths.
The PEN is lightweight and easy to travel with, so much
so that we often see customers “crossgrade” into a
mirrorless system just to avoid traveling with the weight
of heavier SLR housings. And the price is difficult to
beat - for any class of camera. With such great low
light performance, 8 frames per second, super fast
focus, and no shutter lag, we feel this camera and
housing combination is the best “bang for your buck”
in underwater photography.
While shooting splits with a small dome is challenging, having 8 frames per
second made getting the shot a lot easier. We were also impressed with the high
ISO performance. Olympus PEN E-PL5. Taken with the 8mm Panasonic Fisheye.
ISO 1600, 1/160, f18
Olympus PEN Series Pros & Cons
Pros
• New sensor with extremely good low light
and high ISO performance
The Olympus 9-18 lens wide angle zoom lens is a great lens for shooting
pelagics by allowing you to shoot a tighter shot when you can’t get super
close. Olympus PEN E-PL5, Olympus 9-18mm lens, ISO 200, 1/125, f8
• 8 frames per second continuous shooting mode
• Extremely snappy autofocus performance
compared to any camera, compact or SLR
Cons
• Ports on Olympus polycarbonite housings
require some elbow grease to remove initially
• Custom white balance deeper than about
40 feet should be done with a color filter
• Slightly more expensive than the previous
generation model, but still a smashing deal
17
BEST ADVANCED MIRRORLESS CAMERA 2014
Olympus E-M1
The Olympus E-M1
Olympus E-M1
In a class of its own, the Olympus OM-D E-M1 brings
professional level quality in a tiny package. Don’t want to
lug around an SLR, but must have the best possible image
quality and camera performance? Then this camera is
for you. With outstanding ergonomics thanks to a full set
of physical dials, friendly menus and automated shooting
modes, and featuring deep customization for the most
advanced user, this camera has something for everyone.
The E-M1 has even made professionals sit up and take
notice.
The new E-M1 improves upon the E-M5 by adding
a more sophisticated autofocus system and greater
customization of all available camera buttons. Although
Olympus is still keeping the E-M5 in their OMD lineup,
these new features alone make the E-M1 our pick for
underwater use. The E-M1 is now the top camera in
Olympus’ mirrorless lineup.
• Olympus O-MD E-M1 $1400
• Olympus PT-EP11 Housing $1260
• Aquatica AE-M1 Housing $1699
• Nauticam NA-EM1 Housing $1850
18
Olympus E-M1 Features
Some of the more notable features carried over from the
E-M5 is the 5 axis image stabilization, but there have been
some significant updates to the E-M1. The biggest change
is a max flash sync speed of 1/320. Other mirrorless
cameras have max speeds of 1/160. Even most SLRs top
out at 1/250. This is a huge advantage for dialing in the
exposure on your background. For wide shots, you can get
darker blue water backgrounds and pull in the exposure on
sunball shots easier. For macro photography, a high sync
speed allows one to more easily knock out any ambient
light and just have light from the strobes on the subject,
and also accomplish black backgrounds in the daytime.
Other improvements are 10 frames per second with a 41
image RAW buffer, and improved AF function and speed (if
it could actually get any better than E-M5). The viewfinder
is now as large as a full frame DSLR viewfinder and the
resolution is 2.36 million pixels, making it one of the
highest resolution EVFs on the market. Those who have
vision issues will have no problem dialing in and seeing
this viewfinder for critical viewing.
The 2x2 switch is an underwater photographer’s dream in
fast action. In 1st position, the dials operate shutter speed
and aperture. In 2nd position, the dials operate white
balance and ISO. No need to hit multiple buttons to make
those adjustments, just flip a switch, turn the dial, shoot.
And like the E-M5, when changing the ISO it shows you an
EV meter so you can tell if you’ve got the ISO in the range
you need without having to pop out of the ISO settings
screen to where you are at on the meter.
The Olympus 60mm macro lens is a versatile macro lens, being able to capture
fish portraits like this grouper, down to super macro critters. The sync flash sync
speed allows ISO 200, 1/320, F8
Insane Customization
The customization of controls on this camera are insane.
Almost any button can can be reassigned to another
function. One of the major disadvantages to the
Olympus PT-EP08 housing for the E-M5 was that you
needed to sacrifice one of the 2 assignable function
buttons to the fish mode as this is the only way the
flash can fire in the down position inside the housing.
Now with the E-M1 you can assign fish mode to one
of the 2 custom buttons on the front of the camera,
without sacrificing any of the importantly placed custom
function buttons on the PT-EP11 housing for the E-M1.
For the PT-EP11 housing, I prefer to move the AF-ON
activation to the Fn1 button, which is more ergonomically
located than the AF on button. The camera has 4 custom
white balance presets. With all the customization options,
you can now assign custom white balance to one of the
function buttons and have a true 1 touch white balance.
After executing the white balance, you can then assign it to
one of the 4 presets. The ease of process is unmatched in
any of the Canon or Nikon SLR cameras.
19
Having 4 presets at your disposal is more than any SLR
except for the top end flagship models costing over
$6000. We can only hope other camera manufacturers
take note and include more presets in the future. One
downside to executing a custom white balance is that it
can’t be done in video mode. You can pick one of the
presets to use in code mode, but you cannot execute. For
that you need to move over to photo mode.
Images from the E-M1 are exceptionally sharp. Shot with the Olympus 60mm
macro and a Subsee +10, focus was easy to see on the screen and throughout
the viewfinder. ISO 200, 1/320, F8
Macro shooting with mirror less cameras is still a bit
more of a challenge than shooting with an SLR. The
longest macro lens available is the Olympus 60mm.
While this lens is super sharp, the relatively short focal
length equates to not much working distance, especially
when using a wet diopter like a Subsee +10 lens. SLR’s
have almost twice the working distance, which is better for
more skittish critters.
Exceptionally Sharp Images
Images shot with prime lenses look exceptionally sharp.
Olympus removed the low pass filter on the sensor and
added a new image processor in the E-M1, and the results
are sharpness that meets or exceeds that from SLRs.
The small size of the E-M1 and the Panasonic 8mm fisheye lets you get in
tight spots inches from your subject, so even in horrible vis you can pull off
backscatter-free wide angle shots. ISO 200, 1/125, F8
20
Olympus E-M1
The Olympus E-M1
Movie mode is unchanged from the E-M5. You still have
the ability to shoot full manual video. We’re a little
disappointed that the video frame rate wasn’t increased
to 60p, but you can still get some great footage from this
camera.
Overall, this is the best mirrorless camera we have seen
to date.
Olympus E-M1 Pros & Cons
Pros
• Performance, sharpness, and image
quality on par with or exceeds SLRs.
F8 1/160 ISO 400
• Best control set of any camera in this review,
beats out most other higher end cameras.
• 1/320 flash sync speed
Cons
• Larger body design leads to larger
housings.
• Custom white balance can’t be executed
in video mode.
• Still waiting for longer focal length macro
lenses for more working distance.
21
STILL AN AMAZING ADVANCED MIRRORLESS CAMERA 2014
Olympus E-M5
The Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M5
The Olympus OM-D E-M5 brings professional level
quality in a small package. Don’t want to lug around
an SLR, but must have excellent image quality and
camera performance? Then the OM-D E-M5 is for you.
This camera has even made the professionals sit up
and take notice. With its diminutive housing size and
great low light capability, the OM-D E-M5 is the ultimate
travel rig, a great system for chasing after pelagics. The
E-M5 features all of the advantages of the PEN series,
and much more. When shooting with the kit including
the 12-50mm lens, it is completely weatherproofed perfect for shooting on the decks of boats and other wet
situations. The camera’s dual dials offer ergonomics
and usability rarely seen in a compact system. Unlike the
PEN series, you can directly access both shutter speed
and aperture at the same time with dedicated controls.
ISO can also be assigned to a function button. When
you are changing ISO, the meter stays active so you can
see your shutter speed, aperture, and EV value as the
ISO is changed. This is huge for advanced shooters who
tend to live in manual mode and need to make quick
ISO changes in the middle of fast action situations.
• Olympus O-MD E-M5 with 14-42 Lens
MSRP $1100
• Olympus O-MD E-M5 with 12-50 Power
Zoom Lens MSRP $1299
• Olympus PT-EP08 Housing $960
• Nauticam NA-EM5 Housing $1450
22
Olympus E-M5 Features
The E-M5’s 16 Megapixel sensor is truly impressive,
delivering gorgeous files even at higher ISOs. It’s a
great match for the excellent lineup of Micro 4/3 lenses
available from Olympus and Panasonic. This camera can
also deliver some great looking video, but will generally
require the use of a color correction filter below about
30 feet. If you can dedicate a whole dive to ambient
light wide angle video, you can get some very impressive
results with great color. The video files hold up well in
color correction in Final Cut X, so you can push it a little
bit before introducing too much noise in post.
The E-M5’s breakthrough five axis image stabilization
makes a gigantic impact on delivering steady footage definitely a feature that will make SLR shooters jealous.
Stable video is a hard thing to do underwater and we’ll
take all the help we can get. This same stabilization also
makes it possible to shoot stills at unheard of slow shutter
speeds if you have a static subject. The stabilization is in
the body, making the stabilization completely independent
from the lens. Right now this is the best stabilization we
have seen yet in a camera we have taken underwater.
The OMD-EM5 allows for excellent image quality with smooth transitions in blue
water backgrounds and plenty of surface detail. Taken with the 8mm Panasonic
Fisheye. ISO 200, 1/200, f8
23
Olympus E-M5
The Olympus E-M5
Olympus E-M5 Housing Options
Two options are available for diving with the E-M5; the PTEP08 housing from Olympus, and the NA-EM5 housing
from Nauticam. Both housings offer an interchangable
port system, giving you several options for lenses. The
Nauticam housing is crafted from aluminum, quite small,
and is aggressively priced compared to the company’s other
mirrorless housings. The NA-EM5 housing allows the use of
an electronic strobe connection, which is great for shooting
rapid sequences of images as you are not relying on the
camera’s flash to recycle.
Most people who have picked up an E-M5 agree on
one thing - this is a fun camera to shoot. Backscatter
CEO Jim Decker had a chance to take the Olympus
OM-D E-M5 for a spin at the Digital Shootout last year,
and he liked what he saw. Be sure to check out his
impressions over on the The Digital Shootout website.
http://www.thedigitalshootout.com
Olympus E-M5 Pros & Cons
Pros
• Performance and image quality on par
with SLRs
• Dual dials make it easier to adjust shutter
speed and aperture independently
• Great wide angle options
Cons
• External flash requires housings to be
larger than they could potentially be due
to necessity of fiber optic connection
• Electronic viewfinder still not as usable as
a dedicated SLR prism-based viewfinder
The 45mm Panasonic Macro lens is sharp and versatile optic that allows shooting
slightly wider macro scenes all the way down to tiny subjects. Olympus OM-D
E-M5, ISO 200, 1/160, f11
24
• Macro lens options do not offer long
working distances
BEST ADVANCED MIRRORLESS CAMERA RUNNER UP 2014
The Sony NEX Series
The Sony NEX Series
Sony NEX Series
Sony has developed a really compelling alternative to the
Micro 4/3 system, based on an APS-C sized sensor found
in many SLRs. This large sensor delivers outstanding image
quality, resolution, and low light capabilities, while the
cameras themselves maintain a very small footprint.
The NEX-6 and the NEX-7 are the latest iterations of
Sony’s camera bodies for the NEX series with the NEX-7
still holding the title of “powerhouse” of a camera featuring
a 24 Megapixel sensor and Sony’s “Tri-Navi” system that
allows independent adjustment of Shutter Speed, Aperture,
and ISO when using manual mode. The Nauticam NA-NEX7
housing gives complete access to all of these controls in a
very ergonomic layout. Both cameras shoot an impressive
1080p/60p video, but unfortunately the white balance
suffers at depth.
• NEX7 Camera $1350
• Nauticam NA-NEX7 Housing $1850
• NEX-7 Camera, Housing and Strobe Package $4515
The NEX Series Lens Choices
The NEX series offers some great lens choices, though not as
diverse as Micro 4/3. The 18-55 kit lens offers a great range
to shoot everything from semi-wide scenics, fish portraits,
and macro with the use of an adapter that allows the use of
The NEX series is the ultimate rig to swim with when chasing pelagic animals.
Its tiny size makes it incredibly streamlined in the water, and its large sensor
size delivers great performance at higher ISOs. ISO 800, 1/400, f6.3
25
The Sony NEX Series
The Sony NEX Series
close-up lenses such as the Inon 330. The 16mm pancake
lens is unique in that you can essentially get three options
from one, all of which can be shot through the same dome
port. The 16mm can be shot on its own, for an equivalent of a
24mm mm lens on a full frame camera, or if you need to go
wider, there is a wide attachment and a fisheye attachment.
Both of these screw onto the lens. We were at first skeptical
about this design, but after testing in a variety of settings,
we found that the fisheye option delivers edge to edge
sharpness that is just as crisp as options available for SLRs.
On the macro end of things, in addition to using a wet
diopter with the 18-55 lens, there is also a 30mm macro
lens available from Sony that allows focusing down to
1:1. But lens selection remains the achilles heel of the NEX
series, especially in macro. While the 30mm E-Mount lens
delivers excellent results for subjects such as fish portraits,
its working distance is far too short to work well with skittish
subjects, and doesn’t lend itself to use with external diopters.
The Sony 30mm Macro lens is a great choice for fish portraits, but for smaller
subjects, its working distance is extremely short. Sony NEX-7, ISO 100, 1/160, f7.1
underwater photography industry, after all. But the strides
that have been made in recent years are very impressive
indeed, and the gap is now the closest it has ever been.
For now, if you’re a serious macro shooter who prefers
photographing the tiniest of creatures, or likes using our
MacroMate, then an SLR is probably going to be your best
option. The longer working distance of SLR macro lenses
allows you to be further away from skittish creatures,
allowing you to get shots that unfortunately can’t be made
with compacts. The mirrorless cameras offer more hope and
we know that Olympus has some longer macro lenses in the
works. Currently, there really is no better route than to go
with an SLR if you’re really serious about macro. There are
reasons why the compact class hasn’t taken over the entire
26
BEST MIRRORLESS CAMERA STATISTICS 2014
Mirrorless Cameras
Mirrorless Camera Vital Statistics
Model
Olympus E-PL5
Olympus OM-D E-M5
Olympus OM-D E-M1
Resolution
16.1 MP
16.1 MP
16.1 MP
Image Size
4608x3456
4608x3456
4608x3456
Sensor Size
4/3” (17.3x13mm)
4/3” (17.3x13mm)
4/3” (17.3x13mm)
ISO Range
200-25600
80-25600
80-25600
8 fps
9 fps
10 fps
Movie Resolution
1080p
1080p
1080p
Movie Frame Rate in full HD
30p
30p
30p
LCD Size
3” 460K px
3” 610K px
3” 610K px
Sync Speed
1/160
1/160
1/320
RAW Format
YES
YES
YES
Starting at $1347
Starting at $2460
Starting at $3060
Panasonic GH4 Review Coming Soon!
When this 2014 Best Underwater Compact Cameras article was published, Panasonic had just announced their release of the
much anticipated GH4. It will be able to shoot 4K Video @ 100 Mbps, but not in All-I format, only IPB. Other key specs: 12
frames per second for up to 50 RAW shots, flash sync jump up to 1/250, hi ISO up to 25,600. AF speed is dramatically increased
by detecting how far out of focus an image is in order to help determine focus and speed up the process. There’s also a base
attachment that will support 2 XLR and 4 HD-SDI outs. We can’t wait to take it underwater and will update this article soon.
27
BEST UNDERWATER COMPACT CAMERAS 2014
How We Selected:
Our 2014 Test Criteria
Target Users
Wide Angle Lenses:
1. New underwater photographer wanting an easy
point & shoot camera with growth potential.
2. Advanced underwater photographer wanting a
compact camera solution.
We eliminated many cameras because they were incompatible
with underwater wide angle lenses. Most of these cameras
featured a 5X or greater zoom lens. While this might be
attractive for topside photography, long zoom lenses
require underwater housings designs with long lens ports.
Accessory wide angle lenses must mount to the end of these
ports and suffer from severe vignetting (dark corners) when
the camera is zoomed wide. You can zoom in the camera
lens to clip out the dark corners, but an extreme zoom
will negate any benefit. Our point & shot camera finalists
in this review offer great wide angle lens solutions by the
original manufacturer or a high quality third party solution.
Camera Feature Requirements
1. Great to excellent image quality.
2. Camera must be compact and lightweight when used topside.
3. Camera must be point & shoot easy, but offer
intermediate to advanced controls.
4. Underwater housing must offer wide angle potential.
As in our 2013 review, more cameras seemed to meet
our minimum criteria, and the best cameras quickly
bubbled to the top of the list. To help you understand
our criteria, please review the following concepts.
To capture the big picture or a unique perspective, compact cameras require an
accessory wide angle lens. The image above was taken with an Olympus PEN E-PL5
and a Panasonic 8mm fisheye lens, and a custom dome port from Zen Underwater.
28
In recent years we have seen more cameras have a 28mm
equivalent (to film) lens and some even having a 24mm
equivalent lens. As the lenses on the cameras get wider,
optically it becomes harder to design an underwater
wide angle lens. While 24mm may sound wide to a land
based shooter, we generally consider an angle of over
100 degrees to be the starting point for an underwater
wide angle setup. This will allow the photographer to get
very close to the foreground subject, but still maintain an
expansive background. On most 24mm lens cameras, you
may need to zoom to 28mm for use with a wide angle lens
to avoid vignetting.
Finally, the new class of mirrorless cameras offer a whole
new dimension of wide-angle photography, similar to
what’s available in SLRs. These advanced compact cameras
offer interchangeable fisheye and wide lenses on the
camera which can be matched up to a dome port for some
seriously wide coverage up to 180 degrees. While these
lenses can’t be changed underwater, they offer optically
the best solution for wide angle photography.
Some manufacturers have resorted to an air dome on
these wider lens cameras to bring back the above water
angle of coverage. If you remember from your basic scuba
class, your mask reduces your field of view by about 25
percent. The same thing happens with your camera lens
behind a flat lens port. The air dome will restore the angle
of coverage to what it is above water. However, the angle
for a 28mm is 75 degrees, and a 24mm is 84 degrees,
making it harder to photograph very large objects like
large reef scenes and shipwrecks.
All cameras in this review are point & shoot easy, but a few offer more growth potential. Auto exposure cameras can take great snapshots, but
adding a strobe and selecting a camera with manual exposure options will provide more rich and saturated colors.
29
Manual vs. Auto Exposure:
Highlight Warning and Histograms:
We remain surprised (and aggravated) with the lack of
manual exposure control on the many low priced cameras.
We applaud automation, but even a new user will benefit
from the creative options of manual exposure controls.
It’s disappointing to download photos from a great dive
only to learn they are too dark or too bright. Better to be
warned of errors while we’re still in the water and able
to correct our mistakes. Professional SLR cameras offer
highlight warning and histogram feedback displays to
help pro shooters dial in their exposure on the spot. A few
of the point & shoot cameras in this review also feature a
simplified version of these essential exposure guides. The
Highlight Warning will blink a warning color in areas that
are overexposed. The Histogram is simply a bar graph of
the tones in the image and provides refined feedback to
help you on the ultimate digital exposure goal--to make
the exposure as bright as possible without losing too much
detail in the highlights.
Cameras with manual exposure allow the photographer
to independently control shutter speed and aperture. This
might sound complicated to a new photographer, but with
a little guidance most new shooters quickly pick-up the
rewarding technique of manual exposure. Cameras without
manual controls can still produce good results with (+/-)
exposure compensation adjustments. We recommend auto
shooters try out (-1) or (-2) exposure compensation settings
to get richer color on upward angle shots.
Highlight warnings alert the photographer of over exposure. Histograms are a bar graph of tones in the image and
can guide the photographer to the ultimate goal of a proper exposure.
30
Slave TTL Strobes:
Custom White Balance
In recent years strobe manufacturers have developed
what is called slave TTL. When set to slave TTL mode,
the underwater strobe simply mimics the camera’s built-in
strobe to produce an automatic strobe exposure. While no
automatic system will yield perfect results 100% of the time,
this system works reasonably well and can help someone
who is just starting out to get some good shots in the can
on their first trip. Understanding how TTL systems work,
how to judge exposures, and working within a camera
system’s limitations will be a photographer’s best tools for
getting the picture you want.
In order to shoot good looking video, getting an accurate
white balance is crucial. A custom white balance is the
user telling the camera what area of the picture is white
and the camera building the rest of the colors off of that
baseline recording. Correct white balance makes the
video look more natural, and helps to bring back colors
that are filtered out by water when shooting at depth.
Even when using a color correction filter such as Magic
Filters, a custom white balance setting can yield superior
results. Unfortunately, getting an accurate white balance
is not a given on a point and shoot camera. On some
cameras it is a convoluted process, on others an accurate
reading is not even possible underwater. Choosing a
camera that makes it easy to get an accurate reading is
a must if you’re planning to use it for shooting video. We
gave additional points to cameras that have an easy to set
and accurate white balance. White balance in video is so
critical in natural light shooting that it is more important
than what video resolution the camera is capable of. The
best resolution doesn’t matter if the colors look bad.
HD Movie Mode
One of the most important trends in recent years is the
advent of HD video in virtually all of the serious contenders.
All of our favorite cameras saw their video clips receive a
much needed bump up to 1080p HD resolution. While on
some cameras the video quality is not that of a dedicated
HD camcorder, on others the quality of the footage
easily surpasses all but the highest end camcorders for
professional use. Many of the cameras in our lineup
produce video that is surprisingly good for the cost and
what is a secondary feature of a camera. However, great
video requires great white balance, something that is not
easily achieved on all point and shoot cameras. Also,
camera ergonomics and menus are designed for the still
shooter, not the videographer, making an HD camcorder
still a good choice for the dedicated video shooter. We
hope that the addition of HD video to most cameras will
inspire more shooters to take a try at video.
31
Questions?
We hope you have enjoyed this in-depth survey of the underwater compact camera market. At Backscatter, our team is
staffed with active divers who get out and shoot with all of the equipment that we sell. Our sales staff have direct experience
with the gear you purchase with us, and are just a phone call away if you ever need help. It’s that level of expertise that
we put into this annual roundup of compact cameras so that we can share with you what we’ve learned, and why we
recommend certain cameras over others. Please support the development of more content like this by purchasing your
gear from us.
Backscatter.com
Backscatter West +1831- 645- 10 8 2
B a c ks c a tte r E a s t + 1 -6 0 3 -4 3 2 -1 9 9 7

best underwater compact cameras 2014

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