Is Canon unsure about the G1 X’s Sensor Size?

I have to say that I am really happy to have readers that are curious and aware about what is going on. And I am glad that I am not the only one who sometimes has a glitch when writing about stuff. Ok, I want to tell you a funny story.

Lets first have a look to the following Canon ad that showed up in a newspaper:

Now let’s focus on a detail of the above ad:

It seems that Canon got the difference in size among the G1 X sensor and the 43 sensors a little wrong, or at least the proportions between the two types of sensor. You can easily see that the Canon G1 X sensor looks ways larger than the sensor of the 43s. But then, the always reliable DPreview published a graphic about sensor size comparison that suggest other proportions:

EDIT: they removed the MFT sensor size lines altogether and markeded the Nikon 1 lines as MFT (thanks to potz!)

Indeed, I think DPreview’s graphic gives a more realistic picture about the difference in size. What do you think about?
And, btw, if you want to know more about the Micro Four Thirds systems have a look on my friends homepage 43rumors.com.

EDIT: check our PicDroid (click here) for the latest pics shot with a G1X and uploaded to Flickr.

Canon G1 X price check: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA

Don’t forget to check our eBay live-ticker below for possible G1 X deals.

[shariff]

Noise comparison: G1 X vs G12

The guys at cameralabs.com made a ISO noise comparison using a studio shot. Results are interesting while not really surprising: it is known that Canon’s new toy performs rather well at high ISO settings (yes, I know: you all are aware the G1 X sports a sensor near the size of an APS-C). But we are all curios to see high ISO shots of the G1 X, aren’t we? ;-)
The basic settings for the test is described as follows:

To compare noise levels under real-life conditions I shot this scene with the Canon PowerShot G1 X and its ‘predecessor’, the PowerShot G12 within a few moments of each other using their best quality JPEG settings at each of their ISO sensitivity settings.

Both cameras were set to f4 in Aperture Priority and the lenses adjusted to deliver the same field of view. The ISO sensitivity was set manually, apart from in the final row of crops where the G1 X was set to Handheld Night Scene and the G12 to Low Light mode. Note in the crops below, the G1 X was using its default Standard Noise Reduction setting.

Check the review clicking 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, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. The G1 X is now too. Check these offers with the necessary awareness.

Canon G1 X released worldwide on March 5 2012?

According to informations digphoto.org has received from authorized Canon retailers, the Canon G1 X is expected to ship on March 5th 2012.

This good news, although largely expected by the community. However, it’s cool.

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, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. The G1 X is now too. Check these offers with the necessary awareness.

[via digphoto.org]

More G1 X Sample Pics and Review

You may wonder why I am posting so much sample pics posted in forums. I will tell you. While sample pics shot by professionals (studio samples etc) are a valuable resource to judge a camera’s performance, I am very often curious to see what normal people (i.e. people like you and me) can do with a camera. It often gives me some good hints about what you can obtain from camera in everyday’s use, how well the build-in software performs, and so on.

That’s why I have three more forum posts with G1 X sample pics (at different ISO settings): click here and click here and click here to see them.

There are also a new review for you to check. It is in German (click here), and they have also a fairly large amount of pics, both of the cam itself and sample pics (click here).

Enjoy watching and reading!

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, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. The G1 X is now too. Check these offers with the necessary awareness.

Canon 18-45mm f3.5-5.6 Lens for Mirrorless Camera

The Japanese blog Egami (click here for Google Translation) found a patent by Canon for a 18-45mm f3.5-5.6 lens for APS-C-sized sensors that should fit on mirrorless cameras.

Does that mean that Canon will not deliver a mirrorless system camera or does it mean Canon will soon deliver a true mirrorless system cam?? Is the G1 X Canon’s only answer to the growing mirrorless phenomenon? Let’s hope not!

Some specs:

  • spherical aberration ~0.1mm
  • astigmatism < 0.2
  • wide-angle distortion < 11%
  • chromatic aberration ~0.6μm
[via NC, CR]

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, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA. The G1 X is now too. Check these offers with the necessary awareness.