Canon PowerShot G7 X compact camera review: more in your hand than in your pocket

Canon’s first camera with a 20-megapixel 1-inch sensor is capable of surprising many photographers. For those frustrated with smartphones and inexpensive compact cameras, it delivers a much higher level of picture quality and creative possibilities. And for enthusiasts and professionals during the holidays and non-standard creative tasks will be an adequate replacement for cumbersome “mirror” sets. And of course, few can fail to be impressed by the G7 X’s premium design.

Canon PowerShot G7 X compact camera

High quality shooting

Canon HS System

A high quality zoom lens with beautiful bokeh

Intelligent Image Stabilization System

Possibility of recording in RAW format

The Canon HS System is one important element to improve image quality. The G7 X combines a 1-inch 13.2 x 8.8 mm BSI-CMOS light-sensitive sensor with large-cell counts and a powerful DIGIC 6 image processor. The result is a wide dynamic range, with true color reproduction and little digital noise at night, even at high ISO settings.

ISO 1250, F2.8, 1/60th of a second, 78mm

To improve image quality and effectively eliminate distortion, the lens includes aspherical elements with ultra-high light refraction UA as well as those made of ultra-low-dispersion glass UD . Nine-bladed aperture diaphragm for beautiful out-of-focus bokeh blur . In night shots, a tightly closed aperture produces beautiful 18-bulb stars instead of bright lights.

ISO 125, F10, 1s, 45mm

Intelligent 5-axis optical image stabilization recognizes the nature of both stills and video, and then chooses the best mode for its operation. The Intelligent IS system’s high efficiency allows you to shoot at slower shutter speeds in low light and therefore use lower ISO speeds.

Record photos in proprietary RAW format for maximum retention of visual information and extensive post-processing capabilities in professional photo editors correcting tones and tonal reproduction, removing digital noise .

Sturdy construction and great ergonomics

Robust, compact body

Convenient and flexible control

Full manual adjustments

The Canon PowerShot G7 X has a rugged aluminum alloy body that features premium, sleek design and original finishes. The camera is compact and does not have any very protruding parts and controls. The buttons are tamper-proof, but at the same time they are large enough to be used with gloves on. The G7 X is ideal as the photographer’s everyday companion.k. Fits in almost any pocket and its light weight means it can be carried on a wrist strap for extended periods.

Camera controls let you quickly access all important settings. The adjustment ring on the lens barrel is most convenient. Its function can be easily changed using a dedicated button. Separate dial with scale for entering exposure compensation, a quick and intuitive way to make adjustments.

All important shooting parameters are accessible via a customizable function menu with a separate button. Control settings by both ring and touch screen operation. The LCD screen can also be used to select the focus point, set the autofocus, and shoot release the shutter .

For experienced photographers the camera offers a whole ‘gentleman’s kit’ of creative shooting modes: program mode, shutter speed and aperture priority, fully manual. A control ring on the lens is responsible for the basic default setting.

Focus system options

The camera has a quite flexible focus system. It features 31 autofocus sensors AF , which the camera uses in full in auto mode, HDR mode as well as in scene mode. This method is good in situations where it’s hard to see the main element in the frame or there is none.

In auto mode, intelligent electronics when it detects a face turns on its tracking mode, while combining the exposure metering point with the AF point Face AiAF . Photographers can select the tracking subject at the touch of a button on the LCD screen if “Servo AF” is activated beforehand.

Continuous shooting at up to 4.4fps in autofocus tracking mode

In creative shooting modes P/Tv/Av/M , focus is triggered by the detected face or a single AF point normal or reduced that can be freely adjusted using the ring and multi selector arrow buttons or by tapping the screen where desired. The last method is the most convenient and fastest.

Manual focus is aided by features such as the on-screen distance bar, up to 4x magnification of the area in focus, and outline highlighting of objects in focus.

In especially tricky shooting situations, the focus bracketing function lets you take three shots with different focus positions, and select the best result after the shooting.

Serious creative potential

Convenient high-aperture zoom lens

Rotatable LCD screen

Creative effect filters

My Colors Menu

Set of scene modes

The zoom lens of the camera with a convenient range of focal lengths 24-100 mm enables the shooting of the most popular subjects, from landscapes and architecture to portraits and reportage. High aperture ratio of the lens F1.8-F2.8 Achieves shallow depth of field in creative situations, and assures confident and responsive autofocus in difficult lighting conditions and fast action shots.

LCD screen tilts up 180 degrees from original position. This makes it possible to take pictures from unconventional angles or awkward positions. Fully rotated towards the photographer, the screen lets you comfortably shoot self-portraits as well as group portraits and movies with the photographer himself/herself.

Users who prefer to manipulate their images in-camera can apply a comprehensive menu of creative filters to create effects such as fisheye, monochrome, vintage, contrast enhancement, miniature and toy camera effects, background blur, and focus softening. Artistic processing options can be combined with HDR processing.

The My Colors menu offers a variety of image processing options, including: general or selective gain/reduction of individual tones and color channels R, G, B , overall saturation correction, slide simulation, monochrome and sepia toning, skin tone brightening and darkening. Also possible to store custom settings combinations of settings of several parameters .

ISO 125, F4.5, 1/200 sec, 100mm

Automatic scene guides with settings optimized for specific shooting situations, allowing photographers to fully focus on creative activities without the distraction of setting up the camera. In addition to traditional programs such as portrait, landscape, snow and fireworks, the camera offers some signature programs: handheld night shots, underwater photography, stargazing, star trails and portraits against a background of stars.

Advanced communications options

Wireless connection to iOS and Android mobile devices

Retrieves GPS coordinates from mobile devices for geo-referencing

Remote control shooting

Exchange data with computers

Wireless printing

Cloud data storage and synchronization

Built-in Wi-Fi module provides the Canon PowerShot G7 X with multiple functions. Share files wirelessly over a direct connection with other Canon cameras. Exchange with mobile and desktop computers, as well as sending images to printing devices can be carried out both directly the camera acts as an access point , and through an external access point router .

Via the Camera Window mobile app, the camera obtains GPS coordinates from mobile devices to position the photos as well as sends photos and movies to them. The app also turns your smartphone or tablet into a remote control for your camera while you shoot. The camera’s built-in NFC module makes it easy to install the Camera Window app on compatible smartphones and tablets.

For registered camera users, the manufacturer offers Canon Image Gateway, an online service that offers cloud storage and convenient functions such as remote image processing and automatic synchronization of unsaved images online and on computer . A dedicated button on the camera body activates wireless functions.

Wide range of optional accessories

Stylish leather case

Scuba box

HF-DC2 external flash with remote control