Product Listing

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

By Hafeez Sim - 6 Oct 2014
Launch SRP: S$799

User Interface, Camera Performance and Conclusion

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.

Hitting the Func/Set button will bring up a list of commonly-used shooting options.

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.

With the ND filter, there's no worry about over-exposing your shot when shooting wide open and still maintaining the blurred background effect. The image on the left was shot without an ND filter, while the filter was used for the shot on the right.

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.

Things start to get fuzzy at ISO800.

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.

f/1.8 at 24mm, 1/2000 sec, ISO125

f/5.6 at 24mm, 1/1250 sec, ISO125 

f/5.6 at 67mm, 1/1000 sec, ISO125


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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9.0
  • Performance 9
  • Design 9
  • Features 9
  • User-Friendliness 9
  • Value 9
The Good
Large sensor results in good image quality
Built-in ND Filter
Good focal range
Bright lens
User-friendly design and interface
Reasonable price
The Bad
Display only flips upwards
Limited battery life
Basic Wi-Fi implementation
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