topic Re: HDR in the G7X in Point & Shoot Digital Cameras

HDR in the G7X

altopiet — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 07:22:23 GMT

Hi, coming from my DSLR HDR function to the G7X, I'm a bit disappointed to say the least.

The HDR function in "Natural" setting seems to make no diffirence in HDR scenes. Going into the various Art options you get something going, but the saturation of the colours in those settings are not my cup of tea.

Would it be possible for Canon to give more options regarding how many stops ( at least -3 to +3) one can pick in the natural setting, via a firmware update?

Re: HDR in the G7X

smack53 — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 17:07:38 GMT

I had the same issue with the G12, so instead of using the HDR mode, I used the Exposure Bracketing in the Tv mode (can also be set in the Av and P modes). I then import into Photoshop to do the HDR and get better results that way. Generally I just shoot in RAW and recover most of the lost details that way.

Steve M.

Re: HDR in the G7X

altopiet — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 18:09:38 GMT

Hi Steve, thanks for the reply... I know about bracketing... I'm trying to spend more time shooting and trying to get the best possible results OOC, as I found that PP took too much of my time as a hobby.

I got the G7X for fun and lets say in the pocket, always handy camera that's bettter than a mobile phone; but I must say as far as HDR is concerned my mobile does a better job than a quite expensive G7X.

It is not that I use the function that often, but would expect better results than what I get now. I still use my DSLR for more serious shooting...

Re: HDR in the G7X

smack53 — Mon, 16 Mar 2015 00:10:04 GMT

It is amazing that even though the potential for better HDR photos should be the G7X, the plethora of apps for phones just make it so much quicker and easier to do on the fly with the phone. No wonder camera sales keep slipping!

Re: HDR in the G7X

danDiem — Fri, 01 May 2015 23:52:48 GMT

Agree with you all.

Canon should put additional options in the HDR sub-menu where users can select the type of HDR they are wanting. The options might include HDR modes that are used by HDR software like Photomatix or others. Hope Canon will include such HDR modes in the next version of G7X firmware.Tx.

Re: HDR in the G7X

fsnoon — Sat, 02 May 2015 18:48:38 GMT

I'm new to Canon / serious digital photography: does Canon usually update camera functionality with firmware updates? I've a new G7 X, and it seems to have the original firmware installed (and I don't see any updates on Canon's web site). If this were PC software, we'd probably have the first "bug fix" patch by now.

Re: HDR in the G7X

danDiem — Sat, 02 May 2015 23:15:36 GMT

On DSLR Canon releases firmware updates. However, for P&S camera like S95, ixus, etc, there is a freeware CHDK where users can tweak their cameras to allow wider range of operations, e.g. longer duration of taking the scenes, etc. Hopefully the CHDK for G7X will address the high demand for HDR, if the G7X firmware cannot be updated. Tx

Re: HDR in the G7X

altopiet — Sun, 03 May 2015 05:05:03 GMT

That option will also be acceptable if they don't want to do a firmware update. I really like the little camera, it's always in my pocket 🙂

Re: HDR in the G7X

danDiem — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:30:29 GMT

Auto Exposure Bracketing (AEB) on Canon G7X will take 3 pictures simultaneously at different exposures default set at -1, 0, +1. To allow more than these three pictures, just rotate the exposure dial so it will read someting like -4, -3, -2 (with the initian 0 set to -3, take another shutter release button) , then rotate the dial to +3 , to get other 3 pictures at +2, +3, +4 exposures. By using this method then we get 9 pictures at exposure levels -4,-3,-2,-1,0,+1,+2,+3,+4.

When we get these 9 pictures with different exposure levels, we can use DPP to generate HDR (which needs only 3 pics at a processing). Note that DPP 4.X does not work on RAW from G7X. You should download previous version of DPP,available at Canon USA website for free (I think this is in a bundle of Utilities or something, but not written asDPP).

Hope this will generate the HDR you are looking for. If not, then go back toPhotomatix....;-)). Tx

Re: HDR in the G7X

altopiet — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:40:52 GMT

Hi, have you read message #3?

Re: HDR in the G7X

danDiem — Mon, 11 May 2015 13:58:52 GMT

Hi. Ah yes. DSLR still the best option for HDR. Phone will be the simplest just for that one. However, having G7X on hand we can still "represent" high quality pictures from a small sized camera rather than from that big DSLR.

Yeah, I also put my 7D at home now, prefer to bring my new G7X for daily use. Only on special purposes I will return to my 7D , i.e. when I have to shoot something like birds at a distance, sport activities, etc. Enjoy my new G7X so far. Tx.

Re: HDR in the G7X

scrufftie — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 21:07:54 GMT

I don't know whether this has been answered for you but you can choose how many stops the AEB uses.

First, put the camera in AEB mode. Then turn the expsoure compenstaion dial, whcih brings up an extra bracketing display. Press Menu. The Control Dial will then allow you to expand the AEB range up to 2 stops.

Re: HDR in the G7X

altopiet — Fri, 26 Jun 2015 10:16:07 GMT

Hi, changing the settings in AEB have no influence in HDR, actually that is the setting I would like in HDR, to give a wider range of options in creating OOC HDR to my taste:)

Re: HDR in the G7X

ernies — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 15:44:22 GMT

Thank you for your question. I have been trying to find out if the G7x has an HDR mode that works in the "natural" setting. I was recently told by Canon support that yes, HDR works in natural mode. I had my doubts that this person knew what they were talking about and you have helped to confirm my doubts.

I am researching this because I have an S120 and HDR does not work in natural. I contacted Canon support when I first purchased the camera and the rep tested this function it while I was on the phone. The rep at that time confirmed that HDR mode did not have any effect in the natural setting! However, the rep offered no solution. Canon is selling a defective camera and is doing nothing about it.

I am sorry to hear that this defect continues with the G7x as I was planning to purchase it as a replacement for the S120. Now, I will research whether the Sony RX100 does a better job in this area.

Thanks again.

Re: HDR in the G7X

firstmithrandir — Fri, 19 Feb 2016 14:10:38 GMT

If you want to get full HDR in realtime, just forget Canon G7X and most probably Canon G7X Mark II too. They have HDR function, which should not even be called like that. HDR just simple making three photos and then spending 5-10 seconds of calculations to do 1-5% correction. And as I remember in bracketing mode you have for most scenarios too big time delay taken between each snapshot to have a nice photos afterwards.

I had before Sony RX100 and it has full customize HDR, even in the first camera release which was 2 years before Canon. I did around 30-50% photos in HDR, particularly to see people faces in the sunny days conditions. On my last holidays I was devastated, when I could not make on my Canon G7X photos in most sunny days. All faces and people were dark from whatever angle against soon I took the picture.

I know this topic really well as I am project manager responsible for development of live streaming and stitching of pictures for camera base systems installed in cars from BMW.

It is not too that Canon do not have this functionality, most Canon DIGIT 6 SLRs can do correct HDR.

Shame on You Canon! If you need help with bringing true HDR to Canon G7X just contact people from CHDK, they already did it for you, unfortunately not for Canon G7X,but for other Digic 6 cameras, or contact us, we will do it for you!!!

Re: HDR in the G7X

altopiet — Sat, 20 Feb 2016 06:54:47 GMT

I agree completely, a shame that they've neglected a feature that is actually quite commonly used nowadays....

For the price one would've expected more, I wonder if they would ever consider a firmware update to compact camera, this is my first Canon product.

All in alI I really like the camera:)