The technology behind compact cameras has arrived at the point where you no longer have to sacrifice image quality for the sake of portability. It’s a step in the right direction for these lightweight shooters and is an indication that consumer photography is still on the up and up. The Canon PowerShot G7 X represents the upper echelon of this weight class and we put it in focus in this month’s GadgetsLab. Does it pack a mean punch or does it shoot and miss?
Specifications:
- Sensor: 20.2 MP 1 inch BSI CMOS sensor, 13.2 x 8.8 mm
- ISO range: 125 to 12800
- Autofocus: TTL Autofocus (Continuous, Servo AF); Manual Focus
- Image Processor: DIGIC 6
- Continuous Shooting Speed: up to 6.5 shots per second
- Video: up to Full HD 1920 x 1080p, 60 fps
- Screen Size: 3 inch flip up capacitive LCD touch screen
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, NFC, GPS, micro HDMI
- Estimated battery life: up to 310 shots on Eco Mode
- Memory: SD card
- Physical Dimension: 4.06 x 2.38 x 1.59 inches (W x H x D)
- Weight: 304 g
Design: 3.5/5
While the Canon PowerShot G7 X looks pretty much like every other digital camera in the market, it has various design cues that elevate it a notch higher than its peers. Its gritty metal body gives it a truly premium vibe, though those with sweaty hands would find that it gets slippery quickly. Along with the lack of any proper grip, you’d have to rely on both hands to keep it from falling to the ground.
Its controls are clustered towards the right side, including the physical control ring and four control buttons at the back; and the power button, shutter release with zoom collar, mode dial, and dedicated exposure compensation dial at the top. Additionally, it has another clicky control ring around the lens barrel that can set either the shutter speed or aperture value. It also has a 3 inch flip up LCD touch screen for well-framed selfies.
Overall, the design isn’t bad, but the lack of any surface to hold on to is a real pain. That, and the zoom collar is a bit tricky to trigger.
Hardware: 4/5
At the heart of the G7 X is a large-for- its-class 20.2 MP 1 inch BSI CMOS sensor that should equate to punchy colors, better dynamic range, greater control over depth of field, and improved low light performance. Photons enters through a 24 to 100 mm equivalent lens with a maximum aperture of f/1.8 at its widest and f/2.8 at the telephoto tail end. This should give it consistently bright outputs even if you’re fully zoomed in.
Meanwhile, all the controls are crisp and give good feedback when pressed. There’s also a popup flash with a 7 meter maximum range in case you need a little more light in your shots.
User Experience: 4.5/5
I used this particular snapper during quite a few events and it didn’t disappoint in the least. With the exception of a few venues where lighting was really bad (we’re talking strong-white- light-behind-lightless-subject bad), the G7 X was able to produce really great shots. Noise was barely noticeable up to ISO 1600; the anti-shake mechanism allowed for blur-free shots even when handheld at shutter speeds as slow as 1/20th of a second; and the different photo effects and filters enabled color flexibility straight out of the camera.
In fact, color range was one of the camera’s strongest suits. Add to that its HDR option and you arrive at a well-rounded snapper that can handle most anything you throw at it. The only downside I saw to the outputs were the slightly soft details. Then again, this problem can easily be fixed during post. Its small yet sturdy body was also a great boon—perfect for no-mercy environments like the MRT.
Value: 4/5
Selling for around PHP 21,000, the G7 X costs more than entry-level DSLRs. However, I’d certainly say that you get what you’re paying for—a compact, easy-to- carry shooter that doesn’t compromise. With its impressive outputs, flexible shooting options, and solid build quality, this is one camera you won’t be afraid to whip out during photo ops.
What’s Hot:
- Shots look really good
- Flexible shooting options
- Feels premium in the hand
What’s Not:
- Zoom button is tricky to trigger
- Shot details lean toward the soft side
Bottomline:
- The bulky DSLR isn’t for you? The G7 X may be what you’re looking for.
Final Score: 16/20