Everyone loves the idea of taking photos and video underwater on a tropical vacation. Hotel gift shops sometimes still have "disposable" waterproof film cameras on the counter right next to the sunscreen tantalizing guests with an opportunity to bring home their own photos of brilliant-colored coral reefs and aquatic wildlife. Almost always the results with these one-use film don't match the hopes of the would-be photographer. Taking an interchangeable lens camera underwater can yield great things, but between the camera, housing, dedicated ports and other accessories, these rigs aren't easy to travel with and they're quite expensive.

The Sony RX100 V presents a unique opportunity for for a would-be underwater photographer and video shooter. It's small, produces extremely high-quality images and it can shoot stills and 4K video. There are a variety of housings from manufacturers like Fantasea, Nauticam and others made for the RX100 V which are relatively compact, light and robust.

In this video, the RX100 V was used in a Sony MPK-URX100A housing. The footage was shot in 4K. While traveling with a full underwater interchangeable lens camera rig can involve big cases and upwards of 50 lbs in gear, the RX100 V with the Sony MPK-URX100A weighs less than 3 lbs (10.5 ounces for the camera and 1.4 lbs for the housing) and fits easily in a small shoulder bag or backpack.