Canon PowerShot G1 X compact camera
CSCs – who needs 'em?
Review Canon’s ever-popular Powershot G-series has a new and exciting addition that promises to expand the line-up rather than just upgrade it. While the new Powershot G1 X keeps some of the looks and features of its predecessor – the G12 – it also departs from previous models in significant ways.
Bigger sensor and a resolution boost: Canon's PowerShot G1 X
The G1 X is in fact the only compact to boast a 14Mp sensor of a size akin to many Micro Four Thirds cameras such as the Olympus E-PL3 and the Panasonic G3 and with a pixel density comparable to that of the APS-C sensor employed in Canon’s own entry-level DSLR, the EOS 600D. At 18.7 x 14mm this '1.5in' sensor is about a millimetre bigger all round than an MFT equivalent and has a crop value of 1.85x.
Canon has not yet ventured into interchangeable lenses compacts arena. And for the time being at least, the G1 X represents Canon’s response to the Compact System Cameras (CSC) craze. Noticeable by its absence in this sector, and offering only a fixed zoom lens, the G1 X needs more than its PowerShot G-series fan base to make a lasting impression.
ISO control has been relegated to the back panel
Pricing the G1X at around £700, Canon has made it abundantly clear that the new G release is not only no ordinary compact but has the ambition to position itself into the Compact System Camera market as a competitive alternative. Certainly the specs alone of this compact can support that ambition: an extensive ISO range of 100-12800; a 4x zoom lens with a f/2.8 maximum aperture; an optical viewfinder in addition to the 3in multi-angle 920k LCD screen; Full HD 1920 x 1080 video recording at 24fps; built-in flash and 14-bit RAW file capture.
Retaining the same basic look and layout of the G12, the G1 X is bigger – 116.7 x 80.5 x 64.7mm - and heavier – 534g - than its predecessor. Bulkier than any other compact to allow for the larger sensor, the G1 X is still portable enough, while its all metal body gives it a professional and hard-wearing feel.
A dedicated video recording button has been added
The reason why so many pros love Canon’s G-series is the abundance of well-placed, uncluttered physical controls that give PowerShot G compacts a high degree of manual control. In this respect, the G1 X is a typical Powershot G compact. Apart from the size difference there are only a few layout changes from the G12.
Next page: Moving dials
COMMENTS
Re: "Once the novelty of an interchangeable lens compact has worn off"
I think that either you missed the poin that the author was trying to make, or I missed your point :)
I have a 5D, and three Sigma EXDG lenses for various uses, as my main camera and I am really very happy with it.
But... I go on special trips with it, or I set it up for photo shoots at home. It is not something that I can carry arround with me constantly.
Compact cameras on the other hand can be carried around with me, but the quality of the sensors is terrible. Good for web use or snaps but when you get up to poster sized prints you start to see too many artifacts (for me anyway - these things are subjective). And of course you have no control over the shot - it's point and click, exactly what it was designed for - and what my other half likes about their camera.
The new range of CSC provide a nice inbetween step. Small enough to be caried, versatile enough to make some nice shots. Well some of them at least (the Sony NEX range with their larger sensors look interesting, as does the Panasonic range. The Nikon on the other hand produces the same artifacts as the standard compact camera from the shots I have seen as it also uses an extremely small sensor).
But... Do you need the hassle of interchangable lenses on the CSC ranges in order to get the control or quality? If I can get a handbag sized camera with a good lens, sensor and manual controls do I care that I only have the one that it came with? 120mm seems a little short for some of the shots I like to take, but I wonder if I couldlive with it...
Re: "Once the novelty of an interchangeable lens compact has worn off"
Based on anecdotal evidence (ie friends who have bought them), I think the G-series is largely sold to people who like taking pictures and want to do it "more seriously" but are scared off buying a DSLR by the perceived "complexity" (or to some extent the cost). This is in contrast to EVIL which tends to be bought by people who would have bought a DSLR before EVIL existed but prefer the form-factor. That is a market which Canon does not serve at present.
I do agree about the S-series though. Awesome cameras - true compacts but with full exposure control and the ability to shoot RAW. The sensor size means quality will never be as good as a DSLR but then a DSLR will never be as good as medium format for the same reason - photography is always about compromises.
As a recent CSC purchaser...
...I say No to the final question in the article. One big reason is that compacts with the quality of CSCs seem to be more expensive than the CSCs for some reason. Also, even as a beginner, being able to select a brighter pancake lens instead of the zoom means I can take photos I wouldn't otherwise be able to.
As ever, it's horses for courses and I suspect that the (no longer very) new formats will at the very least force manufacturers to think more creatively about what they offer customers.
Lens scratches?
Does the lens cover still scratch the lens? [As it has done on several previous iterations of the G-series]
And do Canon still deny there's a problem [in spite of numerous internet articles about it] and refuse to repair affected cameras?
I think I'm the opposite. I thought this was the camera for me. The carry around when you don't want the SLR option. But the speed is the killer. Not the fps, but the focussing speed. Reminds me of other cameras I have that just don't make the grade - G9 being an example, although this would stomp all over it for ISO capability. Perhaps they'll update in a year or two to sort this issue. Until then I'm guessing it's a CSC or nothing.
