Canon G1X !

[An drew]

This looks awesome !!!

Preview: Canon PowerShot G1X large sensor zoom compact: Digital Photography Review

And why its a significant departure from the "G" range of years past :

First Look: Canon PowerShot G1 X from Adorama Learning Center

Except for the wide end, this will make a really good "carry around everywhere" camera !! :lovegrin:

Awesome indeed!

The preview is here:
Canon PowerShot G1 X Preview: 1. Introduction: Digital Photography Review

Does anyone think this camera would be suitable for underwater?

 

[Anson]

Why does Canon want to build such a long zoom lens into its flagship non-interchangeable-lens camera? They should have stuck to a 24-70mm f/2.8 equivalent. As a Canon shooter, I find the Fuji X-Pro1 much more interesting that this G1X. Sigh.

With a sensor that size, a 24-70F2.8 (eq) lens would not fit into your pocket..

 

[nathaniel]

In what way was a contrast detection AF inferior to a phase detection AF? In the past, reports and test has it that contrast detection AF is slower than the phase detection AF, but Olympus/ Panasonic seemed to have solve this problem and is very very fast and accurate too. With modern technology and electronic breakthrough, I do not think contrast detection AF is anything lesser.

Not always true. EP3 use contrast detection AF, pair with 12mm, the AF is faster than Canon 7D + kit lens or with 50mm f1.8mm.

okay this is new to me.

 

[cichlid]

I think this point and shoot cam is finally the one that users can actually use the manual/aperture/shutter priority functions due to the sensor size and big aperture.

At the longest end and with the biggest aperture used, I think one can take portrait with some bokeh.

 

[doodah]

The sensor MAY be better than the one in the 7D/60D/600D. Not a surprise since this is the latest from Canon.

Curious how the small aperture at the tele end + large sensor stand up against other compact cameras with large apertures but small sensors (like Oly XZ-1, Fuji X10). Will wait for reviews on this one..

 

[CanonEOS]

Hmmm there is an underwater casing which is optional

 

[engrmariano]

only 28mm f/2.8 eq. why not 24mm f/2? :thumbsd:
large sensor, larger than 4/3. :thumbsup::thumbsup:

 

[powergoo]

hope it comes in retro silver....

 

[grantyale]

it's 28/5 eq.

 

[rhema83]

With a sensor that size, a 24-70F2.8 (eq) lens would not fit into your pocket..

You're right. Such a lens will be barely smaller than a 17-55 f/2.8. Which is huge compared to the size of a G-series camera (even if it's one on steroids).

 

[alwaysbadboy]

Canon is thinking about his mirror less DSLR .....just compare spec this G1X is better than panasonic GX1 liao
if canon got a mirror less DSLR and using the same mount with traditional DSLR....it will kill his 3-digi entry-level DSLR

 

[gundamseed84]

Canon is thinking about his mirror less DSLR .....just compare spec this G1X is better than panasonic GX1 liao
if canon got a mirror less DSLR and using the same mount with traditional DSLR....it will kill his 3-digi entry-level DSLR

Not necessarily....I am user of 500D yet I never thought of going into mirrorless...is because I prefer optical viewfinder. Latest mirrorless can have better specs but as if xxxD series cannot function well...however to me it is worse not being able to compose properly because EVF is just not to my taste.

But you might be right since there is a portion of entry DSLR users who know nuts about the differences in different system. They just see specs sheet and follow religiously to it.

 

[Anson]

If you were to compare the price and size of 600D + 18-70 F2.8-4 with G1X... not much diff

 

[theITguy]

Con job from Canon. Pay double to get better iso from a G12. Users better off with a S100 and DSLR.

 

[theITguy]

Canon is thinking about his mirror less DSLR .....just compare spec this G1X is better than panasonic GX1 liao
if canon got a mirror less DSLR and using the same mount with traditional DSLR....it will kill his 3-digi entry-level DSLR

This product is the result of a reaction by Canon. This would not sell. Too expensive for a compact, not classic like a X100, unlikely to have the quality of a prime like X100. Cannot change lens like a GX1. Not cute like a GF3, V1 or EPM1.

 

[doodah]

Con job from Canon. Pay double to get better iso from a G12. Users better off with a S100 and DSLR.

Well if the Canon G1X with its 28-112 f/2.8-5.8 lens (US$800) is considered a con job, then Panasonic's GX1 + 14-42 f/3.5-5.6 lens (US$950) must be daylight robbery. The latter is likely to have worse image quality, lacks a viewfinder (both optical and electronic), lacks articulating LCD and has shorter focal length range. With the cheaper G1X, Canon has, in one clean swoop, killed off the MILC competition from Panasonic, Sony and Nikon.

Now, let's see what Canon has to offer to this crowded MILC market in 2012.

 

[doodah]

This product is the result of a reaction by Canon. This would not sell. Too expensive for a compact, not classic like a X100, unlikely to have the quality of a prime like X100. Cannot change lens like a GX1. Not cute like a GF3, V1 or EPM1.

Zoom lenses can easily compete against prime lenses these days. Besides, for the average man on the street, who cares about primes that are fussy and inconvenient to use? As analyzed above, the GX1 + lens is clearly daylight robbery. Nikon V1/J1 is even worse: way over-priced for its puny sensor. Both the GF3 and EPM1 feature seriously out-dated imaging sensor that cannot even compete with ancient entry level offerings like the Nikon D3100 and Canon 1100. The Sony NEX camera bodies are far too small in comparison to the attached lenses.

 

[theITguy]

I think you still do not get it or rather get over it that G1X is a souped up G12. I mean I used excellence Canon stuff like G2, G3 and their SLR. G1X is a business decision to make mirrorless users happy while not cannibalising their DSLR FF and APS-C formats.

1) m43 = 1 system do all in light weight, and when I need to use my old Leica and Zeiss lens, add an adapter

2) NEX = Slim and just like the m43, but with slightly larger lens

3) X Mount = Classic, Emulsion (Velvia, Provia), quality prime shooting for those who likes to slow down.

4) Pentax = Not too sure

5) CX = Din see much, but promising stuff, yet not too great.


Just food for thought:

If G1X is really that good, why is it charging lesser than a GX1 with Pancake kit lens? Simply because it cannot change lens. Note, I am not disputing the articulated LCD (which I love on the Canon G3 as well as the Olympus E-3), the large sensor, as well as the really compact size. But looking at the competition, where does this G1X fit in?

a) If I have a DSLR and want something compact, I will bring the Canon S100, Olympus XZ-1, Panasonic LX5.

b) If I am a compact user and want to upgrade, the Canon S100, Olympus XZ-1 and Panasonic LX5 comes into the picture due to pricing.

c) If I am a S100, XZ-1 or LX5 user, what difference does G1X make? Better ISO? Offset by the faster lens on the 3 cameras.

d) If I am buying my first camera, would the GX1 with the creative control scenes be an attraction for all in one? What competitive advantage does the optical viewfinder on G1X offers if I want to be precise? Will you use it more than the LCD to frame? Yes the articulating LCD is an advantage. I will ask myself "do I want to spend SGD1k on such a camera which I may outgrow", "What if I want something longer, wider or more macro"

e) Before one says that zoom lens can easily compete with prime lens, show me a F0.95 zoom, F1.0 zoom, F1.2 zoom, F1.4 zoom, F1.8 zoom and F2.0 zoom, then we will talk. So far only E-system 43 has that F2.0 zoom. So far, among Japanese lens, I only have high regards for E-System 7-14/4.0, 14-35/2.0, 35-100/2.0 and Nikon 14-28 and we are talking about quality zooms. My memory suggests that Canon is doing well in the tele end, with prime tele lens. I have not bring into picture Leica, Carl Zeiss etc.

 

[rhino123]

I have this feeling that the G1X is a test market to see how the public react to such a camera and also a test for the sensor. Well... the reason for this test might be multifolds,

1) Canon is about to release a series of compacts with large sensor. So it is essential to test the market, to see how public reacts and what the public wanted of their camera... and if the price is alright.
2) Canon is about to release a mirrorless interchangeable lens system, so it is essential to test the new sensor in which will be use for the mirrorless system.
3) Canon is about to change her entry level and/or semi-pro level DSLR to using this new sensor which is smaller but supposingly with better performance in ISO as compare to the traditional APS-C sensor that they are using in their XXD and XXXD (also the 7D) DSLR.
4) Canon is plain crazy (I doubt that though).

Or maybe, I think too much

 

[doodah]

If G1X is really that good, why is it charging lesser than a GX1 with Pancake kit lens?

Because Panasonic over-charges? Looking at this latest comparison against the G1X (jpeg and RAW files available) here, one is almost forced to believe that.

But looking at the competition, where does this G1X fit in?

Do not forget Canon has already indicated they are releasing a MILC system this year. So, the G1X caters to one group of buyers in the interim: those who want to buy a relatively compact fixed-lens camera with the best image quality. And the above link testifies they have pulled it off quite well.

Before one says that zoom lens can easily compete with prime lens, show me a F0.95 zoom, F1.0 zoom, F1.2 zoom, F1.4 zoom, F1.8 zoom and F2.0 zoom, then we will talk. So far only E-system 43 has that F2.0 zoom. So far, among Japanese lens, I only have high regards for E-System 7-14/4.0, 14-35/2.0, 35-100/2.0 and Nikon 14-28 and we are talking about quality zooms.

Fast lenses are used when one wants shallow depth of field and/or avoid high ISO. As such, they are good for systems employing smaller sensors such as the 43 and m43 system. But the pitfall is this: they are BIG and HEAVY. The 35-100 f/2 weighs a ton and costs a bomb in comparison to 70-200 f/4 lens on FF and this pretty much negates all their advantages.

Coming back to your original point about fixed slow zoom on G1X vs fast prime lens on GX1, it seems you are ignoring the inconvenience of primes. And you are also forgetting the target buyers of G1X cameras don't really care too much about that small optical difference between zoom and prime lenses. How often do most folks print big these days?

My memory suggests that Canon is...

You are obviously a non-Canon user who's really not interested in what they offer; you are only keen on dissing their products indiscriminately.