Hi everyone,

I'm finally upgrading from my Sony A7R III Ikelite setup to a Nauticam system and trying to decide between two Sony options. I'm a hobby photographer with a focus on nature and wildlife.

Option 1: Sony A7R V

Pros:

• Lower overall cost

• Nauticam Housing would also fit my existing A7 IV, giving me a backup body for an upcoming remote 5-week dive trip to French Polynesia in August.

Cons:

• Older camera

• Electronic shutter not usable

• slow / high rolling shutter
  

Option 2: Sony A7R VI

Pros:

• Latest generation body

• No rolling shutter, good for speed for most photo situation (prob not fast action in Magbay or South Africa)

• Better video

• Probably a better long term option

Cons:

• No backup body (housing only supports one)

• More expensive

My main setup will likely be the WACP-C with the Sony 28-60, as most reviews seem to favor it over the traditional 16-35 + dome combination.

My main questions are the following:

• Would you prioritize having a newer body with the latest specs or having a backup body on a remote trip?

• Is the A7RV still considered a great underwater option in 2026, or would you go straight to the A7R VI?

Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated :) Thanks guys!

Just buy the new one. That is if you can afford it and can get the housing in time for your trip. If you have time, wait for a few weeks for some actual UW reviews on the body.

I wouldnt put any weight on fitting a older body in the housing as backup, there is something seriously wrong if you have to do that and you are probably thinking about that instead of diving.

That being said, A7RV is still a magnificent body and produces great results. Maybe make a compromise and get the A7RV and change WACP-C to WACP-1. Although in Polynesia has alot of split opportunities (blacktips in the shallows with nice beach/ect backgrounds), so the traditional with a dome route might be better (maybe even the Canon 8-15 with TC).

Maybe have a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXlG9Fkd1-Y for some ideas. Alex and Matthew has a small video on the A7RVI also.

6 minutes ago, Sokrates said:

Just buy the new one. That is if you can afford it and can get the housing in time for your trip. If you have time, wait for a few weeks for some actual UW reviews on the body.

I wouldnt put any weight on fitting a older body in the housing as backup, there is something seriously wrong if you have to do that and you are probably thinking about that instead of diving.

That being said, A7RV is still a magnificent body and produces great results. Maybe make a compromise and get the A7RV and change WACP-C to WACP-1. Although in Polynesia has alot of split opportunities (blacktips in the shallows with nice beach/ect backgrounds), so the traditional with a dome route might be better (maybe even the Canon 8-15 with TC).

Maybe have a look at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXlG9Fkd1-Y for some ideas. Alex and Matthew has a small video on the A7RVI also.

Thanks for your response it's very much appreciated! I think I agree with you, I get more excited when researching the newer model. I'll be leaving end of august so not sure if underwater reviews will be out on time, I think the nauticam releases the housing end of this month.

Regarding the dome route, I already own the 16-35mm f/2.8 II, so that could definitely be a great option! I don't have the Canon fisheye, and I don’t think I want to invest in one right now. I was actually looking for a versatile middle ground, which is what led me to the WACP-C since it fits my budget perfectly.

I have A7R5 in Nauticam housing. I am very happy with the camera and have no urge to upgrade now. Both A7R5 and (for sure) A7R6 are very capable UW cameras. Even better AF and more DR of A7R6 is certainly tempting..

If buying new, I would go for A7R6, just because of the longer usable span from now (more futureproof). A budget friendly, and also very good, option is to look for a second hand Nauticam housing for R5, maybe together with camera. I guess several people will upgrade now and want so sell (I would not go for a new A7R5 housing now, the price is the same as for R6)...

Wolfgang

P.S.: I do not have a backup camera at present(sooner or later I will have to acquire a second body, since my over water photography is now restricted to the arrival and the last day before departure of a trip, during the rest of the time the camera is integrated into the setup; having one housing that fits both cameras is certainly an advantage )

Edited 5 hours ago5 hr by Architeuthis

21 minutes ago, Architeuthis said:

I have A7R5 in Nauticam housing. I am very happy with the camera and have no urge to upgrade now. Both A7R5 and (for sure) A7R6 are very capable UW cameras. Even better AF and more DR of A7R6 is certainly tempting..

If buying new, I would go for A7R6, just because of the longer usable span from now (more futureproof). A budget friendly, and also very good, option is to look for a second hand Nauticam housing for R5, maybe together with camera. I guess several people will upgrade now and want so sell (I would not go for a new A7R5 housing now, the price is the same as for R6)...

Wolfgang

P.S.: I do not have a backup camera at present(sooner or later I will have to acquire a second body, since my over water photography is now restricted to the arrival and the last day before departure of a trip, during the rest of the time the camera is integrated into the setup; having one housing that fits both cameras is certainly an advantage )

Thanks for your response! Totally agree, I am a bit limited on time as we leave at the end of July for our 5-week trip. If I didn't already have the A7 IV, this would be an easier decision for me. Now I already have a backup available in case I go for the A7R V, which is definitely nice for peace of mind on a 5-week remote trip. Then again, the A7R VI does excite me more...

Just circling back to the A7IV in other housing, i think it can function also in the A7R VI housing, atleast on some level. Its not 1:1 with the A7R V either.

And A7R VI with A7 IV:

Yes there are differences, but there might be a small possibility that most buttons align.

Just buy the A7R VI and you wont be thinking any what if's with the brand spankers new camera.

New camera to fail critically without it being somewhat due to the housing, the odds are super small. If its due to the housing like it most likely will be, you dont want to stick your old camera in either.

Edited 4 hours ago4 hr by Sokrates

2 hours ago, Sokrates said:

Just circling back to the A7IV in other housing, i think it can function also in the A7R VI housing, atleast on some level. Its not 1:1 with the A7R V either.

And A7R VI with A7 IV:

Yes there are differences, but there might be a small possibility that most buttons align.

Just buy the A7R VI and you wont be thinking any what if's with the brand spankers new camera.

New camera to fail critically without it being somewhat due to the housing, the odds are super small. If its due to the housing like it most likely will be, you dont want to stick your old camera in either.

Thanks again for your reply. Nauticam has a conversion kit to make the A7IV work in the A7RV housing.

3 hours ago, AlexUW26 said:

Thanks for your response! Totally agree, I am a bit limited on time as we leave at the end of July for our 5-week trip. If I didn't already have the A7 IV, this would be an easier decision for me. Now I already have a backup available in case I go for the A7R V, which is definitely nice for peace of mind on a 5-week remote trip. Then again, the A7R VI does excite me more...

Maybe you should not let stress yourself by this single trip. It seems that up to now you were happily making photos with your A7R3 (If I had an A7R3, I also would consider an upgrade)? If no good bargain shows up, why not wait and make the next trip with the camera you already have and upgrade afterwards?

Within the next half year, prices for new A7R6 will drop considerably, as well as Nauticam housings for A7R5 will appear on the second hand market...