Quick & Dirty Review: Canon PowerShot G1 X

[Canon Rumors Guy]

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<strong>Review!

</strong>I have given my initial impressions of Canon’s new PowerShot G1 X in a quick review of the camera.</p>
<p>Spoiler alert…. I like it.</p>
<p>I have enjoyed my first day or so with the camera. I understand some of the critical points about the camera, others I don’t. I don’t understand why it’s knocked for being too big, I think the size is just about perfect.</p>
<p>I know lots of people wanted an APS-C “G” camera for $299. For those people, you’re going to have to wait a little while longer. I will say I don’t feel ripped off at $800, and I definitely wouldn’t when the camera gets down to the $650-$700 range.</p>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/reviews/canon-powershot-g1-x/">Read the review here at CR</a></strong></p>
<p><strong><span style="color: #ff0000;">c</span>r </strong></p>
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[swblackwood]

Two things: you didn't mention that it doesn't have as close-focusing a macro mode as the G12. Of course, one wouldn't expect this in a large sensor camera.
Also, you cane switch to a 3:2 format in the Function menu.
Otherwise, a fine succinct review.

 

[Canon Rumors Guy]

Two things: you didn't mention that it doesn't have as close-focusing a macro mode as the G12. Of course, one wouldn't expect this in a large sensor camera.
Also, you cane switch to a 3:2 format in the Function menu.
Otherwise, a fine succinct review.

Macro... I never shoot it, but that will be mentioned as I update the review over the next couple of weeks.

The 3:2 setting in the menu crops the screen to the new ratio, however you still get a 4:3 jpg and RAW file. The RAW file has the 3:2 crop marks and auto crops in DPP.

cr

 

[BigDaddyM]

I would have liked in the review to see the shallowest DOF this camera can achieve. Everything you showed didn't isolate anything. My biggest gripe is the slow lens, not size or price.

My next issue would be low light shooting. I would hope that teh larger sensor would help, but then back to the slow lens, I am hesistant to test with my wallet.

However, what you did show looked great.
M

 

[Canon Rumors Guy]

I would have liked in the review to see the shallowest DOF this camera can achieve. Everything you showed didn't isolate anything. My biggest gripe is the slow lens, not size or price.

My next issue would be low light shooting. I would hope that teh larger sensor would help, but then back to the slow lens, I am hesistant to test with my wallet.

However, what you did show looked great.
M

I want to do some portrait headshots with the G1 X, that'll get done this week and I'll update the review. I'll also do some real low light stuff. I hate to just show "test" photos.

Cheers
CR

 

[funkboy]

Nice article. Your objectivity is appreciated.

If you want to try it with a small (well, small-ish) flash, check out the 270EX II. I recently moved up to it from a 220EX that I used as my travel flash, & the ability to do bounce with such a small flash is really nice.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I'll try one this week, assuming they made it to our local store. I cancelled my pre-order to wait and try one first. Its for my wife, and she needs to be able to take it with her, and she likes her G11.

I also want to decide between a 5D and 1D X when the info becomes available.

 

[Rocky]

Thanks for the good review. It is a very concise and go straight to the points. Unfortunately, my worst nightmare has come true. G1 X is still having a slow AF. I agree with CR about the pricing does not seems to be a ripoff. We are trading $$$ for a small package tha twill give us good IQ.

 

[Caps18]

I agree with you that the viewfinder isn't needed since the LCD screens have improved and battery life isn't quite as much of a concern now.

But, I like the fact that the ISO wheel has gone away. I don't switch ISO that much, and I would hope that they would fix 'Auto ISO' to where you can set an upper limit, but it will still try and use the lowest possible one with a quick shutter speed.

This camera would come in handy in a few situations, it is just too hard to justify it right now when I have the camera setup that I do. I will be jealous and wishing I had this camera when hiking through some national park with 20 lbs of camera gear...

 

[RyanCrierie]

I agree with you that the viewfinder isn't needed since the LCD screens have improved and battery life isn't quite as much of a concern now.

No no no god no!

Just try shooting with the sun to your back, like what happened to me with a Kodak C180 at SeaWorld Orlando at the Sea Lion/Seal Feeding area. :'(

The bright sun washed out the LCD images so much I was pretty much guessing where my shots were ending up.

An OVF would have been much better in that situation.

 

[gonzalo]

I would have liked in the review to see the shallowest DOF this camera can achieve. Everything you showed didn't isolate anything. My biggest gripe is the slow lens, not size or price.

My next issue would be low light shooting. I would hope that teh larger sensor would help, but then back to the slow lens, I am hesistant to test with my wallet.

However, what you did show looked great.
M

in low light the G1X works fantastic ¡¡, if you like you can see some exemples on my flickr http://www.flickr.com/photos/gonzalovidalsoler/