DSLR vs Mirrorless for Underwater Photography: Nikon Z9 Review

Nicolas Remy describes the professionals and cons of switching from a trusty DSLR to a more-compact mirrorless system for underwater pictures

Photographs by Nicolas Remy

Over the previous few years, digital camera producers have progressively stopped investing in DSLRs and targeted their innovation efforts on mirrorless know-how.

This noticed waves of top-side image-makers (skilled and fans alike) adopting new cameras and lenses, as they discovered benefits for his or her pictures and little-to-no downsides.

However, the underwater world presents additional challenges for cameras (assume decrease mild, decrease distinction and lowered color palette) and high-end DSLRs have been recognized for holding an edge over newer mirrorless cameras, when capturing in these particular situations.

As a consequence, many underwater photographers – myself included – have stayed on the fence, ready for the day mirrorless know-how would actually outperform DSLRs for underwater use. I’m scripting this piece, as a result of I feel that day has lastly come.

I’m drawing these conclusions based mostly on a five-week testing interval, the place I took Nikon’s flagship mirrorless digital camera – the Nikon Z9 – and the Nauticam NA-Z9 housing for over 20 hours of Sydney diving.

Sydney’s temperate waters provided the proper testing grounds, that includes the low-light and low-visibility situations the place mirrorless cameras have historically fallen behind the very best DSLRs.

I did some clear-water diving too (South West Rocks, Montague island), and my conclusions account for all these situations too.

Let’s now delve into the three areas that are conventional DSLR’s strong-holds for underwater pictures – autofocus efficiency, viewfinder expertise and battery life.

Autofocus efficiency

The Z9’s autofocus presents clear enhancements over the Nikon D500 and D850, that are arguably the most-popular DSLRs, with critical hobbyists {and professional} underwater photographers.

Firstly, the autofocus sensors cowl 90% of the body, in comparison with solely 50% on the D500, and 21% on the D850. This alone makes it simpler to trace topic that are transferring across the body.

Secondly, the entire 493 focus detection factors are delicate to -7 EV, in comparison with -4 EV, for the D500/ D850’s greatest detection factors. In layman phrases, this implies the Z9 can focus in situations eight to 16 instances dimmer than the DSLRs.

During my testing, I may verify the lowlight efficiency was wonderful: I used to be in a position to reliably focus and observe macro topics in four-metre visibility, on the finish of a cloudy afternoon, and not using a focus mild. I solely needed to switch-on my focus mild when it turned so darkish that my very own eyes struggled to search out topics.

Thirdly, the autofocus monitoring for transferring topics is rather more ‘sticky’ than it was on DSLRs. Once it locks onto a fish’s eye it doesn’t let go, even when the fish turns-away – as much as a 120-degrees angle, the attention continues to be tracked. Similarly, when a bit of algae quickly obstructs the topic, once more the Nikon Z9 doesn’t let go.

Fourth, the Z9 autofocus could be very correct: I used to be blown away to realize a 89% success price when utilizing the Z-mount 105mm macro lens, to trace erratic swimming fish (southern pygmy leatherjacket): 16 out of 18 photographs had been tack sharp on the attention, regardless of capturing at an open F/4 aperture.

The similar goes for wide-angle motion: over 1,300 fast-swimming fur seals images, the Z9 solely had 5 out of focus pictures, which had been resulting from bubbles caught on the dome.

For many of the seal images, I used a pair of highly effective Ikelite DS230 strobes, which impressively stored up with brief bursts at 20 frames per second, making for a implausible fast-action/ wide-angle combo, when paired with the Z9.

All-in-one, the 90% body protection and the sticker autofocus meant I may work sooner: I might overlay my focus level onto the topic and re-compose, being assured that the Z9 would preserve observe of the preliminary topic.

Another time saver is the animal detection function, which might recurrently establish fish and seahorses particularly. When it did, this spared me from having to pick the topic myself, and it was significantly helpful when there was surge, with each myself and the topic being in movement.

The solely circumstances the place I most popular the autofocus of my DSLRs was throughout night-dives, when utilizing a crimson focus mild. When every little thing turns to shades of crimson, the Z9 turns into noticeably slower to focus.

I’m listening to this additionally impacts different mirrorless cameras, as they have an inclination to depend on the blue and inexperienced sensor photosites for focusing functions.

Viewfinder expertise

Electronic viewfinders (EVF) know-how has come a great distance over years, and I discovered the Nikon Z9’s EVF a pleasure to make use of. Under vibrant ambient mild, it does really feel like a ‘real’ optical viewfinder, courtesy of its ample decision (3.69 M dots) and its quick refresh price (120 frames per second), each of which keep fixed throughout use.

As ambient mild fades out, the expertise turns into noticeably completely different from that of a DSLR viewfinder, largely for the higher. Indeed, the EVF brightens up darkish sceneries and this helped me see higher what was occurring, when framing fish portraits under rocky ledges.

Also, the Z9’s EVF always shows the most-important capturing parameters in two rows, above and under the picture, which saved me from pushing the ‘information’ button, once I wanted to double-check my settings.

Another implausible function is the DX mode change, which crops the total body 46 Mpix decision, producing 19 Mpix APS-C pictures, helpful when working with shy topics. This mode existed in DSLRs, however the Z9 makes it extra usable, by increasing the DX zone to fill the entire EVF.

This approach, it a lot simpler to compose DX pictures than it was on the likes of the Nikon D850. Perhaps the most-desirable change is the power to evaluation images within the EVF, versus utilizing the rear LCD display screen. This means not having to maneuver when checking your lighting, and fewer probabilities to spook a skittish topic or silt-up the scene.

On the unfavourable facet, all digital screens have a restrict in how a lot distinction they will show (that is known as dynamic vary) and EVFs aren’t any exception.

Alas, underwater we generally cope with excessive contrasts, usually once we shoot in the direction of the sunball, with subject material within the shadows. Historically, this has made wide-angle composition difficult on mirrorless cameras.

On this subject, I’m fairly pleased with how the Z9’s EVF was coping with excessive contrasts: there was seen element loss within the brighter elements of the body at instances (sunball, shallow water) however in saying that, passing fish or seals remained seen as silhouettes.

Meaning, I used to be nonetheless comfy composing my images. Finally, I seen the EVF wasn’t as ‘readable’ as a DSLR viewfinder when utilizing a crimson focus mild (evening dives): I discovered it harder to find my topic, and that is the one actual unfavourable I seen with this EVF.

Battery life

Mirrorless cameras have notoriously had shorter battery life than DSLRs, however that is simply solved by carrying a spare battery, when engaged on land.

Obviously this isn’t an choice when the digital camera is at depth, locked inside a housing! Fortunately, the know-how has improved, and I didn’t really feel constrained by the battery lifetime of the Nikon Z9: one battery would final for six to seven hours of intense use underwater.

Interestingly, the variety of photographs taken appeared to have little impression on battery life: I took 1,300 seals images in 1h40, consuming solely 29% of the Z9’s battery.

The video change

Shooting movies is far simpler on a mirrorless digital camera, and for a few of us this would be the primary cause to switch-over.

First of all, there are six years of video-related technological advances between the Nikon D850 and up to date mirrorless cameras, so the decision, body price and codecs provided are a lot improved.

As a primarily stills shooter, I really feel that I’m under-utilizing these video options (I don’t want 8K ProRes footage) however ease of swapping between stills pictures and video is one thing I worth quite a bit.

While my eye continues to be on the viewfinder and I see a video alternative, I solely should flick a lever (proper thumb, on the Nauticam NA-Z9 housing) and I’m able to movie in 4K/60p (my go-to video recording set-up).

Once I’m performed filming, I flick that change once more, and I’m again taking stills images, with out taking my eye away from the topic.

If you’re a photographer eager to develop a social media following, you realize that reels are the best way to go, and utilizing a mirrorless digital camera will make it sooner and simpler to provide the required footage, compared to the juggling wanted with a DSLR.

Final ideas

Although I knew that latest mirrorless cameras would do effectively for underwater pictures in clear, sunny waters, I wasn’t positive what to anticipate, when taking the Nikon Z9 diving in tougher temperate waters.

It seems the Nikon Z9 is the primary Nikon mirrorless digital camera which really outperforms DSLRs for underwater stills pictures, and makes video capturing a lot simpler too. Its ‘sticky’ autofocus, mixed with animal detection and a 90% body protection take steady topic monitoring to the following stage.

The digital viewfinder simplifies capturing in a number of methods, and this autofocus/viewfinder mixture make it attainable to work sooner, with a better keeper price, when the situations change into difficult underwater.

I’m anticipating the Nikon Z8 to comply with swimsuit, providing a really related efficiency in a smaller bundle, save for battery life, which is predicted to be about half of the Z9’s.

FAQ: DSLR vs Mirrorless Underwater

Q: Why are underwater photographers switching from DSLR to mirrorless?

A: Mirrorless techniques just like the Nikon Z9 provide improved autofocus protection, higher low-light efficiency, superior video options, and lighter, extra compact builds in comparison with DSLRs.

Q: How does the Nikon Z9 carry out in low-visibility diving situations?

A: The Z9’s autofocus sensors are delicate to -7 EV, making it efficient in very dim situations the place DSLRs just like the D500 or D850 would wrestle.

Q: What are the principle benefits of the Nikon Z9 for underwater use?

A: Key advantages embrace sticky autofocus monitoring, a sophisticated digital viewfinder, animal detection, sturdy low-light functionality, and seamless stills-to-video switching.

Q: Are there any downsides of utilizing a mirrorless system underwater?

A: Mirrorless cameras just like the Z9 can wrestle with autofocus when utilizing crimson focus lights throughout evening dives, and battery life, whereas improved, nonetheless requires consideration.

Q: Is the Nikon Z9 higher than DSLRs for underwater video?

A: Yes. The Z9 makes video seize simpler with codecs as much as 8K and easy stills-to-video switching, making it preferrred for photographers who additionally wish to produce high-quality reels.

Q: Should I contemplate the Nikon Z8 as a substitute?

A: The Nikon Z8 is predicted to ship related efficiency in a smaller physique, however with shorter battery life in comparison with the Z9.

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