Canon G7X: specifications, photos and reviews

The Canon company was one of the first to outline its interest in the developing segment of compact cameras with an improved sensor, releasing in 2012 the G1X model with a matrix in one and a half format (slightly smaller than APS-C, but noticeably more Micro Four Thirds).

In 2014, the market appeared a more modern model in the technical plan with the prefix Mark II, but the manufacturer did not stop there, and a few months later was announced a new gadget - the camera Canon G7X, which laid the foundation for the release of one of the most successful compacts of the latter Years with improved optics.

Positioning

First of all, the camera is designed for those people who need a photo assistant for each day, ready to give a new gadget a tidy sum comparable to the price of a modern flagship smartphone. Nevertheless, Canon G7X can attract the attention of advanced photographers who already own a serious technique with a set of optics, since the gadget allows you to move smoothly from place to place without dragging along a pile of useful but extremely heavy equipment.

Also it can be noted that the new camera is an ideal option for travelers and people who do not want to attract too much attention. One of the attractive features of the gadget is the possibility of self-portraiture due to a well-designed screen rotating 180 degrees along the vertical axis.

Design and ergonomics

Digital cameras of the past generation G1X echoes with the new style of G7, and somewhere even a new gadget is similar to the model RX100 from Sony. Its appearance looks like a neat bar of black metal mixed with plastic in the facing places - a little brutal, but very impressive, given the small size of the gadget.

Some kind of exuberant variety of design ideas the camera is not burdened, but it is good for it: the elementary laws of ergonomics are fully observed. The quality of assembly of the device complies with the brand standards - everything is fine, reliable and without any claims, especially since numerous positive comments once again prove that Canon is the standard of photographic equipment in any segment.

Weigh the Canon Powershot G7X without too little 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 suitable for carrying in your pocket. Hvat - classic, like all "soap cases", there are no projections on the front part, but there is a small emphasis for fingers on the back side of the gadget.

Functional elements

On the front of the Canon G7X is a large lens with telescoping and control disc. There are also autofocus and lamps for highlighting the main controls. The right part 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, which raises the main flash if necessary.

On top are: a stereo microphone, a power button, a speaker, a flash mechanism, a zoom grip and a selector for changing the exposures and modes of operation of the Canon G7X. Reviews about the location of functional elements, owners do not always leave in a positive way, but in general problems with management arise in people who switched to the technique of "Canon" from "Sony", other users quickly mastered without any problems.

The lower part of the camera is reserved for the battery compartment and memory card, here is the NFC contact pad. On the back of the gadget is a fairly large navigation screen, just to the right - functional keys for more fine-tuning the camera.

Control

The Canon G7X camera continues to support the established trend in the photo market to use analogue selectors with extensive functionality even on such small devices. The model is equipped with two convenient selector rings, which are located on the lens and on the back of the control panel, and the latter has a set of additional keys, even despite the small size of the entire camera.

The owners of the gadget do not complain about the functional management, especially since the model lacks the typical problems that most compacts suffer from - "I can not press my thumb on a small button". Three keys on the back side can be reprogrammed to suit your needs and specific situation, which is also very convenient.

If we compare the Canon G7X with the first generation of Mark II, then the interface has not changed at all, but maybe it's for the better - why change what works fine so far. There is a menu with quick access to the basic settings in the already familiar black and white-orange style. Looks at the items in a minimalist way, but this does not prevent the full use of the touch screen support.

Software interface

The main functional menu has three subsections: "My Menu", camera settings and shooting settings. Separately it is worth noting the fact that there is no duplication of the menu items, which was very pleased with users who switched from the Sony to the Canon G7X. Instructions for working with the menu and all the existing "gadgets" is more than detailed, so after a closer look, you can get a multifunctional and compact photographic helper for any application.

In live view mode, the screen displays the main parameters for high-quality capture: histogram, grid and virtual horizon (model equipped with a gyro). The autofocus point can be changed by touch control.

Screen

The Canon G7X is equipped with a 3-inch LCD screen with a resolution of one million pixels. The model is not equipped with a complete viewfinder, so it will have to be viewed on the screen, because 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, which allows you to adjust it within 180 degrees vertically. This innovation was appreciated by many fans to take pictures of self-portraits. Any technical problems with the functionality of the hinge in the feedback of users was not noticed, so we can say that the model is equipped with a successful version of the pivot mechanism.

Canon G7X Functionality

Overview of the camera's performance should start with a new processor of the latest generation DIGIC 6, which feels great in connection with the sensor of the standard 1.0 (13.2x8.8 mm), showing a resolution of 20.3 megapixels. The sensor, which is used in Canon models, has perfectly proved itself in such brands as Sony and Panasonic in the RX100 and FZ1000 series.

To the speed of the new gadget, there are no complaints, unlike the same G1X: everything is turned on quickly, the images are processed in one second for the JPEG format. For RAW, the time increases noticeably, but the quality of the photo also improves. The buffer can contain up to six hundred JPEG images in the exchanger and a bit less for RAW.

Despite the relatively small sensor, autofocus works as it should - the surface is completely covered with a contrast system with 31 points. The work in most of the scenes is pretty fast, and only a few profiles, judging by the feedback of users, have certain difficulties with fixation and jerking.

Shooting at one point is a bit inferior in accuracy, so you have to control the result during operation, but these are single cases for auto-mode, otherwise the multi-point circuit does its job.

There is also a macro shot where it is possible to photograph the object with a high quality at a distance of 5 cm from the camera under the condition of a wide-angle arrangement. 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 the highlight of the object in the focus peaking - an extremely useful and convenient feature of the model. Many users in their reviews note the not very successful switching to the front ring monitoring mode in the automatic focus when the manual is on, so you have to hover in addition to the rear selector, but this can be corrected by the firmware that will be delivered to you in any service where digital cameras are serviced and repaired.

The camera is equipped with a built-in flash of a good level (for this segment). Working area varies within seven meters with wide-angle shooting, and in tele-mode up to four meters. There is a function to blur red eyes, and an additional flash works only in an external mode with the appropriate synchronization.

In the lens there is an optical stabilizer of pictures, and surprisingly effective, and photography can be confidently conducted at a solid shutter speed starting from 1/13. The shutter does not stand out as remarkable - it remained the same as in previous generations - an electronic with a range of 250-2000 in manual mode.

The basic profiles for working with the camera have not changed: author, video, creative pictures and filters, P / A / S / M, plot, hybrid car and its modes. Particularly distinguished profiles for hybrid auto shooting and creative shots. The first mode can record video clips at the time of taking pictures (about seven seconds), allowing you to accompany your pictures with video. The function is sure to appeal to travelers and will be widely used by reporters.

The creative profile allows you to process each shot in six different variants using digital zoom, changing the crop, adding retro, chrome and other special effects. Of course, professional photographers who are used to controlling every detail when shooting, this mode may not be needed, but as an experiment and looking at the frame at an unusual angle, it is worth trying out this profile.

In profiles, you can find a shot in HDR mode, where the processing will be performed in a relief, bright or oil style. There is a function of artificial blur of the background or other individual objects, there is an auto correction of the dynamic range, dark areas and other ways of photo processing. The only thing worth mentioning is that this is possible only for JPEG images, although the folk craftsmen were able to adapt the model to other formats through amateur firmware, which can be supplied either by himself or in any service where digital cameras are being repaired.

Wireless protocols

As befits modern cameras, Canon's model is equipped with the modules "Wai-Fay" and NFC with the calculation for the mass consumer. A specially developed application CCW (Canon Camera Window) is available for operating systems based on "Android" and iOS, allowing you to manage with a gadget at a distance of five meters without any wires.

The image can be saved right away on the smartphone by pressing just one button, approximately the same function is available to owners of stationary equipment and laptops via Google Drive, "Twitter" or similar applications. There is a function that many competing digital cameras lack - the assignment of marks and the further work with them through any GPS device.

Quality of shooting

Especially for the G7X model, the company developed an improved lens with a focal length of 8.8-36.8 mm (35 mm equivalent - 24/100 mm) with an excellent light output of 1.8 / 2.8. The combination is very pleasant and useful, even despite the small indicators of zooming (4,2x).

There are no problems with chromatic and spatial aberrations, and even despite the relatively small matrix, the bokeh is quite good. The model feels fine, being in a constant auto-mode - the camera selects the necessary scene rather accurately and reasonably. The balance between long exposure and ISO indicators is observed and the quality of the images is very pleasing. It's worth mentioning 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 feedback, use RAW exclusively in manual mode with their own settings, so the problem can not be called a problem.

The pictures that are obtained on the G7X almost leave no ground for claims, especially in its segment it is the most successful model in terms of price and quality.

Summarizing

The Powershot G7X camera can be confidently called the main hope of the company "Canon" for success in the compact segment. Of course, this is not a flagship option, since the gadget matrix has modest indicators, but the model takes the buyer by its balance and compactness. In addition, the delivery kit of the device is distinguished by an extensive list, which besides all kinds of wires and adapters includes a very attractive and high-quality cover for Canon G7X.

Powershot is a compact camera with serious possibilities of shooting both photos and video materials. It is the main competitor of the popular series from Sony's RX-100 series. In order to make a significant competition for this product, Canon has provided its camera with an excellent inch matrix and superior optics, which, in its technical characteristics, has no competitors in its class.

You can also add a very powerful new generation processor and a swivel screen on a quality hinge - all this makes the new Canon model very attractive in the photographic market.

Without shortcomings, of course, it was not, but they can be reconciled 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, difficult to learn menu and functional gadget, as well as some restrictions on working with RAW format.

On the camera Canon G7X, the price of popular Internet sites ranges from 40 000 rubles (500-600 dollars).