Photography has long been one of my passions and I had until recently a considerable arsenal of various cameras and lenses. More recently, however, I found myself increasingly going to give a compact camera against a SLR preference, if I was traveling. It's just free, if you do not have to lug around with the dimensions and weight of a large camera with Objetiv (s).
For this reason, I used very often, the Nikon Coolpix P7100. Even though this model provided a fairly good conditions for their image quality, the qualitative difference to the SLR in the image but results in hindsight was always a bit annoying.
Housing quality and feel:
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The Canon PowerShot G1X is similarly compact as the Nikon P7100 in the dimensions. It is an excellent workmanship and gives an excellent feel. It feels sturdy and high quality, fits comfortably in your hand. The design I find extremely easy to find. The areas covered by their focal length range I find sufficient for most situations. Due to their relatively high resolution the G1X has enough reserves for high-quality enlargements, one of the maximum zoom range should not meet again.
Technology, image quality and functionality:
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But now to the most important, the picture quality! Through its nearly APS-C sensor and the great quality, exactly matched to the camera lens it is moving at the level of a professional SLR with professional lens !!! The image results are usually better than my Nikon D7000 with 16-85er Nikkor lens.
Because I take it gladly accept that I have to live with severe macro capability, and shutter lag is slightly higher. It may be that the G1X does not focus quickly, but she does it but thoroughly and focussing errors not find handy place.
While I usually always take pictures in RAW format, can I achieve with the Canon G1X even in JPEG mode image results that are almost perfect. And even the automatic mode is to use with this camera, as my wife was able to determine excited.
The camera is very suitable also for highlighting and creates a pleasant background blur, if desired. Of course, here an SLR with appropriate lens has even more opportunities, but basically it is just possible with the G1X.
The exposure has here very well implemented, corrections are only rarely necessary, as opposed to my cameras made by Nikon Canon.
Of course criticisms:
- Tripping delay
- Macro capabilities
- Battery life (without backup battery goes nothing here)
- The lack of multi-disk locking before the front lens
- Annoying feature exclusions in conjunction with RAW
Conclusion:
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Despite some criticisms, I am thrilled by this camera! In the sum of its properties and especially because of the superior image quality, it is the perfect compact camera for my needs! She has the Nikon P7100 and my D-SLR and lens replaces Park.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that there will be a G2X after Canon has now also launched a mirrorless system camera. An alternative is to Sony RX100, which also offers a larger sensor and is actually pocket fit. In return for the Sony G1X can but on the part of picture quality not keep up with SLRs, but provides all other compact competition to shame.
It is to be welcomed in any case very pleased that there is now also in the compact class cameras with large sensors that enable a significant increase in the image results.