Canon first attempt to counterattack the mirrorless system cameras is the G1 X. And it’s now in Stock for the first time at Adorama US (Click here). Our friends at Photorumors also found the first unpacking celebration pictures at Rust.se (Click here). And Trustedreviews (Click here) tested the G1 X: “The advantages of this larger sensor are immediately clear to overall image quality, with the G1 X offering class-leading performance in this respect. However, in other areas the G1 X lets itself down somewhat with sluggish operation and niggly performance issues. Image quality purists may well be willing to forgive these flaws, however anyone in the market for a snappy advanced compact with quickfire operation may well be slightly disappointed“.
I don’t think the Canon G1 X is the right camera to compete with mirrorless sytem camera.s But I guess that Canon is juts tasting the terrain before the real big deal!
36 Responses
As a long time Canon G10 user, I do not see the point of this camera at this price in today’s market.
I so much agree. And some other things…
First – in that French site I saw some tests – maann, I was ready to buy this camera, but the lens is SOOOOO SOFT!!!
Huge difference compared to Nikon P7100 and the NEX.
It’s just crazy soft.
The other thing is of course the size. To have a winning camera in this level – it has to be G12/P7100 size. Not bigger.
Can anyone link a camera buying guide that would help me out? The GX 1 has been a contender, along with an X100.
I’m a point and shoot upgrader who has been playing with a nikon d3000 on loan. I don’t want a DSLR, as I want portability. There are just so many new hybrids / mirrorless cameras coming out, and I don’t know what’s the best. I’ve got about $1,300 saved for this purchase.
I’d like a camera that I can add a telephoto to eventually, but I’d probably be happy with a pancake lens most of the time.
I really appreciate everyone’s advice.
Anyone have any input on the Nikon V1?
The sensor is about half the size of the micro 4/3, which means the focal lengths will be shorter, which means that it will be more difficult to seperate the subject from the background.
Basically, you are going to run into the same issue as a point and shoot where everything is always in focus.
Will it blend?
It is available for sale in the Netherlands for 750 Euros. Hahaha.
That is a bit much though it is the “cutest” camera this year. 😉
Nokia 808 with 41MP sensor for 450 Euros.
http://europe.nokia.com/find-products/devices/nokia-808-pureview/specifications
Chances for the Canon beauty are very very slim!
This one SHOULD be followed on MR. If they’ve done the job right, it could rival Nikon 1 image quality at 5 Mpx mode.
Oh, and Canon G1X will sell well. Compare its price to APS-C DSLR with similar zoom lens and you’ll see it’s excellent value for money for the portability and features it offers.
This camera will sell well (at least as well as the Fuji X100).
There are legions of devoted Canon DSLR owners out there, who will see this camera as something to take on holiday instead of their DSLR.
I felt one in my hands. It had a very hefty feel.
i don’t think it will sell, especially knowing that canon is planning to release a mirrorless model. how many people would have bought an X100 knowing that fuji was releasing a mirrorless system the next week?
I ordered one after the post …. and the confirmation email by ADORAMA showed that ADORAMA does not have the G1X in stock after all nor do they know when it’s coming (I called them) – so I cancelled my order.
Canon will sell some but not a whole lot. Many may just find it expensive and not small/light enough with a useless viewfinder and a non-interchangeable lens that isn’t bright (f/2.8-5.8) across its limited range (4x). Other things like burst rate and AF speed are just meh but it (still) got lots of controls and the IQ looks great so far. Is that enough though? Don’t think so.
Of course it will sell. there have been far worse cameras than this that sold.
The question should be, will it sell enough to convince Canon to get serious about mirrorless?
I was about to say V1. Speed wise should definitely be up to it. I don’t have one, mainly for lack of controls on camera which I covet much more than pure sensor size. I think that is the probably one of the best for taking pictures of kids etc. you also mention telephoto – well the smaller sensor of the V1 gives a 2.7x crop on 35mm equiv so a 100mm lens is the equiv of 270mm lens on a 35mm camera, which you may find useful.
However you mention that you want to ‘get into photography’, I think the X100 is the perfect camera for that. Fixed lens (learn how to compose without zooming/generally being lazy), manual dials for the major controls, working to the limitations of the camera rather than relying on the camera to fix everything for you. I think the cameras ‘flaws’ are its greatest asset as a learning camera. Takes you back to simpler times when YOU were the most advanced thing on your camera. I love mine because it makes me a less lazy photographer, I have to actually ‘think’ about what I’m doing, rather than rapid fire a million shots a minute.
X100 rewards this usage with stunning results time after time. It isn’t a perfect camera, but it is a great camera. Hell get an X100 and a J1 for speed and telephoto.
I had hands on with the X100 at a camera store and fell in love with it. I was initially saving $100 a month in our cookie jar for a DSLR, that was over a year ago. Then I got hands on the X100 in November maybe, and thought “wait a second, I can get a smaller camera with lots of options and good quality” which seemed better to me.
So I decided on the X100 and was continuing to save. Then I heard news of the Fx Pro 1, so I decided to wait for that. My line of thought was “The X100 was awesome, why not get the interchangeable lens model?” But the FX Pro 1 seems a bit out of my price range.
I spent this morning watching some youtube vids of the Olympus OMD after reading ronnbot’s comment. This looks like it might be up my alley. I have the money for it and maybe a lens on top of that. It looks to have speed at 9fps or 4.5fps depending on autofocus. I can wait another 2 months for it to come out.
It’s really hard not to get blinded by the aesthetics of the classic camera styles too. I know that it’s not a fashion accessory but man I love the design of the X100 and Olympus OMD.
Matt,
not to break ranks with my esteemed comrades, but a good point-and-shoot would be good for baby shots.
Remember: only the camera you have with you is the best camera.
In that light, you might consider a Sony point-and-shoot — great sensors for low-light (e.g., indoor, casual, baby photographs). Sony today announced their new line-up which includes “Sony Cyber-shot DSC-TX20 16.2 MP Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom”. It’s tiny/flat and highly pocketable (and relatively cheap compared to the big(ger) boys). Trivial to slip into a pocket. Any of Sony’s other EXMOR sensor cameras will do the trick for you in low light too, though not all are pocketable. I do not know if this sensor is any better than Sony’s previous generation of camera sensors. If not, you could buy an outgoing model for even cheaper (and save up for a big(ger) cam).
On the other hand, if you want a leading edge compact (jacket pocketable) camera which will give you a leg up on great photos (but on pricier side) with all the manual controls you could wish for, the new (Micro Four Thirds(MFT)) Olympus OM-D E-M5 will have excellent handholdability (due to its 5-way IBIStablization), and the new sensor is looking like it’ll capture quality shots even in low light. The E-M5 can take any MFT lens — including some small pancake lenses (for jacket pocket ability). And then you have an extremely versatile camera with a wide range of lenses from which to choose to expand your photography taste and skills.
So for family shots, remember you have to have the camera with you. Do you have an iPhone 4S? That’s a surprisingly capable camera (Sony sensor) which you may have with you all the time.
FYI, both the Sony and the Oly cameras (not the iPhone) are weather-sealed (and the Sony is even waterproof to 16 feet!). So they should both be rugged, long-lasting cameras, albeit at two ends of the spectrum otherwise.
Good luck.
im from germany. i work in the bigest reseller store in germany.. we sold nearly all our G1X stock in 2 days. so don´t worry.. it sells well.
Stay-at-home & soccer Dads.
I was mistaken. I reordered today and the G1X is on the way.
Well the X100 has a 40mm f2.8 fixed lens, slow AF, a good (but fixed) LCD screen and an excellent viewfinder and sold for $1199.
It sold pretty well.
The G1x has a 4x zoom lens (which you can choose to use as a fixed 28mm f2.8 lens), similarly slow AF, almost the same sized sensor, excellent swivel LCD screen and sold at $799
That is 1/3 more for whatever goodies you get with the x100. I don’t see why the G1X should not sell well…
If one needs an interchangeable lens camera with super high speed for whatever purpose, go buy the m43, V1/J1 or NEX or whatever. There are already those cameras around.
If one needs a camera with all that zoom versatility and still get a DSLR like image quality and get an almost flat profile with a zoom lens attached, then it is between the G1X and the Panasonic GX1 with the X lens.
The Panasonic is slightly smaller, much faster (AF and shot to shot time), closer macro range and supports interchangeable lenses with a good collection of m43 lenses and other lens mount. It costs $949 with the X lens.
The G1X is $150 cheaper ($799), has a better high ISO image quality, faster lens (f2.8-f5.6 at the same range), has popup flash sync speed of 1/2000 (for bright light fill flash), swivel screen and a 30% longer zoom.
Every one has a different priority but to me, if I want to shoot fast and change lenses, I would use my 5D2. If I want to go on a holiday, take nice shots and not worry about changing lenses nor invest in a new mount, the G1X is for me.
As Canon mentioned, if you have an SLR and is looking for a second camera for convenience, the G1X is great. If you are looking at your first camera for SLR like purposes… then you may or may not like the G1x.
Price should be $599. But Canon is raising prices on everything so there is a lot room now for NEX and m4/3.
I think it will be Samsung to step up and challenge Canon/Nikon.
Japan camera companies are not able to move fast enough like the mobile market.
I think the G1X will sell rather well. The price tag is a little high but real world performance looks good.
http://www.canonwatch.com/another-roundup-of-g1-x-sample-pics-sd-card-write-speed/
http://www.canonwatch.com/noise-comparison-g1-x-vs-g12/
http://www.canonwatch.com/more-g1-x-samples-and-reviews/
And it’s easy to use, probably the main advantage over competitors.