Customer Reviews for Canon - PowerShot G1 X 14.3-Megapixel Digital Camera - Black
Customer Rating
5
Excellent as Designed; Not for Everyone...
on April 24, 2012
Posted by: Jay B.
from Virginia
Having owned the G1 X for over a month, I believe that Canon moved the G Series in the right direction. This isn't really a camera for people to leave on Auto - the photographer needs to work with it. While very versatile, the camera isn't designed to do everything well, e.g. macro, super fast focus, super fast burst, etc. But the many things it does do, it does them superbly. The G1 X is well built, solid-feeling and easy to handle and use. The images are the best I've seen in any compact, period. --- The G1 X fits me perfectly: 1) An experienced photographer (that shoots a lot of video, too) that simply doesn't want to carry a DSLR 2) A user that wants great image quality, and is willing to work with the cam's limitations 3) A person who wants versatility and capability in a compact (not pocketable) package - If that sounds anything like you, you owe it to yourself to try one out!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
A Very Good Camera for Travel
on October 31, 2014
Posted by: 808 Pureview
from Honolulu, Hawaii
This is a very good general purpose camera for travel. it is like a combination of a rebel with some L lens.
Image is extremely sharp. Color is very accurate. The dials and buttons are very professional like, very easy to access. Very strong IS, very safe to use at low light or low shutter speed. Very clean high ISO, I shot a lot with ISO 3200 at night, and sometimes 6400 or 12800. The articulated screen is helpful at certain angle, or selfie... The scene mode add a lot of fun. The miniature mode, old camera mode, color accent mode is very fun to use. The 4.5FPS at 6 shot is somehow useful.
I brought the G1X for my trip to Hong Kong and it was a right decision. the range is excellent for causal walk around photography. The G1x is heavy, bulky, but it is still much smaller and light than a Rebel with L lens. Also it won't scare people (of catch attention) when doing street photography.
Drawback is battery life, pretty short if you shot with the LCD on all time, the battery would only last half a day. Later on, I have learned to use the small (but somehow very useful at day time) OVF, the battery life extended a lot longer. The OVF is not 100% coverage, it will take awhile to learn how to use it.
Beware of the ISO "Rate of change" setting. The default was standard, but will always give me ISO 800 in a cloudy day. I will switch it back to "low".
Marco is fair... at a DSLR user point of view, I know this is not a macro lens, why bother? In fact, at 20cm away from the object, I got extremely sharp image, at F3.2 with nice background isolation! Because the image by G1x is so sharp and noise free so I just go home and crop the image. Just beware that the G1x won't work very well on super tiny object.
Overall, I love this camera.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Almost Perfect
on July 9, 2013
Posted by: Photo-Joe
from Arlington, VA
This is an excellent point and shoot camera. If you don't want the bulk, but want some of the functions and advantages of a more expensive camera, this one is for you.
The features are top-notch. The video is solid; I have not noticed problems generally associated with videos from non-camcorders. The low light photo performance is outstanding -- I've taken photos in churchs, where no flash is allowed and the photos are great. For routine family/vacation photos and photos in low light, you can't go wrong with this camera.
A few detractors: 1. The camera is slow between taking single photos. I note that the 6 picture burst function does off-set this, but you have to switch functions to get that going. So, overall, it can be, but is not always, an inconvenience. 2. Where you have moving targets, like at sporting events, I suggest manually setting the camera function/settings up ahead of time to be sure you get the shot -- this is not close to a DSLR when it comes to sports photos.
Overall, it's almost perfect for a camera of this class.
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, easy to use
Cons: slow
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Great All Around Camera
on March 21, 2012
Posted by: Tomas
from St. Louis, MO
I bought this camera for my wife because she wants to take all the pictures. She wanted a camera that provided good HD video and dslr quality stills. I chose this camera based upon online reviews of a high image quality. We have had this camera three weeks and it has impressed. We love the continuous focus and zoom option on the HD video (not all HD video camera have this) and my wife has been impressed with the still images taken in low light conditions. The 1.5" CMOS has performed well!!! I avoided the dslr due to it being a "professional" camera which would have been too much for my wife, too big and no need for lens changing. I mean really, how often does the amateur photographer change lenses. So this camera has a fixed lens, but it works well. Our still shoots have turned out great, equal to our friends dslr images, even in low light conditions. With our old point and shoot we often had to use the flash, not so much now. I think this is the perfect camera for great images without the big bulky qualities of a dslr. Sure, it doesn't fit in your pocket, but what "pocket" cameras do what this camera does. It offers all the menu functions of a dslr like aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, plus additional feature for macro, moving subject, etc. This camera only offers a power zoom, so you cannot zoom manually. I highly recommend this camera for the average user that wants dslr quality, but not the dslr complexity, price, or bulk.
Pros: hd video with continuous focus and zoom capability, superb image quality especially in low light, nice heavy/rugged feel, many menu functions comparable to a dslr, great auto features
Cons: limited to lens on camera, you need a lens adapter for a uv/polarizing filter, pricey for a point and shoot
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Astonishing image quality!
on June 11, 2013
Posted by: Flying Scotsman
from Charlotte, NC
Bought this camera used - at an absolutely rock-bottom, dirt-cheap price - directly from an unhappy owner who apparently thought he was getting dSLR image quality and dSLR speed. Well, he was 1/2 right. He shot less than 100 images ... and dumped it. The G1 X images are beyond comparison with anything I've seen in a point-n-shoot camera. But as others have noted, it's NOT at it's best for macro and NOT speed-demon as far as AF. I've done a few "action" shots in MF and that's a noticeable improvement - but this simply IS NOT a sports photographer's dream pocket- camera. It WILL knock out 98-99 percent of the average shooter's "vacation" images and should leave you speechless; the 1080p video almost looks too good to be "amateur". Best point-n-shoot camera I've ever used - understand the limitations of that type of camera! - and that's all I ever hoped for. It has easily exceeded my wildest expectations. (Get a spare battery!)
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: Short battery life, slow af
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
5
Extremely satisfied
on January 19, 2013
Posted by: Anonymous
from Colorado
Do not buy this camera if your emphasis is action sports, or you want to do macro. It is what it is. Learn to set the autofocus correctly and it takes beautiful landscape and portrait shots. It will also do it in lower light than most any other compact. Used properly there is probably not another camera as small and lightweight that will give you the quality shots this camera will give you.
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, excellent image quality, durable, Lightweight/Portable
Cons: not for macro
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
A professional's point and shoot.
on March 8, 2012
Posted by: Rising Sun
from Santa Cruz, CA
This camera is one for an experienced shooter who wants something more portable. This camera is ideal for traveling or any other situation in which you can't or don't want to lug around all of your digital SLR equipment. The optical quality is far from terrible. 14 megapixles is definitely enough for something you can carry around in a coat pocket. I also love the fact that you can shoot 14-bit RAW files. This camera could also be swell for someone who is still hesitant to spend the money on a good dSlr. The hybrid IS works well, and works great when shooting full HD movies. The feel of this camera reminds me of what I am always shooting with and is not hard to transition from this to my 5D mk ii. If you have the money and want something to carry around, this is the camera for you.
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com
Customer Rating
4
Fantastic Photos From The G1-X Outweigh Any Limits
on April 3, 2012
Posted by: DJPeebZ
from Montclair, NJ
The Canon G1-X is an incredibly capable camera that takes breathtaking photos primarily due to its highly touted 14.1 megapixel CMOS sensor. Keeping it simple, here are the main points you should definitely consider before buying the G1-X:
PROS: 1) The pictures are for the price and size of camera, simply the best. For less money and with greater portability than a DSLR, the picture quality of the G1-X is simply stunning.
2) Incredible lowlight results up to ISO 12800.
3) Rich feature set with extremely versatile controls and highly customizable shooting settings.
CONS: 1) No Macro to speak of (7.8" min.), which I can live with by using my backup camera for super macros.
2) Sluggish Autofocus. OK, this one started to annoy me until I took a close look at my photos and was so taken by the quality that I easily adapted to the AF's idiosyncrasies. The picture quality is that good!
3) Unusable Optical Viewfinder is a non-issue for me as I've never really used one anyway. However, I do get that for some people a full coverage optical viewfinder is an absolute necessity.
4) Portability - I can't carry the camera in my front pants pocket - oh well, tough, it's time to shoot pictures with the big boys! In situations where portability is paramount, I use my backup.
5) A Non-Standard 45mm diameter lens has left me scratching my head! Seriously, Canon?? It's insulting as this means that there is currently not a single UV lens filter available for the G1-X. Unbelievable, yet only an annoyance and, therefore, minor in the grand scheme of things.
The bottom-line is that if any of these limitations are true deal-breakers for you, then do not purchase the G1-X. If, however, picture quality weighs heavily in your camera purchase process (and the price tag doesn't scare you), then the G1-X is for you and you will not be disappointed.
As far as I'm concerned and considering everything I wanted from a new camera, I know for sure that the G1-X was the ideal choice for me.
Pros: pictures quality is superior, incredible lowlight results up to iso 12800, rich feature set with extremely versatile controls
Cons: no macro to speak of (7.8" min.), sluggish autofocus at times, unusable optical viewfinder, non-standard 45mm diameter lens
I would recommend this to a friend!
Written by a customer while visiting usa.canon.com