[Review] Canon PowerShot G1 X

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.


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. The 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. Substantive luxury defines the design: a neatly clarified sculpture with a firm grip, huge Vari-angle LCD and optical viewfinder.

Canon engineers developed a sensor for PowerShot G1 X digital camera that is nearly the size of an EOS DSLR camera’s APS-C sized sensor, and built with a similar pixel structure—each pixel site is larger, allowing more light to be captured. This heightened degree of sensitivity delivers several distinct advantages.

The PowerShot G1 X offers a host of shooting and recording modes ranging from fully automatic to fully manual, plus Full HD movies and full-resolution High-Speed Burst HQ at a maximum of 6 frames. The camera recognizes 32 shooting situations.

The Canon HS SYSTEM lets you take bright, clear photos in an even wider range of shooting situations. The 14.3 Megapixel Canon CMOS sensor in the PowerShot G1 X incorporates advanced light reception technology that enhances sensitivity. The new DIGIC 5 Image Processor provides a major boost in noise reduction, expanding the usable range to an amazingly high ISO 12800.

The PowerShot G1 X has a dedicated movie button that lets you start and stop recording instantly. The PowerShot G1 X also incorporates an electronic wind filter, which suppresses wind noise that can muffle or distort the sound. And unlike less sophisticated point-and-shoot cameras, the PowerShot G1 X lets you use the full range of optical zoom when you’re shooting a video.

Imagine the fun and excitement of being able to shoot spectacular 1080p Full HD video with stereo sound that you can later watch on your HDTV or download to your computer to share with family and friends. In addition to being able to shoot Full HD 1080p video at 23.976 frames per second, the PowerShot G1 X digital camera can also shoot 720p HD video at 29.97 frames per second.

The PowerShot G1 X digital camera is equipped with a newly designed 4x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom. The f/2.8 lens captures a wealth of subtle detail, even indoors and in dark scenes, and easily covers a full range of shooting situations. It incorporates the latest in Canon UA lens technology. Zooming is fast and precise.

It’s easy to enjoy and share the videos you shoot with the PowerShot G1 X. Simply connect its HDMI terminal to your HDTV using an HDMI cable. And because the PowerShot G1 X supports HDMI-CEC technology, you’ll be able to control the playback of your images and videos on any CEC-enabled HDTV using the TV’s remote control. With the PowerShot G1 X, you can also shoot video in the Apple iFrame format, which is a computer-friendly standard that speeds up importing and editing of videos.

Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer is a sophisticated system that shifts a lens group to correct unwanted camera movement. It makes handheld photography more practical in more shooting situations. For photos, it enables shooting at slower shutter speeds, accommodating more low-light shooting situations of up to 4 stops without having to boost ISO sensitivity. With camera shake reduced, you get a sharper, steadier image.

The latest advance in Canon Optical Image Stabilization technology, Intelligent IS analyzes camera movement and applies the best shake correction method for the shooting situation. For stills, the system automatically selects among Normal, Panning, Macro (Hybrid) and Tripod IS modes. When shooting video, the system automatically selects among Dynamic, Powered, Macro and Tripod IS modes.

The PowerShot G1 X even has a built-in electronic level that calculates the camera’s horizontal angle of tilt and displays the information on the LCD monitor. The feature makes it easier to capture a perfectly level shot every time.

The camera’s big 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD screen swivels out and rotates, tilting up and down to give you access to the highest and lowest angles for shooting flexibility that greatly enhances your creative expression. You can also capture perfectly centered self-portraits or put yourself into group shots. A resolution of 922,000 dots gives you an unprecedented level of detail in the images you’re composing. The high resolution level also makes it easy to read on-screen information when you’re adjusting camera settings and accessing shot information. The PowerShot G1 X digital camera is equipped with an optical viewfinder as well. Shoot SLR-style with the real image optical zoom finder, and customize the viewfinder for your vision with dioptric adjustment.

Utilizing the increased processing speed and power of the new Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor, High-Speed Burst HQ makes it possible to capture fast action stills at full resolution during continuous shooting. In this mode, the PowerShot G1 X can capture a maximum of 6 shots in a single burst.

In High Dynamic Range, the camera will shoot three different exposures in succession and then merge them together to produce a spectacular image with highly detailed shadow and highlight areas. When you use Movie Digest on the PowerShot G1 X, the camera will automatically record a short video clip (up to approximately 4 seconds) every time you shoot a still image. That entire day’s worth of clips will then be automatically combined into a single video.

The PowerShot G1 X digital camera gives you access to exciting EOS accessories including the  new Macro Light Adapter MLA-DC1, Macro Ring Light MR-14EX, and all of the Canon Speedlite flashes, long revered by professional photographers. The high output of Speedlite flashes brings out the depth and texture of your images in full, natural beauty. The ultra-lightweight Canon Speedlite 270EX II is a compact, high-performance flash unit that’s fun and easy, with adjustable illumination angle and guide number. The versatile new Speedlite 320EX features an LED light on the front of the flash body that can be used to illuminate nearby subjects in dim light, ideal for shooting video.

A bi-level dial on top of the camera sets the mode and allows quick adjustment of exposure compensation. An ergonomically-placed electronic dial located on the camera’s front provides a natural feel for control over camera settings letting you concentrate on getting the perfect shot. Step-zoom allocation is also available.

QUICK PREVIEW

• 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
• Full 1080p HD Video in Stereo Sound with a dedicated Movie Button and HDMI Output for HDTV viewing
• Dedicated movie button and wind filter feature
• UA lens technology
• Electronic level
• High-speed burst HQ
• Movie digest, including miniature effect for movies
• High dynamic range
• Compatibility with Canon Speedlite flashes
• Mode dial and Front dial
• High dynamic range scene mode

What are your reviews about this camera? Share in comments.

Canon PowerShot G1 X
Reviewed by Garg Ankit Rating: 4.5