Canon PowerShot G7 X: Can it dethrone the Sony RX100 III?

Introduction

As the entry-level point-and-shoot compacts slowly fade into obsolescence, camera manufacturers have been scrambling to explore the enthusiast/prosumer segments of the market. Initially a niche segment occupied by Canon’s G-series cameras, the segment has seen a flurry of entries as manufacturers realize that there are consumers who are still willing to pay for a good digital compact since not everyone is keen to lug around an interchangeable lens capable camera for the best in the digital photography.

Even as manufacturers churn out their own takes on the prosumer compact, Sony has been dominating the segment for the last two years with its Cyber-shot RX100 series, which feature a 1-inch sensor inside a compact body for unrivaled image quality in this segment. However, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III isn’t the only kid on the block with a 1-inch sensor now. Just weeks ago, Canon launched their PowerShot G7 X that can boast the same and then some more.

A quick look at the specs sheets for both cameras reveal that they are closely matched, with the new Canon PowerShot G7 X pulling slightly ahead in some areas and falling behind in some. So what are the main differences between the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III and the Canon PowerShot G7 X? We'll discuss the technical aspects right after the specs break:-

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Both cameras have 20-megapixel sensors, with a maximum wide aperture of F1.8, but the biggest difference is that you get more reach with the PowerShot G7 X. It has a focal length of 24 - 100mm (35mm equivalent), giving it a zoom range of 4.2x. In contrast, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III has a focal length of 24 – 70mm, giving it a zoom range of 2.9x. The Canon PowerShot G7 X also comes with a touchscreen, though it lacks the electronic viewfinder (EVF) found on the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III.

These differences aside, can the Canon PowerShot G7 X stand against the camera that made digital compacts interesting again as well as one of the best in its class? That's what we intend to find out.

Design and Handling

The PowerShot G7 X actually bears a strong resemblance to its sibling, the PowerShot S120 but Canon has added two red accents to the G7 X’s design, which makes for a nice, understated look to signify the more professional counterpart. Similar to the PowerShot S120, the PowerShot G7 X has a matte black finish but the G7 X’s robust build makes it feel more solid in the hands. They are pretty much the same size, except that the newcomer is a bit thicker as it accommodates a larger sensor and its related lens mechanism. In that sense, the G7 X is reasonably compact like the Sony. As such, the PowerShot G7 X is still smaller than the chunky PowerShot G1 X Mark II, which currently sits at the top of the PowerShot line with its 1.5-inch sensor.

Size and design comparisons aside, the PowerShot G7 X has a substantial thumb rest on its rear that helped somewhat to maintain a grip on the camera though it still feels slippery in the hand since as it lacks a front finger grip. Oddly, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III shares the same concern too.

On the top of the camera there’s the usual Power button, zoom lever and mode dial. What’s different about the PowerShot G7 X’s mode dial is that it sits on top of an exposure compensation dial, which makes it easier to adjust exposure since you won’t have to do it via the user interface. There’s no hot shoe on the G7 X, so it won’t be possible to hook up an external flash or any form of EVF.

The PowerShot G7 X comes with a 3-inch touchscreen display, which can also be flipped up 180 degrees so you can take selfies. Unfortunately it doesn’t flip downwards, so you can’t really shoot high-angled shots unless you flip the camera upside-down.

The touchscreen makes it easy to set the focus point, and while it may still seem like a gimmick to some, it’s very useful when dealing with a subject that does not stay still like a child or a pet. There’s no ghosting or lag with the display and it’s quite sharp, with 1,040,000-dot resolution.

There’s also a control ring on the PowerShot G7 X’s lens, which you can assign functions to it such as adjusting aperture or shutter speed. The control ring provides tactile feedback when you’re using it since it will "click" whenever you turn it, unlike the one found on the Sony CyberShot RX100 III, which was a smooth-turning ring. There are benefits to both approaches, since the smooth-turning ring on the RX100 III won’t be adding any sounds to the movie you’re recording, while the ring on the PowerShot G7 X provides tactile feedback when shooting stills. In this regard, the Sony CyberShot RX100 III control ring is more suitable when recording video, while the Canon PowerShot G7 X’s control ring excels at shooting stills due to the tactile feedback.

User Interface and Camera Performance

The PowerShot G7 X has a user interface that’s found on all PowerShot models, where pressing the Function button in the middle of the D-pad will bring a list of tabbed shooting options such as ISO and white balance. Pressing the Menu button will bring up a list of general options like date and time settings, which are usually the settings you won’t access frequently once you have set them. Overall, the user interface is easy to navigate, and makes shooting a fuss-free process.

There’s also a dedicated Function button just for the control ring so you can quickly assign settings to it on the fly. The PowerShot G7 X also features a neutral density (ND) filter which you can use to reduce the amount of light reaching the sensor when shooting with a wide aperture. For example, you want a blurred background when shooting a portrait shot, but since it’s five minutes past two in the afternoon your picture might turn out to be overexposed if you shoot with a wide aperture. In this case, having an ND filter is an advantage since it allows you to shoot at F2.8 without overexposing your shot.

The autofocus is quite fast, and it’s a joy to shoot with the PowerShot G7 X due to its intuitive controls and user-friendly interface. Choosing a focus point is as easy as tapping the screen, and the dedicated exposure compensation dial makes it easy to tweak exposure. And don’t forget the control ring, which you can use to adjust shutter speed or aperture, depending on the mode you’re shooting in.

As expected from a 1-inch sensor, the Canon PowerShot G7 X scored 2,400 lines per picture height of resolution (both vertical and horizontal), which is quite good. The noise reduction algorithms fared quite well, and isn’t as aggressive as some of the PowerShot G7 X’s competitors. The camera manages to retain most of the details until you hit ISO800, where things start to get fuzzy.

The camera is also capable of shooting 1080p video in an MP4 or H.264 container, but in this regard, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III performs better since it’s able to record in the XAVC S2 format, which has a higher bitrate compared to MP4 or H.264. But the latter formats are easier to work with if you are looking for best compatibility in either editing or playback in a variety of players and apps. Clearly, as we dig through the details further, the Sony counterpart's features and capabilities seems to be an ideal match for professionals looking for a compact camera, while the G7 X is a better fit for those who prefer a better shooting experience without extra frills (such as an EVF for example).

With the PowerShot G7 X’s built-in Wi-Fi and the Canon CameraWindow app, you can save images to your smartphone or tablet. You can also control the camera remotely, though this feature is pretty much limited to just triggering the shutter release and zooming in or out. The Wi-Fi feature is basic, but at least it’s simple to use. Besides the built-in Wi-Fi, the PowerShot G7 X also has NFC support, with the contact point located on the left side of the camera, right below the release for the built-in flash. With this, you can just tap to connect your smartphone to the camera instead of having to go through the usual wireless connection process to get them paired.

Below are sample photographs shot with the Canon PowerShot G7 X. The photos have not been post-processed and are copyright to SPH Magazines. They are provided for your reference only and we ask that you do not reproduce them elsewhere. Click for the full-resolution images.

Conclusion

So is the Canon PowerShot G7 X the best prosumer compact camera right now? In terms of usability, the PowerShot G7 X definitely stands out. While a control ring is something most compacts in its class have, the combination of the PowerShot G7 X’s user-friendly UI, exposure compensation dial and control ring makes the PowerShot G7 X a fun camera to shoot with.

And don’t forget the PowerShot G7 X’s focal length advantage over its biggest competitor, the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III. While the PowerShot G7 X’s extra reach may not seem like much on paper, but it’s something you will definitely appreciate, especially if you shoot a lot between the 70-100mm focal length ranges (great for shaping up your portrait shots).

The Sony RX100 III is no doubt an impressive gadget in terms of hardware with its electronic viewfinder and its tilt display which can be flipped up to 180 degrees upward and 45 degrees downward. But the lack of tactile feedback from its control ring (which makes it more useful when shooting video) and the fact that its interface still needs a bit more polish means that in some ways the Canon PowerShot G7 X is easier to use, and thus is a camera that I’m more likely to bring along when I head out of the house. Just remember to bring along spare batteries  - the camera's most glaring flaw is its paltry battery life (rated at 210 shots), which is something all Canon digital compacts share.

If you really want an EVF and spend a fair bit of time shooting videos, then the Sony RX100 III might be a better fit. But do take note that these features will cost you S$400 more, which is a premium not everyone is willing to pay for. And that's why the Canon PowerShot G7 X is so appealing - at S$799, it has advantages such as having a bit more extra reach, a user-friendly interface and better controls to give you a fuss free shooting experience with all the controls you'll need at short notice. Regardless of your preference, if you’re a photography enthusiast, now is probably as good a time as any to be shopping for a prosumer digital compact and the Canon PowerShot G7 X comes up as a strong recommendation from our use. (And it's more practical on your wallet too!)

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