Ocean Swim Camera

[Tropical Light]

I do long ocean swims several times each week and have been carrying a camera with me on those swims for the past thirteen years. I briefly tried towing a bowling ball (Canon 5D in giant Ikelite housing) behind me, but when it refused to focus on a Humpback Whale swimming by, I gave up on it. Now I carry small cameras.

I have been thrilled with the results I've gotten with the Olympus TG4. Recently a magazine asked to use some of those swim photos, but were dismayed by the softness they displayed when blown up to a full two-page spread. Time for a new camera!

Enter the Canon G1X Mark III in the Canon WP-DC56 housing. It is still early days, but the results have been satisfactory. It almost matches the quality I was getting with the TG4, but with much higher resolution. It has been far superior to the Sony A6000 which had shockingly little latitude in RAW processing. Thankfully, the Sony drowned when its housing flooded.

Where I have been surprised with the G1X Mark III is on land. I had read in forum comments that the poor zoom range (not an issue for my underwater shots) could be compensated for by cropping in post production. Yeah, right! Well, it works. I have done 100% crops and have gotten amazingly clear photos. I've tried several times to do this post, but every time I've tried to upload a photo to show what I mean, the site freezes up. So this time, no photos.

I will post more when I've have more results with this quite pleasing little camera.

 

[Tropical Light]

By using a different browser, I've finally managed to upload photos. Hooray.

Here is a shot of my friends taken yesterday with the new G1X Mark III...



Here is the full frame of a Gold Dust Day Gecko on a Ginger flower...



And here is the 100% crop...



Oh, and as long as I'm uploading photos, here's one from a hike on Saturday...



Anyway, for a point-and-shoot compact camera (of which I've had many) I am thrilled.

 

[redtailboas]

Thanks for tellin the time to review. Will likely never buy this camera but you made several observations I found interesting.

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My old account sacrificed so you could have an edit button on mobile devices.

 

[sense]

In true Canon style, create a product page, don't really describe the product and no link to the manual. In particular, I'm speaking of the WP - DC 56 waterproof case. If anyone has some external flash experience with this product, please say a few words.

 

[Tropical Light]

Update a few months later...

First, the camera is not very well constructed. The eye viewer assembly has shifted and is constantly blurry, plus it blocks the back of camera screen from opening. Also the exposure compensation knob popped off.

The entire reason I bought it is for underwater photography - BIG MISTAKE. After considerable use the o-ring stretched out and needs to be replaced. No big deal, right? WRONG.

It is not possible to purchase a replacement o-ring for the WP-DC56. I purchased the camera and housing directly from Canon, but they do not sell replacement o-rings for this housing. Nor does anybody else on this planet. So, I spent $1500 for a system which does not work. :-(

 

[Tropical Light]

I finally got through to someone at Canon to resolve my issue with replacing the o-ring on my WP-DC56 underwater housing for the G1X mark iii. They are going to send me a new underwater housing. I will be able to resume my underwater photography. Hooray.

 

[sueanne]

Beautiful pictures.

In true Canon style, create a product page, don't really describe the product and no link to the manual. In particular, I'm speaking of the WP - DC 56 waterproof case. If anyone has some external flash experience with this product, please say a few words.

 

[Dave]

Beautiful pictures.

Seconded. May I ask where?

 

[hBill]

a work around ???

we have used permatex " red " - a silicone based gasket replacement in a tube. used in machinery - think older cars - instead of gaskets made of unobtainium . you just point it and squeeze . stands up to all sorts of bad liquids and temps though as the saying goes - ymmv .

warning - you'll likely have to put some sort of " release agent " on at least one surface to be sure you can easily separate the pieces later - or - scrape the old off and do it again . . .

 

[sueanne]

Beautiful

By using a different browser, I've finally managed to upload photos. Hooray.

Here is a shot of my friends taken yesterday with the new G1X Mark III...



Here is the full frame of a Gold Dust Day Gecko on a Ginger flower...



And here is the 100% crop...



Oh, and as long as I'm uploading photos, here's one from a hike on Saturday...



Anyway, for a point-and-shoot compact camera (of which I've had many) I am thrilled.

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regards,
sue anne

https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7495/15275633203_5a11b83f46.jpg

 

[AEnortheast]

Thanks, your review has helped me make up my mind! For years, my go to camera was the Nikonos, because of it’s weather sealing...I shoot a lot on islands, at the coast, in fog etc. the G12, has been a great little camera for the past 7 years...I have had no complaints. But a few weeks ago the lens zoomed out, got stuck, camera is now...dead. Thanks for posting your images and especially the 100% crop. Pretty impressive!