Canon PowerShot G1 X

ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,156 moderator
edited January 29, 2012 in Cameras
http://usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/digital_cameras/powershot_g1_x

A new, fixed-lens compact, rangefinder style camera, with a new large sensor. The new sensor is smaller than Canon's APS-C format imagers, but it's larger than the 4/3rd / m4/3rd sensors and twice the sensor size of the Nikon "1" series cameras. It is around 6 times larger than Canon's own "G" series advanced compact cameras.
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Comments

  • MarkRMarkR Registered Users Posts: 2,099 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2012
    Very interesting. The only part that doesn't impress me is the lens itself which is "not ..." (wide enough, long enough, fast enough), and which is also not interchangable.
  • NikolaiNikolai Registered Users Posts: 19,035 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2012
    With that sensor size, it's getting close to the point at which I might just go for it :-)
    "May the f/stop be with you!"
  • InternautInternaut Registered Users Posts: 347 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2012
    I like it. It looks like a great camera but that eye level VF is doing nothing for me.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,156 moderator
    edited January 9, 2012
    MarkR wrote: »
    Very interesting. The only part that doesn't impress me is the lens itself which is "not ..." (wide enough, long enough, fast enough), and which is also not interchangable.

    Compared to the Fujifilm FinePix X100, for instance, against which I suspect this would compete, this might be preferable for many people. As a simple rangefinder digital camera, and a major upgrade over the average P&S and most digicams in terms of low light performance, it has my interest.

    Add an auxiliary wide angle attachment lens, 24mm equivalence would be sufficient for my needs, and this could cover many of my travel photography needs. (There is no mention of a specific WA attachment for this camera, but I would be very willing to try my Canon WD-58, 0.7x wide-angle lens on this camera.)

    It appears to have a standard Canon hot-shoe, so existing Canon dSLR flashes will work. Oddly, the camera only supports flash sync to 1/250th, with HSS/FP mode flash to 1/4000th. That would seem to imply a focal-plane shutter. (No electronic shutter like most other small digital cameras.) It also has a second-curtain sync, another indication of a focal-plane shutter.

    I'll be most interested in responsiveness. (Sadly, responsiveness does not appear to be that great by any measure.)

    I'm still impressed at how well the Sony DSC-R1 cameras have held their value. (The R1 being of a similar design of fixed zoom lens, large sensor and RAW capable.)
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • NeilLNeilL Registered Users Posts: 4,201 Major grins
    edited January 9, 2012
    It's really interesting what's coming out of this left field, and to consider what impact it might have as an alternative to dslrs, now that usability of images produced is so much less compromised in terms of quality in comparison.

    Neil
    "Snow. Ice. Slow!" "Half-winter. Half-moon. Half-asleep!"

    http://www.behance.net/brosepix
  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,250 moderator
    edited January 9, 2012
    Hmmm. Looks kinda cool. I'm liking most of it so far.

    Some personal niggles:
    The S100 has built-in GPS, and this doesn't?
    The S100 is a f/2 lens, this is a dimmer f/2.8.
    Poor battery life.
    Heavy.
    My Smugmug
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  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited January 10, 2012
    I still have my original 3MP G1 that I paid nearly as much for as this new one. Hey, do you think if I sent it in to Canon they'd retrofit it???
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,156 moderator
    edited January 10, 2012
    Icebear wrote: »
    I still have my original 3MP G1 that I paid nearly as much for as this new one. Hey, do you think if I sent it in to Canon they'd retrofit it???

    Maybe in a couple of years the Canon PowerShot G1 X will be available through the "loyalty program"?
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Chuck289Chuck289 Registered Users Posts: 43 Big grins
    edited January 10, 2012
    David_S85 wrote: »
    Hmmm. Looks kinda cool. I'm liking most of it so far.

    Some personal niggles:
    The S100 has built-in GPS, and this doesn't?
    The S100 is a f/2 lens, this is a dimmer f/2.8.
    Poor battery life.
    Heavy.

    But the G1X has a much larger sensor. I was under the impression that f2.8 with a larger sensor would still be better in low light than an f2 with a smaller sensor. Or is that not the case?
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  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited January 10, 2012
    I like several things about this camera quite a bit, Ziggy, but I am still waiting to hear about AF speed and accuracy.

    I wish they offered a real electronic viewfinder, like Lumix ICL cameras do, though.

    The zoom range is quite useful for what most people will use this camera for, I suspect, 4 to 1, with a 28mm FF angle of view.

    I look forward to seeing the image file quality, which will probably be pretty good, as I have some nice 16x20 prints from a G 10.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

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  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,250 moderator
    edited January 10, 2012
    Chuck289 wrote: »
    But the G1X has a much larger sensor. I was under the impression that f2.8 with a larger sensor would still be better in low light than an f2 with a smaller sensor. Or is that not the case?

    Correct, or probably so; about a wash in that respect. A 2.0 with the larger sensor size (G1X) would necessitate a larger lens, so I'm pretty sure a compromise was reached in the design.

    I also find that it odd that some features might have been left out (like GPS) as if they rushed this out to snag some sales away from competition like Fuji.

    The S100 looks like a better deal for portability for us dSLR shooters, and at $300 less.
    My Smugmug
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  • PhotoskipperPhotoskipper Registered Users Posts: 453 Major grins
    edited January 10, 2012
    Very interesting. It has everything I am looking for. May consider to get one to become part of my body - carry-it-everywhere-I-go.

    It may be one-step closer to what I requested - a mirrorless body from Canon. The big sensor, high pixel number and high ISO. Just need to take out the glasses, install the aperture control and autofocus drive, it becomes the mirrorless body for all my Ls.bowdown.gif
    Photoskipper
    flickr.com/photos/photoskipper/
  • David_S85David_S85 Administrators Posts: 13,250 moderator
    edited January 10, 2012
    A true mirror-less, with EF lens mount (or via an adaptor) is probably just over the horizon. But this G1X looks like it will do for the high-end shooters for this season.
    My Smugmug
    "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" - Wayne Gretzky
  • MavMav Registered Users Posts: 174 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2012
    David_S85 wrote: »
    Correct, or probably so; about a wash in that respect. A 2.0 with the larger sensor size (G1X) would necessitate a larger lens, so I'm pretty sure a compromise was reached in the design.

    I also find that it odd that some features might have been left out (like GPS) as if they rushed this out to snag some sales away from competition like Fuji.

    The S100 looks like a better deal for portability for us dSLR shooters, and at $300 less.

    I'd imagine, particularly as the battery life doesn't look that great, the GPS was left out to save battery life.

    Is GPS that important to people? To people who care about the image enough to want a G1X? I'd happily leave it off to gain 20% more battery life, not mention reduced cost.
  • Chuck289Chuck289 Registered Users Posts: 43 Big grins
    edited January 11, 2012
    Is this camera perhaps why Canon felt confident that they didn't need to enter the mirrorless ILC market?
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  • ThatCanonGuyThatCanonGuy Registered Users Posts: 1,778 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2012
    For the price of a T3i, I'd rather have that and my 24mm f/2.8. That's a small combo - a little bigger, but much better responsiveness and quality. I'd be stuck with a prime lens (about 35mm equiv.). No zoom, but I'd prefer the features of a DSLR. Still, I think this camera will be a big seller, especially if there are good response times.
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,156 moderator
    edited January 16, 2012
    DPReview has some video samples from a PowerShot G1 X (I believe these are from a pre-production body):

    http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canong1x/page6.asp#video
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Ed911Ed911 Registered Users Posts: 1,306 Major grins
    edited January 16, 2012
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    As a simple rangefinder digital camera, and a major upgrade over the average P&S and most digicams in terms of low light performance, it has my interest.

    This isn't a range finder...is it? I can't find anything that says it works like one. Can you tell me why you think it is?
    Remember, no one may want you to take pictures, but they all want to see them.
    Educate yourself like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow.

    Ed
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,156 moderator
    edited January 16, 2012
    Ed911 wrote: »
    This isn't a range finder...is it? I can't find anything that says it works like one. Can you tell me why you think it is?

    I was more accurate in the first post to call it a "rangefinder style camera".

    You are correct in that it is not a manual rangefinder focus, nor does it appear to have a digital rangefinder AF module. The body style and general appearance will appear very familiar to anyone who has used a rangefinder camera, as will the optical viewfinder (with all of its associated advantages and problems.)
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,156 moderator
    edited January 18, 2012
    According to this Calumet interview (CES 2012), with a Canon employee (Derek Tobias, Cameras and Video Technical Specialist at Canon USA), the Canon G1 X "will" have accessory telephoto/teleconverter and WA lenses, available later and not specified as to their qualities.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Coe7EbVHU60
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • bhambham Registered Users Posts: 1,303 Major grins
    edited January 18, 2012
    I have had a powershot G series camera for years, as a carry around point and shoot, easy to fit in the pocket camera.

    This is just a much better version, with an slight increase in size and major increase in sensor size. I still own some G6's and G12's for my event company. I love the G12. I took it out on Bourbon Street in New Orleans this past Sat, Sun and Mon nights and I could do 720 HD video and still put it in my pocket when I went in somewhere.

    I got to see, touch, and hold, turn on, etc the camera at ImagingUSA the past few days, pretty nice.
    "A photo is like a hamburger. You can get one from McDonalds for $1, one from Chili's for $5, or one from Ruth's Chris for $15. You usually get what you pay for, but don't expect a Ruth's Chris burger at a McDonalds price, if you want that, go cook it yourself." - me
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited January 18, 2012
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    DPReview has some video samples from a PowerShot G1 X (I believe these are from a pre-production body):

    http://www.dpreview.com/previews/canong1x/page6.asp#video

    The high ISO images looked very good, much better. much lower noise content than I expected, even the ISO 6400. Makes me think the 7D Mkii will have some nice higher ISO stuff as well.
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • jmphotocraftjmphotocraft Registered Users Posts: 2,987 Major grins
    edited January 19, 2012
    One interesting thing to notice is that even though the sensor is smaller than APS-C, it kind of isn't - the pixel size is the same as the 7D/60D.

    Now... delete the viewfinder, hotshoe, articulating LCD, grip, give it a 28-70mm f/2.0 - f/4.5 lens and I am IN. thumb.gif
    -Jack

    An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
  • DavidTODavidTO Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 19,160 Major grins
    edited January 22, 2012
    David_S85 wrote: »
    Hmmm. Looks kinda cool. I'm liking most of it so far.

    Some personal niggles:
    The S100 has built-in GPS, and this doesn't?
    The S100 is a f/2 lens, this is a dimmer f/2.8.
    Poor battery life.
    Heavy.


    I have the s100 and really like it a lot. But the GPS is pretty much useless for me. Most times I've snapped the picture and put the camera away long before the camera has found the satellites and locked in my location. I ended up just turning the GPS off to save battery life.

    My point is, this camera isn't really suffering for lack of GPS, IMO.
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  • Ed911Ed911 Registered Users Posts: 1,306 Major grins
    edited January 24, 2012
    DavidTO wrote: »
    I have the s100 and really like it a lot. But the GPS is pretty much useless for me. Most times I've snapped the picture and put the camera away long before the camera has found the satellites and locked in my location. I ended up just turning the GPS off to save battery life. My point is, this camera isn't really suffering for lack of GPS, IMO.

    If you or anyone is thinking about buying a G series Canon, the G12 is now selling for $395 on Amazon, and just about anywhere else, actually...$100 off list price...and it's a very nice camera for that price.

    Just thought I throw that in...
    Remember, no one may want you to take pictures, but they all want to see them.
    Educate yourself like you'll live forever and live like you'll die tomorrow.

    Ed
  • jmphotocraftjmphotocraft Registered Users Posts: 2,987 Major grins
    edited January 24, 2012
    David_S85 wrote: »
    Correct, or probably so; about a wash in that respect.

    The G1X sensor is more than 6 times larger than the S100 sensor (1/1.7"), so it shouldn't just be "a wash". The G1X at f/2.8 should be appreciably faster than the s100 at f/2.0.

    Sensorsizes.png

    That said, I would still like to see Canon announce an "S1X" which would be the G1X minus the viewfinder, hotshoe, articulating lcd, grip, knobs, with a 28-70mm f/2.0 - f/4.5 lens.
    -Jack

    An "accurate" reproduction of a scene and a good photograph are often two different things.
  • ian408ian408 Administrators Posts: 21,949 moderator
    edited January 29, 2012
    I am looking forward to seeing this in person. I have a G10 and have avoided upgrading to the 11 or 12 as there really wasn't much for me there.

    With the larger sensor, the G1X will certainly be worth a look see.
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