Question for G7X users

[Pillpusher]

I've been a long time SeaLife camera user. Unfortunately, they seem to be abandoning the DC product line (I've been holding out for an improved internal camera), and are moving more towards the dummy proof, fixed focus point and shoots.

I still get decent results with my DC1400 (see links in my signature for examples), but I feel I may have reached the cap of my capabilities with this camera. So, I'm now looking into upgrading to the G7X. Problem is, I haven't come across many impressive pictures from this camera. I know it has similar stats and the exact same same sensor as the Sony RX100, of which I've seen a ton of great shots with (I do far more macro than video, though, which is why I'm leaning G7X over RX100). So, I'm thinking this may just be a sample size issue.

So, if you are a G7X user, please post your thoughts on the camera/housing choice, as well as links to whatever image hosting site you use.

Thanks in advance!

 

[rks]

I've been a long time SeaLife camera user. Unfortunately, they seem to be abandoning the DC product line (I've been holding out for an improved internal camera), and are moving more towards the dummy proof, fixed focus point and shoots.

I still get decent results with my DC1400 (see links in my signature for examples), but I feel I may have reached the cap of my capabilities with this camera. So, I'm now looking into upgrading to the G7X. Problem is, I haven't come across many impressive pictures from this camera. I know it has similar stats and the exact same same sensor as the Sony RX100, of which I've seen a ton of great shots with (I do far more macro than video, though, which is why I'm leaning G7X over RX100). So, I'm thinking this may just be a sample size issue.

So, if you are a G7X user, please post your thoughts on the camera/housing choice, as well as links to whatever image hosting site you use.

Thanks in advance!

First of I was never that impressed with the DC1400, too slow for my taste really hard to get the moving fish shot, but I won one of the new MicroHD Cameras and was super impressed with it's capabilities, so much so that I grabbed a pair of the lights to use it as a smaller easier to carry rig when I don't want to carry the larger setup, so check this out it's pretty damn good.

For Canon G7X I've seen some great shots here: Underwater Camera Articles: Canon Powershot G7X Compact Camera Underwater Review and know a few people shooting with it, seems like a pretty solid camera.

 

[Pillpusher]

First of I was never that impressed with the DC1400, too slow for my taste really hard to get the moving fish shot, but I won one of the new MicroHD Cameras and was super impressed with it's capabilities, so much so that I grabbed a pair of the lights to use it as a smaller easier to carry rig when I don't want to carry the larger setup, so check this out it's pretty damn good.

For Canon G7X I've seen some great shots here: Underwater Camera Articles: Canon Powershot G7X Compact Camera Underwater Review and know a few people shooting with it, seems like a pretty solid camera.

Yeah, the shutter lag is pretty bad on the DC1400. That and the fact that it has poor WB and lack of RAW aren't the main complaints. However, the MicroHD's (even the new 2.0) are definitely a step back, not forward, and with a similarly small sensor. It's a fixed focus camera, so there's no zoom at all. No manual settings at all. It's a simple no-brainer point and shoot, which is what they were going for with it. I'm trying to move in the other direction, however.

 

[xrcjdx]

i use the g7x in a fantasea housing with inon strobes, upgraded from a g12 in canon housing. the g7x works great on full manual, but as several others have posted, i frequently have issues with focus which i address using constant focus, closing aperture, and occasionally lighting the subject with the strobe's inboard spot. the focus issues all seem to be user error, mine included. when everything goes well i am getting some fantastic, well detailed macro images. also getting some great images using the subsee +10. the video i'm getting back is awesome, and will add a video light to the cold shoe for deeper dives. i have less experience with wide angle, but had some good results in wakatobi straight out of the housing. in short, i'm finding the g7x very versatile, challenging, and fun. i'm happy with the camera and housing and have not even considered using anything else any time soon.
sorry i can't direct you to any images, and unfortunately will not have an internet connection capable of large file uploads until february. i will, though, be passing through cebu city in a couple days. if u have not pulled the trigger by then please send a pm with your email address and i'll send a couple photos along that way.
r

 

[Pillpusher]

i use the g7x in a fantasea housing with inon strobes, upgraded from a g12 in canon housing. the g7x works great on full manual, but as several others have posted, i frequently have issues with focus which i address using constant focus, closing aperture, and occasionally lighting the subject with the strobe's inboard spot. the focus issues all seem to be user error, mine included. when everything goes well i am getting some fantastic, well detailed macro images. also getting some great images using the subsee +10. the video i'm getting back is awesome, and will add a video light to the cold shoe for deeper dives. i have less experience with wide angle, but had some good results in wakatobi straight out of the housing. in short, i'm finding the g7x very versatile, challenging, and fun. i'm happy with the camera and housing and have not even considered using anything else any time soon.
sorry i can't direct you to any images, and unfortunately will not have an internet connection capable of large file uploads until february. i will, though, be passing through cebu city in a couple days. if u have not pulled the trigger by then please send a pm with your email address and i'll send a couple photos along that way.
r

That would be great, thanks! Yeah, it seems that most of the issues I've read about (on here, at least) regarding focusing problems were due to having their aperture too open, as you mentioned. I've seen some great macro shots with the G7X, so I'm not too concerned about that. It's the non-macro that I haven't seen many quality examples of. I've combed through Flickr shots, but you never know if those people know what they're doing, or are just going full auto with no post-processing. I've seen next to no examples of WACF shots, sunbursts, etc. I've seen tons of great examples of those with the RX100's. And since this has the same sensor, I would THINK the G7X would give similarly good results, but maybe the lens or internal processing just isn't as good... Who knows. Anyway, considering the $ investment, I just want to be sure.

My current camera's sensor and setting limitations just aren't capable of taking the types of shots I mentioned above, which is why I'm looking to upgrade in the first place. I still enjoy shooting macro critters far too much to use the short port. So, I probably won't be doing any wide angle, which makes your out of the housing shots from Wakatobi ideal examples for me to check out. I do have a Subsee +10, so seeing a few of those would be great too, but anything you have the time (and bandwidth) to send my way would be greatly appreciated! I'll send you a PM with my email.

Thanks again!