Canon G1 X 14.1 MP Digital Camera
| April 17, 2012 | Posted by admin under Canon |
Is Canon taking a risk by bringing out a premium-priced compact, rather than a CSC?
Contents
An upgrade over the G12 which remains available, the 14.3-MP G1 X offers similar features but has a sensor that is 6.3 times larger for superior image quality and a built-in 28-112 mm f/2.8-5.8 lens with Intelligent Stabilizer.
The DIGIC 5 processor provides great speed, including a 4.5-fps Burst mode for six shots, and also features 14-bit Raw capture, in-camera HDR and special effects, improved iContrast and a new Multi-Area WB option.
It is aimed at advanced enthusiasts in search of a high-quality, take-anywhere primary camera and / or backup for their DSLR.
Pros
- EOS-style features and controls
- Fast, effective AF with reliable motion tracking
- Accepts accessories, including external flash
- Tilting 3-inch (922,000-dot) LCD
- Zooming optical viewfinder
- Full HD video with stereo sound
- New and improved high-tech features
Cons
- No jack for external mic
- A bit heavy (536 g)
- Lag / shutter delay
- Poor flash
The G1 X’s high-quality lens has been designed to marry perfectly with the new sensor, ensuring an excellent optical performance.
Product Features
- 4x Optical Zoom 28mm Ultra Wide-Angle lens with Optical Image Stabalizer
- Canon’s newest HS SYSTEM with a 1.5-inch, 14.3 MP High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 Image Processor (up to 128oo ISO)
- 3.0-inch Vari-angle PureColor System LCD with 922.000 dots for shooting at a variety of angles
- Full range of shooting and recording modes inlcuding 14-bit RAW + JPEG (as in Canon DSLR cameras)
- Full 1080p HD Video in Stereo Sound with a dedicated Movie Button and HDMI Output for HDTV viewing
- 1080p Full HD video in stereo sound
- 4x optical zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer, plus a 28mm wide-angle lens
- Intelligent IS optimizes image stabilization
Video Review
Switch to this mode and the G1 X utilizes the increased speed and power of its DIGIC 5 processor, capturing up to six full-resolution images in continuous succession at a rate of 4.5 frames per second (fps). This is a real asset for avid action photographers.
Bottom Line
Although it’s not strictly a replacement product, if you’re a current Canon G12 owner looking for the next step up, the G1 X is an excellent proposition. Likewise, advanced enthusiasts – whether they’ve previously owned a Canon Powershot or not – won’t fail to be impressed by this powerful camera’s capabilities. It is easy to get to grips with, provides a superb level of manual control and produces pin-sharp, richly detailed images with more efficiently managed noise.
Sample Photos
Colors are faithful and noise id well controlled across the camera’s native ISO sensitivity range
You will love the photos from the G1X
Level of detail captured by the camera’s 14.3Mp sensor is simply stunning. Zooming in to 100% reveals plenty of fine texture across the frame.
The Finest Advanced Compact Camera Currently Available
Power but at a price
Manufacturer’ Product Description
Bright, fast and more creative than ever: advanced technologies come together for an exciting new camera that moves beyond anything the G-Series has seen before. The PowerShot G1 X digital camera will inspire advanced amateurs who have embraced the G-Series to explore new realms of photographic expression, and give pros an excellent camera that complements their creative demands.
The new 1.5-inch High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor approaches DSLR size, with a light-sensitive area that’s approximately 6.3 times larger than that of the PowerShot G12 digital camera.
The new 14.3 Megapixel sensor, combined with a new lens and DIGIC 5 Image Processor, creates the HS SYSTEM that delivers image quality previously impossible in a compact camera, with beautiful blur, lower noise, and extraordinary resolution in low-light shooting and can shoot at ISOs of up to 12800.
The PowerShot G1 X also has 14-bit RAW capabilities for even greater creative control and Full HD Video recording. Manual settings and operability inherited from EOS cameras impart a high-level shooting experience, and open the door to new creative possibilities. Substantive luxury defines the design: a neatly clarified sculpture with a firm grip, huge Vari-angle LCD and optical viewfinder.
It may be small, but don’t underestimate the power of this plucky power compact
Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor
The latest-generation Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor brings phenomenal increases in processing speed and power. Improved chip architecture and algorithms deliver greatly expanded functionality with further refinement in image quality. Improved noise reduction produces clearer images when shooting in low light at high ISO speeds. Enhanced i-Contrast performance adjusts differences between light and dark areas to achieve even more natural-looking results. The faster processing speed also results in faster continuous shooting capability.
The DIGIC 5 Image Processor also makes possible a new, highly advanced automatic white balance system. Whereas conventional white balance makes an overall adjustment based on a single type of light source, the new Canon Multi-Area White Balance analyzes several areas of the image to determine whether different adjustments are needed, for example, for the main subject and the background.