Ikelite Underwater Housing 200FP/T for Sony a6700 PZ 16-50mm with Built-In TTL for DS Strobes
Read our Initial Thoughts and Review of the Sony A6700 for underwater photography
Bluewater Photo took the Sony A6700 underwater, read about the results.
*Please read if you need some advice on the best underwater settings for your Sony A6700
Ikelite has earned a reputation for engineering high-quality underwater camera housings that strike a perfect balance between durability and affordability. Constructed primarily from lightweight ABS polycarbonate, these housings are not only robust but also ideal for budget-conscious underwater photographers, offering a more cost-effective alternative to pricier aluminum options. Their compact and lightweight design makes them a practical choice for divers who want to travel light without compromising on performance.
The latest offering from Ikelite is specifically designed for the Sony a6700, optimized for use with the compact Sony E PZ 16-50mm F3.5-5.6 OSS lens. This housing takes full advantage of the lens’s Power Zoom (PZ) functionality, allowing for smooth and effortless drop-in loading. It features a built-in flat port with 67mm threads (port is fixed), enabling the attachment of external wet lenses for enhanced creative possibilities, be it wide angle or macro. For those using heavier wide-angle lenses, Ikelite recommends pairing the housing with a larger 67mm bayonet adapter (sold separately) to ensure stability and versatility.
Ikelite has further elevated this setup by integrating built-in TTL electronics, which, when paired with compatible Ikelite strobes (Ikelite DS51, Ikelite DS-160 II, Ikelite DS-160 II, Ikelite DS-160 II) creates a seamless system for capturing stunning underwater images right from the start.
To enhance safety and reliability, the housing also includes Ikelite’s Vacuum System, allowing users to perform pre-dive integrity checks. This feature ensures that the housing is leak-free and properly sealed, giving photographers peace of mind before every dive. With its thoughtful design and advanced features, the Ikelite housing for the Sony a6700 is a standout choice for underwater photographers seeking both performance and value.
This kit has been set up with the following items:
- 200FP/T Underwater Housing for Sony Alpha a6700 TTL Circuitry & flat port,
- Ikelite Dual Tray with Dual Handles,
- Ikelite Trigger Extension,
- Ikelite Vacuum System,
- Spare O-Ring.
Key Features of the Ikelite Underwater Housing 200FP/T:
- Lens Port - The housing uses the DryLock Micro Port System of Ikelite which offers wide variety of lens compatibilty and it is very light yet durable.
- Vacuum Testing - The Ikelite A6700 Housing comes with a pre-installed vacuum system which allows you to draw out air from the housing using the Ikelite Pump with Gauge and check for leaks. This gives you the peace of mind while underwater that your camera is safe.
- Accessory Ports - The housing comes with a spare M16 accessory port for attachments such as HDMI monitors.
- TTL Exposure - It also supports the Ikelite DL2 DS Link Sony TTL Converter ST1 Hotshoe Kit for a fast and reliable shooting.
- Ergonomics - The housing has excellent ergonomics. The buttons, levers and dials are strategically positioned for easy access.
The Sony a6700 Mirrorless Camera
We were lucky enough to be one of the first to take the Sony a6700 mirrorless camera underwater. After a 4 year lull, Sony finally produced a worthy successor to the popular Sony a6000 series of cameras. The a6700 is packed with a 26 megapixel APS-C, a modest upgrade from the Sony a6600, but with a big improvement in processing power. With the new processor being on par with other high-end models (including the Sony A7R V and Sony ZV-E1), we found there are noticeable improvements in the autofocus, being more accurate and focus tracking more successful than previous APS-C a6000 models.
Another feature greatly improved upon is the Sony a6700 image stabilization. The camera features 5-axis in-body image stabilization, compensating for small movements of the camera to ensure tack-sharp images all the time. In our testing, we were able to shoot shutter speeds down to between 1/20th and 1/8th without the loss of image quality.
When it comes to video, the a6700 also received a complete overhaul. The Sony a6700 received an upgrade from 4K/30p to 4K/120p. This is complete with 10-bit 4:2:2 recording as well as the ability to record in S-LOG3, S-Cinetone and other picture profiles designed for maximizing dynamic range and editing capability. While the 4K/120p slow motion mode has a 1.58x crop, the 4K/60p mode uses the full with of the sensor and is oversampled from 6K. This means you'll get more detail in your footage than you normally would with a 4K video.
Battery life, like most mirrorless cameras, is limited, with the Sony a6700 being no different. Rated for 570 shots off a full battery, we advise carrying a spare Sony NP-FZ100 Battery, which should be replaced after every second dive, to ensure you do not run out of power during your third dive.
Sony A6700 Key Features
- 26 megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor
- Bionz XR processor with a dedicated AI processor
- No built-in flash
- 1/160 flash sync speed
- 5 axis in-body image stabilization
- Low light autofocus sensitivity: -3 EV
- Animal eye autofocus tracking as well as human, bird, insect, car, train, airplane subject detection
- 6K oversampled 4K/60p video recording
- 4K 120p recording with 1.58x crop
- 10-bit 4:2:2 with SLog-3, S-Cinetone, HLG3 recording options available
- 570 shot battery life, NP-FZ100 battery
- Small EVF
- 11fps burst shooting
Recommended Underwater Strobes:
- Ikelite DS-160 II Ikelite Strobes
- Ikelite DS-232
- Ikelite DS50 above serial # 75510
- Ikelite DS51 above serial # 78700
- Ikelite DS125 above serial # 7928
- Ikelite DS161, DS162
- Ikelite DS200 above serial # 7163
- Ikelite DS230
View our underwater strobe guide
Some examples of underwater images taken with the Sony A6700
Related Underwater Gear Categories:
- Ikelite Housings, Ports and Strobes
- Underwater Video Lights
- Focus Lights
- Underwater Photo Gear
- Underwater Camera Rental
- Housing
- Rear O-Ring # 0110 (installed + spare)
- Waterproof bulkhead cap # 9104.7 (installed)
- (2) Trigger Extensions # 4077.95 (installed)
- Vacuum valve (installed)
- Vacuum pump with gauge # 47011
- Tray with dual handles # 9523.64
- .050" Hex Key # 0945.11
- Silicone Lubricant 1cc Tube
