FOR 2016 - Backscatter

BEST UNDERWATER
MIRRORLESS CAMERAS
FOR 2016
Mirrorless cameras are a relatively new category in photography. A mirrorless camera is
like an SLR camera with interchangeable lenses, but the mirror box and optical
viewfinder are eliminated. All composition is done from the LCD screen or thru an
electronic viewfinder. This makes the camera system smaller and less expensive
than a traditional SLR. Most systems can be small enough for carry on luggage with a
backpack and small roller bag. Sensor sizes range from a 2.0 crop sensor to full frame
depending on camera model. Image quality and performance of top end mirrorless
cameras can rival or beat some SLRs, while some lower end models are inexpensive
enough to be a no brainer upgrade from a compact.
Check out our compete article with more details, including sample photos and videos from the reviewed cameras at:
BACKSCATTER.COM/COMPACT
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OLYMPUS
PEN E-PL7
THE OLYMPUS PEN E-PL7 is keeping the PEN series as one of the top cameras on our list. We love the PEN series
for their quick autofocus, snappy performance, and great image quality. Startup time is quick and shutter lag is
non-existent. 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. The PEN is lightweight and easy to travel with, so much
we often see customers “crossgrade” into a mirrorless system just to avoid traveling with the weight of heavier SLR
housings. With a new smaller front port, the new PT-EP12 housing unfortunately only supports the 14-42 EZ lens.
However, new ports from AOI allow use of a full range of lenses rivaling the flexibility of more expensive mirrorless
and SLR systems. Camera and housing price starts at $1350. 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.
Quick focus and no shutter lag allow capturing the moment easier to do.
PROS
• Sensor provides extremely good low light and high
ISO performance
• 8 frames per second continuous shooting mode
• Extremely snappy autofocus performance
compared to any camera, compact or SLR
• Full range of lenses and 3rd party ports
available
CONS
• Standard housing port has limited lens
selection
• 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
Read full review with photos and video at www.backscatter.com/compacts
All images on page shot with Olympus PEN E-PL7
BACKSCATTER · +1-831-645-1082 · [email protected] · www.backscatter.com
OLYMPUS
OM-D EM-1
THE OLYMPUS OM-D EM-1 has been our favorite mirrorless camera over the past couple of years. The E-M1 improves
upon our previous favorite, the E-M5, by adding a more sophisticated autofocus system and greater customization
of all available camera buttons. 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. Most 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. The customization of controls on this camera are insane. Almost any button can
can be reassigned to another function. 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.
Images from the Olympus E-M1
are exceptionally sharp. Shot with
the Olympus 60mm macro and
a Subsee +10, focus was easy to
see on the screen and through
the viewfinder .
ISO 200, 1/320, F8
PROS
• Performance, sharpness, and image quality on par
with or exceeds SLRs
• 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
Read full review with photos and video at www.backscatter.com/compacts
All images on page shot with Olympus OM-D EM-1
BACKSCATTER · +1-831-645-1082 · [email protected] · www.backscatter.com
PANASONIC
GH4
THE PANASONIC GH4 is the first mirrorless camera that offers internal 4k recording, making it a top pick for photo
and 4k video enthusiasts on a budget or travelers that prefer a compact system. Standard HD resolution is only
editing. As a reference point, the wildly popular Canon 5D Mark II also shot in the IPB format, but only at 42 Mbps.
All this talk about 4K video would make you think this camera isn’t set up to do stills, but you would be wrong. There
are a number of improvements over the previous model, the GH3. Autofocus is faster. Shooting speed is up to 12
frames per second. ISO range, noise, and dynamic range have been improved.
The Panasonic GH4 has
great dynamic range and
reserves plenty of detail
in both the bright areas
of the sponge and dark
areas of the surface.
PROS
• Shoots 4k at a respectable 100 mbps data rate &
will hold up to some color correction
• Shoots 1080p 60p movies at 200 mbps
• Easy to forget it takes great still images too
CONS
• Control set not as nice as E-M1
• 1/250 flash sync speed compared to 1/320 with
E-M1
• Needs a color filter to have ambient light white
balance look correct
Read full review with photos and video at www.backscatter.com/compacts
All images on page shot with Panasonic GH4
BACKSCATTER · +1-831-645-1082 · [email protected] · www.backscatter.com
OLYMPUS
OM-D EM-5
MKII
THE OLYMPUS OM-D EM-5 MKII is arguably the best mirrorless camera Olympus has put out. With great still features,
a vastly improved movie mode and a price of $300 less than the E-M1, makes the E-M5 Mk II one of the top
mirrorless out today. The control set very closely resembles that of the EM-1, which we thought was one of the best
control sets of any camera, period. The sensor is all new with a faster readout to support faster live view refresh and
1080 60p video. This also helps the E-M5 Mk II have a slight increase in AF performance over the E-M1. The faster
sensor readout also helps the E-M5 Mk II have a slight increase in AF performance over the E-M1.
Super macro shots
are not a problem
with the EM-5 Mark
II. The LCD screen
has increased
resolution and
dynamic range
making it easier to
see critical focus.
For those whose
vision might not
be the best to see
a LCD screen, the
higher resolution
electronic view
finder can be used
with a magnifying
viewfinder like an
SLR to get the best
critical focus view.
PROS
The image quality
in the EM-5 MKII
allows nice and
smooth gradations
from light to dark.
• 1080 60p movies in a higher bit rate codec
• Housing now includes a standard port
• Best screen display yet from Olympus
CONS
• No 4k movie mode
• 1/250 flash sync speed compared to 1/320 with
E-M1
• 40MP hi res shot mode not practical for
underwater
Read full review with photos and video at www.backscatter.com
All images on page shot with Olympus OM-D EM-5 MKII
BACKSCATTER · +1-831-645-1082 · [email protected] · www.backscatter.com
SONY
a7R II
a7S II
THE SONY’S A7 SERIES are mirrorless marvels offering the superb image quality of the NEX cameras we all grew to
love, and you can still use your interchangeable E-Mount lenses on the ‘Alpha’ cameras, or your Canon lenses with
an adapter. The Sony a7 offers six different models, all full frame sensors in a compact camera body fitting into two
different same housing: the a7 II for 24 megapixels of full frame shooting better or equal to many DSLRs, the a7S
II optimized for the video shooter to capture 4K ultra high resolution, and the a7R II which boasts a whopping 42
megapixels!
This image was
taken a few
minutes before
sunset which
required an ISO of
2500. Any hint of
noise is virtually
undetectable and
the transition from
bright to dark areas
has no banding.
Pictures from
the Sony a7S
are very sharp.
Detail is held
very well.
PROS
• 2 Housings, choice of 6 cameras: 12MP, 24MP,
36MP, 42MP
• a7S, a7R II & a7S II are the best low light camera
ever, even over SLR!
• 4k onboard recording with a7R II & a7S II
• Can use Canon L series Wide lenses with Fotodiox
or Metabones adapters
CONS
• Limited native lens selection, but more lenses
available keep coming
• Ambient light white balance needs a filter for
accurate color
• No pop up flash for TTL, hardwire flash only
Read full review with photos and video at www.backscatter.com/compacts
All images on page shot with Sony a7S
BACKSCATTER · +1-831-645-1082 · [email protected] · www.backscatter.com
Mirrorless Camera Vital Statistics
Olympus E-PL7 Olympus E-M5 II Olympus E-M1 Panasonic GH4 Sony a7R II
Sony a7S II
Resolution
16.1 MP
16.1 MP
16.1 MP
16.1 MP
42.4 MP
12.2 MP
Image Size
4608 x 3456
4608 x 3456
4608 x 3456
4608 x 3456
7952 x 5304
4240 x 2832
Sensor Size
4/3"
(17.3x13mm)
4/3"
(17.3x13mm)
4/3"
(17.3x13mm)
4/3"
(17.3x13mm)
Full Frame
(36x24mm)
Full Frame
(36x24mm)
ISO Range
200-25,600
200-25,600
200-25,600
200-25,600
100-25,600
100-102,400
10 fps
9 fps
12 fps
5 fps
5 fps
1080p
1080p
4K
4K
4K
60p
30p
60p
60p
120p
Max Strobe
Sync Speed
3"
1.04M px
3"
1.04M px
3"
1.04M px
3"
1.04M px
3"
1.23M px
3"
1.23M px
1/250
1/250
1/320
1/250
1/250
1/250
RAW Format
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
Camera +
Housing
$1,450
$2,245
$2,905
$3,550
$6,473
$6,273
Frame Rate
8 fps
(Still Burst)
Movie
1080p
Resolution
Movie Frame
30p
Rate in 1080p
LCD Size
NOTES:
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Check out our compete article with more details, including sample photos and videos from the reviewed cameras at:
BACKSCATTER.COM/COMPACT