Reviews Home /
Consumer & Home Office Reviews /
PowerShot Cameras Reviews /
PowerShot G Series Reviews
Binoculars(35)
Calculators(11)
Camcorders(818)
Copiers & Fax(199)
EOS Cameras(5,507)
PowerShot Cameras(5,856)
Other PowerShot(1,929)
PowerShot A Series(1,158)
PowerShot D-Series(170)
PowerShot G Series(507)
PowerShot S Series(392)
PowerShot SD/ELPH Series(1,633)
Printers & Multifunction(5,051)
Scanners(485)
Shop Now At Canon
Shop PowerShot G Series or
Choose a Category
Top-Rated Products
Customer Reviews for PowerShot G1 X
PowerShot G1 X
Canon 1.5-inch, 14.3 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor
14-Bit RAW + JPEG
1080p Full HD Video
Average Customer Rating:
(35 Reviews) 35
Rating Snapshot (35 reviews)
5 stars
17
4 stars
9
3 stars
5
2 stars
4
1 star
0
27 out of 35(77%)reviewers would recommend this product to a friend.
Customer Reviews for PowerShot G1 X
Review 1 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Javier
Location: Miami, FL
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Battery Life
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:April 1, 2013
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: Short battery life
I have owned the camera for sometime now. I shoots beautiful pictures. The only drawback I've experienced is battery life. If I shoot with no flash, one full battery could last for over 24 hours, but battery life is much shorter with flash. I encourage Canon to solve this by maybe a firmware update. Thanks for reading this review.
15 of 16 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 2 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: rapopper
Location: Venezuela
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
excelent camera
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:February 2, 2013
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, excellent image quality, Lightweight/Portable
i have this camera for 6 monrhs and what it does is excelent,however if you are for macro or fast camera look another camera.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 3 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Anonymous
Location: Colorado
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Product replacement: No
Extremely satisfied
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 19, 2013
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, excellent image quality, durable, Lightweight/Portable
Cons: not for macro
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.
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.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 4 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Duvall
Location: Apopka Florida
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Sports
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Doesn't live up to the Canon name
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
2
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:January 13, 2013
Pros: Nice features/settings, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu, easy to use
Cons: has trouble with focusing inside of 10ft
Well I purchased this camera to take to Hawaii while my daughter got married to do some underwater shots. I have been using Canon cameras sense the tx and Ftb came out. This camera does not have any micro capiblity at all. I shot for three weeks everyday underwater. Half my images were out of focus that right half. I was so bumbed. As well as embarrised that I purchased it.
I guess I can join the club of other G1X owner who are dyeing for it to be fixed via software updates.
I guess I can join the club of other G1X owner who are dyeing for it to be fixed via software updates.
8 of 21 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 5 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Scorpio69er
Location: Hawaii
Used this product for: 6 to 12 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Travel
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
Superb IQ in a rugged small camera
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:January 12, 2013
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, excellent image quality, durable, Lightweight/Portable, easy to use
Cons: slow auto focus, need to buy filter adapter
I have yet to see anything from this camera other than sterling image quality, assuming one observes the basic rules of photography. Anyone should be able to shoot fantastic pix with this in full auto mode, yet there are numerous manual settings available. Those wanting to stick a camera an inch away from a flower or bug should look elsewhere, as should those whose main thing is shooting fast moving action. But for any other shots (i.e., 99% of photography), this is simply unbeatable. Superb low light shots, especially. Oh, and shooting very nice 1080p movies is a snap.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 6 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Dave
Location: MD
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
2
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:October 24, 2012
Pros: excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD
Cons: slow hunts for focus, lag
This camera is so slow, it takes all the enjoyment out of photography, and its macro for all reality does not exsist.
I find it funny the other write that said come on its not a dslr its not going to be fast. Let me tell you most ALL point and shots beat this camera and for a lot less. It's lag and hunting for focus takes all the fun away from actually taking the pictures.
Not sure what guys around a board table approved this camera but someone really needs to be held accountable.
Does it take good pictures....Yes, but the mind blowing slowness of this camera and for the price point make it a Do Not Buy.
75 of 82 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 7 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: StacyJ808
Location: Big Island, Hawaii
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Love it, but Macro focal length needs attention
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:October 17, 2012
Pros: excellent image quality, durable, Lightweight/Portable, easy to use, manual white balance gives nice underwater color
Cons: Short battery life, inadequate macro focal point, focus locks on a subject but focuses elsewhere
I bought this camera mainly to be my underwater camera. I am just getting started as a scuba diver. I do have previous canon dslr experience but this was my first purchase of this type of camera. It was recommended to me by the local camera shop because of it's amazing picture quality.
I do LOVE the picture quality but after taking it on about 30 dives I have to say that I couldn't agree more with the comments about the disappointment in the macro focus range. I need to be able to get MUCH closer to my subject than this macro allows me.
I have also ocassionally been disappointed with the focus lock out of the water. I have locked it full-on the subject I am trying to take a picture of and when I look at the picture, it has focused on something further out that my subject -- and that's with my subject 4+ feet away, so it's not a macro photo?
So far, I think I love everything else about the camera. The instructor of my underwater digital photography course yesterday was very surprised at the flaw in the macro. (She has and loves her G10) She recommended that I go to Canon about it because it is unacceptable for a dive camera.
She also commented that Canon is fantastic about fixing things via firmware.
I am hoping Canon is listening to these requests and that my G1X is about to the everything I wanted in a dive camera in this price point.
I do LOVE the picture quality but after taking it on about 30 dives I have to say that I couldn't agree more with the comments about the disappointment in the macro focus range. I need to be able to get MUCH closer to my subject than this macro allows me.
I have also ocassionally been disappointed with the focus lock out of the water. I have locked it full-on the subject I am trying to take a picture of and when I look at the picture, it has focused on something further out that my subject -- and that's with my subject 4+ feet away, so it's not a macro photo?
So far, I think I love everything else about the camera. The instructor of my underwater digital photography course yesterday was very surprised at the flaw in the macro. (She has and loves her G10) She recommended that I go to Canon about it because it is unacceptable for a dive camera.
She also commented that Canon is fantastic about fixing things via firmware.
I am hoping Canon is listening to these requests and that my G1X is about to the everything I wanted in a dive camera in this price point.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 8 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Daryl
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: Less than 1 year
Product replacement: No
Fun Camera, small enough to use all day.
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:September 16, 2012
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu
I have owned the camera for a couple of days and I really enjoy it. It takes great pictures day or night. The only problem I have had is the learning curve with all the menus and buttons. The manual provided on the CD is almost worthless. When you need to figure out something there is not always a computer around to read the manual. I bought a very nice book at he bookstore which helped a lot. This camera has a great lens and sensor combination but the focusing could be easier.
The filter lens hood accessories need improvement. Taking them on and off and storing the lens ring is not convenient.
The filter lens hood accessories need improvement. Taking them on and off and storing the lens ring is not convenient.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 9 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: RobW
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Used this product for: 3 to 6 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Travel
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
High quality non-DSLR
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 24, 2012
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, Simple controls/menu
My G1X is second camera (to 7D), replacing my G10, which in turn replaced G7.
Image quality is outstanding. On a 10-day trip recently with both 7D and G1X I, much to my surprise, found the choice between images from each camera surprisingly difficult. Very low noise and excellent color performance.
I can understand some of the comments re start-up time and focus performance is slightly below what I would have hoped, but for me these are minor compromises in the performance of an excellent camera.
Don't really understand review comments re battery performance, as I've not been able to stress it so far, and I'm a self-confessed hog who then has to spend far too many hours sorting through the results.
VIdeo performance is stunning. I loaned my wife the camera to try HD Video while i was using the 7D to capture stills, while our daughters were zip lining in rainforest area. Results were impressive, with the video image quality and stabilization outstanding.
Very flexible camera in a small package and a very worthwhile upgrade from the G10. I see a few niggles reported, and a few I agree with, though I'd certainly buy it again as-is. Of course, if Canon are able to deal with them via firmware in the same way as the firmware upgrade about to be released for my 7D, then I'll be a delighted owner indeed!
42 of 43 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 10 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Surprised User
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Mostly used for: Family & Friends
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: No
Spectacular Photo Quality
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 21, 2012
Pros: good battery life, excellent image quality, durable, great 'grab and go' camera
It's all a matter of perspective - the G11 or G12 and all point and shoot users for that matter have to be just ecstatic with this camera. Come on boys and girls this is not advertised to be the fastest burst rate DSLR camera out there! But if you want a solid camera that you can take to the next family picnic or downtown street festival this is the best camera for the job. It’s small and light enough to carry around all day and oh my gosh does it take great pictures (and video for that matter). Is it going to replace my DSLR, no. But, I didn’t expect it to either. For me Canon hit a sweet spot for my casual, grab a camera and go needs! Love this G1X !!
14 of 18 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 11 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: MikeO
Location: Fairfax VA
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Mostly used for: Travel
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: No
Too bad
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
1
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
4
out of
5
Satisfaction
2
out of
5
Date:July 16, 2012
Pros: Bright LCD, Lightweight/Portable, easy to use
Cons: Missing features/settings, Short battery life, slow
Well, I'm sorry to say that this product has really left me wondering what's up at Canon... The image quality is good enough at lower ISOs --- BUT the camera response to menu commands, button clicks, multiple shutter exposures is soooooo slow it reminds you of the early digital cameras.. Certainly not what you would expect. Buy a G12 while they're still available. I love my Canon equipment BUT I'm going to have to find another home for this one soon. Sorry, but this one is just not worth the money and has really surprised me with its slow performance.
28 of 36 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 12 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: BobbyD
Location: NY,NY
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Better Than Ever
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:July 5, 2012
Pros: good battery life, Good Low-Light Performance, Nice features/settings, excellent image quality, Lightweight/Portable
Cons: 'film' button in the way
I've been using a T1i, T3i and a G10 as a back-up and for those "you can't use those camera's here" and for everyday catch'em shots. I fell in love when I saw and felt the G1x. It just feels right, well all except the film button almost under my right thumb! Is there any way to reprogram or deactivate it?
Otherwise I love this camera. The raw exposures are a little dark but have lots of 'meat' on them and are easy revised to meet my needs or expectation. It is also my 'go to' camera for vacationing and those not to be missed photos of the grand-kids!
Otherwise I love this camera. The raw exposures are a little dark but have lots of 'meat' on them and are easy revised to meet my needs or expectation. It is also my 'go to' camera for vacationing and those not to be missed photos of the grand-kids!
6 of 9 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 13 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: BRSac
Location: Sacramento CA
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Travel
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
A Flawed Gem
Overall Rating
Features
3
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
3
out of
5
Date:July 2, 2012
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, excellent image quality, Bright LCD, Simple controls/menu
Cons: Short battery life
This G1X replaced my G10. Moving up from a G10 (or similar) is easy; most of the controls, menus, and characteristics are unchanged.
The G1X creates noticeably better images, with less noise, than the G10 and so is a success in that regard. G1X images, at lower ISO settings, rival those from my DSLR.
However, the G1X performs no better, and in some ways worse, than the G10. Start up time, focus, and continuous shooting are all slow. This is not a camera to capture motion or fleeting moments. Nor is it a camera for macro photography; the macro range is pretty much useless.
The optical viewfinder, never a strong point on the G series, is now nearly worthless because the lens barrel appears in the viewfinder on wide angle shots, hiding whatever lies beyond.
The optional lens hood and filter holder are both disappointments. Their quality is mediocre, especially at their price.
The battery got smaller (while the camera got bigger), so I need to carry a spare for a full day of shooting.
I honestly think Canon rushed the G1X to market for reasons unknown. At this price it could and should be a better camera. In the future I would like to see:
Lens zooming by twisting the lens barrel. (The barrel is always out there, anyway. Why not put that lovely knurled barrel to good use? )
A good Electronic View Finder to replace the abysmal optical viewfinder.
Performance to match entry-level DSLRs.
A lens hood, and a way to mount filters, included as standard equipment.
43 of 47 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 14 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Anonymous
Location: Vail, AZ
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Mostly used for: Landscape/Nature
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
So close...
Overall Rating
Features
4
out of
5
Performance
4
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:May 22, 2012
Pros: Good Low-Light Performance, excellent image quality, durable, Bright LCD
Cons: poor macro performance
I really thought this camera would be the answer to my quest for a high-end DSLR alternative, and Canon got close, but there are several frustrations with this beast. The most alarming issue is paltry macro performance. One needs so much distance to allow focus as to be a cruel joke. The autofocus leaves much to be desired as well, and is constantly hunting whilst staring at relatively stable scenes, like the Grand Canyon. Seriously!
On the plus side, build quality is excellent, and that large sensor does make for exquisite photos assuming your focus hunts you to the right place.
22 of 26 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 15 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Jay B.
Location: Virginia
Used this product for: 1 to 3 months
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Excellent as Designed; Not for Everyone...
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 24, 2012
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!
---
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!
40 of 40 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 16 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Doc
Location: Ct.
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Professional or Expert
Canon Enthusiast: 1 to 5 years
Product replacement: Yes
outstanding product
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
4
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 13, 2012
Pros: size, picture quality, ease of handling
Cons: needs a longer zoom
Having been a serious photographer for over 50 years the G1X fills almost all of my current needs elegantly. Starting with a G9 and then a G11 and now the G1X I don't miss the various "serious" cameras that I distributed to my Grandchildren at all. This latest iteration is a quality instrument which does what it was designed to do well.While there are no perfect cameras the G1X will do till there is one.
14 of 15 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 17 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Canon Camera Fan
Location: Miami, FL
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Hobbyist/Enthusiast
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
Product replacement: Yes
Canon now got a BIG G+
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 13, 2012
Well job Canon. I just bought the G1X. so far it is perfect, excellent pictures, good resolution. I like something many complaint about: its size, I like feeling something strong in my hands or my neck when carring it.
Congratulations Canon, keep going to the G2X
Congratulations Canon, keep going to the G2X
4 of 5 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 18 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: OK Photo Girl
Location: NE Oklahoma
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 11 to 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
5
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
5
out of
5
Date:April 11, 2012
I normally shoot a DSLR, either a Canon 5D Mark II or a Canon 7D depending on what I'm shooting, but I also like to have a more compact camera for those times that carrying a bunch of heavy gear just doesn't work. For me, the G1X fits that bill to a T.
As other reviewers have noted, this is not a sports or other action camera. I don't know of a compact camera that is. I use my 7D for that. And, it's true that without a filter adapter and a close-up lens, the "macro" capabilities aren't the best. Since the filter adapter isn't in stock yet, I haven't been able to test that combination. But I do a lot of close-up and true macro with my 5D Mark II and with the image quality that I'm getting with the G1X, I'm betting the close-up lens will produce some really nice shots.
Yes, there are other compact cameras that will focus closer without an adapter & close-up lens, including the G12. The G12 is a very nice camera, but since I own one, I can tell you that the image quality (though good for a compact) doesn't even begin to compare to the IQ from the G1X. If you enlarge your shots or if you're a pixel peeper, you will appreciate the difference a large sensor can make (assuming good technique!).
My biggest complaint with both the G1X and the G12 and any other compact I've put my hands on recently, is the way the lens zooms with a lever. A lens with a zoom ring (like the Powershot Pro1 lens) would be a huge plus as it allows the photographer to zoom much more precisely.
That said, image quality is still the most important factor for me. The G1X doesn't quite match the image quality of my DSLR cameras/lenses, but it's close. It's really, really good....definitely the best compact camera I've ever used.
58 of 60 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 19 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Canon Fan
Location: Ridgewood, NJ
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: more than 20 years
Product replacement: Yes
So disappointing
Overall Rating
Features
2
out of
5
Performance
2
out of
5
Price/Value
1
out of
5
Quality
3
out of
5
Satisfaction
1
out of
5
Date:April 5, 2012
I am an avid 20+ year Canon fan who only uses Canon cameras. When the G1X was announced I placed an order with B&H and was so pleased to be one of the first people to get the camera.
After one month of trying the camera I was so disappointed with it I felt I had to return it. Thankfully B&H honored their policy and refunded me fully.
The cons of the camera are to numerous to mention, but here are a few:
Useless optical viewfinder
Useless macro
Very expensive
Lens does not retract fully and to buy a protective filter you have to buy an adapter ring
There is a removable ring around the lens that I am not sure what it does, excepting you have to remove it apparently to be able to mount the close up flash. All very good excepting the macro is useless.
The rear control dial feels flimsy and the front one has limited capacity
I get the feeling Canon rushed out with a beta version and that they should have trailed it further before issuing it.
I continue to have great confidence in Canon and I look forward to when they come out with the G2X!
After one month of trying the camera I was so disappointed with it I felt I had to return it. Thankfully B&H honored their policy and refunded me fully.
The cons of the camera are to numerous to mention, but here are a few:
Useless optical viewfinder
Useless macro
Very expensive
Lens does not retract fully and to buy a protective filter you have to buy an adapter ring
There is a removable ring around the lens that I am not sure what it does, excepting you have to remove it apparently to be able to mount the close up flash. All very good excepting the macro is useless.
The rear control dial feels flimsy and the front one has limited capacity
I get the feeling Canon rushed out with a beta version and that they should have trailed it further before issuing it.
I continue to have great confidence in Canon and I look forward to when they come out with the G2X!
73 of 95 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
Review 20 for PowerShot G1 X
Nickname: Bozphoto
Location: California
Used this product for: Less than 1 month
Expertise Level: Advanced Amateur
Canon Enthusiast: 6 to 10 years
What ive been waiting for - mostly.....
Overall Rating
Features
5
out of
5
Performance
5
out of
5
Price/Value
3
out of
5
Quality
5
out of
5
Satisfaction
4
out of
5
Date:April 4, 2012
Pros: excellent image quality, ability to prieview exposure on lcd in manual mode, tons of features., hdr is nice., lots of manual controls, feels great in your hands.
Cons: expensive filter adapter sold seperately, no close up focus for macro, adapter and close up add on lens unavailable.
Overall this is an amazing camera. Photo quality is amazing with the huge CMOS chip, all the manual controls and knobs make it easy to use, and the flash shoe allows u to add a pro flash. Ill detail all of the features I was impressed with, but for balance Ill lay out the cons real quick.
First they designed the lens with special threads so you have to buy an additional expensive adapter to add filters. To add insult to injury the camera is realeased but the adapter isn't so you can't even buy it as i write this.
Second is the macro. I loved my other Canon point and shoots ability to take great macro shots. This one you cant get too close. Again you can buy the Canon Close up Lens (model 250D) in 58mm but it is not available almost anywhere at this time. This is a 2 element add on that Canon claims will not create abbaration or affect image quality.
I'll address some of the other points I read in other reviews.
Other people address the size as a problem. I don't know what you expect from a camera with optics this good with a chip that large. I think it is great. I would like it to be as small as the g11 or smaller but reality is they packed a lot into this great camera.
The screen is great. Someone said it needs glass in front of it. If your that reckless with your camera, get a protector for 5 bucks.
The viewfinder is what I would expect from a point and shoot. Do people really expect a SLR prism quality on a view camera?
If you have ever had Canon products before it will take you all but an hour to get thru the manual to master 90 percent of the functions (or at least that's how long it took me). If its your first Canon, I agree with the other guy who said to not learn it at the last minute before a trip unless you like to just keep your camera on Auto.
SOME GREAT FEATURES:
The thing I LOVE about Canon high end point and shoots -- In manual mode you get an exposure preview on the LCD screen. I use this all the time. It gives you a very very close estimation of what the final pic is going to look like right on the screen. Once you pop up the flash it doesn't work but you can use it to meter your background with the flash down and then add the flash once you like what you see. For instance you are going to use the pop up as a fill flash against a bright sky, you can use this feature to dial in the clouds and sky color perfectly before you raise the flash.
There are other amazing features that some people may be "Too Proffessional" to use but I think are great like the wink function to trigger the shutter. You and your wife or husband are out and you compose a great shot you want to be in. Set the camera up and simply calmly walk over to your wife and get your pose perfect. Once you are ready, just wink (yes just wink one of your eyes) and the camera detects it and will fire 1 to 5 frames (as you set it) two seconds after the wink.
It has another function where you can select one color in a scene to keep and the rest will be black and white (I know what the advanced photographers reading this are thinking right now -- "i can do that in photoshop"). Of course you can, but it is still a really great feature and can save you time if it comes out well. For instance you are at a wedding and you wand the yellow flowers to pop and the bride to be in black and white. Just show the camera what you want to keep and it will keep the yellow. It will even give you a preview before you click the shot. (this will not work in a busy scene with lots of yellow in the background or foreground but still a neat feature).
Video -- takes 1080p, sorry not a video guy but looks great to me.
HDR mode. For those un familiar with Hight Dynamic Range, it is simply a series of shots (one underexposed, one over exposed and one normal exposure) that is normally combined with software to get details previously impossible in very high-contrast scenes (like a sunny day where lots of shadows are cast by trees or other objects). This camera actually takes the 3 shots for you and combines them automatically and does a GREAT JOB of it in my short test of the feature. I read one guy complain about it not being good, I found the opposite. The problem I find with HDR shots is many of them look so unreal they are no longer photos but a digital creation in my mind. The feature on the camera combines the 3 shots and the scene still looks "believable" in other words looks like a real shot to me which is something I like rather than avoid.
Another feature I enabled is where you take a shot and it shows the preview but in a small box it shows a zoomed in portion of where the camera was focused for the shot so you can examine the detail of your shot on the fly. So camera shake or improper focus stands out and you can retake as needed. The optical image stabalization helps with focus by the way, I almost forgot to mention.
Lots of cool stuff for the newbie photographer like face detection, red eye reduction, fisheye effect, toy camera effect, etc. Stuff I personally will not use but I think a lot of consumers will have fun with these features once they learn how to use them. It even has a wind reduction feature for recording video like a vollyball game with the fam on the beach.
So I love this camera and plan to give it lots of use. It is big but fits in my travel bag nicely. As you can see from above, I am excited about this new camera my only real complaint is that Canon has me locked into spending another 150 bucks to buy an adapter that is not even available yet and a close up lens to take my macro shots which is also not available. Items that could have been included with the camera (at least the adapter).
One suggestion to Canon - on the next model - if you look in the pic you can see there is a nice big high grip ring around the lens. If this could be rotated left and right to control the zoom it would really feel like a pro camera. Instead there is this little cheap plastic piece sticking out from the shutter release button for the motorized zoom. It would really improve the feel of this great camera.
39 of 41 people found this review helpful.
Share this Review:
