Positive
The camera has the best market-wide exemption potential among compact cameras (except for maximum aperture in macro position) with a very good built-in zoom lens with very good edge performance. In addition, Canon has 9 blades has built into the lens. If you look closely, the bokeh effect rounder than at a RX100 II. All factors have a very positive effect on the image of, especially in portrait. This look can be achieved with any other compact with built-in zoom.
Why so outstanding find the combination of relatively large sensor and the lens?
To make a comparison, I brought 2 other lenses (Nikon DX 16-85mm and RX100II) first on the same level, ie, the focal lengths and the visual effect (not the intensity) on KB (full frame) Convert.
Multiply the focal length or aperture with crop factor gives:
At Canon G1X II: 24mm - 120mm 1: 3.8 to 7.5
With Sony RX100 II: 28mm - 100mm 1: 4.8 to 13.2
With Nikon 16-85mm DX: 24mm - 127mm 1: 5.2 to 8.4
In other words, and the same bill I would following lens / camera will need in the common sensor formats combination, to get to Canon level:
When a DX or APS-C camera (eg: Fuji X-E1, Nikon D5200) a lens with 16mm-80mm 1: 2.5-5
With a Micro Four Thirds camera (eg Olympus OMD EM5, Panasonic GH4) a lens with 12mm-60mm 1: 1.9 to 3.7
With a 1 inch camera (eg Nikon 1, Sony RX100 II) a lens with 9mm-44mm 1: 1.4-2.8
It should be understood that there simply are no such cameras or such universal lenses on the market. Here Canon is unrivaled. And with a compact camera.
Interesting in connection with the very good free position potential minimum is also the focal distance (here, the comparison with the RX100 II):
G1X II * || RX100 II *
at 24mm 3.2cm
at 28mm 7,8cm 4,5cm ||
at 35mm 16,1cm || 18.7cm
at 50mm 32,3cm 39cm ||
at 70mm 34,2cm 41,5cm ||
at 85mm 34,2cm 46,1cm ||
at 100mm 34,2cm 46,1cm ||
at 120mm 34,2cm
* Distance measured between the focal plane and lens anterior border in daylight
At what focal length I can with what aperture photograph (Again, the comparison with the RX100 II):
Aperture comparison G1X II (FX *) || RX100 II (FX *)
Min. Shutter at 24mm 2 (3.8)
Min. Aperture 2.8 at 28mm (5.4) || 1.8 (4.8)
Min. Aperture 3.2 at 35mm (6.1) || 2.8 (7.5)
Min. Aperture 3.5 at 50mm (6.7) || 3.2 (8.6)
Min. Aperture 3.5 at 70mm (6.7) || 4 (10.8)
Min. Aperture 3.9 at 85mm (7.5) || 4.5 (12.1)
Min.Blende at 100mm 3.9 (7.5) || 4.9 (13.2)
Min.Blende at 120mm 3.9 (7.5)
FX * = values converted to full format (crop factor * focal length or aperture)
Even with the reaction time, the Canon beats good (Again, the comparison with the RX100 II):
Compare A Time / POWER OFF G1X II || RX100 II
A (from when photo mgl.) 2,3sek. || 2,8sek.
Made entirely of 1,4sek. || 1,9sek.
Zoom Travelling by GES.
Focal length range 1.0s. || 1,9sek.
Canon, it also creates more of the "real" (have the D800E as an object of comparison) to arrive KB equivalent telephoto focal lengths as for example: a Sony RX100 II (I own also). Especially it is visible at close range, 1m-3m away from the focal point, right there I need personally as possible "real" KB Tele Services to obtain an exemption effect.
Although the manufacturer's instructions for the KB-equivalent focal lengths apply to infinity (also this information you will not find), but nowhere officially or at renowned test pages is drawn to the partially enormous aberration at telephoto focal lengths at close range.
Does Sony RX100 II, the focal lengths correspond to the telephoto end (eg 100mm) by no means the effect of the image on 100mm KB format, but considerably less. That also tells no seller. Compare pictures for Canon I will set in the gallery. Here Canon scores significantly. For lenses in the infinity position, the differences are marginal.
Very good I liked also the liquid, easy to read LCD touch display. Because of the enormous potential exemption can be nice games operate with the screen layout.
The built-IS is also outstanding. Have freehand with 1/8 and 120mm photographed with acceptable results. With my RX100 II I create a maximum of 1/20 sec from the hand. I can with the G1X II with ISO2500 - ISO3200 make pictures while I have to snap at Sony with ISO6400. A significant difference, and thus an ideal companion for night city trips without a tripod. In the picture gallery I have set a good example for the practical use of the light intensity + IS.
Of course, many voices argue against GX1ii with poor results in the dynamics (see also the bad sensor test results on DxOMark). This I will not doubt. From personal, practical experience (D800E) I know that at normal exposure photos of this difference is smaller than many people think :).
Negatives
The optional viewfinder (See my 2 * Amazon review for "Canon 9555B001 EVF-DC1 external viewfinder black") is meant nice but unusable for me in practice. Keyword "1 seconds switching time LCD => EVF => LCD"
AF in low light. The AF in low light, I find just as quickly, such as in the Sony RX 100 II. The major difference, while Sony's AF still works, the AF works with Canon mostly. If the AF failed, it is permanent, even after 20 successive attempts of the AF frame is not green, but is yellow. The AF just does not work, the camera does not focus. A pragmatic trick helps: focus field in the camera minimally to the left / right / up / move down (or have minimal moved in advance). The AF meets again as well as Sony. The error only occurs when the focus on the center AF field. In automatic mode, no problem. Of course I can not speak for all representative G1X 2er. An example image for the above situation I have set in the Picture Gallery.
Maximum aperture (F2.0) in the macro position is not available. Except you want to use them as a blur. Acceptable image quality possible from Aperture 2.8.
The video quality is compared to eg Sony RX100 II visibly worse and not as liquid (which may be due to the 30fps vs. 50fps).
Once I switch to RAW + JPEG, I can, for example: make no contrast correction or Select My Colors. The JPEG configuration selection is severely curtailed.
The menu does not remember my last position. Said, I have for example the IS off the menu, and will turn it on again, I am forced again scroll through all the menu items until I land adjustment in IS.
Expensive
