Nauticam NA-FX5 Underwater Housing for Sony FX5

Professional Nauticam underwater housing for the Sony FX5 Cinema Line full-frame camera

The Nauticam NA-FX5 underwater housing has been specifically designed for the new Sony FX5 Cinema Line camera. It combines Nauticam’s robust and reliable construction with ergonomic controls, a professional port system and extensive expansion options for demanding underwater video productions.

The compact Sony FX5 and the NA-FX5 together form a powerful underwater video system for professional filmmakers, documentary producers, nature filmmakers and ambitious underwater videographers. The camera’s essential functions remain quick and intuitive to access inside the housing.

The Nauticam NA-FX5 Underwater Housing

Ergonomic operation based on the Mission Control principle

The NA-FX5 follows Nauticam’s proven Mission Control philosophy. Frequently used camera functions and controls are positioned so that they can be reached from the handles with minimal hand movement.

This allows the Sony FX5 to be operated quickly and securely underwater, even when wearing diving gloves or working in dynamic shooting situations. The sturdy handles also provide a reliable mounting platform for video lights, lighting arms, external monitors and additional accessories.

Nauticam N100 port system

The Nauticam NA-FX5 uses the proven N100 port system. This provides access to a wide selection of dome ports, flat ports, port extensions and professional underwater optics.

The N100 system also makes upgrading easier for users who already own a compatible Nauticam full-frame system. Depending on the lens used, existing ports and extensions may be reusable. The required port configuration must be checked using the latest Nauticam port chart.

Vacuum check and leak detection system

The Nauticam NA-FX5 features an integrated electronic vacuum check and leak detection system. When used with a suitable vacuum valve, the housing can be tested for watertightness before the dive.

A colour-coded LED display provides information about the current system status. In the event of pressure loss or water ingress, the system provides both visual and audible warnings. Nauticam’s temperature-compensated system reduces false alerts caused by changing temperatures or heat generated by the camera.

Professional expansion options

The NA-FX5 provides connection and mounting options for professional video configurations. Depending on the setup, external monitor and recorder housings, HDMI connections, video lights, buoyancy arms and additional accessories can be integrated.

The exact selection of cables, bulkheads and adapters depends on the monitor or recorder being used and should be configured according to the intended system.

Premium optics for maximum image quality

Optical performance is just as important as camera performance when shooting underwater. The Nauticam N100 port system offers traditional glass dome ports and flat ports for a wide range of Sony E-mount lenses.

Selected Nauticam water-contact optics can also be used. These optics have been specifically designed for underwater use and provide excellent corner sharpness, short minimum focusing distances and exceptionally wide fields of view.

Optics such as the Nauticam WACP-1 or WACP-2 can, depending on the lens and approved configuration, provide a field of view of up to approximately 130° with excellent sharpness extending into the corners of the image.

The Sony FX5 Cinema Line Full-Frame Camera

The Sony FX5 is a compact professional Cinema Line camera with an E-mount lens system. It combines a newly developed stacked 5K full-frame sensor with the powerful BIONZ XR2 image processor and an integrated AI processing unit.

With internal RAW recording, high frame rates, professional monitoring functions and cinema-oriented controls, the Sony FX5 is ideal for high-quality film productions both above and below the water.

Stacked 5K full-frame sensor

The Sony FX5 uses a stacked Exmor RS CMOS full-frame sensor measuring 35.9 × 24.0 mm. The sensor has approximately 18.2 megapixels and up to approximately 16.6 effective megapixels.

The sensor’s fast readout enables high-resolution recording at high frame rates. At the same time, its wide exposure latitude and low noise provide smooth tonal gradations and natural detail in high-contrast scenes.

BIONZ XR2 with integrated AI processing

The new BIONZ XR2 image processor includes an integrated AI processing unit. This supports functions such as subject recognition, autofocus and automatic white balance.

The FX5 can recognise people, animals and birds and track their eyes in real time. Its Fast Hybrid Autofocus system uses up to 759 phase-detection AF points.

Internal 16-bit X-OCN RAW recording

The FX5 can record internally in the scene-linear 16-bit X-OCN format. This means that an external RAW recorder is not required for RAW recording.

X-OCN LT, C1 and C2 formats are available. Depending on the production requirements, users can choose between more compact files, higher image quality and greater flexibility in post-production.

Open Gate and high frame rates

The FX5 supports Open Gate recording using the full sensor area in a 3:2 aspect ratio. This retains more image information for different delivery formats, vertical crops, image stabilisation and subsequent reframing.

• 5K full-frame Open Gate recording in a 3:2 aspect ratio
• 5K recording at up to 120 frames per second
• 4K recording at up to 240 frames per second in full-frame crop mode
• Internal X-OCN RAW recording
• XAVC HS and XAVC S recording

Note: According to Sony, certain recording formats, including 5K X-OCN at 120 frames per second and 4K at 240 frames per second, require a future firmware update.

More than 15 stops of dynamic range

With S-Log3, the Sony FX5 achieves an exposure latitude of more than 15 stops. This helps preserve detail in both bright and dark areas while providing extensive flexibility for colour grading.

This is particularly useful underwater, where bright water surfaces, sunbeams and dark subject areas often appear within the same frame.

Three base ISO settings

The Sony FX5 provides three base ISO settings for different lighting conditions:

• Base ISO 800
• Base ISO 4000
• Base ISO 12800

The high base sensitivity is particularly useful for underwater filmmakers, as ambient light is often limited at greater depths. It also provides additional flexibility when recording at high frame rates or when using colour-correction filters that reduce the amount of available light.

Dual Gain Shooting

The FX5 supports Dual Gain Shooting. This uses two different gain levels to maximise dynamic range while reducing image noise in darker areas.

As a result, shadow areas can be rendered more cleanly while retaining natural colour and brightness transitions.

Precise autofocus with AI subject recognition

The FX5’s Fast Hybrid Autofocus system uses up to 759 phase-detection AF points. The integrated AI processing system supports the recognition and tracking of people, animals and birds.

When filming moving underwater subjects, precise subject tracking can make shooting considerably easier. Performance also depends on the subject, lens, lighting conditions and camera settings.

5-axis image stabilisation

The Sony FX5 features integrated optical 5-axis image stabilisation. A revised stabilisation unit extends the compensation range, particularly for rotational movement.

Electronic stabilisation modes and stabilisation metadata are also available for subsequent post-production processing.

Anamorphic recording

For anamorphic film productions, the FX5 provides an integrated de-squeeze display. Supported factors include:

• 1.3x
• 1.5x
• 1.6x
• 1.8x
• 2.0x

S-Cinetone, S-Log3 and custom LUTs

The Sony FX5 supports S-Cinetone for a ready-to-use cinematic look with natural skin tones and smooth tonal gradations.

For advanced post-production workflows, S-Log3, S-Gamut3 and S-Gamut3.Cine are available, as well as Cine EI, Cine EI Quick and Flexible ISO recording modes. Up to 16 custom LUTs can be imported.

Professional monitoring and exposure tools

The FX5 provides several professional tools for monitoring exposure and focus:

• Waveform monitor
• Histogram
• False colour display
• Focus map
• Focus magnification
• Custom LUT display

Two CFexpress Type A and SD card slots

The Sony FX5 features two combined memory card slots. Both slots support:

• CFexpress Type A
• SDXC UHS-II
• SDXC UHS-I

The camera supports simultaneous recording, relay recording and separate storage of main and proxy files.

HDMI and professional connectivity

The FX5 features a full-size HDMI Type-A output for external monitors and recorders. It also has two USB Type-C ports that can be used for functions including power delivery and timecode applications.

Integrated Wi-Fi and a wired LAN connection are available for network-based production workflows.

Compact and lightweight

The Sony FX5 camera body weighs approximately 643 g. With the battery and memory card installed, the weight is approximately 734 g.

The approximate dimensions of the camera body are:

132.2 × 79.0 × 87.0 mm

Its compact design makes the FX5 particularly suitable for mobile productions and for building a comparatively manageable professional underwater video system.

Efficient cooling and long recording times

An integrated fan and cooling system is designed to support long, uninterrupted recording sessions. Sony states that the NP-SA100 battery can provide up to approximately 170 minutes of continuous recording under the specified test conditions.

Actual recording time depends on camera settings, ambient temperature, recording format, connected accessories and other factors.

Highlights of the Nauticam NA-FX5 System

• Specifically designed for the Sony FX5 Cinema Line camera
• Robust aluminium underwater housing
• Ergonomic controls based on Nauticam’s Mission Control principle
• Nauticam N100 port system
• Compatible with numerous Sony E-mount lenses
• Expandable with professional underwater monitor solutions
• Integrated vacuum check and leak detection system
• Stable dual-handle configuration with mounting balls
• Suitable for high-quality wide-angle and macro video recording
• Extensive Nauticam accessory system

Package Contents

• Nauticam NA-FX5 underwater housing
• Two handles with mounting balls
• Spare main O-ring
• O-ring removal tool
• O-ring lubricant
• Battery for the monitoring system
• Set of hex keys
• Instruction manual or instruction card
• Padded housing bag with shoulder strap

Note: The final package contents may still be adjusted by Nauticam before official delivery begins.

Recommended Accessories

• Suitable N100 dome or flat port
• Lens-specific port extension
• Suitable zoom or focus gear
• Nauticam vacuum valve
• Underwater video lights
• Lighting arms and clamps
• Buoyancy arms or buoyancy floats
• HDMI cable system
• External monitor or recorder housing
• Nauticam WACP water-contact optic

Category: Nauticam NA-FX5, Sony FX5 underwater housing, Sony FX5 dive housing, Cinema Line underwater housing, professional underwater video housing, Sony E-mount underwater housing, Nauticam Switzerland, underwater filmmaking, underwater videography