Canon supersizes G series sensor
With a new model entering the top of its enthusiast compact camera line, Canon introduces the largest sensor available in that market segment.
LAS VEGAS--Slipping in at the top of Canon's enthusiast G line of PowerShots, the G1 X introduces the largest sensor yet for enthusiast compacts with fixed lenses.
I'm really excited by what's happening in the enthusiast compact market; interchangeable-lens cameras seem to have spurred development in the fixed-lens models, presumably as people learn as a side effect of ILC marketing that you don't need a camera the size of a dSLR to get dSLR quality. A lot of people think that Canon's missing out by lagging in its ILC development--and it is. But the G1 addresses a growing part of the market, composed of people who don't really care about changing lenses and just want better photo quality.
That presupposes that the G1 X will deliver better photos than the G12, but it sounds at least like all the pieces for better photo quality are in place. The 1.5-inch sensor isn't quite as large as it sounds, but it's still larger than all but the significantly more expensive, APS-C-size Fujifilm X100. Coupled with the support for 14-bit image data, claimed better noise reduction and white-balance algorithms in the Digic 5 processor, the only wild card is the lens.
First, here's how its specs stack up against the competition (except for the Nikon Coolpix P7100--no room in the chart):
| Canon PowerShot G12 | Canon PowerShot G1 X | Fujifilm FinePix X10 | Fujifilm FinePix X100 | Olympus XZ-1 | Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 | |
| Sensor (effective resolution) | 10-megapixel CCD | 14.3-megapixel CMOS | 12-megapixel EXR CMOS | 12.3-megapixel CMOS | 10-megapixel CCD | 10-megapixel CCD |
| 1/1.7-inch 7.6 x 5.7mm | 1.5-inch 18.7x14mm | 2/3-inch 8.8 x 6.6mm | 23.6 x 15.8mm | 1/1.63-inch 8.1 x 6mm (approx) | 1/1.63-inch 8.1 x 6mm (approx) | |
| Sensitivity range | ISO 80 - ISO 3,200 | ISO 100 - ISO 12,800 | ISO 100 - ISO 3,200 | ISO 100 (expanded)/ 200 - ISO 6,400/12,800 (expanded) | ISO 100 - ISO 6,400 | ISO 80 - ISO 3,200 |
| Lens | 28-140mm f2.8-4.5 5x | 28-112mm f2.8-5.8 4x | 28-112mm f2-2.8 4x | 35mm f2 1x | 28-112mm f1.8-2.5 4x | 24-90mm f2-3.3 3.8x |
| Closest focus (inches) | 0.4 | n/a | 0.4 | 3.9 | 0.4 | 0.4 |
| Continuous shooting | 1.1fps frames n/a raw | 4.5fps 6 JPEG | 7fps 8 JPEG/n/a raw | 5fps 10 JPEG/8 raw | 2fps 23 JPEG/8 raw | 2.5fps JPEG/n/a raw |
| Viewfinder | Optical | Optical | Optical | Optical/EVF switchable | Optional EVF | Optional OVF or EVF |
| Autofocus | n/a Contrast AF | n/a | n/a Contrast AF | 49-area Contrast AF | 11-area Contrast AF | 23-area Contrast AF |
| Metering | n/a | n/a | 256 zones | 256 zones | 324 area | n/a |
| Shutter | 15-1/4,000 sec | n/a | 30 - 1/4,000 sec | 30 - 1/4,000 sec; bulb to 60 min | 60-1/2,000 sec; bulb to 16 min | 60-1/4,000 sec |
| Flash | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hot shoe | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| LCD | 2.8-inch articulated 461,000 dots | 3-inch articulated 922,000 dots | 2.8-inch fixed 460,000 dots | 2.8-inch fixed 460,000 dots | 3-inch fixed OLED 610,000 dots | 3-inch fixed 460,000 dots |
| Image stabilization | Optical | Optical | Optical | None | Sensor shift | Optical |
| Video (best quality) | 720/24p H.264 QuickTime MOV Stereo | 1080/24p H.264 QuickTime MOV Stereo | 1080/30p H.264 QuickTime MOV Stereo | 720/24p H.264 QuickTime MOV Stereo | 720/30p Motion JPEG AVI | 720/30p AVCHD Lite Mono |
| Manual iris and shutter in video | No | n/a | No | Iris only | No | Yes |
| Zoom while recording | No | Yes | Yes | n/a | No | n/a |
| Mic input | No | n/a | No | No | Yes | No |
| Battery life (CIPA rating) | 390 shots | 250 shots | 270 shots | 300 shots | 320 shots | 400 shots |
| Dimensions (WHD, inches) | 4.4 x 3.0 x 2.0 | 4.6 x 3.2 x 2.6 | 4.6 x 2.7 x 2.2 | 5.0 x 2.9 x 2.1 | 4.4 x 2.6 x 1.7 | 4.3 x 2.6 x 1.7 |
| Weight (ounces) | 14.2 | 18.9 | 12.4 | 15.8 | 9.6 | 9.2 |
| Mfr. Price | $499.99 | $799.99 | $599.99 | $1,195.95 | $499.99 | $499.99 |
| Availability | October 2010 | February 2012 | November 2011 | March 2011 | January 2011 | August 2010 |
In addition to the new larger, higher-resolution sensor, the G1 X boosts the size and resolution of the LCD. The minimum aperture is also up from f8 to f16.
Many of the new features, like the multi-area white balance and Intelligent IS, which launched with the S100, work only in auto mode; Intelligent IS autodetects what type of stabilization is necessary in both still and video modes, and the updated white balance does better scene analysis. It also introduces face recognition, and can store up to 12 faces with some limited associated metadata. You'll find a bunch of multishot modes, including five-shot HDR, though I find Canon's implementations so-so. Like the G12, it has a built-in neutral-density filter.
I admit some disappointment in the lens specs, however; I was really hoping for an f2 or faster lens, as most competitors are incorporating these days, especially for $800. The battery life is also pretty sad for a camera in its price class. And it might be bigger and heavier than some people are willing to put up with. Also, that fancy-looking knurling on the lens barrel? Totally for show.
As for the G12, Canon says it will remain in the lineup for at least the first half of the year.