Cool memory card deal at B&H (click here): The SanDisk 64GB SDXC Memory Card Ultra Class 10 UHS-I memory card is sold at $48.95 instead of $97.50. Hurry up, it ends tomorrow!
DxO Labs just published the measures for Canon’s Powershot G1 X, and the little cam scores good, very good. DxO Labs’ interpretation of the scores:
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.
Compared to other, similar cameras, the G1 X outperforms almost all of them (overall score is higher in any case) or has a score that can hold up with Canon entry level DSLR’s. Read more after the break.
In an interview with Amateur Photographer, Panasonic UK’s Lumix G product manager Barnaby Sykes said that “Panasonic expects Canon to launch its first CSC in 2012.” There is one more interesting analysis made by Mr. Sykes: “the continued loyalty of many photographers to major camera brands such as Canon, owing to their long photographic heritage, continues to pose a ‘massive challenge’ to Panasonic, despite the firm’s success in the CSC arena.“. In other words: Canon user prefer to wait for Canon to releaser their own mirrorless system instead of jumping the ship by using one of the current mirrorless systems.
And while we are talking about a Canon mirror-less camera (I expect it to be announced at Photokina), have a look at the interview a Canon manager gave to Japanese magazin impressjapan:
I found an interesting post on dpinterface with an in-depth image comparison between Canon’s G1 X and EOS 7D – two players in different leagues. Lets first see the basic tech specs for both cams:
The next chart illustrates the respective sensor sizes:
Definitely gear aimed at different using-scenarios. Another thing to keep in mind is the difference in aspect ratio of the sensors (G1X 4:3, 7D 3:2). The lens used on the EOS 7D was the Canon EF 24-70 mm f2.8L USM. So we have a 14MP sensor against a 18MP one, which is also 27% larger than the one mounted on the Powershot G1 X. The comparison in summa:
Dynamic range: very close
Detail level: 7D clear winner (no wonder: bigger sensor, higher resolution, and – to some matter – an L lens)
High ISO noise: not really comparable since on the 7D noise reduction was disabled, which is not possible on the G1 X (NR set to standard). However, high ISO noise is very good on the G1 X. Would have been better to do this comparison using RAW files.
The conclusion:
The Canon PowerShot G1X actually produces image quality that is very close to that of the Canon EOS 7D; not identical but very similar. The Canon G1X produces photos with, overall, better out-of-the-camera sharpness but less color saturation and slightly less detail, though the difference isn’t really obvious unless you inspect really fine detail as shown in the examples above. Even that can be overcome by shooting in RAW or tweaking the camera’s settings to increase saturation and sharpness.
The PowerShot G1X definitely outperforms other prosumer models and compact cameras of its class thanks to its premium larger-than-average image sensor. If you want a relatively compact (though the camera will not fit in your pants pocket at all!) camera that delivers digital SLR or ILC level image quality without the hassle of something the size of an actual SLR, consider taking a look at the Canon PowerShot G1X.
Hold one, there is more. The same guys did also a comparison between the video modes of the Powershot G1 X and the EOS 7D. The Powershot G1 X comes with 1080 full HD, stereo recording, 24 fps (720p standard HD and VGA give you 30 fps). The EOS 7D comes with 1080 full HD, mono recording, 24 or 30 fps at 1080p. Ok, let’s go with the videos, first the one shot with the Powershot G1X.
Next, the video made with the EOS 7D (1080p at 30fps).
All in all, the Powershot G1 X doesn’t stay that much behind the EOS 7D. Read the post here.
For the time being Canon is the only major brand that still did not jump on the mirrorless bandwagon (at least not for a ILC – Interchangeable Lens Camera). The closest thing to a mirrorless camera that Canon made is the G1 X. Even Nikon did its thing with the Nikon V1. While we are all eagerly waiting for Canon to announce a true mirrorless system camera (and I am almost sure we will see something in September at Photokina 2012), David Riesenberg, a designer, has come up with an interesting mock-up made using CAD-software. D. Riesenberg called its concept AE-D, clearly having in mind Canon’s AE cams of the seventies. In his own words:
Like many others, I too have been waiting for quite a while for Canon to release its mirrorless system. There are speculations and indications that they may very well do so this year, but I personally grew a bit restless. Because of this, I decided to put to paper, or rather to CAD and rendering software, my vision of such camera. After about a month of learning, debating, modeling and rendering, the Canon AE-D came to life.
As you can see in the following pictures, the concept has a old-fashioned looking design that is somewhat resembling the Olympus E-M5 (it seems that retro-style aesthetics paired with up to date technology is the big thing for a lot of people).
David Riesenberg’s thoughts on his concept:
The design is inspired by the classic AE and AE-P which are two of my favorite Canon cameras ever. Simple, iconic, timeless. I couldn’t think of a better basis for a modern mirrorless system.
Some of the main features and the reasoning behind them are:
Full Frame – Might as well be the pinnacle of 35mm. Especially if a new lens mount is required. Future proof.
18.1MP sensor from the 1DX – This camera will not rob sales from the 1DX on form factor alone so it makes sense to use an existing sensor instead of a new one. Plus, it will make an excellent pair to someone with an 1DX.
The next picture shows the same concept without the viewfinder.
D. Riesenberg about the EVF:
Viewfinder – Design wise, I knew from the start that I wanted to incorporate the prism hump of the AE cameras. It is a prominent feature that without it, the context of the design gets somewhat lost. At the same time, it is obviously not a technical requirement in mirrorless cameras so making it detachable while housing the EVF felt like the the optimal combination of form and function. After all, if this is a camera for photographers, a viewfinder, even if electronic, is a must.
There are some considerations to make. Besides competing with the Nikon V1, a Canon mirrorless camera sporting a full-frame sensor would compete with the Leica M9 (which, besides being a $7000 toy, for the time being is the smallest mirrorless full-frame system camera you can get). The other big competitor would be the Fujifilm X Pro1, especially because the interesting price tag and its well known IQ (using an APS-C sensor).
We can only hope that Canon got the message :-). In the meantime you can have a look at the G1 X, the closest thing resembling a ILC (Interchangeable Lens Camera) Canon has made so far. Or you can have a look to the latest images shot with a G1 X that have been uploaded to Flickr (click here). Canon G1 X price check B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA.
Check the following boxes (our eBay live-ticker) for possible deals regarding the cameras mentioned in this post.
EDIT: check our PicDroid (click here) for the latest pics shot with a G1X and uploaded to Flickr.
Since people is getting their hands on Canon’s little new mirror-less (but not yet system) cam, more and more pics show up in forums and the camera is discussed all over the web. Here, for your readingwatching and analyzing pleasure, you have a round-up of reviews, hands-on, and posts of mostly very satisfied new owners. All provide some pics. Lets start with the forum posts:
That’s all for the time being. One last thing: the cam started to show up on top-rated seller shops on ebay, most time with world-wide shipping options (click here). And you can look out for possible dealsin the following box.
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