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Added by fishnose |  May 21
D4 lens tests
Added by derway |  May 20
Please test EXR modes on all fuji cameras that support it
Added by eireann |  May 19
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II will be tested when
Added by eireann |  May 19
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G ED bad Chr aberration results
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Re: A37
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Re: Sony A57
Added by Bobo_SAN |  May 18
Re: A37

Canon PowerShot G1X Review

Introduction | DxOMark measurements | Canon G1X, the best compact cameras | Canon G1 vs Fuji X100 | Canon G1X vs hybrid cameras | Canon PowerShot G1 X lens review | Conclusion
Monday January 30 2012

With 15 MPix on a 14.0 mm x 18.7 mm sensor in an $800 bridge camera intended for the general public, the appearance of the Canon PowerShot G1X was one of the big events at CES 2012.

The G1X, Canon’s new high-end compact

For Canon, the G1X marks the abandonment of the 5.6 x 7.5 mm sensors in its G10, G11, and G12 cameras - a truly major change to its PowerShot G line.

In contrast to Nikon (offering cameras with interchangeable lenses), Canon has stuck with a fixed-lens camera (with a stabilized 4x zoom).

We at DxOMark have been looking forward to seeing the test results for this new sensor for many reasons:

  • With a format fairly close in size to that of 4/3 cameras, we can find out if Canon succeeded in coming up with a sensor whose quality is equivalent to those of the latest Olympus and Panasonic hybrids.
  • Between the Nikon 1 vs the PowerShot G1X, we can determine who will cart off the prize for best sensor.
  • From a technical point of view, we thought it would be very interesting to compare the performance of this new sensor with that of the Canon EOS 7D, given that the pixel pitch is very similar.
    The advent of the G1X provides a good opportunity to see what kind of progress there has been after 2 or 3 years of sensor technology development.

Next  »

Comments
Added by ysengrain |  May 18

G1X

Hi,
I got one 2 months ago.
After familarizing with, I was absolutly bluffed by image quality (RAW, I never shoot JPEG), the resolution, the absence of noise.
Just two negative aspects: bulky and heavy

Reply

Added by alremotemail |  April 15

Not pocketable

To me, cameras fall into 3 categories. (1) pocketable, (2) compact, but not pocketable, (3) huge.
To me, pocketable is essential for street photography and some tourist photos. All I need do is always get the best performance camera that is still pocketable, and that inevitably means the largest in that category. The G series filled that bill for me. I have the G9 but no reason to upgrade until the G1X. I was foolish enough to let eager anticipation blind me to the fact that the G1X has crossed into the compact but not pocketable category. Well, one might as well select the camera with the best performance then. The Sony NEX 5N should be a far better choice - larger sensor, sweep panorama, macro (G1X does not do macro, whatever Canon may say), and interchangeable lens.

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Added by MarcusGR |  March 30

A "new" sensor out-dated since its birth ...

The simple fact that - in low light - Canon G1X looses to Panasonic GX1 in spite of relying on a considerably larger sensor is a clear indicator that Canon has created a brand-new camera sporting an "old" sensor.
The comparison with a last-generation m4/3 sensor will be even more humiliating for Canon when DXO Mark will have Olympus M5D test available.
Very stupid of Canon, I think: with G1X they have shown they can produce a very large-sensor compact equipped with a good, small zoom-lens. If G1X sensor (and data processing power) were "top notch", all m4/3 EVILS would be easily beaten on all terrains, except flexibility (lens interchangeability). And most users would go for G1X because most don't need interchangeable lenses when they have a nice zoom-lens. As things are, though, I would rather go for a last-generation EVF-equipped m4/3 EVIL camera: either Panasonic G3 or - with a larger budget - Olympus M5D.

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First replies for this comment
Added by Nonca |  April 14

Re: A \

CANON G1X is better in terms of noise ! ;)



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Added by Musawer |  March 13

Canon g1x

My macro does not seem to work on my Canon G1x.  How do I test the camera?

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Added by cal_gecko |  February 09

comparison

The Fuji is 25% more expensive than the Canon, how are these cameras comparable?  What's next, a comparison between a Canon SX130 and a Nikon D7000? Totally different beasts.  I've got a preorder placed for the G1X to add to my bag as a portable, travel camera when I don't want to use my 7D.  I wanted something with some type of zoom, large, high quality sensor, manual controls, hotshoe, IS, and moderately fast glass... the G1X fits the bill perfectly.  Something I can stick in my jacket pocket while I travel and still get great photos.  The Fuji might be great if you're fine taking shots at one focal length.. I don't think that will work well for travel.

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First replies for this comment
Added by BrettA |  February 10

Re: comparison

Thank you - you've made my day, Cal :-)!  You start with a price comparison and then in the same sentence ask in seeming disbelief, "how are these cameras comparable" ;-) ;-) ;-)!  'Nuff said.

Reply
Added by MarsWarrior |  February 02

Pricing

If this camera doesn't provide much more than compact size and DIGIC5 processing, why then the high price? It seems to sport similar (dated) sensor technology of the 7D and a cheap plastic body too?

A rebel T3i kit can be had for about $100 less. Except for the large APS wafer, I would have thought the SLR-mirror- and lens mount mechanics to form rather an expensive portion of the price of a DSLR body, or am I mistaken?  I presume the glass in the G1X is no more special than that found in a standard kit lens?

I absolutely love the concept, though! IMO it makes way more sense than than a CSC! If only it were released at least $100 less, I would have bought one for Christmas if the price dropped to $600!

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Added by Matthieu |  January 31

What about the Fuji X100?

You wrote that the Canon G1X is "The best compact camera ever made", but you seem to have forgotten the Fuji X100, which is less high, less deep and only slightly wider. If the G1X is to be considered a compact camera, then the Fuji also has to be.

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First replies for this comment
Added by lightsabre |  February 01

Re: What about the Fuji X100?

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Canon/PowerShot-G1X">this page on the website</a></div>You wrote that the Canon G1X is "The best compact camera ever made", but you seem to have forgotten the Fuji X100, which is less high, less deep and only slightly wider. If the G1X is to be considered a compact camera, then the Fuji also has to be.


The Fuji is never positioned as a 'compact' or 'point and shoot' camera for the mass consumer market. The Fuji is much too expensive, lacks zoom and is deemed to complex for this market segment. It is always positioned as a premium enthusiast high end camera. More for the rangefinder market segment. Also, it is not only about size. Otherwise, why would Fuji bother to create the X10 for the compact market.

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Added by darrask |  January 31

GX1 is a big camera

"You have a reflex-quality sensor in camera of the same volume as a G11."
No you don't, the GX1 is much bigger than the G-series.

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First replies for this comment
Added by lightsabre |  February 01

Re: GX1 is a big camera

Quote:

<div id="linkdxomark">This a comment for <a href="http://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Cameras/Camera-Sensor-Database/Canon/PowerShot-G1X">this page on the website</a></div>"You have a reflex-quality sensor in camera of the same volume as a G11."
No you don't, the GX1 is much bigger than the G-series.


Define 'much bigger'

In these pictures from DPReview, they seem to be very close in size.

http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canong1x/images/Sidebyside.jpg

From the top view, The G1X even manages to have a thinner body than the G12, except for its slightly potruding lens.

This is amazing don't you think?

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Added by Stephen123 |  February 01

Re: GX1 is a big camera

If you ignore the depth for comparison purposes, the G1X is 10% larger in width x height.  If you don't count the lens it is thinner. So, not counting the lens it probably is similar in volume.  With the lens it is 35% deeper.

Also, the G1X is 33% heavier than the G12.  On the other hand it does seem like a really nice camera.

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Added by kdsand |  February 05

Re: GX1 is a big camera

Seems as if retractable lens could be a necessity in order to keep the overall size down.
Even if its bigger than rest o g series it must still be very portable compared to dslrs.
Until there's actual field reviews  and I have it in my own hands to try I know its all speculation on my part. Still I have to wonder if slightly faster glass would make a big impact. Perhaps if this model is well received Canon would make the follow up a bit faster.

While the price may or may not be to high it does give me pause. I can get some nice glass with that $$$.

I love what I'm seeing though.

Lol just thought "make bigger, stronger, faster and better" wasn't that like the old six million dollar man theme?
:-)

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