Review of the Sea & Sea Sony Universal Housing: Insight on Its Performance and Quality
Unleash Your Sony under the Sea: Sea & Sea's Universal Housing
Ever dreamt of a universal underwater housing for your Sony camera? While we're yet to see a true Jack-of-all-trades, Japanese powerhouse Sea & Sea has crafted a near-universal solution for the Sony alpha line of full-frame cameras. Introducing the Sea & Sea Sony Universal Housing, a badass piece of equipment that plays nicely with six of Sony's top cameras - the Sony A1, A7R V, A7S III, A7R IV, A7 IV, and A9 II! And here's the kicker: it's likely to smoothly transition with many future Sony cameras, too.
Sony cameras usually sport similar body designs from one model to the next, so if you've got a stable Sony collection or are considering getting a video-centric body like the A7S III and a photo-focused body like the A7R V, the Sea & Sea universal housing is the most wallet-friendly and obvious choice.
But finding the perfect match isn't always a breeze in the field; fret not, for the friendly crew at Bluewater Photo has got your back. Just reach out to them and find out what magical conversion kit you'll need for your custom camera combo. Some switch-ups will need skilled hands from the Bluewater team.
Lucky us, Sea & Sea sent us North America's first universal housing, and we promptly dived into the chilly Pacific Northwest waters with this exciting new gear. Check out our video review of the Universal Housing below, and dive deeper with us for our full thoughts, specs, photos, and more:
Sea & Sea Sony Universal Housing Specs
- US MSRP: $4399.95 - 4599.95
- Compatible with the Sony A7R V, A1, A7S III, A7R IV, A7 IV, and A9 II
- Depth rating: 100m/330 ft
- Dimensions: 12.9 inches x 6.6 inches x 5.4 inches
- Weight: 2900 grams
- Corrosion-resistant anodized aluminum alloy construction (machined)
- A larger clear back panel
- Fiber optic cable cover
- Luminescent (glow-in-the-dark) button labels
- New Leak Alarm Unit Included
- Optical viewfinder 0.5x
- User-friendly port and lens lock release system
- Compatible with optical YS TTL converter
- Sacrificial zinc diodes to protect from electrolysis damage
- Focus and zoom dials pull out for larger lenses
Key Features
A Larger Back Panel
Hands down, our favorite revision of the universal housing over previous models is the extra-large back acrylic panel. It’s twice as large as previous editions, enabling a better view of the camera and the housing's innards, shedding some weight in the system, and ensuring that future camera models can fit neatly inside. During our dives, we effortlessly saw everything happening with our Sony A7 IV - from the photo/video mode switch to the autofocus point acquiring our subject on the LCD.
New Fiber Optic Cable Cover
Frustration levels underwater while shooting photos just went down a notch, thanks to the new fiber optic cable cover! This easy-to-use rubber piece fits over your fiber optic cables and secures them to the housing. Rest assured that pesky cable incidents won't occur during your dive, providing peace of mind while you're submerged.
Luminescent Button Labels
We've long admired Sea & Sea's luminescent (glow-in-the-dark) button labels for their ease of use during night dives or in low-visibility conditions. With this universal housing, we were reminded that we've been missing out on this useful feature with other housings. So, if you're a night diver, the Sea & Sea universal housing might be your ideal partner for your Sony camera.
A New Leak Alarm System (Included)
Kudos to Sea & Sea for upgrading their leak alarm unit and including it with the housing! Gone are the days of the Vivid Leak Sentinel; instead, their engineers have developed an easy-to-use vacuum system. The integrated electronics are simple to set up, and they're capable of detecting moisture in the housing, keeping it safe from water leaks. An audible alarm alerts you to reach the surface before a catastrophic flood. Before diving, an easy-to-use vacuum system allows you to test your seal for a dive. All it takes is a few splendid pumps with the hand pump, and an LED indicator will tell you if your seal is good to go.
Conversion Kits for Different Camera Models
The Sea & Sea Sony Universal Housing accommodates multiple cameras, but different camera combinations might require conversion kits to fit properly or function with specific lens ports and strobes. Some kits can be adjusted in the field, but some kits may require an adjustment of controls and should be handled by Bluewater Photo. If you're curious about a custom combination of cameras or a future Sony model, be sure to touch base with Bluewater Photo for guidance on which kit you need and if you can install it in the field.
Robustness
All in all, we found the construction of the Sea & Sea universal housing to be top-notch and on par with previous models. You'd think a universal housing would be bulkier than a housing designed for a single camera model; however, the larger acrylic panel has actually reduced the housing's weight underwater, making it lighter than other aluminum brands.
Aluminum housings are known for their durability. To protect from corrosion (electrolysis), the housing is equipped with two sacrificial zinc diodes – extending its lifespan. These diodes can be replaced years down the line if necessary.
The buttons on the housing aren't too stiff or too loose and the controls are thoughtfully placed. The only complaint we've had so far about the universal housing is that the buttons may not always be labeled 100% correctly if you need to switch camera models. However, this makes sense since these labels are usually related to custom buttons, and essential controls are typically in the same place.
The Final Game Plan
If you're a Sony shooter, the universal housing from Sea & Sea is worth serious consideration. Although you're paying a premium for a premium housing brand, the universal housing stands as the most cost-effective choice for Sony shooters due to its ability to fit multiple camera bodies and most likely future bodies as well. Throughout our review, we found the system to be surprisingly light, compact, and a delight to use. Sea & Sea has undoubtedly outdone themselves with this housing – from a new leak alarm system to a fiber optic cable holder. So, if you seek versatility, fantastic ergonomics, luminescent buttons, and an effortless-to-use leak alarm system, the Sea & Sea Sony universal housing is your ideal match.
- Armed with Sea & Sea's universal housing, a Sony diver can seamlessly switch between Sony A7S III for video-centric shooting and A7R V for photo-focused work, all in one compact, underwater solution.
- In the realm of photography equipment, technology advances rapidly, and the Sea & Sea Sony Universal Housing, compatible with Sony A1, A7R V, A7S III, A7R IV, A7 IV, and A9 II, demonstrates flexibility in transitioning with future Sony cameras.
- A crucial addition to the Sony underwater photography gadgets, the Sea & Sea Sony Universal Housing features a new fiber optic cable cover to ensure cable stability during dives, alleviating the concern of cable incidents.
- When the need arises for a specific conversion kit, the friendly team at Bluewater Photo offers guidance and assistance, ensuring a perfect fit for your custom camera combination.
- The Sea & Sea Sony Universal Housing's versatility shines, enabling Sony shooters to dive into the deep bluewater without boundaries, capturing stunning underwater images and harnessing the power of compact technology and Sony's cutting-edge photography features.
