Photo / Video News & Reviews
New NA-RX100VI for Sony RX100 MKVI
Now with the N50 interchangeable port system supporting extreme macro and high quality wide angle accessory lens options from Nauticam…
With the sixth iteration of the RX100 series, Sony has continued to add features to this workhorse compact camera and Nauticam is also adapting with the new NA-RX100VI housing. The NA-RX100VI housing provides the ergonomics, build quality, and innovative feature set customers demand in a tiny, travel friendly package with the addition of an interchangeable port system to accommodate the longer zoom lens of the Mark VI.
The Sony RX100 MKVI Camera
The core RX100 DNA that has made this series so exceptionally popular is unchanged. These features include a large backside illuminated sensor in a compact body that can easily fit into a shirt pocket. The largest change to the Mark VI is the move to a longer focal length 24-200mm equivalent from the previous 24-70mm.
The DSC-RX100 VI maintains the 315 point phase detect autofocus sensor array that covers 65% of the frame. Phase detect focus systems can acquire focus more quickly than the contrast detect enabled competition. Hunting for focus is virtually eliminated, and the continuous and tracking focus modes are much better at tracking fast action.
The 24 fps Continuous Hi shooting mode (complete with autofocus, auto exposure, and raw capture capability) provides a completely new way of shooting behavior. Still photo strobes can’t keep up with this frame rate, but with ambient light or LED video lights this high speed burst mode. Even the Continuous Mid mode is on par with the continuous shooting speeds possible with pro body DSLR cameras!
Key Camera Specifications
- 20.1 MP 1″ CMOS Sensor
- F2.8-4.5, 24-200mm equiv. zoom lens
- 5-axis image stabilization
- Retractable 2.36M-dot EVF with 0.59x equiv. magnification
- 24 fps burst shooting (with continuous autofocus)
- 4K (UHD) 30fps video recording with full sensor readout at 100 Mbps
The Nauticam NA-RX100VI Housing
The NA-RX100VI sets a new standard for compact camera housing design. It is the ultimate refinement of the models that came before it, and proven in the field.
Nauticam designs are always improving, with new features integrated into each new release. The ergonomic experience has been tailored for a photographer’s right hand on the side of the housing, placing key controls literally at the users finger tips. Some users, especially those wearing cold water gloves, prefer shooting from handles such as the Nauticam Flexitray. To better support this style of shooting, a set of stainless steel handle brackets and a mechanical shutter release trigger extension is included with every housing.
The RX100VI housings moves to an interchangeable N50 port system, meaning in addition to attaching a number of different wet mount lenses a variety of dedicated ports are also available. A compact camera underwater is only as good as the optics in front of it, and the growing Nauticam accessory lens lineup sets new performance standards with every release.
All Nauticam accessory lenses are engineered specifically for underwater imaging, not waterproof adaptations of lenses designed for use in air, resulting in superior image quality. The Nauticam macro accessories provide visibly sharper images than competing macro lenses, especially in the corders, with noticeably less purple fringing. The lens design is also designed with autofocus systems in mind, easing the learning curve associated with high magnification imaging.
The NA-RX100VI features an interchangeable N50 port system. This port system allows for several different configurations to meet every shooting situation from super wide angle to super macro!
Key Features
Rotary Locking Latch
An oversized rotary latch seals the housing, and securely locks in place without risk of accidental opening. No control functions need to be preset or aligned when installing the camera, it simply drops into the housing and is ready to use.
Integrated Vacuum Monitoring and Leak Detection
Circuitry included as standard equipment provides constant monitoring of water tight integrity when combined with an optional Nauticam M14 Vacuum Valve II (25624). Green means safe to dive!
HDMI Output
With the optional HDMI bulkhead connected to the M16 accessory hole the NA-RX100VI can be used with the SmallHD 501/502 Monitors (in the NA-502h housing, p/n 17906). The camera offers “clean” HDMI output, allowing high bit rate Apple ProRes recording at up to 4k 30P with supported external recorders.
Details and Specifications
- Depth Rating: 100m
- Weight: 1.05 kg
- Dimensions: 151mm x 101mm x 136mm W x H x D
- Battery for Vacuum system: CR2032
- Model Number: 17421
- USA Retail Price: $1100
- Available Now!
More information is available from Nauticam at: www.nauticam.com
Purchase Nauticam products from Cameras Underwater here
An emotive photograph showing a freediver examining the aftermath of whaling sees
Alex Dawson from Sweden named Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024. Dawson’s
photograph ‘Whale Bones’ triumphed over 6500 underwater pictures entered by underwater
photographers from around the world.
“Whale Bones was photographed in the toughest conditions,” explains chair of judging
panel Alex Mustard, “as a breath-hold diver descends below the Greenland ice sheet to bear
witness to the carcasses. The composition invites us to consider our impact on the great
creatures of this planet. Since the rise of humans, wild animals have declined by 85%. Today,
just 4% of mammals are wildlife, the remaining 96% are humans and our livestock. Our way
needs to change to find a balance with nature.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Whales dominated the winning pictures this year with Spanish photographer Rafael
Fernandez Caballero winning two categories with his revealing photos of these ocean giants:
a close up of a grey whale’s eye and an action shot of a Bryde’s whale engulfing an entire bait
ball, both taken in Magdalena Bay, Baja California, Mexico. Fernandez Caballero took ‘Grey
Whale Connection’ while drifting in a small boat, holding his camera over the side in the water
to photograph the curious whale. ‘The End Of A Baitball’ required Fernandez Caballero to dive
down and be in exactly the right place at the moment the whale lunged. “The photo shows
the high speed attack,” he said, “with the whale engulfing hundreds of kilograms of sardines
in one bite — simply unforgettable to see predation on such a scale.”
Photo: Rafael
Fernandez Caballero
Lisa Stengel from the United States was named Up & Coming Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image of a mahi-mahi catching a sardine, in Mexico. Stengel used both a very fast shutter speed and her hearing to catch the moment. “If you listen there’s an enormous amount of sound in the ocean,” she explained. “The action was too fast to see, so I honed in on the sound of the attacks with my camera to capture this special moment.”
“It is such an exciting time in underwater photography because photographers are capturing such amazing new images, by visiting new locations and using the latest cameras,”
commented judge Alex Mustard. “Until this year I’d hardly ever see a photo of a mahi mahi,
now Lisa has photographed one hunting, action that plays out in the blink of an eye.”
The Underwater Photographer of the Year contest is based in the UK, and Jenny Stock,
was named as British Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 for her image “Star
Attraction”, which finds beauty in species of British wildlife that are often overlooked.
Exploring the west coast of Scotland, Stock explained “in the dark green depths my torch
picked out the vivid colours of a living carpet of thousands of brittle stars, each with a
different pattern. I was happily snapping away, when I spotted this purple sea urchin and I
got really excited.”
Photo: Jenny Stock
In the same contest, Portuguese photographer, Nuno Sá, was named ‘Save Our Seas
Foundation’ Marine Conservation Photographer of the Year 2024, with his photo ‘Saving
Goliath’, taken in Portugal. Sá’s photo shows beachgoers trying to save a stranded sperm
whale. The picture gives us hope that people do care and want to help the oceans, but also
warns us that bigger changes are needed. “The whale had been struck by a ship and its fate
was sealed,” explains Sá. “An estimated 20,000 whales are killed every year, and many more
injured, after being struck by ships-and few people even realise that it happens.”
Photo: Nuno Sá
More winning images can be found at www.underwaterphotographeroftheyear.com.
About Underwater Photographer of the Year
Underwater Photographer of the Year is an annual competition, based in the UK, that celebrates photography beneath the surface of the ocean, lakes, rivers and even swimming pools, and attracts entries from all around the world. The contest has 13 categories, testing photographers with themes such as Macro, Wide Angle, Behaviour and Wreck photography, as well as four categories for photos taken specifically in British waters. The winners were announced in an award ceremony in Mayfair, London, hosted by The Crown Estate. This year’s UPY judges were experienced underwater photographers Peter Rowlands, Tobias Friedrich and Dr Alexander Mustard MBE.
Header image: Underwater Photographer of the Year 2024 winner Alex Dawson
The winners of the prestigious World Shootout 2023 underwater photography competition were announced at this year’s BOOT Show, captivating audiences at the world’s largest diving and water sports exhibition in Dusseldorf, Germany. Hundreds of photographers from 54 countries competed across nine categories, pushing the boundaries of creativity and technical skill.
Grand Prize Winners
- Picture of the Year: Spanish photographer Eduardo Acevedo “secured” the top Honor with the prestigious prize the “boot Dusseldorf Director’s Prize, earning an Andromeda statuette and a €2,000 cash prize.
- Best 5 Images Portfolio: Luc Rooman from Belgium triumphed in this category, winning a dream 4-week diving trip for two to Papua New Guinea, valued at $18,900.
- Amateur Photographer: Alexandra Ceurvorst from the USA impressed the judges with her talent, taking home the 1,000 € cash prize award.
Celebrating Diversity and Innovation
This year’s competition saw 11,680 entries from 964 photographers, showcasing a remarkable spectrum of skills and perspectives. From the intricate wonders of Macro photography to the beauty of “Black Water”, the “Underwater Fashion” category added a touch of artistry and innovation, while the ever-important ” Environmental & Conservation” category served as a powerful reminder of the need to protect these fragile ecosystems.
Looking Ahead: AI and Ocean Conservation
World Shootout founder and producer David Pilosof unveiled an exciting addition for the 2024 competition: this year the Environmental category will be focusing on the impact of plastic on our oceans and future.
This category will embrace the potential of AI or other editing software as a tool to amplify the conservation message.
Entrants will submit campaigns of three original underwater photographs dealing with plastic pollution, along with their final AI assistance processing. This innovative approach encourages artistic expression while raising awareness about a critical environmental issue.
Explore the Stunning Collection
Discover the complete album of competition entries by clicking here.
For Low-resolution photos of finalist entries in eight categories, click here.
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