Canon PowerShot G5 X review (DPReview)

Powershot G5 X

DPReview posted their exhaustive review about the new Canon PowerShot G5 X, featuring a large 1 inch sensor.

From the conclusion:

The Canon PowerShot G5 X is a stylish, well-built enthusiast compact that in most situations is a pleasure to use. We especially enjoyed its longer-than-average lens, large electronic viewfinder, fully articulating touchscreen LCD, built-in Auto ND filter and numerous customizable control dials. While not best-in-class, Canon’s Wi-Fi implementation is still very good. The G5 X produces photos and Full HD videos that are comparable to its peers (read: the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 series) in most situations. Read the review…

Canon PowerShot G5 X core specs:

  • 20.2MP 1″ High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-2.8 Lens
  • 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Multi-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • ISO 12800 & 5.9 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Manual Control Dials, Star Shooting Mode

Canon PowerShot G5 X B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

powershot g5 x

Canon Powershot G5 X review (Photography Blog)

Powershot G5 X

Photography Blog tested Canon’s new pocket-sized, 1 inch sensor Powershot camera, the Canon PowerShot G5 X.

The Canon PowerShot G5 X is an excellent compact camera for enthusiast photographers, offering a very good built-in viewfinder, a fast lens, a wealth of options for shooting both stills and video, excellent image quality, speedy auto-focusing, intuitive and configurable handling, and solid construction. The 4.2x zoom lens may limit its appeal somewhat, as will the lack of 4K video recording, but for us, the new G5 X is the best-balanced model out of the G3 X, G5 X and G9 X range. Read the review…

The Canon Powershot G5 X sells for $749 (it”s actually $50 off regular price): B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. Key features:

  • 20.2MP 1″ High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-2.8 Lens
  • 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Multi-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • ISO 12800 & 5.9 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Manual Control Dials, Star Shooting Mode

The story behind the PowerShot G5 X, by the men who made it (CPN interview)

Powershot G5 X

The Canon Professional Network posted an interview with the engineers who developed the Canon Powershot G5 X.

The launch of the PowerShot G5 X – with its electronic viewfinder (EVF) plus classic DSLR handling in a compact body – was a significant moment for Canon. In an in-depth interview, CPN discovers the technical challenges faced by the PowerShot development team (below) – Takashi Yoshida, Ryuji Fukute, Kenji Ito, Koki Kitaya, Atsushi Fujita and Yoshikazu Sakagami from the Image Communication Products Operations Department and Yoshihiro Miyazawa from the Design Centre. Together they discuss the technical and design challenges they faced when turning concept into reality. Read the review…

The Canon Powershot G5 X sells for $749 (it”s actually $50 off regular price): B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. Key features:

  • 20.2MP 1″ High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-2.8 Lens
  • 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Multi-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • ISO 12800 & 5.9 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Manual Control Dials, Star Shooting Mode

Canon PowerShot G5 X real-world sample pictures

Powershot G5 X

DPReview posted a gallery with 55 sample photos shot with Canon’s new PowerShot G5 X.

Powershot G5 X key features:

  • 20.2MP 1″ High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
  • DIGIC 6 Image Processor
  • 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-2.8 Lens
  • 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent)
  • 2.36m-Dot Electronic Viewfinder
  • 3.0″ 1.04m-Dot Multi-Angle Touchscreen
  • Full HD 1080p Video Recording at 60 fps
  • Built-In Wi-Fi Connectivity with NFC
  • ISO 12800 & 5.9 fps Continuous Shooting
  • Manual Control Dials, Star Shooting Mode

Canon Powershot G5 X: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

A new Powershot G5 X introductory video by Canon…

Canon Powershot G5 X and Powershot G9 X hands-on, and link to user manuals

Powershot G9 X

Canon Watch reader Al had the chance to quickly try out the new Canon Powershot G5 X and Powershot G9 X. He was also so kind to send me the download links for the user manuals.

Here are Al’s impression:

Canon Powershot G9 X (B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon):

  • Can be almost considered as the S120‘s replacement, except for the touch-only rear control interface which is a BIG issue.  Without the usual RHS control set (cursor/four-way dial) the touch-only operation is really a real problem especially if one has large fingers.  And as usual, touch buttons can be mis-pressed very easily during operation.  Despite the shorter focal zoom length, could’ve otherwise been the perfect Powershot compact P+S had the full RHS control config been retained;
  • In case of touch panel failure, the G9X will be pretty much inoperable at system level.  In fact I’ve witnessed a demo G7X at the same showroom where the touch operation has completely failed (even with the function set to “on”), only to be operative as usual thanks to the RHS rear control set.  Showroom staff has been informed of the matter;
  • NO live histogram display during EV shift unless with specific camera operation.  The first of the high-end Powershot kind that exhibits such issue, which typically appears on other make/models like the Sony RX100/II/III/IV, and some low-end Olympus Stylus compacts.  Adjusting EV via touching the onscreen EV scale results in an EV sub-menu with an enlarged EV scale and +/- touch buttons but nothing else.  Live histo display during EV shift is only possible by adjusting via the frontal lens ring.  IMHO Canon could (and should) follow the steps of Nikon and Ricoh to include an enlarged (and compulsory) histo display during menu-based EV shift operation;

Canon Powershot G5 X (B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon):

  • Nearest replacement to the outgoing G16 except for the shorter zoom focal length (the G16’s tele up to 140mm is much preferred).  Similar controls to previous models.  Smoother EV dial (much better than on the G7X for instance).  Also smooth frontal dial (above camera grip);
  • Relatively dimmer EVF than expected.  Even with brightness level set to 5 (max.) the EVF’s view still feels dim.  Rear touch panel’s brightness settings appear more normal;
  • Weak flash.  Didn’t get to tweak the flash settings, but overall feels a bit weaker than expected.  Apparently no zoom flash feature; (on both cameras as well as older GxX models)
  • Not sure why Canon would default the image aspect ratio to the typical 35mm’s 3:2.  Setting the ratio to the usual 4:3 (as in smaller image sensors up to m43) results in decreased pixel count to 18MP
Powershot g5 x
Powershot G5 X

Canon EOS M10, Powershot G5 X and Powershot G9 X in stock and ready to ship

Eos M20

Canon’s recently announced, new cameras, the EOS M10, Powershot G5 X, and Powershot G9 X, are in stock and ready to ship.

Canon EOS M10 kits – B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Canon Powershot G5 X – B&H Photo | Adorama | Amazon

Canon Powershot G9 X – B&H Photo |  Adorama | Amazon

Canon EOS M10 price & availability check for your country: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

PowerShot G5 X price & availability check for your country: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

PowerShot G9 X price & availability check for your country: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA