Nauticam announced NA-LX7 underwater housing for Panasonic LX7 compact camera with a depth rating of 100m. The price is set at $950, the estimated shipping date is Oct 20, 2012.
Nauticam NA-LX7 Housing for Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Nauticam is pleased to announce the NA-LX7 Housing for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7. This camera and housing system packs functionality, excellent image quality, and 60fps 1080p video into a compact but potent system that’s ready to go at a moment’s notice. The NA-LX7 delivers exactly what photographers expect from Nauticam: Professional grade features with ultimate ease of use.
Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7
Panasonic’s LX7 camera is one of the most highly regarded compact cameras on sale today, with features rivaling much larger cameras. The LX7 is an incremental but compelling upgrade from the very successful LX5. A new front mounted ring controls aperture on the Leica designed 24-90mm equivalent range lens. With a very impressive f/1.4-2.7 aperture, this is the fastest lens currently seen on a compact camera. To complement the f/1.4, the LX7 features a built-in neutral density filter, making the f/1.4 aperture much more useful in bright conditions – perfect for throwing backgrounds out of focus to enhance subjects.
Featuring a 10 megapixel CCD sensor with an ISO range of 80-3200 (and up to 12,800 with reduced resolution), this camera produces very high quality images and video. The image aspect ratio is adjustable and includes 4:3, 3:2, 16:9, and 1:1 (square), offering the shooters more creativity in framing images.
Two of the most important features in any camera for underwater use are the ability to shoot in RAW mode and the ability to shoot manual exposure. The LX7 accomplishes both with ease. RAW mode is set via menu option - similarly to most DSLRs. Manual exposure is one of the modes available (along with Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and two user Custom modes) on the dial on top of the camera. Like the LX5, the LX7 provides automatic flash exposure (TTL) in manual mode.
Another feature favored by underwater photographers is control over focus; the LX7 offers complete control, via a programmable AF/AE-L (autofocus and/or auto exposure lock button), and a separate switch to select between normal, macro and manual focus.
For video shooters, the LX7 offers automatic or full manual control while shooting 1080p 60fps AVCHD video and has a dedicated video start/stop button. Continuous AF is available while shooting video, as is zoom control.
Nauticam NA-LX7 Housing
A compact camera with this much functionality demands a rugged yet compact housing, and the Nauticam engineers have delivered with an aluminum housing offering all of that capability to the underwater shooter. The Nauticam NA-LX7 housing puts the power of the LX7 camera into the palm of your hand, and, into your BCD pocket.
The NA-LX7 housing is clearly the beneficiary of Nauticam’s success with the highly acclaimed NA-LX5. The new controls like the aperture ring and the neutral density filter are designed into the housing with Nauticam’s steadfast commitment to optimum shooter ergonomics.
This is a very compact housing, with all of the LX7 camera controls available from the comfortable grip sculpted into the side of the housing. The camera slides easily into the housing with no need to preset any controls, and the housing is securely closed with a clasp featuring double safety releases. The compact form factor, ease of use, excellent image quality and P&S functionality make this a perfect system for everyone from new u/w shooters to pros that want a second camera always ready to capture the moment.
Nauticam Build Quality
Only the finest materials and cutting edge manufacturing processes are used to make Nauticam housings. The housing body is machined from solid aircraft grade aluminum, then hard anodized making it impervious to salt water and provides an impressive 100 meter depth rating. The large acrylic LCD window is treated with an anti-reflective, scratch resistant coating.
Optional Rubberized Ergonomic Handles
The optional Nauticam Flexitray provides a lightweight, compact mounting solution for strobe arms and the NA-LX7 housing. Nauticam uses a sophisticated over-mold process to produce extremely comfortable rubberized ergonomic handgrips. The soft feel and ergonomic design make the housing easy to grip and minimize hand fatigue on long dives. Both single and double handle configurations are available for complete customization, and each handle can be adjusted laterally allowing the user to dial in perfect fit. A hand strap is also available for those wishing an even smaller profile.
Optical Flash Connectors for Inon S-TTL, and Sea & Sea DS-TTL
Reliable automatic flash exposure is available with Nauticam housings and a variety of optically fired flashes. Inon Z-240, D-2000, S-2000, Sea & Sea YS-01 and YS-D1 strobes provide automated lighting, precisely reproducing the camera’s onboard flash at a proportionally greater intensity. This system yields accurate TTL flash performance with no electrical sync cables to flood! The NA-LX7 comes fiber optic ready and accepts standard Sea & Sea style bushing connections.
Strobes can be attached to the housing via optional strobe mounting balls on the handles or a single strobe mounting-ball point on the housing. The housing also features a cold-shoe mount for even more mounting options.
Standard Features
* Signature Housing Lock
* Flash on/Flash off levers
* Super Sensitive Shutter Release
* Removable Optical Strobe Connectors
* M10 Threaded Hole for Strobe Attachment
* Cold Shoe for Accessory Mounting
* Embossed Control Function Labels
* Complete Access to All Camera Controls
Optional Accessories
* Diffuser for NA-LX7
* Wet-mate dome port
* Hand Strap
* Single handle tray, left handle (Flexitray or Easitray)
* Right handle
* Strobe mounting ball, housing
* Strobe mounting ball, handle
Specifications
* Depth Rating: 100m
* 158mm x 111mm x 108mm
* Weight: 0.90kg (1.98 lbs.)
Model Number: 17706
USA Retail Price: $950
Estimated Shipping Date: Oct 20, 2012
