Canon G7X macro really bad

I recently upgraded from a G9 to a G7X and have been noticing it is very difficult to get a sharp macro image. I decided to do some direct comparisons and the problem is far worse than I thought. While the G9 does super sharp macro less than 1cm from the subject, with only slight softening around the edges, the G7X has to be several centimetres away and has terrible distortion everywhere except the centre of the image. I know they had to make compromises to fit such a fast lens into a small camera, but I suspect there may be something wrong with this one. Even in the centre where it is sharpest it is still far inferior to the G9.

Could someone else with a G7X take a similar photo so I can see whether there's something wrong with mine or it's just a shitty design? The photos are of a full HD laptop screen, taken as close as the autofocus can handle.

Sample G7X photo:
Dropbox - Monitor screen comparison G7X.JPG

Sample G9 photo for comparison:
Dropbox - Monitor screen close as possible G9.JPG

Thanks for any help!

Martin

What you are mostly seeing here is the effect of the much shallower DOF that G7x has due to it's larger sensor. The edges of the image is further away than the center and becomes out of focus. Best macro shots with the G7x is done by backcing of to 40 cm and zooming in to 100 mm FL. This will give you sharp subject with nice blured background making subject separation much better than a small sensor camera.
Jan

mart1541 wrote:

Could someone else with a G7X take a similar photo so I can see whether there's something wrong with mine or it's just a shitty design?

Nothing wrong with the design, and probably nothing wrong with your copy. You need to understand how differences in sensor size change the way you're supposed to take photos.

If you're interested in better image quality, the larger sensor isn't a drawback - it's an advantage.

I just tried shooting the Google logo with my G7x, just as I shoot macro under water---zoomed out to about a 90mm equivalent. Looks pretty good in the viewfinder and distance to the screen is about 5 or 6 inches. Edge to edge seems decently sharp.

BTW, I just discovered I can "zoom" on the recorded image in the cam using the zoom lever, pretty neat focus check!

Remodeling has stuff messed up around the house, so I won't be able to post pics anytime soon........

Jerrich wrote:

Notice the dof in this g7x shot. As stated, just back up and zoom in for more dof.

JR

What the heck is that?

Jerrich wrote:

Those are ye olde phonograph needles from yesteryear.

JR

All shot at longest, 100mm equivalent focal length. In analogue times special macro lenses came either in 50mm, or in the 90-100mm range for a higher distance from the subject and avoid disturbing subjects like insects and the like. But with apertures around 3,5 usually and optimised towards highly stopping down and still with a fine bokey thanks to as rounded as possible aperture systems.

Since the G7X already performs well on the 100mm position at 2,8 at least on paper it is a more capable macro instrument IMHO. Unless you want to reach 1:1 images of of course! Indeed I tried at first how nearby my G7X worked OK and 1:1 is definitely out of range for this one

These pictures show there is nothing wrong with G7X, unless you desire a higher DOF. Then a camera with a much smaller sensor such as the older 1 /1.7 types (new Fuji X30 included) are easier.
--
Longterm photographer from way back in the 50's via analog SLR's, three generations of video equipment towards present 2 high end compacts both with (F)HD-video included.

I've played with my G7X macro a lot. I found that at 24mm and f/1.8, you can be only as close as 6 inches away or else it's terribly soft. It's then a sliding scale until f/3.2, where you can be 2 inches away and things are sharp and in focus. Or, you can back up and use the zoom. It's just the way it is, trying to fit a decent zoom + bright lens in a tiny body. If you need a killer macro for your stamp or coin collection, the G7X probably isn't the best choice.

ECDC wrote:

I've played with my G7X macro a lot. I found that at 24mm and f/1.8, you can be only as close as 6 inches away or else it's terribly soft. It's then a sliding scale until f/3.2, where you can be 2 inches away and things are sharp and in focus. Or, you can back up and use the zoom. It's just the way it is, trying to fit a decent zoom + bright lens in a tiny body. If you need a killer macro for your stamp or coin collection, the G7X probably isn't the best choice.

My guess is you're right. I contemplated the Fuji X30 for a while which has a fine macro performance and the famous color rendition of course. But for a number of reasons I finally settled on the G7X, mainly because of its low light performance (since confirmed) and much better video.

From my macro days with analog SLR's (reversed lenses, distance tubes and bellows) I remember macro really puts special requirements to both lens as well as the camera. I even used to keep my very old Exakta with its replacable viewfinder for reproduction purposes. I feel all P&S camera's but also the G-series are aimed at a wider application and much less oriented to special applications

Thanks to everyone who has responded. I was hoping that someone could post a similar photo of a monitor screen at 24mm wide angle so I could visually confirm that there's nothing wrong with my camera.

From the responses so far I'm sort of convinced that the softening at the edges is normal when trying to use macro at 24mm, although I would have liked to have seen an image taken of a flat surface from someone else's G7X just to confirm it is as bad as mine. When I sent the image to the camera shop their expert said the photo should be sharper around the edges and I should send it back but she didn't have a G7X there to play with.

The other thing I wanted to check is whether my camera is focussing properly in the middle, as I suspect it is slightly out. The reason I suspect it is not focussing properly is that when I half press the shutter to focus, then move the camera slightly closer before taking the photo, the centre looks much sharper. Below are comparison shots.

Canon G7X macro shot at 24mm zoom taken with a tripod

Canon G7X macro shot at 24mm zoom hand held, half press to autofocus, then moved a few mm closer before taking photo

As you can see the detail in the second image at the centre is much sharper.

Does this indicate there is something wrong with the autofocus on my camera? Or maybe with the G7X autofocus in general?

Thanks in advance for any more advice or similar tests with your G7X.