TG-7 Video Quality

[DivingSD]

I do some amateur DSLR photos on land, and as I'm getting more dives under my belt would like to add underwater. I'm not interested in lugging my full frame setup around, but want something compact with at least a little creativity control. My interest is 80% video / 20% photo. I want to foremost stay a diver and add the ability to capture and share the occasional memorable moment.

I know a GoPro is super compact, shoots good video, and lower cost, but I'm afraid I'll get bored with the quality and how limited the optics / controls are. I've read a lot about the photo qualities of the TG line, my question is if the TG-7 can compete or exceed the video quality of a current GoPro. It seems like the lower pixel density, faster optics, and optical zoom would favor the TG. Macro obviously favors TG but I want to shoot non-macro as well. Biggest benefits to GoPro are stabilization and resolution / frame rate? I'm assuming video lights for both as that is important. It seems like by the time you put a GoPro on a tray you could do a TG for about the same size as well. Any feedback?

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Scuba_Jenny]

My experience with the TG6 is if the battery is about half or less, it doesn't like to shoot video. I've not heard that from others. OTOH, there is a local guy who freedives and shoots with a go pro and dual strobes. He does some really nice stuff. Nice enough I am starting to see copycats of his style.

 

[DivingSD]

Thanks, that is helpful.

If the TG-7 can create video quality equal to or better than the GoPro I’ll for sure go that direction. I’m not concerned with the additional resolution or higher frame rates, 4K30p is fine for me. I’m more concerned with optics, noise control, stabilization, and WB.

 

[clownfishsydney]

My TG-5 also did not like shooting video if battery level was down a little. Have not looked at how my Tg-7 likes it. I just have a GoPro attached and use that if I want video.

 

[Motoman4540]

I shoot macro photos exclusively with a TG-6. Video quality is very good, but video runs the battery down pretty quickly and needs a good light or a red filter. My wife has a GoPro 12, with a ridiculously expensive AOI GoPro housing and wide angle lens and a super strong Sola video light (900-16,000 lumens) and a red filter. That GoPro setup takes ridiculously good video, that I attribute to the AOI lens and wide angle attachment. All in, with AOI handles, the wide angle, Sola video light and floats is about $2400, but the housing has a magnificent 5 inch LCD screen and the battery lasts about 2 60 min dives. The Sola will go all day at 900 lumens. Yes, it’s an expensive rig for a GoPro, but for video, it is truly excellent. So if you are doing 80% video, maybe you should spring for a killer GoPro rig and pull stills from the video. You can get a macro lens for it from Backscatter and take killer macro video. Everything is a compromise, I suppose. Superb macro photos (TG-7) but short battery life for video, or superb video, but not in the same league for photos. (GoPro 12).

 

[DivingSD]

Really appreciate all of the experience out there!

Any comparisons of video quality specifically between a TG and GoPro? I would for sure have fun doing photos including macro with the TG but don't want it to come at the expense of video.

 

[Tippytoes12]

There is no comparison between video from a GoPro and video from a TG. But TGs are superb for macro, even with just the in camera flash. In fact I have found that my light, a SeaDragon 3000 lumen can stop me from getting really really close to tiny things.

 

[BoltSnap]

There is no comparison between video from a GoPro and video from a TG.

Are you saying that video from GoPro is much better than video from TG7?

 

[DivingSD]

There is no comparison between video from a GoPro and video from a TG. But TGs are superb for macro, even with just the in camera flash. In fact I have found that my light, a SeaDragon 3000 lumen can stop me from getting really really close to tiny things.

Also interested in what you mean and how you came to this conclusion. I am starting to wonder if a TG primarily for video is a round peg in a square hole. I was hoping it would be equal to a GoPro so I could also do better photos and macro.

 

[ScubaMarc]

Why do manufacturers place such small batteries? This camera is meant to be used underwater. Not easy to swap batteries. I would rather have a large battery for diving than a smaller camera. Also, swapping batteries out on a boat or worse the beach could flood the camera. I would rather do it at home or hotel room each night in a clean place.