While the 14.3MP CMOS sensor, 4x
optical zoom, raw shooting and Full HD video recording and other impressive
specifications of the Canon PowerShot G1 X sound great, we were a little
concerned at how big this compact camera would be.
As you
can see from the images and video below, the Canon PowerShot G1 X sits
comfortably in the hands and has the familiar styling of earlier Canon
PowerShot G series compact cameras such as the Canon PowerShot G12 and Canon PowerShot G11.
Although it is a little bulkier and heavier than the G12, the G1 X is still very much a
compact camera.
The
slightly angular, rubberised finger grip provides good purchase, but the weight
associated with the the f/2.8-5.8 lens means that the camera is more
comfortable to hold two-handed rather than one-handed.
Like
the Canon G12, the new Canon
G1 X features plenty of manual control to suit enthusiast photographers.
In a
change from the control arrangement of the Canon G12, the exposure compensation
dial of the G1 X sits under the exposure mode dial on the top-plate. On the
G12, this space is occupied by the sensitivity (ISO) control.
Sensitivity
is set on the Canon PowerShot G1 X via the up option on the navigation pad on
the back of the camera. This change may have been forced by the G1 X's larger
number of ISO settings - Canon's engineers would struggle to fit them all on
one dial.
The
space this change creates on the left side of the Canon G1 X (as you hold the
camera) has been taken up by the pop-up flash, whereas the G12 has a fixed
unit.
With 920,000 dots, the 3-inch PureColor
II vari-angle LCD screen on the Canon G1 X is a noticeble improvement on the
2.8-inch, 416,000 dot device of the G12. Images appear bright and sharp on this
tiltable display.
The optical viewfinder (OVF) is also
large enough to be usable, although the lens barrel can be seen in the
bottom-left corner.
We used the Canon G1 X in fairly low
light conditions, but the autofocus (AF) system performed pretty well, focusing
quickly on subjects with strong contrast. With low contrast subjects there was
a quick back and forwards adjustment before the subject was made sharp, but
this is hardly unusual with a contrast detection system.
Sensor
Featuring the largest sensor ever sensor to be found in a
Canon compact, the 4:3 aspect, 14.3
million pixel CMOS sensor is similar in height to the APS-C sensors used in
some DSLR models. It also has the same pixel size and structure as the
company's entry level EOS 600D, meaning that capturing low-light images should
be improved, and photographers will be able to achieve shallower depth of field
effects.
Digic 5 processor
Only featured on a handful of Canon cameras so far,
including the Powershot S100, Canon EOS 1DX and Canon Powershot SX40, the Digic
5 processor is Canon's latest high-speed processor, which helps to deliver
high-speed shooting and keep noise down at high ISO shooting.
Lens
Canon has drawn from its rich heritage of lens production to
design the lens for the G1 X, utilising UA elements and precision glass
moulding. It's a 4x optical zoom, which in 35mm terms equates to 28mm-112mm.
The 6 blade aperture, combined with that large sensor, means that background
blur should be relatively easy to achieve.
Full manual control
The G Series of cameras are designed with pros and serious
photographers who mind, those who want a decent carry everywhere camera that
offers the same type of flexibility as their more advanced cameras. The G1 X
carries on that tradition, and is fitted with dials for controlling key
functions such as exposure compensation.
Raw image capture
Another plus point for high-end premium compact cameras is
their ability to capture images in raw so that they can be processed later.
Again, the G1 X includes raw image capture, while the camera comes supplied
with Canon's own Digital Photo Professional software for editing images.
Video recording
It's pretty much a given these days, but the G1 X comes with
full HD video recording at 24fps. Not only that, but the optical zoom can also
be used while filming, and stereo sound is also captured.
Sensitivity range
The ISO range on the G1 X is the widest found on any Canon
compact, stretching up to an impressive 12800. Canon promises that the
combination of Digic 5 and of course that large sensor means that low-light
images should show an impressive level of noise control, which is one of the things
we're most looking forward to testing in the future.
Intelligent features
Within the lens, a 4-stop optical Image Stabiliser has been
included, which allows the use of shutter speeds up to four stops slower than
possible without the IS. Also included is Canon's Intelligent IS which has the
ability to analyse focal length, focal distance and type of camera movement in
order to apply the best type of Image Stabiliser from a range which includes
Macro and Panning modes.
Screen
Canon's articulating screens on several of its cameras,
including the G12 and some of its EOS DSLRs have proved immensely popular, and
here it is again on the G1 X. It's A 3 inch PureColor 920k dot UU VA LCD
screen, which is joined by an optical viewfinder with dioptre adjuster. It's
fair to say that in the past the EVFs on board the Canon G series have been a
little disappointing, so it will be interesting to see if Canon has made any
improvements in this respect.
Priced at almost £700 in the UK or
around $799 in the US, the Canon G1 X is an expensive compact camera, and there
are several DSLR kits available for less money. The Canon EOS 600D, for
example, can be bought with the 18-55mm IS II lens for £550. However, compact
cameras are used in a different way to DSLRs, and are often taken out when a
larger camera is impractical.
It is
also worth noting that the RRP of the 14.3MP Canon PowerShot G1 X is cheaper
than the full cost of the popular Fuji
X100, which can be found on offer for around £750.
As its
pixels are the same size as the Canon EOS 600D's, Canon G1 X users shouldn't be
making too much of a compromise when they decide to travel light.
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