FIRST LOOK: Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III

In summary

The target market for the PowerShot G1 X Mark III is roughly the same as for previous G-series cameras: serious photographers who want a camera that is small, light and capable.  

The most significant new feature in the G1 X Mark III is its APS-C sized (22.3 x 14.9 mm) CMOS sensor, which has the same 24.2-megapixel resolution as Canon’s EOS M5, D800, D77 and D80 DSLR cameras, although Canon says it’s not the same chip. The sensor is paired with the latest DIGIC 7 processor, which is also found in the EOS M5, D800 and D77.

Like the EOS M5, the G1 X Mark III offers sensitivity settings from ISO 100 to ISO 25600 and supports continuous shooting at up to 9 fps with focus and exposure fixed on the first frame or up to 7 fps with AF and AE. Both cameras use the same 49-point Dual Pixel CMOS AF systems and have adjustable touch-screen monitor with 1,620,000-dot resolution. The EOS M5’s screen tilts up through 85^o  and down through 180^o, while the G1X Mark III’s monitor is fully adjustable.

The other important feature of the G1 X Mark III is its small size; this is a genuinely pocketable camera and, as a result, it will have a much broader appeal than its predecessors and also than the EOS M5. Ideal for travellers, it will also appeal as a go-everywhere back-up camera for owners of interchangeable-lens cameras and anyone prepared to work within the limitations of the Mark III’s 24-72mm (35mm equivalent) lens.

Full review

With the demise of the small-sensor digicam market, Canon has turned its attention to developing its G-series PowerShots into the kinds of cameras more people require when they look for an alternative picture-taking tool to their smartphones. The new PowerShot G1 X Mark III, announced today, takes many of the features of Canon’s interchangeable-lens cameras and packs them into a compact body that is small enough to fit in a pocket and weighs only 399 grams.

 Angled front view of the PowerShot G1 X Mark III with the vari-angle monitor extended. (Source: Canon.)

Top view of the PowerShot G1 X Mark III. (Source: Canon.)

Back view of the PowerShot G1X Mark III. (Source: Canon.)

The G1 X Mark III is the 21st model in a line of enthusiast-orientated compact cameras that began in 2000 with the G1 and has been remarkably successful ever since. Until 2012, when Canon launched the first G1 X model, the previous G-series cameras had small sensors, just like all other digicams at the time.

Who’s it For?

The target market for the PowerShot G1 X Mark III is roughly the same as for previous G-series cameras: serious photographers who want a camera that is small, light and capable. Rumours surfacing in the weeks before the camera was officially announced suggested ‘think of the camera as an EOS M5 with a fixed lens’.

The G1 X introduced a 1.5-inch (18.7 x 14 mm) CMOS sensor that was slightly larger than the 17.3 x 13.0 mm sensors in M4/3 cameras. The table below compares the three G1 X models with last year’s EOS M5 interchangeable-lens camera, which shares many features with the G1 X Mark III.

Reducing the zoom range of the integrated lens has played a role in the differences between the Mark II and Mark III’s weights. While the G1 X Mark III is just under 30 grams lighter than the EOS M5’s body, that doesn’t account for the need to add a lens to make the M5 functional. The lightest EF-M lens weighs 130 grams.

There’s not a huge difference in the body sizes, provided you disregard the need for a lens on the EOS M5. Adding the lens takes the M5 out of the ‘pocketable’ category. The first two models in the G1 X line were a tight fit in a jacket pocket and barely pocketable.

Like the EOS M5, the G1 X Mark III   can record Full HD (1080p) movies at 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p or 24p. Limiting movie resolution to 1080 60/50p shouldn’t deter potential purchasers since most are likely to be stills focused. Both cameras come with Wi-Fi, NFC and low-power Bluetooth communications capabilities.

The dust- and splash-resistant body of the G1 X Mark III will suit all kinds of outdoor photographers and it has all the necessary interfaces for today’s ‘connected’ shooters. The familiar control layout and ‘serious’ DSLR capabilities of the Mark III should appeal to photo enthusiasts of all types.

Significant Features
 The most significant new feature in the G1 X Mark III is its APS-C sized (22.3 x 14.9 mm) CMOS sensor, which has the same 24.2-megapixel resolution as Canon’s EOS M5, D800, D77 and D80 DSLR cameras, although Canon says it’s not the same chip. The sensor is paired with the latest DIGIC 7 processor, which is also found in the EOS M5, D800 and D77.

Like the EOS M5, the G1 X Mark III offers sensitivity settings from ISO 100   to ISO 25600 and supports continuous shooting at up to 9 fps with focus and exposure fixed on the first frame or up to 7 fps with AF and AE. Both cameras use the same 49-point Dual Pixel CMOS AF systems and have adjustable touch-screen monitor with 1,620,000-dot resolution. The EOS M5’s screen tilts up through 85^o and down through 180^o, while the G1 X Mark III’s monitor is fully adjustable.

The other important feature of the G1 X Mark III is its small size; this is a genuinely pocketable camera and, as a result, it will have a much broader appeal than its predecessors and also than the EOS M5. Ideal for travellers, it will also appeal as a go-everywhere back-up camera for owners of interchangeable-lens cameras and anyone prepared to work within the limitations of the Mark III’s 24-72mm (35mm equivalent) lens.

The overall design of the new camera shows refinements to the basic G1 series body, although Canon has maintained the original’s solid construction standards. However, the grip moulding is more refined, sloping down towards the lens mounting instead of being vertical as it was in the Mark II. It’s a more comfortable and more secure design.

The return of the pop-up flash is achieved through a pentaprism-like moulding on the top panel that also carries the EVF. The flash is popped up by pressing a button on the side of the housing. It clicks into place when pushed down.

The EVF has the same specifications as the viewfinder on the EOS M5 but is optimised for the Mark III’s lens. No standards are listed with respect to the dust- and moisture-resistance the camera offers and Canon’s Tech sheet admits it is ‘impossible to prevent dirt, dust, water or salt from getting inside’. It is important to keep all terminal covers and other points of access into the camera body firmly closed to ensure dust and drip resistance.

Many potential users will welcome the Touch and Drag AF function, although it’s not exactly new, having been introduced in the EOS M5. Other manufacturers have made it possible to control where the lens focuses using a thumb tip on the touch-screen monitor while looking through the EVF. It can be a really useful feature once you’re accustomed to it and particularly good for pulling focus while shooting a movie clip.

The top panel controls are laid out like those on the EOS M5, instead of being bunched up as they were on previous models. The large mode dial on the left side has only 10 positions since Canon has dropped the Creative Filters mode, instead including these settings in the Special Scene presets.

The exposure compensation dial on the right side of the top panel spans the same range as the identical dial on the EOS M5, while to its left is a lever switch for the zoom lens, which surrounds the shutter button. The power on/off switch lies to the rear of this assembly while, on the front panel just below it is a programmable multi-function dial, similar to that on the EOS M5, with a central button that provides quick access to key shooting controls.  

Connectivity features are the same as those provided by the EOS M5 and include Wi-Fi and Dynamic NFC plus low-power Bluetooth. The camera can   be roused from standby remotely through a Bluetooth enabled smartphone, which can also provide remote control of the camera and a live preview on the smart device’s screen. This is handy for monitoring and photographing birds and animals in the wild.

Like most entry-level cameras (including the EOS M5) the memory card slot is located in the battery compartment, a practice common with low-end cameras. Battery capacity isn’t all that flash, either, but similar to the M5. Like the M5, the G1 X III  includes  an ECO mode which slightly extends battery capacity. The battery can also be recharged through a USB power source, such as a smartphone charger or USB compatible battery pack.

Accessories
 G-series cameras have always been easy to accessorise and the G1 X Mark III is no exception. As well as spare batteries and chargers, owners of the camera can invest in the DCC-1830 Soft Case, the NS-100 PowerShot neck strap or the NS-DC12 neck strap and the PowerShot Accessory Organiser to keep the camera secure and well protected.

For underwater photographers, there’s a dedicated WP-DC56 Waterproof Case (above)  that can be taken to depths of up to 40 metres and a weight (WW-DC1) to keep the camera balanced when diving.

An optional lens hood (LH-DC110) is also available along with a number of Canon Speedlite flashguns (including the 220EX, 270EX, 270EX II, 320EX, 430EX, 43OEX II, 430EX  III-RT, 580EX, 580EX II, 600EX, 600EX-RT and 600EX-IIRT). Canon’s Speedlite Transmitters ST-E2 and ST-E3-RT can also be used with the new camera, along with the OC-E3 Off-Camera Shoe Cord and Speedlite Bracket SB0E2.

Remote controller options include the RS-60E3 remote switch and TC-80N3 Timer Remote Controller. The G1X Mark III  is also compatible with the Canon Connect Station CS100.

The PowerShot G1 X Mark III will be available from late November 2017. Prices will be set at dealers’ discretion. We hope to obtain a unit for testing once cameras become available.  

SPECS

 Image sensor: 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS sensor with 26 million photosites (24.2 megapixels  effective)
 Image processor: DIGIC 7
 A/D processing: 14-bit
 Lens: 15-45 mm f/2.8-5.6 zoom  (24-72mm in 35 mm format); 9 elements in 8 groups, incl. 3 double-sided aspherical elements and 1 single-sided aspherical lens
 Zoom ratio: 3x optical, up to 4x digital teleconverter, 6x Zoom plus
 Image formats: Stills – JPEG  (DCF / Exif 2.3), CR2.RAW, RAW+JPEG; Movies – MP4 (MPEG-1 AVC/H.264; audio – AAC-LC stereo
 Image Sizes: Stills – 3:2 aspect: 6000 x 4000, 3984 x 2656, 2976 x 1984, 2400 x 1600; 4:3 aspect:   5328 x 4000, 3552 x 2664, 2656 x 1992, 2112 x 1600; 16:9 aspect: 6000 x 3368, 3984 x 2240, 2976 x 1680, 2400 x 1344; 1:1 aspect: 4000 x 4000, 2656 x 2656, 1984 x 1984, 1600 x 1600;   Movies – (Full HD) 1920 x 1080 at 59.94 / 50 / 29.97 / 25 / 23.98 fps, (HD) 1280 x 720 at 29.97 / 25 fps, VGA at 29.97 / 25 fps; Star Time-Lapse Movie (Full HD) 30, 15 fps
 Shutter speed range: Auto mode – 1 to 1/3200 seconds; Tv and M modes – 15 to 1/3200 seconds
 Self-timer: 2 or 10 seconds delay plus Custom option
 Image Stabilisation: Lens-shift; up to 3.5 f-stops compensation plus 5-axis Enhanced Dynamic IS for movies
 Exposure Compensation: +/-3EV in 1/3 stop increments plus ND filter (3 stop) On / Auto / Off
 Bracketing: AEB – 1/3 ““ 2 EV in 1/3 stop increments; focus bracketing
 Focus system:Dual Pixel CMOS AF with 49 AF points; Single, Continuous, Servo AF/AE Touch AF with Touch and Drag available when EVF is in use; 9-point AF Zone focus or 1-point AF via manual selection; area size is customisable; MF peaking and AF+MF
 AF range: 10 cm to infinity (w), 30 cm to infinity (t)
 Exposure metering/control: Evaluative (linked to Face Detection AF frame), Centre-weighted average, Spot
 Shooting modes: Smart Auto (58 scenes detected), Hybrid Auto, P, Tv, Av, M, C1, C2, Special Scene, Movie (Standard, Short Clip, Manual, Time-lapse movie)
 Scene pre-sets: Self-Portrait, Portrait, Smooth Skin, Panoramic Shot, Panning, Star (Star Nightscape, Star Trails, Star Time-Lapse Movie), Handheld Night Scene, Grainy B/W, Soft Focus, Fish-eye Effect, Art Bold effect, Water painting effect, Toy Camera Effect, Miniature Effect, HDR, Underwater,   Fireworks
 Picture Styles: Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Fine Detail, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Defined (x3)
 ISO range: Auto, ISO 100 to 25600 in 1/3EV steps; max. ISO   and rate of change selectable
 White balance: TTL Auto (including Face Detection WB), Daylight, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, White Fluorescent, Flash, Underwater, Colour Temperature (100K increments), WEB compensation of +/- 9 levels in B/A and M/G axes
 Flash modes/range (ISO auto): Auto, Manual Flash On / Off, Slow Synchro; red-eye reduction and 2nd curtain synch available; range – 50 cm to 9.0 m (w) or 4.5 m (t)
 Sequence shooting: Max. 5.2 frames/second
 Buffer memory depth: 29 JPEGs, 7 raw files, 6 RAW+JPEG
 Storage Media: SD, SDHC, SDXC (UHS Speed Class 1 compatible) memory cards
 Viewfinder: 0.39 type OLED EVF with approx. 2,360,000 dots; 100% coverage, 22mm eyepoint -3.0 to +1.0 dpt adjustment
 LCD monitor: Vari-angle 3-inch Touchscreen TFT LCD with 1,040,000 dots; 3:2 aspect ratio, reinforced glass cover, electrostatic touch panel, 100% frame coverage, 5 levels of brightness adjustment
 Interface terminals/communications: Hi-Speed USB dedicated connector (Mini-B compatible), HDMI Micro Connector , Remote Switch connector,  Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11 b/g/n), (2.4 GHz only), with Dynamic NFC support, Bluetooth low energy technology (v. 4.1)
 Power supply: NB-13L rechargeable battery; CIPA rated for approx. 200 shots/charge (250 shots/charge in Eco mode)
 Dimensions (wxhxd): 115.0 x 77.9 x 51.4 mm
 Weight: Approx. 399 grams (with battery and memory card)

MSRP: AU$t.b.d.; US$1299
Distributor: Canon Australia; 1800 021 167; www.canon.com.au  

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