Nauticam has released its newest aluminum underwater camera housing, NA-G7X for the 20MP Canon G7 X Camera. The NA-G7X is the latest release in the Nauticam advanced compact camera lineup, and provides an impressive feature set for underwater photographers seeking big image quality in a small package.

The Canon Powershot G7 X

The G7 X was one of the most interesting introductions of September’s Photokina Imaging Fair in Cologne, Germany. This camera is a serious competitor to the hugely popular Sony Cyber-shot RX100 series cameras with a large 1″ image sensor in a truly pocketable form factor. The size of the G7 X is reminiscent of the Canon S-series of high end compacts, a model which has also been very popular for underwater photography, but sports an impressive 2.8x larger sensor. Digital Photography Review suggests: “The G7 X is just as small as the Sony RX100 but offers much more in terns of direct control.”

The G7 X is a true enthusiast camera built around a 20 megapixel 1” BSI CMOS imaging sensor and  updated DIGIC 6 Image Processor. Image quality is nothing short of exceptional.

To make the most of these digital chops, G7 X sports an outstanding lens, covering an extremely versatile 24-100mm equivalent range. This is just as wide, but with more reach than competing compact options. The lens is also very bright, with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 on the wide angle end, and only closing down to f/2.8 at full telephoto.

Most interesting to underwater photographers is the excellent macro performance of G7 X when used with accessory macro conversion lenses. G7 X can capture significantly smaller subjects than Sony’s RX100 series. Nauticam say that the only current cameras that they have tested offering better closeup performance are the smaller sensor Canon G16 and S120.

The display panel is a 3” TFT-LCD, and is articulated, allowing a full 180 degrees tilt for shooting in tricky circumstances.

As expected, 1920 x 1080 Full HD movie clips can be captured at 30 or 60 fps and enhanced by Canon’s very accurate underwater white balance capability, producing pleasing color when shooting movie clips with only a filter.

Canon’s determination to compete with the best in the compact camera market means we all reap the benefits.

Nauticam NA-G7X

NA-G7X is the latest iteration in a lineup of advanced housings for very capable compact cameras supported by Nauticam. Features found on professional DSLR systems have been integrated into this system, and the result is an underwater housing that allows the user to harness the full potential of advanced compact camera in water.

All of the basic functions and ergonomic enhancements that Nauticam users have grown to know and love are incorporated in NA-G7X.  The housing is machined from a solid block of aluminum, then hard anodized to seal out corrosive salt water.  It is closed via a simple, yet secure locking rotary latch. The right side of the housing is sculpted to fit the palm of the user’s hand, and Nauticam’s two-stage shutter release lever provides clear differentiation between the half press and full press shutter release positions. All functions are clearly labeled, and an m14 accessory socket allows an optional vacuum valve to be installed.

This is the first Nauticam compact camera housing to feature an interchangeable port system. This new port line is called the “N50” mount, and allows optical solutions to be precisely dialed in for maximum performance in water. Ports are attached via a bayonet fitting, and locked securely in place.

The Nauticam leak alarm and vacuum monitoring system is installed as standard equipment. This system provides an audible and visual alert to any water entry in the housing, and when combined with an accessory M14 Vacuum Valve (#25611) the water tight integrity of the system can be tested before ever entering the water and monitored during every dive.

NA-G7X Feature Checklist

• Secure, easy to use locking latch
• Ergonomic controls with size, shape and color differentiation
• All camera controls accessible
• All controls clearly labeled
• Popup flash lever
• Dual fiber optic bulkhead
• Integrated leak detector and optional vacuum check
• M10 mounting ball
• Cold shoe mount
• Interchangeable port mount
• Standard port: full zoom through & m67 accessory mounting
• 1/4-20 tripod or tray mounting holes
• Sculpted, sensitive shutter release
• M14 bulkhead port for vacuum valve

The New N50 Port System

Because of the specific camera and lens function of the Canon G7 X, a special port system is required to fully realize the potential of accessory wide angle lenses underwater.

The NA-G7X “standard” port, supplied with the housing, allows full zoom through and features a 67mm threaded front for attaching accessory macro lenses. This port is ideal for mid-range fish portraiture style shooting, close-up, and macro with add on wet-lenses.

An optional N50 Short Port with M67 Thread for Wide Angle Lenses (#38701) is available, offering precise placement of wide lenses very close to the camera’s lens at its wide angle zoom position. Zoom through is not available with this port, but it does offer the widest coverage possible with minimal vignetting for wide angle photography.

A dome port solution is also available, restoring the in-air field of view of the lens. This is a light weight configuration that offers a surprisingly wide angle of coverage. This port is called N50 3.5″ Acrylic Dome Port (#38702).

Testing indicates that the Inon UWL-H100 (either in the m67 mount or the LD mount) is an ideal wide angle lens for the NA-G7X. This combination will result in a diagonal FOV in excess of one hundred degrees (100º).

Nauticam Vacuum Check System

The engineers at Nauticam have also managed to squeeze in the Nauticam vacuum monitoring and leak detection electronics. By default, it serves as an audible and visual leak detector, but add a Nauticam M14 Vacuum Valve, (p/n 25611) and it becomes a vacuum check system.  The vacuum monitoring system provides early warning for any problem with watertight integrity – which means peace of mind when shooting underwater.

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Nauticam 

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 Details and Specifications

• Depth Rating: 100m
• Weight: 0.83kg
• Dimensions: 146mm (w) x 100mm (h) x 111mm (d)

Model Number: 17318

USA Retail Price: $1100

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More information is available from Nauticam USA at: www.nauticamusa.com

USA Dealer List: www.nauticamusa.com/nauticam-dealers

Worldwide Dealer List: www.nauticam.com/dealer02.asp