GEAR TESTS: SONY A7 V Underwater Camera Review

Jim Decker CEO: Backscatter Underwater Video & Photo

This is the first time I've shot the Sony A7R V at the Shootout, but I've had a couple of other trips under my belt with it this year. It's a massive upgrade from the previous Sony A7R IV in a few very distinct areas.

First up is the autofocus. It is a 180 degree turn around from the extremely poor (if not unusable) autofocus with the Sony 90mm macro lens. Now it will zip right to the subject and track, even through a wet macro lens.

Second is the video side. This series camera is all about resolution (hence the "R" in the name) and previous models had mediocre video resolution and frame rate specs and very limited depth where it could execute a custom white balance. That is all changed with this latest model. Now it will shoot 4K60p and can white balance at deep depths.

Third is the increase in resolution and the image quality. At 61mp, this is the best image quality camera I have shot. I you want more quality or resolution, you'll have to move up to a medium format.

All that being said, if you can afford the upgrade, take a hard look at the Sony A1. A faster flash sync speed of 1/400 vs. 1/250, and 4K120p video come as a trade off to a lower resolution 50mp sensor, if that is somehow considered inadequate. 

Hergen Spalink Nauticam Ambassador

TODD WINNER Nauticam Ambassador

View our images shot with the Sony A7 V.

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