[CES 2012] Canon Powershot G1 X announced
Wednesday, January 11, 2012 Preview
At CES 2012, Canon just announced what could be their answer to the emergence of compact cameras with interchangeable lenses: the Canon PowerShot G1 X.
Following the growing interest in compact cameras with interchangeable lenses such as the micro-4/3 from Olympus, the Panasonic, and the Sony NEX, Nikon launched the Nikon 1 series, a mirror-less hybrid camera with a relatively small sensor for the category. This approach is quite logical for a DSLR market leader that does not want to cannibalize its main product range.
With the G1 X, Canon took another approach to the market and decided that a point-and-shoot camera for photo enthusiasts needed a large sensor but no interchangeable lenses. And indeed, with a size of 18.7 x 14mm, the GI X’s sensor is only 20% smaller than Canon’s APS-C sensors. The GI X also features many manual controls to answer the control requirements of 5D Mark II or 7D owners (for whom Canon designed this camera). With this sensor size and resolution, the pixel pitch of the G1-X is very close to the 7D’s 18-Mpix sensor pitch, so it will be interesting to see how much progress Canon has made in the last 3 years.
The non-interchangeable lens offers quite a large focal range and should be quite versatile, while keeping the form-factor very compact. Let’s hope that Canon designed a good-quality lens for the G1 X, because as its name says, the lens can’t be changed....
In conclusion, the G1 X looks like a G-series camera on steroids, with a much bigger sensor. With an announced very reasonable price of $799, we will not be surprised if the G1 X reaches a larger market than simply demanding photographers. We are looking forward to testing the G1 X in our lab to see how well it takes advantage of its large sensor. We expect much better results than the Nikon 1 series, but how will it compare with the APS-C sensors of the Sony NEX-7?
Comments
|
Added by Alexxxx |
March 01
CanonG1X v FujiX100 series for professional photojournalism
Gadgetry and novelty aside, is there a professional photojournalist on this list who has consistently used and had accepted by any mainstream photo agency such as Alamy or Magnum images from a Canon G1X..?
Or is the IQ acceptability balance in favour of the Fuji X100 series...? - Alexxxx Reply |
|
|
Added by ysengrain |
May 18, 2012
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, 2012
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. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
First replies for this comment
|
|
Added by Vitruvius |
August 21, 2012
Re: Not pocketable
How is the NEX 5N with the same zoom range pocketable? People will think that you are a bit too happy to see them or you are a perv.
Reply |
|
|
Added by MarcusGR |
March 30, 2012
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. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
First replies for this comment
|
|
Added by Musawer |
March 13, 2012
Canon g1x
My macro does not seem to work on my Canon G1x. How do I test the camera?
Reply |
|
|
Added by cal_gecko |
February 09, 2012
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.
Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
First replies for this comment
|
|
Added by BrettA |
February 10, 2012
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, 2012
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! Reply |
|
|
Added by Matthieu |
January 31, 2012
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.
Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
First replies for this comment
|
|
Added by lightsabre |
February 01, 2012
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. Reply |
|
|
Added by darrask |
January 31, 2012
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. Reply | Read all replies for this comment |
First replies for this comment
|
|
Added by lightsabre |
February 01, 2012
Re: GX1 is a big cameraQuote: <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? Reply |
|
|
Added by Stephen123 |
February 01, 2012
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. Reply |
|
|
Added by kdsand |
February 05, 2012
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? :-) Reply |
Further readings for the [CES 2012] Canon Powershot G1 X announced
To provide photographers with a broader perspective about mobiles, lenses and cameras, here are links to articles, reviews, and analyses of photographic equipment produced by DxOMark, renown websites, magazines or blogs.
|
Ever since we tested the Sony SLT A77, we’ve been very curious to see how the soon-to-be released Sony NEX 7 would compare. And today we have the answer: as we expected, the absence of a mirror gives the NEX7 some advantages. Below is a detailed look. |