Nauticam has officially announced its new underwater housing for the Canon G7 X, a compact camera that offers high performance in a small form factor. Featuring a 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor, a fast f/1.8–2.8 lens, RAW format, and full manual controls, the Canon G7 X is positioned as a strong competitor to Sony's RX100 series for underwater photography enthusiasts.
This new housing, the NA-G7X, delivers a range of robust features for photographers looking to achieve professional image quality while traveling light. Designed with compact efficiency and underwater performance in mind, the housing offers intuitive control access, an interchangeable port system, and support for a wide variety of underwater lenses and accessories.
Canon G7 X Camera Overview
The Canon G7 X was one of the highlights of the Photokina Imaging Fair held in Cologne, Germany. Canon designed this camera to challenge Sony’s RX100 series, packing a large 1-inch image sensor into a pocket-sized body. While the G7 X resembles the previous Canon S-series in shape and size, its sensor is 2.8 times larger, significantly improving image quality.
The G7 X is equipped with a 20MP BSI CMOS sensor paired with Canon’s DIGIC 6 Image Processor. Together, these technologies produce outstanding image clarity, low-light performance, and color fidelity.
The built-in lens covers a versatile 24–100mm equivalent focal length. Unlike most compact competitors, it combines wide-angle shooting with a long reach. Its aperture remains bright throughout the zoom range, starting at f/1.8 and only stopping down to f/2.8 at full zoom, which is a significant benefit for both still photography and video.
Underwater Macro Capabilities
For underwater photographers, the G7 X excels in macro photography when paired with external macro conversion lenses. It outperforms Sony’s RX100 series in capturing smaller subjects, providing superior detail and clarity. The only cameras tested to offer better close-up performance are the Canon G16 and S120, which have smaller sensors.
The camera’s 3-inch articulated TFT-LCD allows a full 180-degree tilt, helping photographers shoot at difficult angles underwater. For video, the Canon G7 X records Full HD at both 30 and 60 frames per second. Its accurate white balance system enhances color fidelity, even when using only a red filter underwater.
Canon's effort to create a competitive high-end compact camera is evident in its performance, and underwater photographers are the beneficiaries of this advancement.
Key Features of the Nauticam NA-G7X Housing
The NA-G7X housing brings professional-grade underwater shooting capability to compact camera users. Engineered from a solid block of aluminum and hard anodized to withstand saltwater corrosion, the housing is both rugged and lightweight. It is equipped with a secure rotary locking latch and features sculpted ergonomic controls that fit naturally in the user's hand.
The two-stage shutter release enables users to distinguish between half-press and full-press functions, essential for focus control and timing. The housing includes clearly labeled controls, a fiber optic bulkhead for external strobes, and a cold shoe mount for accessories. An M14 accessory port allows for optional installation of a vacuum valve, adding an extra layer of security before diving.
One of the standout innovations of the NA-G7X is its compatibility with the new N50 port system. This system enables users to interchange ports for different optical configurations, such as macro or wide-angle lenses. Ports connect using a bayonet system, locking securely in place with minimal effort.
Nauticam’s standard leak alarm and vacuum monitoring system are included, offering both audible and visual alerts if water is detected inside the housing. With the addition of a vacuum valve, divers can verify water-tight integrity before and during each dive, providing peace of mind.
A Compact Yet Professional-Level System
The NA-G7X housing represents the evolution of Nauticam's compact camera housing line. Designed for advanced users, it integrates features typically found in DSLR housings, including full camera control accessibility, fiber optic compatibility, and modularity through its interchangeable port system.
The NA-G7X is the first compact housing from Nauticam to feature this level of optical flexibility, marking a new era in compact underwater photography. With attention to detail, top-grade materials, and intelligent ergonomics, this housing unlocks the full potential of the Canon G7 X underwater.
Real-World Use and Performance Underwater
Taking the Nauticam NA-G7X underwater for the first time reveals how its ergonomic engineering and control layout translate into actual performance. With gloved hands, the tactile feel of the buttons and dials becomes immediately apparent. Their placement allows easy operation, and users quickly develop muscle memory, enabling fast responses to dynamic subjects.
Whether diving in tropical coral reefs, cold-water kelp forests, or deep wreck environments, the NA-G7X performs consistently. The housing feels balanced when attached to a dual-handle tray system. With strobes and focus lights mounted via standard ball mounts or arms, the entire setup remains compact and stable.
On descent, the vacuum system reassures the diver that the housing is sealed. The camera responds quickly to user input, and the articulated screen provides flexibility for low-angle or upward-facing shots. For macro photographers, this is crucial when approaching shy subjects like gobies or seahorses.
The autofocus performance of the Canon G7 X, enhanced by the responsive shutter release of the NA-G7X, allows sharp captures of fleeting marine moments. Whether it’s a fast-moving anemonefish or a nudibranch inching across the substrate, the housing supports reliable, precise shooting.
Strategies for Macro Photography with the NA-G7X
Macro photography is one of the strongest applications for the Canon G7 X when paired with the NA-G7X housing. With a small form factor and excellent close-focusing ability, the setup can maneuver into tight spaces where larger rigs cannot go.
To maximize macro capabilities, the use of accessory wet lenses is recommended. The Nauticam Compact Macro Converter (CMC) is specifically designed for compact systems and offers a significant magnification boost while retaining image clarity. When combined with the camera’s own macro mode and manual focus assist, the user can lock in on minute details like eye reflections or texture on coral polyps.
Lighting is critical. External strobes help isolate the subject, especially when shooting with narrow apertures to achieve more depth of field. Positioning strobes slightly behind or above the subject helps minimize backscatter and enhance contrast. Snoots can be added to the strobe system for ultra-precise lighting control.
A tripod or a stable handhold can reduce motion blur. In calm conditions, the diver can brace against a rock or the sandy bottom to steady the camera. The NA-G7X's responsiveness ensures that once focus is achieved, images are captured without lag.
Wide-Angle Techniques and Lens Pairings
For wide-angle photography, the NA-G7X housing excels when paired with the optional dome or short port systems. These configurations allow the use of wide-angle wet lenses like the Inon UWL-H100 or Nauticam WWL-1, expanding the field of view dramatically and bringing vast underwater landscapes into the frame.
Shooting wide-angle requires proximity to the subject. Coral reefs, schools of fish, and divers all benefit from being shot at close range to reduce water interference and maintain sharpness. The NA-G7X’s compact build allows users to get close without disturbing marine life.
Using external lighting to illuminate the foreground, especially in scenes with strong ambient backlight, brings out the colors and textures of the marine environment. Dual strobes should be angled outward to avoid hot spots and backscatter. The dome port setup helps preserve corner sharpness and maintains the lens’s natural field of view.
For over-under or split shots, the dome port proves invaluable. By aligning the waterline along the center of the dome and using a high shutter speed, users can capture the underwater world below and the topside environment in a single frame.
Underwater Videography: Creative Control in a Compact Format
Video recording with the Canon G7 X in the NA-G7X housing opens new creative opportunities. Shooting in Full HD 60p provides smooth footage ideal for editing and sharing. Underwater, video stabilization and wide aperture help maintain clarity in varying lighting conditions.
The manual white balance setting on the G7 X allows for accurate color correction at different depths. When shooting without lights, using a red filter in blue water or a magenta filter in green water corrects color loss effectively. Manual exposure settings allow fine control over the brightness and contrast of the footage.
Focus tracking and autofocus modes can be toggled based on subject behavior. For slow-moving animals, locking focus can reduce shifting. For active scenes like schooling fish or a passing turtle, continuous autofocus ensures subjects remain sharp.
Focus lights are useful when lighting macro scenes in video mode. They help the camera maintain lock on subjects and serve as fill lights. For wide-angle scenes, brighter video lights or strobes with video capability offer necessary illumination. The compactness of the NA-G7X setup makes it maneuverable for swimming alongside subjects or gliding through coral swim-throughs.
Maintenance and Care of the Housing
Proper maintenance of the NA-G7X is crucial to preserving its lifespan and performance. After every dive, the housing should be rinsed thoroughly in fresh water. If possible, a dedicated rinse tank should be used. While soaking, all buttons should be pressed repeatedly to dislodge any trapped salt or sand particles.
Before opening the housing, users should ensure it is dry and clean on the exterior. The rotary latch should be released gently. The O-ring must be examined for debris, hair, or cuts. Cleaning and re-greasing the O-ring is essential for maintaining a watertight seal. Only a small amount of silicone grease should be used—just enough to keep the O-ring supple.
Once opened, the interior should be checked for moisture. Silica gel packs can be added to absorb humidity. Users should store the housing with the back removed to allow air circulation and prevent mold growth.
Ports and lenses should be wiped with a microfiber cloth. Lens threads and bayonet mounts should be inspected regularly for wear or corrosion. Between dive trips, the housing should be stored in a cool, dry place, preferably in a padded case to prevent impact damage.
Comparing the NA-G7X to Other Compact Housings
When evaluating underwater camera housings, the Nauticam NA-G7X stands out in several key areas. Compared to polycarbonate housings, the aluminum construction offers greater durability, depth rating, and thermal stability. It also allows for more precise machining, resulting in better control of placement and tactile feedback.
Other housings for the Canon G7 X may lack features such as vacuum sealing systems, interchangeable ports, or support for a wide range of accessories. Nauticam has consistently led the market in integrating professional-level features into compact systems, making the NA-G7X a premium option for serious enthusiasts.
In comparison to housings for other compact cameras like the Sony RX100 series, the NA-G7X offers similar modular flexibility but provides better macro performance. The Canon G7 X’s lens design and macro capability make it a preferred choice for photographers focusing on small subjects.
While DSLR or mirrorless systems provide more customization and sensor performance, they are significantly larger, heavier, and costlier. The NA-G7X offers 80% of the capability of high-end systems in a body that fits into a carry-on bag—an ideal compromise for travel and recreational diving.
Ideal User Profiles and Recommendations
The Nauticam NA-G7X is well-suited for a range of users. Entry-level photographers transitioning from action cameras like GoPro will find the housing intuitive and expandable. The quality of the Canon G7 X sensor offers a significant image quality leap without the complexity of interchangeable lenses.
Intermediate photographers will appreciate the access to full manual controls and customizable shooting setups. The system allows growth through accessories like strobes, macro lenses, and domes, enabling experimentation and skill development.
Professional photographers who want a lightweight backup system will find the NA-G7X to be a practical alternative. Its ability to produce high-quality images and video in a compact package is useful for secondary documentation or exploratory dives where bulkier rigs are impractical.
For those focused on macro work, the Canon G7 X’s compatibility with high-magnification wet lenses makes the system uniquely valuable. For wide-angle shooters, the optional dome and wide ports extend the setup’s capability dramatically.
Diving Scenarios and Housing Configurations
The flexibility of the NA-G7X allows it to adapt to different dive environments. In tropical coral reef settings, the housing excels at capturing colorful fish, soft corals, and reefscapes using wide-angle setups. With clear water and sunlight, natural light photography becomes possible using filters and high ISO sensitivity.
In muck diving or blackwater scenarios, the compact size of the housing and its precise controls aid in navigating silty bottoms or open ocean night dives. When paired with a focus light and snoot, macro subjects like crustaceans or larval fish can be captured with stunning clarity.
Wreck diving benefits from the housing’s rugged build and depth rating. With strobes for interior illumination and manual white balance for external hull shots, the NA-G7X handles mixed lighting well.
For snorkeling or shallow reef exploration, the compactness and simplicity of the setup make it highly portable. The camera’s fast lens and fast autofocus perform well in changing surface conditions, capturing surface reflections or ambient-lit reefscapes.
Community Use and User Feedback
Photographers across the world have praised the NA-G7X housing for its ease of use and reliability. Community feedback highlights how well the housing balances usability with professional features. Dive instructors, marine biologists, and travel photographers have all adopted the system as a go-to tool for both recreational and professional work.
The ability to switch between macro and wide configurations underwater has been widely appreciated. This versatility allows divers to adapt mid-dive to new opportunities, making the most of limited bottom time.
Reports from dive resorts and liveaboards mention how often this housing setup is recommended to guests seeking a compact solution. Its proven performance, especially when maintained properly, earns it a place among trusted underwater gear options.
Handling, Ergonomics, and Build Quality
The Nauticam NA-G7X housing stands out in the compact underwater photography category because of its exceptional ergonomics and robust construction. Built from hard-anodized aluminum, it offers excellent corrosion resistance and durability, making it ideal for frequent use in saltwater environments. Despite being compact, the housing conveys a reassuring heft—light enough for travel yet substantial enough to handle strong currents with stability.
One of the key features of the NA-G7X is its intuitive button layout. All essential camera functions can be accessed without removing your hand from the handles, which is a vital feature for underwater shooting where conditions may require rapid reaction. The control dials are strategically placed to allow effortless operation even with gloves, an important consideration for colder diving conditions. These controls include levers for shutter release and video recording, as well as thumb-operated dials for aperture and shutter speed.
The rear housing window is generously sized, providing excellent visibility of the camera’s LCD screen. This is particularly helpful for framing and reviewing shots. The buttons are labeled clearly, and there’s tactile feedback when pressed—this means you can rely on muscle memory and feel rather than needing to visually confirm every control. Moreover, the multi-directional pad and central button are responsive, enabling menu navigation and autofocus point selection without frustration.
Another strength lies in the ease of mounting accessories. The integrated dual fiber optic ports make strobe connection seamless, and the cold shoe mount allows for the attachment of focus lights or a GoPro for video redundancy. The M10 mounting balls on the handles further provide a secure base for arms, clamps, and other lighting accessories. This modularity makes the NA-G7X highly adaptable, whether you're shooting wide-angle, macro, or video.
A thoughtful design aspect is the vacuum check and leak detection system. Before each dive, the system can be pressurized to verify the integrity of the housing’s seals. This significantly reduces the chance of flooding, giving peace of mind, especially when transporting the rig between boat dives or during shore entries through surf.
The locking latch mechanism is another area where Nauticam engineering shines. It uses a rotating clasp system that ensures a watertight seal without requiring excessive force. Unlike twist-lock or multi-clasp designs that are prone to user error or failure, the Nauticam latch provides a secure and straightforward operation.
Underwater Performance: Real-World Testing
Performance underwater is where the NA-G7X housing truly excels. Pairing it with the Canon G7X Mark II results in a powerful compact system capable of producing DSLR-quality images without the bulk or weight. The G7X’s fast lens (f/1.8-2.8) and 1-inch sensor are well-matched with the housing’s optical clarity and port design.
The standard flat port included with the NA-G7X is suitable for general use and macro work. However, when paired with Nauticam’s optional wet lenses, such as the CMC-1 or CMC-2 for macro, or the WWL-1 for wide-angle, the system becomes much more versatile. The bayonet mount system makes swapping lenses underwater quick and safe, enabling photographers to adapt to changing underwater scenes.
In real-world dive scenarios, users report crisp image quality and fast autofocus response. The control dials allow seamless adjustment to exposure settings without surfacing, which is crucial when transitioning between light conditions or shooting subjects with reflective surfaces like nudibranchs or fish scales.
The housing also excels in buoyancy management. When used with floats or arms, the system can achieve near-neutral buoyancy, reducing arm fatigue and allowing steadier shots. For macro photography, where precision is essential, this stability is invaluable. Additionally, for wide-angle shooting, the addition of strobes and a wide wet lens can be balanced with float arms to maintain maneuverability.
Video performance is similarly impressive. The housing allows for full manual video control, including focus, white balance, and ISO adjustment. Combined with the G7X’s full HD video capabilities and image stabilization, the NA-G7X setup becomes a viable tool for aspiring underwater videographers. The record lever is ergonomically placed and allows for quick access, making it easy to switch from stills to video mode in a moment.
Lighting Considerations and Strobe Compatibility
Lighting is a critical aspect of underwater photography, and the Nauticam NA-G7X supports a wide range of lighting configurations. It features built-in fiber optic ports that connect easily to most modern strobes. These ports transmit the camera’s built-in flash to trigger external strobes, ensuring accurate exposure through TTL or manual control.
Popular strobe models such as the Inon Z-330, Sea & Sea YS-D3, and Ikelite DS51 are fully compatible with the housing. For those preferring constant lighting, video lights like Kraken or Light & Motion can be mounted directly using arms and clamps via the cold shoe or M10 mounting points.
When shooting macro subjects, a single strobe with a snoot or diffuser can create stunning lighting effects. For wide-angle scenes, dual strobes with diffusers help illuminate larger subjects evenly. The housing’s ability to adapt to different lighting techniques makes it a reliable companion for photographers across all skill levels.
One of the advantages of the NA-G7X is the ability to fine-tune strobe positioning easily, thanks to the solid handle grips and ergonomic layout. The tray and handle system is rigid and sturdy, ensuring that strobes remain in place even during current-heavy dives or while adjusting position underwater.
Moreover, the camera’s flash recharge time and the housing’s optical sync performance ensure minimal shutter lag. This responsiveness is vital when photographing fast-moving subjects like reef fish, turtles, or sharks.
Maintenance, Travel, and Long-Term Use
A key factor in the longevity of any underwater housing system is proper care and maintenance. The NA-G7X is relatively easy to maintain compared to larger DSLR or mirrorless housings. Its O-ring grooves are accessible and easy to clean. Nauticam includes a silicone grease and spare O-ring kit with the housing, allowing users to maintain seal integrity without additional purchases.
Rinsing the housing thoroughly in freshwater after every dive is essential. The construction allows for deep rinsing without trapping water inside. Periodically pressing all buttons while submerged in freshwater helps prevent salt build-up and keeps buttons springy and responsive.
When it comes to travel, the compact size of the housing makes it a favorite among traveling divers and underwater photographers. It fits easily into carry-on luggage and can be padded using clothing or camera cubes to prevent damage during transit. For those who travel often, the lightweight setup makes it easier to deal with airline baggage restrictions, particularly when combined with compact strobes and flexible arm systems.
Long-term users have reported that even after several years of active diving, the housing maintains its integrity, with no signs of corrosion or significant wear. The anodized finish is resilient, and minor cosmetic scratches don’t affect performance.
Moreover, Nauticam provides excellent customer support and a global network of service centers. If a repair is needed, parts are generally available, and the modular design allows for straightforward replacement of buttons, springs, or latches.
User Experience and Community Feedback
Across online forums, review sites, and diver communities, the NA-G7X housing has received consistently positive feedback. Users often praise its reliability, intuitive layout, and image quality. Beginners appreciate how easy it is to set up and use, while advanced shooters admire its modularity and ability to accommodate high-quality accessories.
One recurring highlight is the ability to grow with the system. Many divers start with just the housing and camera, then add strobes, wet lenses, and float arms as they gain experience. This scalability allows for a gradual investment, without outgrowing the system prematurely.
The community support is another strong point. Numerous YouTube tutorials, blog posts, and dive photography groups include tips, reviews, and sample photos from users of the NA-G7X. This makes it easier for newcomers to learn how to optimize settings, troubleshoot problems, and get creative inspiration.
There is also a consensus that the housing performs well in a variety of conditions, including cold water, tropical environments, wrecks, and macro-rich muck dives. This versatility adds to its reputation as one of the best compact housing options on the market.
Conclusion
The Nauticam NA-G7X housing represents a high-performance, compact underwater photography solution that combines professional-level features with a user-friendly design. Its precision engineering, ergonomic controls, and rugged build quality make it ideal for divers seeking reliable results in both still photography and videography.
Whether you're capturing the vibrant reefs of Indonesia, the kelp forests of California, or the macro life of Lembeh, this housing empowers you to make the most of the Canon G7X’s capabilities. It provides room for creative growth, supports a variety of accessories, and performs well in a wide range of underwater conditions.
Ultimately, the NA-G7X strikes a balance between portability and power. It is equally suited to first-time underwater shooters and experienced photographers seeking a lightweight yet capable system. With its robust features, trusted brand reputation, and proven field performance, it remains a top-tier choice for underwater enthusiasts who demand quality without compromise.