Canon PowerShot G1 X packs big 14MP sensor

[editor]

It's all about the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 for me at the moment, but Canon's latest compact looks capable enough.

I'm not a fan of its chunky dimensions though and the 28-112mm non-interchangeable zoom lens/F2.8-5.8 zoom isn't setting my world on fire. It's £699.

http://www.wirefresh.com/canon-powe...-a-beefy-14mp-sensor-for-enthusiast-snappers/

 

[editor]

It looks horrible to my eyes. A great big brute of a thing!

 

[editor]

It's picked up a fairly lukewarm 6.9/10 review on The Verge:

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is not a camera you should buy unless you already own a DSLR. Canon reps themselves told me that if you’re debating between the G1 X and, say, a Rebel DSLR, you should buy the latter — having more lenses and more versatility is key, and the G1 X’s sensor still isn’t DSLR-sized. But if you already own the serious equipment and just want a camera you can toss into a purse or backpack without sacrificing a lot of quality, the G1 X should suit you pretty well.

The focusing experience is the one major setback for the camera, but if you can get over that (and if you’re not looking to take a lot of close-up shots) you’ll get consistently solid photos and video from the camera, almost regardless of situation or lighting. There’s a lot to learn about the G1 X, especially with the rangefinder, but I can definitely see this camera being a travel-friendly second camera for a 5D or D4 owner. It’s also compatible with most of Canon’s EOS accessories, so Canon DSLR owners will be able to use speedlite flash attachments and the like with the G1 X.

The G1 X competes most directly with its own predecessor, the similar-looking but much less expensive G12 (it’s $499 now, and might be less with the G1 X now available), a camera you might see on the shelf next to the G1 X. There, the comparison is even more interesting: there’s a lot more camera inside the G1 X, thanks to its 6.3-times-larger sensor and the new DIGIC 5 processor, but it’s also nearly double the price. The two look nearly identical, and operate much the same, but picky photographers are going to want the imaging prowess of the G1 X.

There’s also plenty of external competition: the Fujifilm X10, Sony NEX-5N, and Olympus E-PL3 all take similarly excellent pictures and video (though I’d take the G1 X’s low-light performance over any of those), and cost as much as $200 less than the $799.99 G1 X.

Even Canon’s own Powershot S100 and S95 take stellar pictures, have slightly faster lenses than the G1 X, and both are legitimately pocketable cameras — those seem like better portable companions to a DSLR. Too many choices is never a bad thing for camera buyers, but I’m not sure the G1 X stands out enough from its competitors to be worth the premium.

http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/14/2775567/canon-powershot-g1-x-review

It's still way too chunky for my tastes.

 

[Hocus Eye.]

It's picked up a fairly lukewarm 6.9/10 review on The Verge:


http://www.theverge.com/2012/2/14/2775567/canon-powershot-g1-x-review

It's still way too chunky for my tastes.

So this means that there is now a new sensor size available. Perhaps the significance of this will be that Canon will later follow up with a whole new range of cameras, maybe leading to ones with removable lenses in direct competition with the 4/3 cameras.

 

[editor]

It's got a larger sensor size, but it's a monster sized thing and without interchangeable lens, I'm not sure who it's aimed at.

 

[pogofish]

That's the off thing about Canon Powershots - They always seem to have some utter turkeys in the range, along with some good models. and this one seems to follow the trend - Apart from the sensor, it looks like a plasticky lookie-like for the G12.

 

[Hocus Eye.]

It's got a larger sensor size, but it's a monster sized thing and without interchangeable lens, I'm not sure who it's aimed at.

Yes I think the lens focal range is a bit of a let down. However Its lack of an f/2 largest aperture may not be so bad though, if the sensor quality enables the use of higher than usual ISO to be used in low light without creating a noisy image.

 

[editor]

The 28mm widest zoom is hugely disappointing and the G1x is so chunky, you may as well get a dSLR/Micro Four Thirds camera instead.

 

[editor]

There's an interesting review here which just about chimes with my expectations of the camera:

So, what I'm about to say, in summary, is that it's a pretty good camera, but I don't particularlycare for it. Here's why.
The G1X is a hermaphrodite – part one thing and part another. It has the image quality characteristics of a large sensor camera (because it has one, of course), but also the limitations of a so-called point and shoot (fixed lens, jittery aperture, fixed step electric zoom). It has the bulk and weight of a compact system camera, but lacks interchangeable lenses and either a built-in or accessory EVF.

Consequently I find that the Canon G1X falls between the cracks. For the $800 which the camera commands (in the U.S.) one can purchase an entry level DSLR or a Compact System Camera with kit lens. Canon's own T3i is one example, though it's bulkier, while various CSC's from Panasonic, Sony, and Olympus all offer smaller size and lighter weight along with interchangeable lenses and superior (though optional) viewfinders.

But, don't misunderstand. There's a lot to like about the G1X. It's well built and has very good image quality. But at its heart it's still a point-and-shoot style camera with all the limitations and foibles that this entails. So, unless one is a Canon G series aficionado, and wants the latest and greatest of that breed, I find it hard to recommend the G1X over any number of other cameras in its price range.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/cameras/canon_g1x_field_report.shtml

 

[editor]

It's also got a modest review on DPReview:

The G1 X is an excellent camera for some but not for everyone. The camera gives you great image quality and a versatile zoom range in a small package and without the need to carry a stack of lenses. However, the sluggish AF, limited close-focusing capability and lack of manual control in video mode will make some users look elsewhere.
http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canong1x/19