Canon was one of the first companies to indicate its interest in the growing segment of compact cameras with an improved sensor, while releasing the G1X model in 2012 with a 1.5-format sensor (slightly smaller than APS-C, but noticeably larger than Micro Four Thirds).
In 2014, a more modern model in technical terms with the Mark II prefix appeared on the market, but the manufacturer did not stop there, and a few months later a new gadget was announced - the Canon G7X camera, which laid the foundation for the release of one one of the most successful compacts of recent years with improved optics.
Positioning
First of all, the camera is designed for those people who need a photo assistant for every day, ready to pay a tidy sum for a new gadget comparable to the price of a modern flagship smartphone. Nevertheless, the Canon G7X can also attract the attention of advanced photographers who already own serious equipment with a set of optics, as the gadget allows you to seamlessly move from place to place without dragging a pile of useful, but extremely heavy equipment.
It can also be noted that the new camera is ideal fortravelers and people who don't want to draw too much attention to themselves. One of the attractive features of the gadget is the ability to take self-portraits due to the well-designed screen that rotates 180 degrees on the vertical axis.
Design and ergonomics
Digital cameras of the past generation G1X echo the new style of G7, and somewhere even the new gadget is similar to Sony's RX100 model. By its appearance, the camera resembles a neat bar of black metal mixed with plastic in facing places - a little brutal, but very impressive, given the small dimensions of the gadget.
The camera is not burdened with some violent variety of design ideas, but this is good for it: the elementary laws of ergonomics are fully respected. The build quality of the device meets the brand's standards - everything is done well, reliably and without complaints, especially since numerous positive reviews once again prove that Canon is the standard of photographic equipment in any segment.
The Canon Powershot G7X weighs almost 300 grams with dimensions of 103x60x40 mm, so the gadget can be called one of the most compact in its class. The camera weighs quite well, but it is quite suitable for carrying in your pocket. The grip is classic, like all “soap dishes”, there are no protrusions on the front, but there is a small finger rest on the back of the gadget.
Functional elements
On the front of the Canon G7X is a large telescopic lens and control dial. There are also autofocus and backlight lamps for the main controls. The right side of the camera is reserved for interfaces (USB-mini and micro-HDMI), and then there is a button that activates wireless protocols. The left side of the gadget is equipped with a convenient lever that raises the main flash if necessary.
Top: stereo microphone, power button, speaker, flash mechanism, zoom rocker and selector for changing exposures and modes Canon G7X. Owners do not always leave feedback on the location of functional elements in a positive way, but mostly people who switched to Canon equipment from Sony have problems with control, other users quickly get used to it without any problems.
The bottom of the camera is reserved for the compartment for the battery and memory card, here is the NFC pad. On the back of the gadget is a rather large navigation screen, a little to the right - function keys for finer camera settings.
Management
The Canon G7X continues to support the established trend in the photography market towards the use of analog selectors with extensive functionality even on such small devices. The model is equipped with two convenient selector circles, which are located on the lens and on the back of the control panel, the latter having a set of additional keys, even despite the small size of the entire camera.
Gadget owners do not complain about functional management, especially since the modeldevoid of the typical problems that most compacts suffer from - "I can not press the big finger on the small button." The three keys on the back can be reprogrammed to suit your needs and specific situation, which is also very convenient.
Comparing the Canon G7X to the first generation Mark II, the interface hasn't changed a bit since then, but maybe it's for the better - why change something that still works great. There is a menu with quick access to the main settings in the already familiar black-white-orange style. The items look minimalist, but this does not prevent you from fully using the display's touch support.
Programming interface
The main functional menu has three subsections: "My menu", camera parameters and shooting settings. Separately, it is worth noting the fact that there is no duplication of menu items, which made the users who switched from Sony models to Canon G7X very happy. The instructions for working with the menu and all existing "gadgets" are made in more than detail, so after careful reading, you can get a multifunctional and compact photo assistant for any application.
In the "live" view mode, the screen displays the main parameters for high-quality capture: histogram, grid and virtual horizon (the model is equipped with a gyroscope). The AF point can be changed using the touch controls.
Screen
Canon G7X features a 3-inch M-dot LCD screen. The model is not equipped with a complete viewfinder, soyou will have to sight on the screen, since it is more than suitable for this - bright, with excellent viewing angles, natural colors and protection from direct sunlight.
The screen is equipped with an original hinge that allows you to adjust it within 180 degrees vertically. This innovation was appreciated by many fans of self-portraits. There were no technical problems with the functionality of the hinge in the user reviews, so we can say that the model is equipped with a successful version of the swivel mechanism.
Canon G7X Functionality
The camera's performance review should start with the new latest generation DIGIC 6 processor, which feels great in conjunction with a 1.0 (13.2x8.8mm) sensor, showing a resolution of 20.3 megapixels. The sensor, which is used in Canon models, has proven itself well in brands such as Sony and Panasonic in the RX100 and FZ1000 lines.
There are no complaints about the speed of the new gadget, unlike the same G1X: everything turns on quickly, pictures are processed in one second for JPEG format. For shooting in RAW, the time increases noticeably, but the quality of the photo also improves. The buffer can contain up to six hundred JPEGs in the exchanger and a little less for RAW.
Despite the relatively small sensor, autofocus works as it should - the surface is completely covered by a contrast system with 31 points. The work in most scenes is quite fast, and only a few profiles, judging by the reviewsusers have some difficulty fixing and fidgeting.
Shooting at one point is slightly inferior in accuracy, so you have to control the result during operation, but these are isolated cases for auto mode, otherwise the multi-point scheme copes with its task.
There is also macro shooting, where it is possible to take a high-quality photograph of an object at a distance of 5 cm from the camera, subject to a wide-angle location. There is a focus bracketing mode - a different focus distance for three shots in a row.
There is a manual focus with a rich functional range: a two- and four-fold increase in the focus area with object illumination in places of sharpness change (focus peaking) is an extremely useful and convenient feature of the model. Many users in their reviews note the not entirely successful switch from front ring observation mode to automatic focusing when manual focus is on, so you have to additionally aim with the rear selector, but this can be corrected with the firmware that you will be supplied in any service where digital cameras are serviced and repaired.
The camera is equipped with a good standard built-in flash (for this segment). The working area varies within seven meters in wide-angle shooting, and in tele mode up to four meters. There is a red-eye blur function, and the optional flash only works in external mode with proper sync.
The lens has an optical image stabilizer, and surprisingly effective, and photography can be confidently taken on a solidexposure from 1/13. The shutter is nothing remarkable - it remains the same as in previous generations - electronic with a range of 250-2000 in manual mode.
The main profiles for working with the camera have not changed: author, video, creative shots and filters, P/A/S/M, scene, hybrid auto and custom modes. The profiles for hybrid self-shooting and creative shots were especially distinguished. The first mode can record video clips at the time of taking a photo (about seven seconds), allowing you to accompany your shots with a video entourage. The function will surely appeal to travel enthusiasts and will be widely requested by reporters.
Creative Profile lets you process each shot in six different ways using digital zoom, changing crop, adding retro, chrome and other special effects. Of course, professional photographers who are used to controlling every little thing when shooting may not need this mode, but as an experiment and looking at the frame from an unusual angle, this profile is worth trying out.
In profiles you can find shooting in HDR mode, where processing will be done in a embossed, bright or oily style. There is a function of artificial blurring of the background or other individual objects, there is an auto-correction of the dynamic range, dark areas and other ways to design a photo. The only thing worth clarifying is that this is only possible for pictures taken in JPEG format, although craftsmen were able to adapt the model to other formats through amateur firmware that can beinstall both yourself and in any service where digital cameras are repaired.
Wireless Protocols
As befits modern cameras, the model from Canon is equipped with Wi-Fi and NFC modules with the expectation of a mass consumer. A specially designed CCW (Canon Camera Window) app is available for Android and iOS operating systems, allowing you to control your gadget from a distance of five meters without any wires.
The image can be saved immediately on a smartphone by pressing literally one button, about the same function is available to owners of stationary equipment and laptops via Google Drive, Twitter or similar applications. There is a feature that many competing digital cameras lack - assigning tags and further work with them through any GPS device.
Shooting quality
Specially for the G7X, the company has developed an improved lens with a focal length of 8.8-36.8mm (35mm equivalent - 24/100mm) with an excellent aperture ratio of 1.8/2.8. The combination is very pleasant and useful, even despite the small zoom indicators (4, 2x).
There are no problems with chromatic and spatial aberrations, and even despite the relatively small matrix, the bokeh comes out quite well. The model feels great being in constant auto mode - the camera selects the necessary scene quite accurately and reasonably. The balance between slow shutter speeds and ISO values is maintained and the image quality is verypleases. It is worth noting separately that the RAW format is not intended for automatic shooting, as well as the use of some filters, but many owners, judging by the reviews, use RAW exclusively in manual mode with their own settings, so this item cannot be called a problem.
The pictures taken with the G7X leave little room for complaint, especially since it is the best value for money model in its segment.
Summing up
The Powershot G7X is Canon's main hope for success in the compact segment. Of course, this is not a flagship option, since the gadget's matrix has modest performance, but the model takes the buyer with its balance and compactness. In addition, the delivery package of the device is distinguished by an extensive list, which, in addition to all kinds of wires and adapters, includes a very attractive and high-quality case for the Canon G7X.
The Powershot is a compact camera with serious photo and video capabilities. It is the main competitor of the popular Sony RX-100 series. In order to compete with this product, Canon has provided its camera with an excellent one-inch sensor and excellent optics, which, in terms of its technical characteristics, has no competitors in its class.
Here you can add a very powerful new generation processor and a high-quality swivel screen - all this makes the new model from Canon very attractive in the photo market.
WithoutOf course, there were no shortcomings, but you can put up with them for the relatively small price that the company asks for its product. The main points that users complain about in their reviews are insufficient battery life, menus and functionality of the gadget that are difficult to master, as well as some restrictions on working with the RAW format.
On the Canon G7X camera, the price on popular Internet sites ranges from 40,000 rubles ($500-600).
