Canon PowerShot G-Series (Underwater)

Manufacturer: Canon Type: camera (compact) Series active: 2000–2014 (G1–G16); underwater relevance peaked 2008–2014 (G10–G16) Key underwater models: G9, G10, G11, G12, G15, G16

Overview

The Canon PowerShot G-series represented the “serious compact” category for underwater photographers from the early 2000s through the mid-2010s. These cameras offered RAW shooting, wide-angle lenses starting at 28mm (from the G10 onward), full manual exposure control, and optical viewfinders — features that distinguished them from basic point-and-shoot cameras while costing a fraction of a DSLR system.

In compact-camera underwater photography competitions, images taken with Canon G-series cameras “almost always won,” as noted by Wetpixel editors in 2009 (^[1]). The G-series dominated the compact underwater photography category from approximately 2008 through 2013, with Canon G10, G11, and G12 cameras sweeping the compact section at competitions like the Manado Ocean Festival 2011, where all three compact category prizes went to Canon G10 and G11 shooters (^[2]).

The series was eventually supplanted by Canon’s own G7 X line (with larger 1-inch sensors) and the Sony RX100 series beginning in 2012–2013, which offered superior image quality from larger sensors in similarly compact bodies.

Earlier G-Series (G1–G7)

Before the G10’s 28mm wide-angle lens made the series a dominant underwater platform, earlier G-series models had already established a presence in underwater photography:

• G3/G5 (2002–2003): Third-party housings were available from manufacturers like UMIE, whose DCH-701 housing was machined from POM resin, depth rated to 60m, and compatible with Inon strobes via fiber optic connection. An optional WDP-701 dome port enabled semi-fisheye and over/under photography (^[3]).
• G7 (2006): Canon’s WP-DC21 housing. Inon produced accessories for Canon’s OEM compact housings during this era.
• G9 (2007): Canon’s WP-DC28 housing. The G9 attracted aluminum housing support from Patima, signaling the camera’s seriousness as an underwater tool.

Models (G9–G16)

G10 (2008)

The G10 was a landmark for underwater compact photography, introducing a 28mm wide-angle lens to the G-series for the first time. This focal length was critical for underwater wide-angle work. Eric Cheng wrote in October 2008: “I just got a Canon G10 and would love a housing for it” after seeing the Patima G9 housing at DEMA (^[4]).

G11 (2009)

The G11’s deliberate reduction from 14.7 MP to 10 MP was widely praised by the underwater community. Wetpixel noted that “most folks who are discussing this think it is a good thing and will bring about improved image quality rather than focusing only on more pixels” (^[5]). The vari-angle LCD was useful for composing low-angle shots underwater.

G12 (2010)

The G12 was the first G-series with HD video (720p), adding dual-purpose capability for underwater shooters. It retained the proven 10 MP CCD sensor with Canon’s HS System for improved low-light performance. Canon’s press release noted the HDR scene mode and a new front control dial “similar to how users operate a Canon Digital SLR camera” (^[6]). Compatible with the optional Canon underwater housing, as mentioned in the press release.

G15 (2012)

The G15 represented the most significant optical upgrade in the series, introducing an f/1.8–2.8 lens and switching from CCD to a 12.1 MP CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 processor. Maximum ISO reached 12800. Canon announced the WP-DC48 waterproof housing alongside the camera, “capable of diving to depths of up to 130 feet” (^[7]). Canon also claimed 53% faster autofocus over previous G-series models.

Nauticam called the G15’s f/1.8 aperture “fast by any camera standard, but remarkable on a compact camera” and noted that “these kind of apertures open up interesting possibilities in low light conditions and shallow depth of field close ups” (^[8]).

G16 (2013)

The final model in the 1/1.7-inch sensor G-series. Canon claimed 45% faster autofocus than the G15, added Wi-Fi connectivity, and upgraded to the DIGIC 6 processor. Fantasea’s press release noted the camera delivered “performance and creative expression approaching that of an SLR camera” (^[9]).

Housing Ecosystem

The G-series attracted housing support from virtually every major underwater housing manufacturer, reflecting the cameras’ central position in serious compact underwater photography.

Canon WP-DC Series (OEM)

Canon produced waterproof cases for each model, depth rated to approximately 40m (130 ft):

• WP-DC21 for G7
• WP-DC28 for G9 / WP-DC34 for G11/G12 (^[10])
• WP-DC48 for G15 — 130 feet (40m) depth rating (^[11])
• WP-DC52 for G16 — compatible with Inon lens mount bases (^[12])

The Canon housings lacked access to all camera controls (notably the G15’s front command dial), had no built-in fiber optic ports for strobe triggering, and required third-party adapters for wet lens attachment. As Wetpixel’s FG15 review noted: the Canon WP-DC48 “does not give access to the front command dial, or flash disable and requires third-party solutions to attach either strobes or wet lenses” (^[13]).

Nauticam

Nauticam produced aluminum housings with their trademark ergonomic controls:

• NA-G15 — Aluminum, 100m depth rating, 67mm port thread for wet lenses, fiber optic ports for strobe triggering, programmable front and rear command dials accessible without releasing grip. Nauticam described it as “the first Canon G series housing ever to be truly wide-angle wet lens compatible.” US retail: $1,050. Available March 2013 (^[14]).

Ikelite

Ikelite produced clear polycarbonate housings rated to 200 ft (60m) for the full G10–G16 range:

• G12 housing — Clear polycarbonate with built-in TTL circuitry for Ikelite DS strobes. Backward-compatible with the G11, though the G11’s front dial would not function. Ikelite offered factory conversions for G11 housing owners upgrading to G12 (^[15]).
• G16 housing (TTL version) — $675, included tray, handle, and a remote strobe control dial directly above the camera’s LCD for TTL exposure compensation and 7 manual power settings. Available December 2013 (^[16]).
• G16 housing (fiber optic version) — $550, more compact design with thumb grips, dual fiber optic ports for optical TTL strobes. Available November 2013 (^[17]).

Fantasea

Fantasea produced polycarbonate housings with professional features at mid-range prices:

• FG15 — Depth tested to 80m, certified to 60m (200 ft). Full access to all camera controls including front command dial, double O-ring seal, fiber optic ports, leak detector (standard), removable anti-glare hood. Retail: $575/€550 (^[18]). Wetpixel’s review praised its features over the Canon WP-DC48 but noted it was “very buoyant in the water” without accessories attached (^[19]).
• FG16 — Same design philosophy as FG15. Depth tested to 80m, certified to 60m. Double O-ring seal, built-in moisture detector, double fiber optic cable connection, full access to all controls. Retail: $499.95 (^[20]).

Patima

Patima produced milled aluminum housings for the earlier G-series models:

• G9 housing — Fully-featured aluminum housing with 100m depth rating, interchangeable ports (standard and wide-angle), both optical and electrical strobe connections. Retail: $995. Eric Cheng and Alex Mustard both highlighted it at DEMA 2008. Alex Mustard commented: “The Patima G9 housing is very cool. For me it was definitely one of the want one items at the show. For the G9 user who dives a lot it is well worth considering for its extra durability” (^[21]).
• G10, G11, G12 housings — Patima expanded their lineup to cover subsequent models. Leak detectors were available for all Patima G9–G12 housings (^[22]).

Patima’s G15 housing was shown at the EUDI Milan show in February 2013 (^[23]).

UMIE (earlier models)

UMIE produced the DCH-701 housing for the G3/G5, machined from POM resin with a 60m depth rating. An optional WDP-701 glass dome port with built-in wide conversion lens enabled semi-fisheye photography (^[24]).

Accessory Ecosystem

Inon Wet Lenses and Mount Bases

Inon was the dominant accessory manufacturer for G-series cameras in Canon OEM housings, producing mount bases that gave the Canon housings compatibility with Inon’s wide-angle and macro conversion lenses:

• 28AD Mount Base DC40 (2005) for Canon S70/S60 in WP-DC40 — compatible with UWL-100 28AD wide conversion lens and UCL-165AD close-up lens (^[25])
• Adapters for WP-DC48 (G15) — lens mount and fiber optic accessories (^[26])
• LD Lens Adapter Base DC52 (2013) for G16 in WP-DC52 — compatible with UWL-S100 ZM80 wide conversion lens (100° coverage) and Dome Lens Unit II (149.8° coverage); for macro: UCL-165LD lens. The Canon housings’ single optical port could accept an Inon Double Hole Rubber Bush to trigger two strobes (^[27]).

Nauticam Wet Lens Compatibility

The Nauticam NA-G15 featured a 67mm port thread and was the first Canon G-series housing specifically engineered for wide-angle wet lens compatibility. It could accept the Inon UWL-S100 ZM80 for approximately 100° field of view, or the Inon Dome Lens Unit II for 150° — described as “finally a true fisheye option for Canon G series underwater photographers” (^[28]).

Nauticam’s 67mm Flip Lens Holder allowed easy switching between macro and wide-angle wet lenses during a dive.

Leak Detectors

Third-party leak detectors were available for Canon OEM housings (WP-DC21, WP-DC28, WP-DC34 for G9/G10/G11/G12), Patima housings (G9–G12), and Ikelite housings. These self-install kits featured a bright flashing LED visible from outside the housing (^[29]).

Community Reception

Dominance Period (2008–2012)

The G-series was the dominant compact underwater platform from 2008 through approximately 2012. Forum users praised the G10’s 28mm wide-angle as a game-changer for compact wide-angle photography. The G11’s megapixel reduction was widely praised as prioritizing image quality. At the 2011 Manado Ocean Festival, Canon G10 and G11 cameras swept all three prizes in the compact category (^[30]).

Known Limitations

Community discussions on Wetpixel identified autofocus speed as the G-series’ persistent weakness. In a 2012 forum thread comparing the G15 to the Sony RX100, one user wrote: “The killer for the canon G series, has always been the terrible slow auto focus lag… the G15 will be aggravatingly bad to use, in the underwater world, where little subjects move, and you move, and everything moves. The sony, panasonic, and now oly too, are all doing a great job with contrast detect AF” (^[31]). Wet lens compatibility with Canon OEM housings was another recurring complaint, requiring Inon adapter bases.

Competition and Decline (2012–2014)

By late 2012, larger-sensor compacts began eroding the G-series position. Canon’s own G1 X (January 2012) featured a sensor “approximately 6.3 times larger than the sensor in the acclaimed PowerShot G12” and was positioned to “create a prestigious new category at the top of Canon’s legendary G-series line-up” (^[32]).

Backscatter’s “Best Underwater Compact Cameras for 2012” named the Sony RX100 as best point-and-shoot and the Olympus Tough TG-1 as best waterproof — the G-series was not listed in any top category (^[33]).

The Canon G7 X (2014) with its 1-inch sensor effectively replaced the G-series for underwater use. Wetpixel’s review by Alex Tattersall praised the G7 X’s “image quality, the ability to minimize flash output for fast recycling, the focusing speed, the impressive dynamic range” (^[34]).

Some dedicated G-series users continued using the G16 for years. In a 2019 forum thread, one user still diving with a G16 in an Ikelite TTL housing described it as “quite bulky” and asked about upgrading to smaller compacts like the G7 X or G9 X (^[35]).

Timeline

• 2003-07: UMIE announces DCH-701 housing for Canon G3/G5 with 60m depth rating and dome port option (^[36])
• 2005-05: Inon releases accessories for Canon WP-DC40 housing (S70/S60), establishing the Inon-Canon compact ecosystem (^[37])
• 2008-09: Canon releases PowerShot G10 with 28mm wide-angle lens, 14.7 MP sensor
• 2008-10: Patima shows G9 aluminum housing at DEMA 2008; Eric Cheng notes he “just got a Canon G10 and would love a housing for it” (^[38])
• 2009-08: Canon releases G11 with reduced 10 MP sensor for improved noise performance (^[39])
• 2010-09: Canon introduces G12 with 720p HD video capability (^[40])
• 2010-10: Ikelite releases housing for G12, backward-compatible with G11 (^[41])
• 2011-05: Canon G10 and G11 sweep all three compact prizes at Manado Ocean Festival (^[42])
• 2012-01: Canon announces G1 X with large sensor, positioning it above G-series (^[43])
• 2012-09: Canon unveils G15 with f/1.8 lens, CMOS sensor, 1080p video, and WP-DC48 housing (^[44])
• 2012-10: Backscatter names Sony RX100 best point-and-shoot compact for 2012 (^[45])
• 2012-10: Inon releases UWL-S100 ZM80 wide conversion lens and new adapter bases for Canon housings (^[46])
• 2013-02: Nauticam announces NA-G15 housing, $1,050, 100m depth rating, first G-series housing with true wide-angle wet lens compatibility (^[47])
• 2013-02: Patima shows G15 housing at EUDI Milan (^[48])
• 2013-04: Fantasea announces FG15 housing, $575, 60m rating (^[49])
• 2013-07: Wetpixel publishes review of Fantasea FG15 housing (^[50])
• 2013-11: Ikelite announces dual G16 housings — TTL ($675) and fiber optic ($550) versions (^[51])
• 2013-12: Fantasea releases FG16 housing, $499.95 (^[52])
• 2013-12: Inon releases LD Lens Adapter Base DC52 for G16 in WP-DC52 housing (^[53])
• 2014: G16 discontinued; Canon shifts focus to G7 X with 1-inch sensor

References