More G1 X samples and reviews

So, while we are waiting to know what’s going on with the 5DMk2 successor, the G1 X started to hit the shelfs in Asia and US (according to forum posts). Moreover, Canon Asia has the manuals ready for download (click here). Cool!

Having people buying the G1 X means having people that posts pics in forums (click here, and here for ISO 1600 pics). If you prefer a more professional approach, DPreview posted some studio test samples at different ISO settings (click here).

And there are obviously appearing more and more reviews. Let’s start with Cnet’s review (there is also a video) final verdict:

The good: The Canon PowerShot G1 X delivers excellent photo quality and a nice shooting design.
The bad: Two flaws stand out: the camera’s underperforming lens and sluggish shooting speed.
The bottom line: A big camera capable of shooting some lovely photographs, the Canon PowerShot G1 X’s slow lens disappoints given its high price.

Next, Engadget’s review. They write…:

If you demand that an $800 camera contributes to your photography with “extras” like high ISO, interchangeable lenses or exceptional macro prowess, then the G1 X has rivals that are perhaps more worthy of your consideration. However, having used the G1 X heavily for a few days, we can look past its weaknesses — even its underwhleming battery life and uninformative OVF — and admit we’ve become quite attached to it. Our affection has everything to do with the large sensor, fast lens and the overall physicality of the camera — its design, feel, and the accessibility of its controls. If you want a tool for capturing high-impact images, and not necessarily for adding impact to your images, then the G1 X ought to suit you fine.

Another review I want to list can be found at photographyblog.com. They conclude that:

[…] if you want an all-in-one fixed-lens camera that offers a tried and trusted user interface, excellent image quality, full HD video and a versatile screen, the Canon Powershot G1 X is easy to recommend.

Another interesting video is DigitalRev’s hands-on review of the G1 X:

For pre-ordering in the USA check the following links: Amazon US (click here) free shipping, Adorama (click here) free shipping, B&H (click here) free shipping, J&R (click here). Readers from outside the US can start to check the following links to see if pre-ordering is possible: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. The G1 X is now too. Check these offers with the necessary awareness.

 

Canon 5D Mk II vs Sony NEX 5N – Guess the cam looking at the pics

This is a very interesting post by our friend Chris Gampat from thephoblographer.com.

He went to a concert with both cams and shot some pics (click here to read the post). Have a look at the images and guess which cam was used to shot the pics. Chris writes:

Recently at a concert in Brooklyn, I took the Sony NEX 5n and 50mm f1.8 along for a ride. Since I needed my 5D Mk II and 85mm f1.8 that day as well, they just happened to be on me at the time. During the concert, I got curious about their performance against one another and shot the following two photos. Can you discern which is which?

Both images were shot from approximately the same area and I tried to capture essentially the same scene. They were exposed with the same settings and focused on the same spot (ISO 800, 1/100th at f2.) Amazingly, the NEX 5n’s LCD showed me a much better image than the 5D Mk II’s LCD showed me. When brought into Lightroom 4 though, the truth came out: the images looked remarkably similar.

Well I did! Not easy as you may think.
:-)

Images have not been edited or post-processed, except for having been reduced in size.

Canon 5D Mk II: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA 85mm f/1.8 USM: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

 

Canon G1 X still life lab images at different ISO settings

Imaging Resource has published a preview of the Canon G1 X (click here), and some very interesting test shots done in a lab setting (click here). RAW and JPG files are available. For each ISO setting three shots are available, each with a different noise reduction level. IMHO the images with high ISO settings are anything but bad. Check it for yourself: these are the direct links to the images with noise reduction level 2:

ISO 100 JPG (click here) – ISO 100 RAW (click here)
ISO 200 JPG (click here) – ISO 200 RAW (click here)
ISO 400 JPG (click here) – ISO 400 RAW (click here)
ISO 800 JPG (click here) – ISO 800 RAW (click here)
ISO 1600 JPG (click here) – ISO 1600 RAW (click here) 
ISO 3200 JPG (click here) – ISO 3200 RAW (click here)
ISO 6400 JPG (click here) – ISO 6400 RAW (click here)
ISO 12800 JPG (click here) – ISO 12800 RAW (click here)

For pre-ordering in the USA check the following links: Amazon US (click here) free shipping, Adorama (click here) free shipping, B&H (click here) free shipping, J&R (click here).
Readers from outside the US can start to check the following links to see if pre-ordering is possible: B&H Photo, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

 

 

 

 

Another Canon G1 X review

The guys over at digitalversus.com have tested the Canon G1 X (click here). The review comes with images at different ISO settings, and with comparisons with other cameras. According to Canon UK the G1 X should be on sale in February (they have also a nice promo-video on their page).

The final verdict is:

Pluses:
Picture quality up to 3200 ISO
Swivel LCD
Good-quality 4x zoom lens
Burst mode 5.4 fps for 6 frames
RAW mode (14 bits)

Minuses:

P mode isn’t fully adjustable
OVF could be more accurate and more comfortable
Screen poorly calibrated (inaccurate colours etc.)
Too slow to start up
1080 video at 24 fps only
Disappointing macro mode

You can pre-order the Canon G1 X, check the following links:

 

DxOmarked: Canon G1 X

The people at DxOMark has tested the Canon G1 X (click here).

The camera gets an overall score of 60. As usual we anticipate the final verdict:

  • You have a reflex-quality sensor in camera of the same volume as a G11.
  • You can use this camera even under relatively difficult conditions.
  • If you’re an amateur photographer, this camera can satisfy pretty much all of your needs (especially if you want to take great family photos, for example). If you’re a professional photographer, this can be a good backup camera.
Check the following links to pre-order the G1 X: