In our Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III review, we take a look at something unusual. The PowerShot line of compact cameras is mostly filled with cameras that use the standard sensor sizes in cameras of this class – 1-inch, like the G7 X Mark III, or 1/2.3-inch, like the older IXUS cameras. comes with a double digit price tag.
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III Specifications
• 24MP APS-C CMOS sensor
• 24-72mm f/2.8-5.6 . equivalent zoom lens
• 49-area phase-detection/contrast autofocus system
• 9 fps continuous shooting
• 3-inch, 1040k-dot fully articulating LCD monitor
• Electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and 2,360k dots
• Dimensions 115 x 78 x 51 mm
• Weight 399g
And yet, sitting between them is the G1 X Mark III, standing tall and proud with an APS-C sensor – the kind you get in DSLRs and enthusiast mirrorless cameras – squeezing in. This puts it on par with high-end compacts like the Fujifilm X100V, and it also boasts something the camera doesn’t have, in the form of a zoom lens.
It seems a bit like a camera that can do everything. It definitely costs like one. The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III caused quite a stir when it was released, and even though it’s been around for a few years, it’s still in production and still popular. In fact, we’ve rated it as one of the best compact cameras and best point-and-shoot cameras you can buy.
However, time and technology go on, and although the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III has dropped in price a bit, it’s still quite pricey for a compact camera. Using the Canon G1 X Mark III for the first time at the initial launch event in London, and having spent a lot of time with the camera on walks and occasional travel, I felt it was time to hit the ground up. re-price. See how it fares in 2022 in our Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III review.
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III review: build and handle
The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is actually quite fun to use – more than you might expect from what at first glance looks like a nice compact camera (though of course we know that it’s still a bit of a stretch). much more. bonnet). The LCD screen, a late comer on some cameras, is a real highlight here. It’s a fully articulated type, so it’s useful for video and for shooting from creative angles, and it also integrates well with the camera’s controls.
I absolutely love the touch-and-drag control of the focus it offers, which you can also use when the camera is close to your eyes. Some people prefer a physical selector, which is fair enough, but I think the G1 X Mark III’s control system works really well.
In addition, the camera is equipped with a decent level of weather resistance. Canon describes it as dustproof and “drip-proof”, and it’s sometimes difficult to say exactly what this means in the real world, but I can attest that the G1 X Mark III can get through the rain. and it snowed without any problems. Note though that if you take it out while wearing gloves, you won’t be able to use the touchscreen.
Personally, I’m not a big believer in rating compact cameras for short focal lengths – the zoom length is given to you on the box, so you know what you’re looking at before you buy. Some people find the G1 X Mark III’s 24-72mm zoom range to be limited, but for everyday shooting, I think it’s fine. You can go a little wider, or a little narrower, when you need to, and that’s not enough, you have to move your legs. This is the compromise made to get that big sensor in the body, and there are plenty of superzoom compacts with small sensors if that doesn’t satisfy you.
(Okay, fine, a slightly wider maximum aperture than f/2.8 would be great. We move, though.)
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III review: performance
When it comes to stills, the G1 X Mark III makes a big impression. That APS-C sensor achieves impressive detail and wide dynamic range. Noise is well controlled throughout most of the ISO range, only starting to become a problem around ISO 3200 and only becoming a serious problem until the end at ISO 25,600.
The lens delivers excellent sharpness, even when extended at f/2.8. It’s only when you zoom all the way to the 72mm equivalent and widen at f/5.6 that you’re likely to notice a bit of cloudiness. While this isn’t an action camera, it can achieve a respectable 9fps continuous shooting rate with focus lock, though you’ll probably want to lower it to 7fps/ seconds to take advantage of Canon’s legendary excellent Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus. Canon claims a focus time of just 0.09 seconds is doable, and honestly, I believe it.
Even so, sacrifices had to be made in several places, and unfortunately, one of them was the battery. The NB-13L lithium-ion battery included in the G1 X Mark III is rated for around 200 shots, although you can shoot out 250 shots using the ‘Eco’ mode. Canon has added a feature to soften things up a bit here – you can charge the camera via USB while using it, allowing you to potentially save lives with a small power reserve. There is still a spare battery that will not work.
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III review: video
So no 4K. That’s worth getting out of the way immediately. There’s a lot of people who won’t mind that, but they’ve all skipped this part and went straight to the verdict, so for the rest, let’s take a look at the G1 X Mark’s video capabilities. III.
The Full HD video it captures isn’t exceptional, but it’s perfectly fine, and being able to shoot at frame rates up to 60p will certainly expand its usefulness. I also appreciate the fact that you can use both Advanced Dynamic IS and Dual Pixel CMOS AF in video mode, something not all Canon cameras offer.
It’s not anyone’s choice for a primary video camera. But for quick clips and general-purpose videos, the PowerShot G1 X Mark III does a better job than average.
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III Review: Verdict
The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III was a great camera in 2017 and it’s going to be a great camera in 2022. Pleasantly small and capable of capturing stunning images that surpass the salary of the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III. it, you begin to understand why Canon price it so high, and why people are still willing to pay so close.
While its video features have been outpaced by the march of technology, the G1 X Mark III still delivers amazing performance. Stunning colors, impressive high ISO performance, sharp lenses and deadly precision autofocus all add up to the perfect photography experience and attention is given to things like how it works. The dynamics of the touchscreen interface help you assure you’re using a tool made by people who know what they’re doing.
It’s still pricey, especially for a non-4K camera, and the poor battery life is unfortunately an undeniable hit to it. But you may not care about the first point, and a bit of planning ahead can mitigate the second. So, if it’s within your budget, I can think of several reasons why the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III shouldn’t be taken seriously.
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