Canon G1 X 14.3 Megapixel Advanced Compact Reviews Roundup

On January 9 2012, Canon announced the 14.3 Megapixels PowerShot G1 X compact camera. The camera measures 18.7 x 14mm and the large 1.5-inch CMOS sensor has a 4:3 aspect ratio that is marginally bigger than a typical FourThirds imager. Utilizing Ultra high refractive index Aspherical (UA) elements and precision glass moulding technology, the fixed-mount lens of the Canon G1 X offers a 35mm equivalent zoom range of 28-112mm with an aperture of f/2.8 to f/16. It offers full manual control with shooting mode and exposure compensation dials for quick and intuitive access to a range of settings, and supports 14-bit raw capture for smooth gradations.

The DIGIC 5 processor enables the PowerShot G1 X to utilize the High-Speed Burst HQ2 feature allowing photographers to shoot images at high speeds at full resolution to capture the perfect moving shot. Additionally, to ensure images are crisp and clear, advanced noise reduction and a smarter multi-area White Balance can be utilized to achieve accurate color reproduction for a balanced image. Other highlights include an optical viewfinder, 3.0-inch vari-angle LCD with 922,000 dots, built-in Speedlite, flash hot shoe, High Dynamic Range mode and Full HD movie recording capabilities. The Canon PowerShot G1 X camera is listed for $799.99.

Canon Powershot G1 X Sample Photos on Flickr



Canon Powershot G1 X Camera Reviews Roundup


BobAtkins: "Both digital and optical zoom are available during video recording and the zoom rate is slowed down to give smoother transitions and less noise. Some zoom noise is picked up by the internal microphones during optical zoom, but it's at a relatively low level. The audio is recorded in stereo via the built in microphones, the level setting is automatic and there is no provision to add an external microphone. There is a..." - Oct 28 2012 More »
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Steve's Digicam: "For our outdoor image samples, we captured all of our images in both auto and program modes. Both shooting modes produced excellent results, with excellent exposure, accurate colors, and all of our shots were incredibly sharp. Between the trees, bricks and lily pads you can see how well the camera captures high resolution images and how crisp and clear they are. It is quite obvious though, that the auto mode handled..." - Aug 28 2012 More »
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NeoCamera: "The Canon Powershot G1 X produces superb quality images, the very best from a fixed lens camera and even exceeds top-notch DSLRs. Image noise is extremely low until ISO 800. Above that it starts being just visible and increases slightly at each ISO stop. Output remains perfectly usable until ISO 3200. At ISO 6400, noise eats up fine details and reduces possible print sizes. The maximum ISO of 12800 is noisier and cl..." - Jul 06 2012 More »
RegHardware: "The overall image quality is definitely helped by the build and optical quality of the 28-112mm zoom lens mounted on the G1 X. The lens suffers only negligible barrel distortion at 28mm and controls chromatic aberrations extremely well. The only complaint I have about the lens is its minimum close focusing distance. The zoom lens has a minimum focusing distance of 35cm in normal mode and a not-so-close 20cm in Macro..." - Jun 24 2012 More »
Phoblographer: "If you can get past the usability problems, this camera actually produces really nice images. The lens, although not particularly fast at either end of the zoom range, is pretty sharp edge-to-edge, and contrast and color reproduction are both excellent. Dynamic range is also great, which is to be expected from a sensor almost the size of APS-C. The auto white balance in the G1 X tends towards producing cooler images..." - May 28 2012 More »
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Imaging Resource: "For several years now I've waited in anticipation, wondering how much longer Canon could ignore the burgeoning compact system camera market, and finally make a splash with a mirrorless model of its own. The Canon PowerShot G1 X is not that camera, but it's exciting for much the same reason that those very first mirrorless models were: It's a brand-new approach from a well-established and respected name in the indust..." - May 20 2012 More »
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CNET UK: "As you'd hope from a camera so tightly packed with high-end hardware, the G1 X output is first class. Colours are a close match for the originals, there's plenty of detail in the results and illumination is uniform across the frame. Its macro range was the only disappointment. It won't take you any closer than 20cm in wide angle and 85cm at full telephoto. However, that's not to say it's best forgotten. With a minim..." - Apr 27 2012 More »
PhotographicCentral: "Canon clearly shows it's muscle and Powershot heritage with the G1X. This is indeed a very powerful package given its dimensions and excellent lens for the price. One thing that I admire about Canon (despite their consistent quirks) is their ability to be consistently strong in both offerings and innovation. The G1X is definitely innovative. The only other camera I'd compare it too is the Sony DSC-R1- another fixed..." - Apr 23 2012 More »
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pdn: "Even though resolution is a bit higher on the G1 X compared to the G12, its bigger sensor has given it significantly bigger pixels for absorbing more light. In fact, the G1 X's individual pixels are more than twice as large as those on the G12: 4.16 microns compared to 2.03 microns. This combined with the very good 4x optical (28mm to 112mm equivalent), f/2.8 to f/5.8, IS zoom lens and the G1 X's noise-killing DIGIC..." - Apr 13 2012 More »
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Imaging Resource: "With the Lumix GX1, Panasonic addresses several crucial complaints from enthusiasts about their Micro Four Thirds cameras, particularly the rangefinder-style class once represented by the GF series. They've returned to a larger size that's a better tradeoff between a large SLR and a small pocket camera. They've added back the mode dial, hot shoe, and a few more controls, while maintaining the touchscreen. Even the t..." - Apr 11 2012 More »
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TheVerge: "At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is not a camera you should buy unless you already own a DSLR. Canon reps themselves told me that if you're debating between the G1 X and, say, a Rebel DSLR, you should buy the latter -- having more lenses and more versatility is key, and the G1 X's sensor still isn't DSLR-sized. But if you already own the serious equipment and just want a camera you can toss into a..." - Mar 31 2012 More »
Amateur Photographer: "While it is still unknown whether Canon will enter the compact system camera market, for now the PowerShot G1 X fills this gap in the company's range. The large sensor performs extremely well, and it is enough to rival many CSCs. With a 28-112mm equivalent range, the 4x zoom lens should fulfil the demands of most DSLR photographers looking for the convenience of a smaller camera, but without the additional cost of p..." - Mar 30 2012 More »
dpreview: "The G1 X's sensor has a lot in common with the current line of Canon APS-C DSLRs and this shows in the excellent image quality across the ISO range. That said, in terms of image processing and image quality options the G1 X is a PowerShot compact camera, meaning colors are pretty saturated and bright with a contrasty tone curve and occasionally unsubtle sharpening. The high quality lens contributes to the end result..." - Mar 30 2012 More »
DPI: "The Canon PowerShot G1X is an excellent prosumer digital camera with an unusually large image sensor. As a result, and as you may have seen in our Canon PowerShot G1X vs Canon EOS 7D comparison, the Canon PowerShot G1X delivers 'big camera' image quality that rivals digital SLR cameras within a body design that's fairly compact and lightweight. Even compared to tiny compact system cameras like the Sony NEX 5N and Pa..." - Mar 22 2012 More »
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KenRockwell: "The G1 X is significantly better than any other tiny-sensored point and shoot, and about the same as other cameras with similar small sensors (DX, micro 4/3 etc.). The S95 is awful, as to be expected from its teeny-tiny sensor. I won't consider it further in this analysis. Yes, this is why this G1 X is so superior to every other Powershot; ever other Powershot, especially the S100 and G12, have the same teeny-tiny s..." - Mar 19 2012 More »
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Camera Labs: "The Canon PowerShot G1 X is very much a camera of two personalities. On the happy side is superb image quality which matches - and in some cases slightly exceeds - what you can expect from Canon's 18 Megapixel EOS DSLRs, but in a much more portable body with an excellent articulated screen and flash hotshoe. But on the sad side is a fixed lens with terrible macro and little chance for a shallow depth-of-field, coupl..." - Mar 15 2012 More »
LuminousLandscape: "Based on the DxOMark test results (see below) the G1X performs in-between the Panasonic GX1 and the Sony NEX 5n. This is right in line with their sensor size, Micro Four Thirds being somewhat smaller and APS-C being somewhat larger. Not that sensor size is the only criteria to use in judging overall image quality, but it does track comparative IQ performance in this instance. I did not do much low light shooting wit..." - Mar 15 2012 More »
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ePhotoZine: "ISO100 shows very low noise, with good detail. Again at ISO100. At ISO200 noise starts to become apparent in the darker areas, but is very clean in the brighter colours. At ISO400 there is a slight increase in the noise in dark / shadow areas. At ISO800 noise increases but the camera is still capable of producing clean noise free areas especially in the bright colours. At ISO1600 noise increases and there is a sligh..." - Mar 12 2012 More »
Digital Camera Resource Page: "The G1 X's feature set is very similar to that of the PowerShot G12. That means that you get a scene-selecting Smart Auto mode, plenty of scene modes and Creative Filters (special effects), and full manual exposure controls. The G1 X can bracket for both exposure and focus, fine-tune (but not bracket) white balance, and save images in the RAW format. Enthusiasts will also like the customizable button, menu, and spot..." - Mar 12 2012 More »
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Digital Camera Review: "Video quality is quite good with the G1 X, with automatic autofocus and zooming available during video capture. Transition into or out of video capture mode via the one touch dedicated movie button is fairly speedy, with perhaps a 1 second delay before video capture is initiated and far less delay at shutdown. The microphone is wind sensitive but there is a wind cut feature available and during zooming a few noises..." - Mar 01 2012 More »
Trusted Reviews: "Overall image quality is, as might be expected, very good indeed. There are many aspects that particularly impress. The first of these is the optical quality of the 28-112mm fixed zoom. This produces really impressive, almost DSLR-like levels of sharpness and detail and across the whole frame too, with only occasional instances of purple fringing on high-contrast borders letting the side down. As might be expected,..." - Feb 24 2012 More »
Pocket-lint: "The 1.5-inch sensor is quite simply sublime. The shots we pulled out of the G1 X are just like those from a DSLR. And we're not pulling anyone's leg here. The sensor itself isn't much smaller than the APS-C sensor in the EOS 600D. The aspect ratio is 4:3 rather than 3:2 so it's smaller in width, and a little smaller in height overall. Consider that the G1 X's sensor is some 6.3-times larger than that in the G12..." - Feb 21 2012 More »
What Digital Camera: "The G1 X's large sensor size means it can deliver image quality unlike almost any other compact camera on the market. It more than wipes the floor with standard compacts when it comes to image quality, making up for some of its less-appealing handling characteristics. In a variety of examples the Canon performed well, carefully measuring exposure of the subject as based on the position of the FlexiZone focus area. T..." - Feb 21 2012 More »
CNET US: "The camera gets high marks for photo quality, though it's not significantly better than lower-priced ILCs like the Olympus E-PL3 or the Sony Alpha NEX-5N. One advantage Canon retains over its rivals is the excellent JPEG processing and noise reduction, which allows it to produce extremely clean photos as high as ISO 400 and seriously usable ones up through ISO 3200. Color and exposure look great as well. The lens ha..." - Feb 18 2012 More »
TechRadar: "Priced at £699 (RRP) in the UK and $799.99 in the US, the Canon PowerShot G1X costs more than some entry-level DSLRs, so Canon's really taking a gamble when it comes to estimating the level of appeal its unprecedented new compact camera will have. Thankfully, however, the manufacturer has backed up the Canon G1 X's price tag with a whole host of high-end features that go a long way towards justifying its cost...." - Feb 17 2012 More »
Photography BLOG: "The Canon Powershot G1 X is a very difficult camera to pigeon-hole. Compared to other premium compact cameras, it's much bigger and heavier but has a much larger image sensor that delivers better images with more depth of field. Compared to a compact system camera, it offers a similar sized image sensor and body but doesn't have interchangeable lenses. Compared to a DSLR, it's much smaller with still respectable ima..." - Feb 15 2012 More »
Engadget: "For all its foibles, the G1 X still holds up well against its rivals. While the Nikon P7100 may look similar, it has a much smaller sensor and lower resolution -- as reflected by the fact that it's $300 cheaper. At closer quarters sits the Olympus E-P3, which has similarly intuitive design and manual controls along with the added advantage of interchangeable lenses, but it has a slightly smaller sensor and it's..." - Feb 14 2012 More »
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PhotoReview Australia: "Test shots taken with the review camera showed all the characteristics we expected, given the G1X's heritage. Colours were attractively rendered and the dynamic range in shots was as wide as we found with the EOS 600D. In-camera processing was minimal for most JPEGs, although some shots would benefit from a little unsharp masking at the editing stage. We encountered very few problems with backlit subjects and found..." - Jan 28 2012 More »
Trusted Reviews: "The G1X also uses a new built-in lens, rather than using a lens mount, which has helped Canon to keep the size of the camera down but alsos offer the useful 28-112mm equivalent range. This should be more than flexible enough for most people's uses though the aperture range of f2.8 - f5.8 is not going to be enough for those looking to shoot in lo-light conditions. The G1X offers a lot of the same manual controls..." - Jan 13 2012 More »
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PhotoReview Australia: "Aside from the changed lens sizes, the main difference between the front panels of the G1X and G12 is the built-in flash. The G1X has a pop-up flash tucked into the camera body, while on the G12 the flash panel is visible on the front of the camera. Neither camera's flash is far enough off the lens axis to eliminate red eyes in flash shots but both cameras include red-eye correction during playback. The grip mo..." - Jan 12 2012 More »
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ePhotoZine: "The Canon Powershot G1 X features a large chunky hand grip at the front with a large thumb grip at the rear. The lens has a removable conversation lens ring and is quite large. The menus are very typically Canon menus and that's a good thing, as they're easy to use, well laid out with clear text and helpful text that explains each setting and menu item. The menus will be instantly familiar to anyone who's used a Can..." - Jan 12 2012 More »
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Digital Camera Info: "People love their G12's. And we do too, it's an incredibly substantial camera that serves as an ideal portable "second camera" for DSLR owners, or a very respectable primary shooting camera for the majority of users. The G1 X is very clearly derived from the G12 in both design and target audience. But this camera will also deviate from the existing lineup, kicking off a new branch of PowerShots that will l..." - Jan 12 2012 More »
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