Today Nauticam announced the NA-LX5 underwater housing for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 camera. The housing has a depth rating of 75 meters. The price is $950 and will start shipping on April 22, 2011.
Nauticam NA-LX5 Housing for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5
Nauticam proudly announces the NA-LX5 Housing for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5. This camera and housing package offers functionality and image quality traditionally only available from much larger SLR systems plus ease of use previously found only in compact systems.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and Leica D-Lux 5
Panasonic’s LX5 camera is at the top of the compact camera world, with features rivaling much larger cameras. Featuring a 10 megapixel CCD sensor with an ISO range of 80-3200 (and up to 12,800 with reduced resolution), this camera produces very high quality images and video. The camera also features a bright 3.8x 24-90mm equivalent zoom lens with built in stabilization with effective maximum apertures ranging from f/2 – f/3.3. A switch on the front of the camera controls the image aspect ratio, including 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1 (square), offering the shooters more creativity in framing images.
Two of the most important features in any camera for underwater are the ability to shoot in RAW mode and the ability to shoot manual exposure. The LX5 accomplishes both with ease. RAW mode is set via menu option - similarly to most DSLRs. Manual exposure is one of the modes available (along with Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and two user Custom modes) on the dial on top of the camera. Unlike most other compact cameras, LX5 provides automatic flash exposure (TTL) in manual mode.
Controls are simple but well though out, with familiar push buttons for quick access function, a zoom switch on a ring around the shutter release, and single click-turn command dial for exposure settings. Switching between aperture and shutter speed in manual mode is done by simply clicking the dial.
Another feature favored by underwater photographers is control over focus; the LX5 offers complete control, via a programmable AF/AE-L (autofocus and/or auto exposure lock button), and a separate switch to select between normal, macro and manual focus.
For video shooters, the LX5 offers automatic or full manual control while shooting 720p AVCHD video and has a dedicated video start/stop button. Continuous AF is available while shooting video, as is zoom control.
For Leica fans, Leica offers their own version of this camera, called the Leica D-Lux 5. The Nauticam NA-LX5 housing will support this camera too, so now this Leica compact can explore the underwater world too.
Nauticam NA-LX5 Housing
A compact camera with this much functionality demands a rugged yet compact housing, and the Nauticam engineers have delivered with an aluminum housing offering all of that functionality to the underwater shooter. The Nauticam NA-LX5 housing (part number #17701) puts the power of the LX5 camera into the palm of your hand, and your BCD pocket.
Taking a cue from the NA-NEX5 housing, this is a very compact housing, with all of the LX-5 camera controls available from the ergonomic grip sculpted into the side of the housing. The camera slides easily into the housing with no need to preset any controls, and the housing is securely closed with a clasp featuring double safety releases. The compact form factor, ease of use, excellent image quality and P&S functionality make this a perfect system for everyone from new u/w shooters to pros that want a camera that will fit into their BCD pocket.
Ergonomics is one of the areas that all Nauticam housings excel and the Nauticam NA-LX5 housing is no exception. This housing puts all of the important controls on the camera within easy reach, and even makes some of the controls on the housing easier to manipulate than on the camera itself. Case in point – as mentioned, the LX5 command dial can be both turn and clicked. While this may be easy to do on land, underwater it could prove difficult, and housing manufacturers up until now have struggled with this sort of control. The Nauticam engineers very cleverly separated the dial function into two separate controls on the housing, making using both functions a breeze.
Double Safety Housing Clasp
The housing back is sealed with an easy to operate safety clasp. A safety release button must be pressed in order to begin rotating the clasp, eliminating the chance of accidental opening.
Nauticam Build Quality
This isn’t your typical plastic point and shoot housing! Only the finest materials and cutting edge manufacturing processes are used to make Nauticam housings. The housing body is machined from solid aircraft grade aluminum, then hard anodized making it impervious to salt water. The flat port is optically coated glass. The large acrylic LCD window is treated with an anti-reflective, scratch resistant coating.
Optional Rubberized Ergonomic Handles
Nauticam uses a sophisticated over-mold process to produce extremely comfortable rubberized ergonomic handgrips. The soft feel and ergonomic design make the housing easy to grip and minimize hand fatigue on long dives. Both single and double handle configurations are available for complete customization, and each handle can be adjusted laterally allowing the user to dial in perfect fit. A hand strap is also available for those wishing an even smaller profile.
Optical Flash Connectors for Inon S-TTL, and Sea & Sea DS-TTL
Reliable automatic flash exposure is available with Nauticam housings and a variety of optically fired flashes. Inon Z-240, D-2000, S-2000, Sea & Sea YS-110 Alpha, and YS-01 strobes provide automated lighting, precisely reproducing the camera’s onboard flash at a proportionally greater intensity. This system yields accurate TTL flash performance with no electrical sync cables to flood! With LX5, optical TTL is enhanced even more since LX5 can perform TTL in manual exposure mode.
The NA-LX5 features a removable optical mount, allowing the user to easily switch between shooting with a strobe or shooting with built-in flash. Flash control is made easy by the combination of a flash popup button, and another lever to close the flash to make silhouette shots a breeze.
Strobes can be attached to the housing via optional strobe mounting balls on the handles or a single strobe mounting ball point on the housing. The housing also features a cold-shoe mount for even more mounting options.
External Wet Lens Support
The LX5 features a 24mm equivalent lens when zoomed to maximum width, which is considerably wider than competitive cameras and an important consideration for underwater shooting. The NA-LX5 front port is a standard 67mm thread which can accept wide angle or close up accessory wet lenses.
Specifications
Standard Features
Optional Accessories
USA Retail Price: $950
Estimated Shipping Date: April 22, 2011
