Smartphones have almost eliminated the need for low-cost point and shoot cameras. Manufacturers are now creating premium, high-end pocket cameras that offer superior image quality to SLRs. Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II (699.99 USD) captures images using a 1 inch image sensor. It also features a zoom lens with a f/1.8 rating at the widest angle and a metal chassis. This is a solid performer in an extremely competitive market. We're going to stick with the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 III ($748.00 at Amazon)—its zoom range isn't quite as ambitious as the G7 X's, but its lens delivers crisper results, and it includes an electronic viewfinder.
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Design
G7 X Mark II is priced at $629.00 from Amazon. It doesn't have much in common with its predecessor, G7 X There are a couple of subtle changes to the body—the EV compensation dial now operates in the same manner as most other models, and the lens control ring can be set to operate with or without click stops.
It measures in at 2.4x4.2x1.7inches (HWD), and is 11.3 ounces. It's not the smallest camera you can get with a 1-inch sensor—the less expensive (and less ambitious) Canon G9 X (2.3 by 3.9 by 1.2 inches, 7.4 ounces) holds that honor. It's still within the same category as the Sony RX100 III, which measures 2.3x4x1.6inches, 10.2oz.
Cameras with smaller image sensors can manage extreme zoom ranges—up to a 30x ratio—in this form factor. G7 X has a 4.2x zoom range, equivalent to 24-100mm in full-frame. The bright, f/1.8 aperture is the initial setting for this compact lens.
The lens narrows down to f/2.8 after zooming in all the way, which is a significant improvement over the Sony RX100, and RX100 II (598.00 at Amazon), both of whom use the same 28–100mm f/1.8–4.9 lens. While the RX100 III ($898.00 Dell) uses the same 24-70mm f/1.8-2 zoom as the G7 X II, it doesn't have the same zoom power.
At 2 inches, close focus is possible. Combining the maximum aperture of f/1.8 with close focus, it's easy to blur background, much like with an SLR. The in-lens neutral density filter cuts out incoming light and allows you to shoot video and stills at f/1.8 even when it is bright. It can be toggled manually, or you can set it to automatically engage with the G7X.
Canon tried to include as many controls possible in the G7's tiny frame. A control ring surrounds the lens—its function can be set to your liking, with options including aperture control and zoom adjustment. A toggle switch allows you to adjust the operation of the ring from one that clicks when you turn it (ideal to control aperture or step zoom) to one which turns freely. This is a great feature for video, since it doesn't interfere with a soundtrack.
On the right is a Wi Fi button, while the mechanical release allows you to turn the flash up on the left. It is attached to a hinge and can fire when the G7X is tilted back. On the top plate are also located an internal microphone, power button and shutter release buttons, as well as the zoom rocker and EV compensation dial. The EV dial is different from the original G7 X.
It has both positive and negative values oriented toward the front, which is a common orientation enough to be accepted as a standard. In third-stop increments, exposure compensation can be adjusted from -3EV to +3EV.
The rear controls are located on the sides, with a column bordered by an LCD to the left and a thumb rest above. The rear control dial/joypad is flanked by four buttons: Ring Func. This button adjusts the behavior and includes a Record button that allows you to play and stop video.
Four directional buttons are also available on the rear dial. The Drive mode allows burst photography when shooting photos and can also double as an album-creating tool for reviewing images. The Flash output control is also available, as well as an Info button and a Focus mode switch that allows you to enable or disable the macro range.
At the middle of the joypad is located the Q/Set button. The Q/Set button launches an onscreen menu which toggles additional parameters, including the image and video quality and ISO. It doubles as an enter key.
You can touch the screen to set function from Q menu. You can tap to adjust the subject or focus point for focus tracking. The screen itself is 3 inches in size and sports a 1,040k-dot resolution—it's plenty sharp and bright. The screen is mounted on hinges and tilts up or down.
It can also face forward to take selfies. This LCD is an upgrade to the G7 X's original LCD, which could only be tilted forward. The EVF and EVF Add-On options are not available. The G7 X is a great option, however, you may prefer the G5 X (Amazon: $699.99) which has the exact same sensor and lens.
Two data ports—micro USB and micro HDMI—are located under a flap on the right side of the body. Accessible via the bottom plate is a compartment that houses the removable battery.
Wi-Fi is included with NFC pairing and Wi-Fi. The Canon Camera Connect app allows you to copy photos and videos onto Android or iOS. You can use the remote to adjust the focus, focal length, exposure, drive flash and exposure, as well as fire the shutter. Finally, the app has a location log function that can add GPS metadata to photos—you just need to make sure the camera clock matches your smartphone, and remember to activate the log before you start shooting.
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Image Quality
The Mark II has improved performance and image quality by using an upgraded Digic processor. Mark II fires up in just 1.9 seconds. It locks the focus in less than 0.1 second and can take burst shots at 8.8fps. Its buffer is solid for a compact camera—it manages 19 Raw+JPG, 22 Raw, or 32 JPGs before slowing down. This is comparable to the RX100 IV at the highest end of Sony's line. It shoots raw or Raw+JPG images at 8.6fps and 44 JPGs @ 16.1fps.
There are two focus options: one with subject and face recognition and the other is more flexible. When shooting in the wide area you can choose a subject to track by tapping on the touch screen—the G7 X Mark II does a fine job identifying both human and pets for tracking—but be aware that it's not a camera for shooting fast action.
When working in burst mode focus is locked after the first shot, even with the lens set to AI Servo—you can hold the shutter down halfway and let the focus system track your subject as it moves, waiting for the perfect moment to fire a shot, but you can't shoot continuously and expect every photo to be in perfect focus as you can with a top-end SLR like the Canon 7D Mark II ($598.95 at Amazon).
The focus system on the compact camera is quite strong. When the large focus area was enabled, I had no problems with locking my camera. However, I experienced the odd failure when trying to use the flexible spot. This was usually because of scenes with low contrast. You can make the G7 X smaller to help you focus your attention on a small target.
Imatest was used to test the sharpness and quality of the G7 X Mark II zoom lens. It manages 2,172 lines per pic height at 24mm f/1.8, which is a good result for a twenty-megapixel camera. This compares to the 1,800 lines that we prefer in a photograph. The performance is good throughout the frame. However, edges drop to 1300 lines which gives them an unnatural look.
The image quality is good through f/4. However, diffraction can cause problems at smaller apertures. This reduces the overall resolution to less than 2,000 lines at both f/5.6 (and f/8). Sharper images are possible with the Sony RX100 III at 24mm, f/1.8. It produces 2,494 lines per inch and edges of 1,769 lines.
Zoomed in, performance is almost identical. The camera can record 2,741 lines at 55mm f/2.8, and has strong performance from edges to edges. The image quality at f/5 is excellent, with a slight bump in line count at f/4 (2942 lines). (2,736 and 2,586 lines), respectively. This is actually slightly better than what the Sony does at 50mm F/2.8 (2678 lines).
The sharpness drops to 100mm but the G7X still does an excellent job at f/2.8 on the center-weighted tests (2,202 lines). The edges are less sharp, falling to 1,893 lines. However, they are within acceptable limits. The resolution decreases slightly at f/5.6 (2.366 lines on average and 2,174 lines at edges), but there's still a noticeable bump at f/4 (2.462 lines per line), then drops to f/5.6 (2.366 lines) or f/8 (2.390 lines).
The G7 X Mark II's lenses are a strong performer. The zoom is longer than the RX 100 III and it produces better images when zoomed in a little. Sony's zoom range is longer and the Sony has a wider angle. It also offers greater consistency throughout.
Imatest is also used to test photos for noise. The Canon maintains noise levels below 1.5 percent when shooting JPGs at ISO 1600. The camera will show a decrease in image clarity if it is used at that high ISO 125 sensitivity.
Photos taken by the G7 X are sharp and show no signs of degrading through ISO 400. However, some smudging starts at ISO 800. While details are less clear at ISO 1600 or 3200, they can still be used. The Mark II's ISO 6400 rating and the ISO 12800 top level will make photos blurred.
Raw formats can be used to get more detail from photos, particularly when you are working with higher ISOs. Images are strong enough to be saved at ISO 400. However, clarity drops slightly between ISO 800 and 1600. While grain becomes more noticeable at ISO 3200 the fine lines of our test scene remain distinct. The JPG output is much more blurry than the Raw at ISO 6400. Noise can blur intricate lines at ISO 12800 but you still have a usable photo, even if it is grainy.
You can record video in MP4 at up to 1080p60 resolution. The ability to roll at 60fps—or 24 or 30fps, if you prefer a more traditional look—is a plus, as the original G7 X topped out at 30fps. The video quality is excellent and the focus changes are gradual and smooth. You can tap to refocus, or you can set AI Servo to automatic adjustments.
Although the internal microphone picks up sound close to your camera, it also captures a lot more background noise. The G5 X is a good option if you need a microphone input, but it doesn't have the same video capabilities as the G7 X Mark II. You'll need to look elsewhere for 4K capture—the Sony RX100 IV, Panasonic LX100 ($739.99 at eBay), and Panasonic ZS100 ($699.99) are models with similar form factors that support 4K.
Conclusions
While the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is essentially identical to its predecessor, it offers some noticeable performance improvements. Although the improvements to burst speed when shooting Raw and minor updates to the body, focus, video, and other capabilities may seem small, the sum of the parts is much greater than their individual merits.
G7 X has a wide zoom range, a sharp lens and a big image sensor, which delivers excellent photos even in harsh lighting conditions. However, we still prefer the Sony RX100 III to be our Editors Choice. Although its zoom may not be as powerful, it produces sharper images and has an innovative pop up viewfinder.