Canon G1 X 14.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens Full 1080p HD Video and 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD Black

Remember the Kodak Pocket Instamatic 20 camera? That was my first camera. Or the wondrous Polaroid SX70! I loved that camera. When digital came around, with the infinite pre and post processing available along with being able to take multiple test pictures without the cost of film...there was no choice but to change over. Over time this reviewer has had many portable cameras, most of them Canons, including a Canon Pro90, PowerShot A650, PowerShot G6 and G10, and now a G1X. Additionally, this reviewer also has a first gen 5D and a 50D. Each of these cameras had or has its advantages at the time it was purchased. When the G1X was introduced early in 2012, it cost $800. While praised for image quality (especially in unassisted low light) and innovative sensor tech in a smaller package, comments like "designed by engineers but not for consumers" alongside "Canon has created its own market segment" distorted an already crowded market. Many reviewers rightly balked at the price vs value range. The G1X, even at $750, is in some company making the choices among 4/3, smaller and larger DLSR's, and today the Sony RX100 II, much more difficult. The G1X has image quality and Canon's operating system on its side. It also has high quality construction that comes with some heft and size, not really "pocketable" but certainly portable; which some users will find reassuring along with providing a bit more hand hold. Thinking about other options included the now acclaimed, Sony RX100-2 with 20 MP, a deceptively small form containing lots of features, and with excellent low light capabilities. For this photographer, the Sony was just too small, without a fully articulated view screen, and without a good way to use filters (sticky attachable adapters do not work for this user). That choice would have been much harder if the price for the G1X was still the original price of $750 (the current price of the Sony RX100-2), but at $600 for the G1X, the price was right. Another option, the new (and more expensive) Canon Rebel SL1, which is really not all that compact, especially with more than a pancake lens. Or the G15 or G16, both great with the right size and feel, but without articulating screens, and really--just not quite the low light capability that this photographer needs. Being able to take higher quality pictures indoors (conventions, festivals, etc) with a discreet camera, no flash, and the necessary ISO was an objective in the current choice of a G1X. The G10, while capable, was irritating in the significant increase of grain when jumping over ISO 400, to capture stills of slowly moving people in crowds. And for those reviewers who think the G1X shoots slow, it is a vast improvement over the G10 in a continuous shot mode. The other things that draw attention are being able to take HDR exposures and macro capabilities (more on macro further down). This reviewer decided at the time to continue with a G10 and wait. TODAY--the G1X costs $600 here on Amazon. The wait was over, the cost vs value ratio is well within the mark, even with the Sony RX100 II drawing attention. For those familiar with the Canon menu and operating system, the G10 and G1X are nearly identical. Canon's menu system translates well across their entire line, is intuitive for most users, and makes some complaints about "no actual included paper manual" a bit dated. (This user has the downloaded PDF manual on a virtual drive for viewing if necessary on a phone, tablet, or computer). Personal familiarity with how the Canon works in the process of taking a picture, pushed this photographer away from other choices that certainly presented some intriguing options. The G1X is strictly button oriented for navigation (no touch screen). A minor complaint for this user was the dual use of the back dial which sometimes would be pressed during turning, moving to a different parameter than the one being adjusted. A lighter hand helped. Across the spectrum of shoot modes there were no surprises. Additional scene modes, while interesting, and perhaps even used by the average consumer, will probably be used sparingly with all the possibilities of post processing available on the software side. While there is an HDR picture mode (takes the shots and processed them), the multiple exposure route with post processing software is the one this user prefers for more flexibility. Another reviewer indicated that these multiple exposure modes should take all three pictures with one press of the button. That is a great idea, and one I wish I had on my Canon 50D. Macro is a mixed bag. This reviewer joins the complaints about auto focus distances, inability to properly focus at times, the continuous yellow "not focused" warning telling you to back up a little more. Macro shots are possible, and it is possible to take good macros if you spend time with the composition. Fast "catch the bee on the flower" shots are more difficult. Forcing the G1X into macro mode helps. Canon says go to manual focus... sure that works if you are imaging unmoving subjects.... But not much of a workaround. The best workaround is to use an additional macro front loaded lens which can be inexpensive or expensive depending on your budget (see next paragraph about adaptors). This leads to the other major reason to purchase the Canon G1X... the ability to easily use add-on filters. No, Canon did not provide a direct way to put 58mm filter on the front lens (which they should have), but for less than $10 you can buy an adapter. Some adapters work better than others, but so far over the choices of plastic (which almost seem to snap on rather than screw on) to metal (more secure), this user has not had any filters hit the ground. The second best part was that with a variety of mid end Canon lenses that already used 58 mm sizing, this user did not have to buy a bunch of new filters. For those macro shots (AND a wide angle) Amazon has an easy to try (RE: inexpensive) option...(although it does have a pesky plastic adapter included...) SaveOn Professional HD Wide Angle Lens w/ Adapter + Macro Close-Up Filter Set + Complete Lens Cleaning Kit w/ Microfiber Cleaning Cloth for Canon PowerShot G1X Digital Cameras What about picture quality? Indoors, under artificial light at 800-1600 ISO, and no flash, the ability to capture and produce great pictures significantly exceeds the G10. Lower grain, higher details with cropping, lower movement artifacts all were observed, but not directly "measured". For those who like "measurement" and quantification of such things, some samples may indicate better low light performance under a number of circumstance than higher MP "portable" cameras. See some direct comparisons under the easily found DPreview for the Sony RX100 M2, along with a variety of other possible comparable cameras. Searching for a suitable camera case? Prefer smaller? Thought it important to pass along the results of personal research, along with actual purchase and use of these same cases... Here are two options: Lowepro Apex 60 AW -Black This Lowepro Apex 60 option will just fit the G1X (without a filter attached AND the inner divider cut out--easy to do). This slightly larger Case Logic case Case Logic SLMC-200 Compact Systems Camera Case (Black) will allow you to drop your camera and one filter (in a slip with adapter attached) into the case (with no cutting). There are of course a variety of larger bags and cases. The G1X is not the most perfect portable camera. It is not pocketable. It is heavy and (maybe) bulky compared to alternatives. The macro mode makes users unhappy. It is not a high speed demon like every other Canon DLSR. It is not the "latest thing". BUT, the G1X does take awesome pictures even at high ISO. The G1X is a tank, well built, easily held, and easy to navigate on the fly. The best part is the price is *now* right at $600-$650... the perfect price point for this high end portable. 4.5/5.0 rounded up.

The Canon G1X is a nitch camera. It does low light high ISO shots very very well. Its image stabilization is well up to Canon standards. Its color rendition of things like flowers is spot on. Now for the "but". It is sloooow, oh so sloooow. If your subject is moving any faster than a tree, forget it. Delay between pushing the shutter button and actual operation of the shutter can often be measured in seconds. After the shot is acutally taken, the cycle time to be ready for the next shot can also be measured in seconds. I tried taking some shots of my 20 month old grandson. I got 0 for 8. It makes my S95 look lightening fast. It's too big to carry in anything but a largish coat pocket so you have to plan ahead to have it with you, just like a DSLR. My DSLR (D7000) can't do low light quite as well as the G1X but it can do a whole lot of things the G1X can't do. The special lens cap is a pain and I was always concerned about losing the darn thing, knowing a replacement would have to be special ordered. I ordered it because of its low light capabilities and because of the big sensor's resolution potential. In the end, I returned it because $799 was too much money for its limited usefulness. For that money, I could buy a new Ipad, which I may well do and which I will probably use and enjoy more.

I really, really liked this camera, but decided to return it due to focusing issues. There's a lot to love, but it just wasn't for me. First, the good: - Nice image quality, especially distant subjects - Nice handling, especially if you're used to G-series or EOS bodies - Relatively compact, considering the size of the sensor. Low-end dSLR image quality in a smaller package. - Very good low-light performance - Decent (practical) zoom range suitable for the vast majority of needs - Articulating LCD is nice, solid - Has a real thumb dial as well as a wheel in front of the shutter, making it excellent for Manual exposure shooting (one for the f/stop, the other for shutter speed) - Raw mode Now, the bad: - Close focusing ability is horrible compared to other G-series; lens design limitations due to large sensor - Close focusing accuracy is not so good; mine misfocused a lot - Slow slow slow. Slow focus, slow shot-to-shot, slow playback-to-shoot performance - Exposure compenstation dial requires the use of left hand; better to shoot in 'M' and ignore Exp compensation dial altogether; f/stop and shutter speed can be controlled via dial/wheel for one-handed shooting - Depth of field. While the larger sensor provides more bokeh than other G-series cameras, it does not provide enough bokeh to really be that desirable. The larger sensor is also less forgiving than previous G-series with regards to focusing. With mediocre focusing performance, this is a real issue. If you're shooting wide open, zoomed to tele, and/or focusing close, there's a good chance your subject will not be sharp. At least with dSLRs (larger sensors), focusing is far more precise. - Price is too high considering the performance, size, image quality, etc. But then again, Leicas are overpriced too, all things considered :-) I'm a photographer who shoots professionally with Canon 5D2 bodies, and have been shooting Canon SLRs, both film and digital, since the mid-90s. I picked up the G1X after giving my G11 away to a friend. The reason for wanting a smaller camera was mainly for personal projects and lightweight travel where image quality isn't critical (I wouldn't dare shoot a paid commission with anything less than my dSLRs). I think for the price, you could do much better getting a budget Micro Four-Thirds (MFT) body and a lens or two and save a significant amount of money. Either that or an entry level dSLR kit if size isn't too much of an issue. The G1X will probably outperform most MFT bodies in low-light, but for the price, there are simply too many shortcomings. For 30-40% less money, the G1X may be worth it. At its current price, no way. I settled on an Olympus EPL1 with pancake lens and zoom lens for a little more than half the price of the G1X. It doesn't perform as well as the G1X, nor is it built as good, but for the money, I can't complain. Plus the Oly with pancake lens mounted is more compact than the G1X. ###################################################################### EDIT 6/13/2012: Downgraded to two stars after using the G1X again: * Image quality - 4 stars * Focusing - 2 stars * Speed - 2 stars * Price - 2 star * Size - 1 star So that's 11 stars/5 = 2.2 stars rounded off to 2 stars. I noticed that the price of the G1X has dropped some twenty bucks. When it goes down another $150, I think it might be a decent buy and perhaps I'll upgrade my rating :-). The reason for this update is that I shot about a hundred frames this evening with a friend's G1X, and it was slower than I remembered (used a Class 10 SD card). Shot indoors, incandescent lighting. Focused quite poorly in this lighting, which is to be expected. This was especially true at closer range (~4 to 8 feet). However, for those images I was able to capture, image quality was quite good, even at ISO1600 (though I missed several shots due to focusing and slowness). I also used another friend's Panasonic GH2 this evening. What a fantastic camera. Fast focus, more compact than the G1X, and the flexibility of the interchangeable lenses are a win win win in my eyes. 20mm/1.7 pancake lens is very compact and much faster than the G1X lens. 14mm-42mm lens is a nice all-around street lens. Longer teles are also available, but I didn't try any; it's nice to have that option though. Image quality was good up to ISO1600. Image quality seems pretty comparable to the G1X, but with more flexibility. I think I just found my next camera. Price for the body only is about the same as the G1X, but I already have some micro four-thirds lenses. The GH2 is a camera I would consider using for certain paid commissions. Maybe not as a primary body, but certainly as a backup to one of my 5D2s. I think I just found my next camera. I still have to try the Olympus OM-D, which another friend of mine raves about. More thoughts... - If you're the type of person who wants good low-light image quality, but don't care about performance, this camera may be for you. - If you like shooting static subjects (not at close range) and can take the time to frame and focus and snap, and don't mind waiting to take another shot after you've chimped the one you just took, this camera may be for you. - If you do like shooting moving subjects, but you have the luxury to prefocus and wait for the "moment" (i.e. performer on stage), then this camera may be for you. - If you want to capture dynamic scenes (street photography, kids in action, etc, etc), then look elsewhere. A dSLR would be a better choice if you don't mind going bigger. If you like the idea of carrying something compact, there are better performing cameras out there, many of which are smaller. However, you *might* have to sacrifice a bit of image quality (of which there is plenty) to get there. It's not a deal breaker for me, and it very likely might not be for you either. Look at Olympus/Panasonic micro four thirds cameras and Sony NEX for alternatives. If I was only concerned with photographing static subjects at farther distances, I would give this camera 4 stars (5 stars is reserved for perfection). ####################################################################### EDIT 8/2/2012: Price is down to $699 as of today. If it drops another $50 (preferably $100), I just might buy it again as a throw around camera. A friend of mine recently bought the G1X on my recommendation, and he's quite happy with it. He works as an architect/planning consultant who travels a lot. He's not a photographer, but he wanted something with good IQ, and he didn't mind spending the money to get this. He didn't necessarily need compact, but wanted something portable (i.e. smaller than a dSLR). His only complaint is that he wishes the lens was wider, which is understandable considering his interest in architecture. All in all he's happy. He likes being able to take low-light photos going into dusk or indoors, he likes the articulating LCD screen, he likes the build quality and handling, and he likes the size. The video is something he's been happy with too, often panning scenes that his camera can't capture due to lens limitations on the wide end. If he were the type of person to write reviews, he'd probably give this camera 5 stars based on how this camera meets his specific needs as a traveling architectural photographer who shoots static scenes in jpeg. That's not me, so the 2 star review remains :-)

No camera can be everything for everyone, but the Canon G1X is perfect for those who demand two things: (i) uncompromisingly good image quality that comes from a sensor that is larger than four thirds; (ii) reasonable compactness. In terms of image quality, it is just as good as most entry-level DSLRs and most mirrorless cameras (just do a Google search for "G1X versus" to see the many positive image comparisons between the G1X and some entry-level DSLRs). In terms of compactness, it is smaller than a DSLR and even a mirrorless camera (if you include the lens), though slightly bigger than something like the Canon G15 or G16. It is perhaps midway between a G16 and a mirrorless+lens in terms of size. But the image quality of the G1x is out of this world, if you are willing to accept its macro limitations.

excellent

Good quality pictures and a good compromise camera in most lighting conditions.

Great camera

Great features on this "point and shoot". Replaced G11 model. Great compliment to SLR. Very good price. No shipping charge at that time made for an excellent purchase.