FYI: I got this yesterday morning so it's about 24 hours in, I have about 125 pictures on it so far...I will update as time goes on.
My intended use for this camera is a "bridge camera". I have a new iPhone and the requisite (meh) Olloclips for it, some Canon DSLR's and a Canon S120 for everything in between.
The G7X II is going to replace the Canon S120 in my collection as the unit that rides in the center console of my car in a case, or in my pocket at events I don't want to carry a DSLR at but still want some ok zoom and better than phone pictures.
I am writing this early review because, I've been a Canon guy over the years. Had Canon P&S units starting with the digital ELPH through the S120 , and then more recently got into their DSLRs. So yeah I like Canon, but for years I kept bought the Sony RX100's. I really wanted to like the Sony but never quite "got" it.
The G7X II, to me - while a little bigger handling than the RX100's, is finally the Canon P&S that does what I really hoped they would do. It provides some incredible pictures that are actually better than the (current gen) RX100 finally. The photos aren't as oversaturated as the Sony which I like, the IS works very consistently, and bokeh is of course great at the larger apertures. Higher iso (800 area) is still usable for smaller prints which is remarkable for a P&S of any sort. It shoots RAW fast and its shot-to-shot and burst modes are amazing.
Regarding the RX100’s, their picture quality was amazing, their size was a bit larger than I cared for but, their controls, menus, options, and design (like paying extra for a 12$ grip!) annoyed me, then the whole buying a separate external charger thing to charge my spare battery, really? I know its 30$ or whatever but it just got annoying ..they got returned. Really it was their menus and weird software that just irked me and I couldn't overlook it. The G7X bests that all.
On the G7X II , controls are great and similar to any of the other "red-ring' Powershot G series (or DSLR's, P&S, etc.).
Being able to adjust exposure comp and other settings with the hard controls while you can still use it one handed is great. I also love the fact they included a detent/non-detent switch for using the ring dial. That is BRILLIANT as heck since I can now get the stops I want when shooting manual stills, but the flexibility for seamless and silent zoom when in video. Of course it also includes the silly wall charger Sony wouldn't, and out of box has a nice set of grips on it. Did I mention the menuing, controls, and software are all Canon finally too? I mean...finally, stunning P&S photos without the Sony software layer ahhhhh.
Comparing this to my Canon S120, its obviously faster, larger, but menus are very similar. The wireless on this thing is better and faster, and smarter. The touchscreen seems more accurate in sensitivity and color, the fact it articulates for selfie and variable angle modes is awesome, didn't think I would care much but that is really handy.
I have no idea on battery life yet but the fact you can charge this via microUSB is AWESOME for me. Of course the fact I can charge a second battery in the (included) wall charger is very nice, thanks for not being weird about that Canon.
Oh the pictures? yeah...they are night and day over the S120 just using auto and scene modes. Since this is a P&S unit, I love that I can shoot RAW with AUTO settings now. Going into manual mode it becomes evident the G7x II has a bit more capable sensor than the S120, which is why I'm here anyways.
Pros:
- Great pictures.
- Touch screen that works great and the touch to focus is awesome and quick.
- Great control set, GREAT grips, engineering, design, thinking.
- Nice flippable flash, easy to bounce in smaller spaces.
- Menu's are classic Canon, love it or hate it.
- MicroUSB charging (could be faster, but its in there!)
- Time lapse mode (have not explored yet, but looking forward to it)
- Would not call it a pocket camera but it can still be fit in a pocket (its big, it will bulge some in shorts, better for a coat or vest etc. but it fits), but all controls and functions are at least easy to use as a result of this.
Cons:
- No 4k video. Amazing video quality, but lack of 4k just seems like an oversight here. Not enough to push me away, but I'd have dropped another 100$-200$ for this.
- Size goes on both lists...yes is a bit large, but all those controls and electronics need somewhere to go. It's just not something I am going to hand to my wife without a case and expect her to carry when she takes our daughter to the zoo. It needs a case, with some padding.
- Zoom (I am reaching here...just to keep the list somewhat balanced) I wouldn't have minded an 120mm equivalent here. The 100 will still cause me to keep it because I hate the digital zoom on my phones.
- Wish it had GPS or at least a compass built in.
Overall, I bought this thinking I would be disappointed and return it. Instead I was pleasantly surprised and as of this moment I am planning on listing my S120 on eBay next weekend. If you are looking for a “simple” camera that has the ability to go where other P&S’s don’t quality wise, don’t mind a bit larger camera, or just want the P&S camera that makes you look like you know what you’re doing…I think the G7X II ticks those boxes.
As I type this, my girl is at a family bridal shower with the G7X II. She’s used my S120 for awhile now and just before she left I handed her the G7X II and said don’t worry - try this one (with no further instructions). I asked how the new camera was working for her “things look better on this camera than they do in real life” , I was really expecting a “how do I” so…I guess it’s behaving well :)
I will update this in the next week or so, if there is anything you’d like to see that could help improve this review let me know.
Thanks for your time, and for reading my review today.
-Chris
Canon PowerShot Digital Camera [G7 X Mark II] with Wi-Fi & NFC, LCD Screen, and 1-inch Sensor - Black, 100-1066C001
4.7 | 1,849 ratings
Price: 1179
Last update: 08-16-2024
About this item
The advanced video capabilities of the PowerShot G7 X Mark II camera can capture moments in the quality they deserve
Features a large 1.0 inch, 20.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor that helps capture high quality images and videos with a wide dynamic range. Autofocus system features tile autofocus and manual focus. Operating temperature is 0 to 40 degrees Celsius. Note charging time varies considerably depending on the remaining battery power
An aperture value of f/1.8 at the wide angle and f/2.8 when fully zoomed to a factor of 4.2x (24-100 millimeter), this lens equipped to capture a variety of situations with precision
High resolution, 3.0 inches LCD monitor that tilts up 180 degrees and down 45 degrees is ideal for self portraits and capturing pictures at high and low angles with ease
Built in WiFi for on the go convenience and the ability to easily post your images to select social networking and media sites
With the ability to shoot continuously at up to 8 fps, it can help you capture incredible images with nearly no time wasted
ADJUSTABLE, PACKABLE HOOD | Attached, adjustable hood can be rolled into collar when not in use
CUSTOMIZE YOUR FIT | Drawcord hem and adjustable VELCRO cuffs prevent leaks and block drafts
Center back length - 33 inches. Handy pockets
Features a large 1.0 inch, 20.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor that helps capture high quality images and videos with a wide dynamic range. Autofocus system features tile autofocus and manual focus. Operating temperature is 0 to 40 degrees Celsius. Note charging time varies considerably depending on the remaining battery power
An aperture value of f/1.8 at the wide angle and f/2.8 when fully zoomed to a factor of 4.2x (24-100 millimeter), this lens equipped to capture a variety of situations with precision
High resolution, 3.0 inches LCD monitor that tilts up 180 degrees and down 45 degrees is ideal for self portraits and capturing pictures at high and low angles with ease
Built in WiFi for on the go convenience and the ability to easily post your images to select social networking and media sites
With the ability to shoot continuously at up to 8 fps, it can help you capture incredible images with nearly no time wasted
ADJUSTABLE, PACKABLE HOOD | Attached, adjustable hood can be rolled into collar when not in use
CUSTOMIZE YOUR FIT | Drawcord hem and adjustable VELCRO cuffs prevent leaks and block drafts
Center back length - 33 inches. Handy pockets
Product information
Top reviews from the United States
Just Chris
If you wanted the RX100 but like Canon menu/thinking/design better, you got it. Best P&S Camera I have owned yet.
Reviewed in the United States on June 12, 2016
Neval
Amazing photos
Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2024David
Preliminary Impressions Out of the Box
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2016
David
Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2016
1. The photos are beautiful, bright, crisp and sharp; 5-stars for photo quality.
2. Windows 10 cannot display the RAW files (it can't do the 7D2 RAW files, either).
3. Adobe RAW 9.5 cannot convert the G7X2 RAW files (it can do the 7D2 files). The Canon software I have can't do it either. How long before an Adobe update?
4. There is no setting that I can find to shoot RAW + JPEG.
UPDATE: You can set RAW + JPEG, but it's not intuitive.
5. On its own, the camera doesn't play well with Windows 10. Download the Camera Window software from Canon. This will give you complete control for transferring images to the computer. UPDATED 6/12/2016
6. The manual implies that the Camera Window software is for WiFi transfer of images to a computer. That's true, but it is also used for downloading via direct USB connection which is lightning fast, and in my opinion, preferable. Once the download is complete, the USB battery charging function will commence. UPDATED 6/12/2016
7. As usual, the User's Manual is sketchy and not very useful. It's difficult to find something specific in it. There is a more complete .pdf version that can be downloaded from the Canon website. UPDATED 6/12/2016
Again, these are just first impressions. I'll update this review was I get more experience with it.
UPDATE 6/10/2016:
After a morning on the internet, I have solved the RAW file problem. In order to use PS or LR, Adobe Camera RAW v. 9.6 is required. Earlier versions won't work with the G7X2. You can download the zip file and install it from the Adobe website. Then, depending on which editing software you are using, CC, PSE or LR, it may not install in the correct folder. You'll have to move it. In the Adobe community forum, search on G7X Mark II and you will find a post with instructions on how to do that. I would have posted the links here, but I think Amazon strips them out.
Now, I can actually use the images from the camera in my normal workflow. That's huge, and for that I am adding two more stars.
I am pleased with the photos it takes. I have posted two images I took last night at sunset. I wanted to see how it performed in low light. I did no color editing at all. I only adjusted exposure and lighting, added a little bit of sharpening and resized them. There is some noise in the shots, but the finished images are not bad. There is also some lens distortion, apparent when there are straight verticals near the edges. It's correctable in editing, but since that crops the image, you will want to add a little extra in the framing.
UPDATE 6/12/2016:
Now that I have the camera/computer environment functioning, I took it downtown with me this morning on a real shakedown cruise. I have added several photos from the Cap Sante Marina in Anacortes, Washington. I usually shoot aperture priority, but all of these were taken on "Auto" to see how it would do. I am tickled to death with the photos the camera is producing. There is one thing I am noticing. My 7D2 (I think it uses dual Digic 6 processors) tends to over-saturate reds and magentas. This camera is not doing that. On Auto, it is also balancing the highlights and shadows very nicely without blowing out the skies. Again I got some lens distortion, but it was easily corrected in editing. Someone here asked about focus speed. I have no complaints in that regard. One thing that is a little slow is the recovery time after shooting compared to the 7D2. With that camera, I can take several shots in rapid succession. Shooting Raw + JPEG with the G7X2, there is a noticeable lag before it can fire again which is sometimes annoying. For a pocket camera, however, that's really not a big deal. Overall, I am delighted with this camera. I debated between getting the Sony or waiting for this one. I chose this one primarily for the longer tele range and because I am already in the Canon ecosystem. Now that I have actually used it, and seen the photos it produces, I am glad I did.
Images in this review
