Sony MPK-HSR1 Sony - Review 🏆

The Sony RX0 is an ultra-compact digital camera that offers impressive image quality in a rugged, durable body. It features a large 1.0-type image sensor, Zeiss Tessar T* 24mm F4 fixed wide-angle lens, and waterproof design that allows it to go virtually anywhere.

To expand the RX0's capabilities for underwater photography and videography, Sony offers the MPK-HSR1 protective housing. This dedicated underwater housing allows you to take the RX0 down to depths of up to 100m/328ft, opening up a range of underwater shooting scenarios. It maintains the RX0's slim form factor while providing full access to the camera's controls and delivering photos and video of subjects below the surface.

Design

The Sony MPK-HSR1 Housing is made of a durable polycarbonate material that allows it to withstand water pressure down to 197 feet. Despite being designed for underwater use, the housing maintains a compact rectangular shape that measures approximately 3.5 x 2.3 x 5.1 inches.

The housing provides easy access to all camera controls, with labeled backlit buttons for Power, Shutter Release, Movie Record, and Playback. The housing also features a zoom control lever and a port for USB and HDMI cables. There are three threaded mounts on the bottom to attach accessories like lights or grips. Overall, the simple and intuitive housing design allows for easy camera control underwater while still providing protection.

Waterproofing

The Sony MPK-HSR1 housing allows you to take the RX0 camera to depths of up to 197 feet underwater. It achieves this high depth rating through its durable polycarbonate and aluminum alloy construction and high-quality O-ring seals.

The housing has a single O-ring seal on the rear door that forms a watertight barrier when closed. This O-ring is made of a durable fluoro-rubber material that maintains its flexibility and sealing capabilities even in cold water temperatures. To ensure the O-ring remains in optimum condition, it's important to inspect it before each use and properly lubricate it with the included silicone grease.

For added safety when diving, the housing has an external screw lock on the rear door. After closing the rear door, you turn this lock to securely fasten the door in place. There's also a leak sensor inside the housing that will trigger an audible alarm if any water breaches the main seal. These mechanisms give you peace of mind that the housing will protect the camera, even when using it for underwater photography at depth.

Overall, the extensive waterproofing allows the housing to protect the RX0 camera for use in a wide variety of underwater activities, from swimming and snorkeling to scuba diving. The depth rating, durable seals, and safety mechanisms make the housing suitable for both recreational and professional underwater imaging.

Ease of Use

Setting up the Sony MPK-HSR1 housing is straightforward. Simply open the back door latch and insert the RX0 camera. The camera clicks into place securely. The housing features large, easy-to-use buttons and dials that allow you to access all camera functions when underwater.

When handling the housing underwater, the lightweight polycarbonate body and flat front lens port make it very compact and streamlined. This allows you to maneuver through the water and capture images easily. The included adjustable hand strap provides a secure grip.

The housing's controls are intuitive and make adjusting settings simple, even when wearing gloves. The zoom lever provides smooth zoom control, while the shutter button, movie record button, and control dial give easy access to all shooting modes. The housing allows you to leverage the RX0's capabilities to their full potential underwater.

Image Quality

The Sony MPK-HSR1 housing is designed to have minimal impact on image and video quality captured with the RX0 camera. The housing is constructed from polycarbonate resin plastic, which allows light to pass through clearly and does not degrade image quality.

Underwater, the flat glass lens port on the front of the housing provides excellent optical transmission without distortion or vignetting. Sony designed the housing so that it does not require any additional lens elements that could potentially impact image quality.

The housing maintains full functionality of the RX0 camera, allowing you to access all video and photo modes, including high bitrate XAVC S format video up to 100Mbps. You can capture stunning 4K video at 30fps or super slow motion video at up to 1000fps.

Still image quality also remains uncompromised. You can shoot 20.1MP photos with the Exmor RS CMOS sensor and Zeiss Tessar T* 24mm f/4 fixed lens. The housing has no impact on the RX0's ISO sensitivity range up to 12800 or RAW image capture capabilities.

Overall, the Sony MPK-HSR1 underwater housing provides reliable protection for the RX0 camera without degrading photo or video quality, so you can capture pro-level content underwater or in wet environments.

Accessories

The Sony MPK-HSR1 housing comes with a few handy accessories to get you started underwater. In the box, you'll find a strap, O-ring protector, and port cover.

The included strap allows you to securely attach the housing to your wrist or gear, reducing the risk of drops or loss underwater. It attaches via sturdy metal loops on either side of the housing.

Sony also includes an O-ring protector which helps keep the housing's seal intact. Make sure to use this if you plan on traveling or storing the housing for an extended period.

Lastly, there's a rubber port cover that protects the glass port when not in use. This is essential for preventing scratches or damage when the camera is not inside the housing.

Some recommended add-on accessories not included with the housing are external strobes or video lights. Since the RX0 camera does not have a built-in flash, adding a strobe like the Sea & Sea YS-D2J brings proper illumination to your underwater shots. A constant video light could also be mounted to maintain consistent lighting when filming underwater footage with the RX0.

Compatibility

The Sony MPK-HSR1 housing is designed specifically for the Sony RX0 compact camera. It is compatible with the original RX0 and the updated RX0 II model.

The housing allows you to use the RX0 camera underwater down to depths of 197 feet / 60 meters. It maintains all of the RX0's controls and features, including the ability to shoot still images and video.

Since the housing is tailored for the RX0 series, it is only compatible with those camera bodies. You cannot use other Sony cameras, like full-frame mirrorless or Cyber-shot models, with this housing.

In terms of lenses, the housing works with the built-in Zeiss 24mm f/4 lens on the RX0 cameras. There is no interchangeable lens mount, so external lenses cannot be used.

The housing has an integrated cold shoe mount on top to connect external flashes, video lights, microphones and other accessories. The housing's buttons and dials provide access to key camera settings like shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and more.

Overall, the Sony MPK-HSR1 housing expands the usability of the RX0 series cameras underwater and maintains core functionality through dedicated controls and access. Just note it is exclusively for the RX0 lineup.

Price

The Sony MPK-HSR1 housing currently retails for around £179 in the UK. This may seem expensive for what is essentially a waterproof plastic case. However, considering the quality of construction and materials, it offers decent value for money.

The housing is made from polycarbonate resin that feels very sturdy and durable. The optics are made from scratch-resistant mineral glass. O-rings seal the housing for waterproofing down to 197 feet. Overall, the build quality justifies the price point.

For those who want to use their RX0 camera underwater for snorkeling, swimming or other water activities, the housing enables this versatility. Without it, the RX0 could not be submerged. So the housing unlocks greater creative potential.

When you factor in the cost of the RX0 camera itself at around £500, the additional £179 for full waterproof protection is understandable. It expands the possibilities of an already versatile and compact camera.

While not cheap, the housing delivers functionality and reassurance that your camera investment is protected in wet environments. For serious hobbyists or professionals, the cost is reasonable. Casual users may find it less appealing. But for the target market of underwater photographers/videographers, the pricing reflects the niche value.

Pros & Cons

The Sony MPK-HSR1 waterproof housing for the RX0 compact camera has several notable pros and cons to consider:

Pros

• Excellent waterproofing up to 197 ft/60m depth
• Durable, high-quality polycarbonate construction
• Easy to use controls and access to camera functions
• Allows use of RX0 camera underwater and in wet conditions
• Compatible with a range of RX0 accessories

Cons

• Expensive for a camera housing
• Bulky and heavy out of water
• Limited compatibility only with RX0 camera
• No room for additional accessories inside housing
• Requires care to maintain waterproof seals

The housing enables underwater use for an otherwise non-waterproof camera, but with the tradeoff of added bulk and cost. Overall it provides essential water protection without compromising too much on camera functionality.

Conclusion

The Sony MPK-HSR1 housing is a great option for taking the compact RX0 camera underwater. It allows the camera to be used at depths of up to 197 feet, protecting it from water, dust, and shock.

The housing has a sleek and durable design, made from polycarbonate resin plastic. It's compact and lightweight, making it easy to pack for any adventure. The controls are easy to use, with large buttons and a jog dial that provide access to all camera functions. The built-in cold shoe mount allows you to attach accessories like lights or microphones.

Image quality remains excellent when shooting underwater with the housing. Photos and videos have good color reproduction and clarity. The dome port provides a wide 147 degree viewing angle above and below water.

For underwater photography and videography, the MPK-HSR1 housing provides reliable protection for the RX0 camera. It's a great choice for divers, snorkelers, or anyone who wants to capture underwater adventures. The housing allows you to get creative with a tiny yet powerful camera.

Overall, the Sony MPK-HSR1 is a well-designed underwater housing that enables the RX0 camera to be used to its full potential beneath the surface. It's easy to use and delivers impressive results. For RX0 owners looking to take their camera underwater, the MPK-HSR1 housing is highly recommended.