Canon Powershot G1 X, 520HS and 110HS
Today at CES Canon released full details of their new flagship "P&S" digicam, the Canon G1 X. Though there have been leaks and rumors about the G1 X for a while now, this is the first release of the real details!
The "game changer" technology of the Canon G1 X is the use of a large sensor. The G1 X sensor measures 18.7mm x 14mm. That makes it slightly smaller than the APS-C sensors found in Canon DSLRs (which is 22.3mm x 14.9 mm), but larger than the 4/3 sensors used by Olympus in their DSLRs and MILCs (13mm x 17mm).
The use of a large sensor is very interesting since it puts the G1 X in a similar category as many of the MILCs (Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Cameras) insofar as offering the image quality of a DSLR in a smaller package. It doesn't have an interchangeable lens of course but it certainly makes me wonder if Canon are perhaps contemplating a MILC system using this sensor at some point. Such a camera would be quite compatible with existing EF and EF-S series lenses. Just a thought...
The lens on the G1 X is a 15.1-60.4/2.8-5.8 zoom, which makes it something like a 28-112 in full frame 35mm terms. The f2.8 speed isn't bad at the wide end of the range, but f5/8 is a little slow at the telephoto end. However that's one of the costs of keeping the package small - 117 x 81 x 65 mm (4.61 x 3.19 x 2.56"). The downside of a slower lens is that you have to increase ISO in low light which may somewhat offset the lower noise of the larger sensor. A smaller sensor with a faster lens might give equal performance, for example the Fuji X10 has a much smaller sensor, but has a 28-112 (equivalent) lens that goes from f2.0 to f2.8.
The Canon G1 X has a number of features in common with Canon's DSLRs. It can record 14-bit RAW and JPEG files, it uses the Digic 5 processor, it has a built in electronic level, it has a 3" LCD with 922,000 dots and it's compatible with Canon Speedlites. The lens minimum aperture is f16, the fastest shutter speed is 1/4000s and ISO settings up to 12,800 are available. Shot capacity is 250 shots with the LCD on, but 700 shots with the LCD off (which is one good reason for including the optical viewfinder!). Maximum continuous shooting rate in high speed burst HQ mode is 4.5fps, however that's only good for 6 frame.
My take on the G1 X is that it is a step forward in the compact digital camera market. Quite clearly a step up from the highly respected G12 and promising significantly better performance. However, if Canon could just come up with an interchangeable lens version with a compact "pancake" zoom and the ability to mount EF and EF-S lenses, they might just hit a home run! Such a camera would also make a great "backup" body for an EOS SLR system. I just can't help feeling that a fixed lens that won't go wider than 28mm or longer than 112mm and isn't very fast isn't going to be a huge selling point for the G1 X. For around the same price you can get the very similarly named Panasonic GX1 with a 28-85 (equivalent) 3.5-5.6 lens. The GX1 has a very similar sized sensor, but the lenses are interchangeable, so if you don't like the kit lens you can get a 20/1.7 or an 8mm fisheye or a 45-200 telephoto (x2 for full frame 35mm focal lengths) or several other choices. Plus you can even mount EOS lenses on it (manual focus, no aperture control) via an adapter if you really want to! The GX1 is smaller too.
So although I think the Canon G1 X should be a good camera, probably as good as or better than pretty much any other compact digicam, I can't help feeling that Canon either missed the mark slightly or that they have something else up their sleeve that they aren't talking about. It's not that the G1 X isn't a good camera, it's just that the lens range and speed doesn't really excite me much. However I'm sure there are lots of photographers who will be quite happy with it and will find the G1 X to be a useful tool for the work they do and in fact early reports from Canon's test photographers are very positive. I'll certainly try to get hold of one for review as soon as I can.
The G1 X will initially sell for $799.99 and should be available next month (Feb 2012).
Somewhat less exciting are the new Powershot 520HS and 110HS which Canon introduced alongside the G1 X. They are both pretty nice, but much more conventional "P&S" digicams which are more evolutionary than revolutionary. There's more information on them below.
Canon's comments on the new cameras are given below:
"The new additions to our PowerShot lineup further demonstrate Canon's commitment to delivering users innovative imaging products," said Yuichi Ishizuka executive vice president and general manager, Imaging Technologies & Communications Group, Canon U.S.A., Inc. "These sleek and compact cameras bring together powerful features, intuitive controls and unrivaled portability while maintaining high image quality."
The Power of DIGIC 5
Living up to its reputation as a leader in the digital camera marketplace, Canon has incorporated the DIGIC 5 image processor into the HS SYSTEM for all three models. Achieving better quality images in low-light settings, boasting faster operation and providing improved color accuracy, the DIGIC 5 image processor ensures users are able to produce high-quality images in the most difficult of lighting conditions. The processor will also enable the PowerShot G1 X camera to utilize the High-Speed Burst HQ2 feature allowing photographers to shoot images at high speeds at full resolution to capture the perfect moving shot. Additionally, to ensure images are crisp and clear, advanced noise reduction and a smarter multi-area White Balance can be utilized to achieve accurate color reproduction for a balanced image.Advanced Smart AUTO
Advanced Smart AUTO, available in the PowerShot ELPH 520 HS and ELPH 110 HS, can detect up to 58 scenes varying from non-human moving subjects to people, landscapes, pets and vehicles, helping the camera determine the best mode of shooting. This technology has been enhanced to include a new Face ID feature, allowing users to register up to 12 people on the camera and have the camera recognize and prioritize each person. When registering individuals on the camera, users can take up to five images of a subject at various angles or facial expressions and enter their name and birth date. This allows the camera to make one of three age distinctions: Babies (0 to 1 year old), Children (2 to 12 years old) or Adults (13 years or older). Based on these different groups, the camera will give focus priority to the youngest recognized group in the frame and makes the images searchable as well with the ability to view only those images of a particular person.Further additions to this new feature are Smile Recognition and Sleeping Face Recognition. With Smile Recognition, the camera will take three consecutive shots of a scene such as a smiling baby or of grandparents at a family get together and select the best out of the three for the final image. For Sleeping Face Recognition the flash, assist beam and sound is turned off for that precious moment to be captured while not disturbing one's sleep.
PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera
Ideal for photography enthusiasts looking for the highest image quality in a compact, point-and-shoot design, the Canon PowerShot G1 X camera features the largest sensor to date for a Canon point-and-shoot model. The camera has a brand new, large 1.5-inch (18.7 x 14mm), 14.3-megapixel High-Sensitivity Canon CMOS sensor, delivering shallow depth of field, a wide dynamic range, an ISO range of up to 12800 and incredible light gathering ability helping to ensure brilliant images in even tough low-light conditions. Featuring an amazing Canon lens with 4X Optical Zoom, an aperture of f/2.8 to f/16 for beautiful images when shooting portraits and amazing clarity when shooting landscapes along with wide-angle capabilities starting at 28mm, the PowerShot G1 X camera makes certain that users will have the right optics for most any situation. Further adding to the EOS-like feature set of this new model is 14-bit, RAW+JPEG shooting and compatibility with accessories such as Speedlite, Macro Twin Lite or the Macro Ring Light flashes. HDR Shooting has been included to ensure the best possible shot is captured as well. The PowerShot G1 X camera also shoots in Full HD 1080p video ensuring memorable moments are captured in the highest quality.
The Canon PowerShot G1 X camera has a bright, large 3.0-inch vari-angle LCD with 922,000 dots of resolution providing photographers with the highest quality available in a point-and-shoot. The inclusion of the Mode Dial on the top of the camera and the Front Dial helps provide more intuitive control of the camera.
The estimated selling price of the Canon PowerShot G1 X camera is $799.99 and is scheduled to be available in February.
PowerShot ELPH 520 HS Digital Camera
The feature-packed Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS camera resurrects the original PowerShot ELPH design with a more contemporary and radiant look and feel. This new stylish model has a 10.1-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor along with a 12X Optical Zoom lens, ISO range of up to 3200 and wide-angle capabilities starting at 28mm. For photographers on the move, this camera also has Full HD 1080p video capture capabilities, a 3.0-inch LCD for easy viewing of images and High-Speed Burst mode where images are continuously captured at 6.8 frames per second.
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 520 HS camera will be available in black, silver, red and blue in March with an estimated selling price of $299.99.
PowerShot ELPH 110 HS Digital Camera
Canon's PowerShot ELPH 110 HS camera comes in a variety of fun, bright colors (black, silver, red, blue, green and pink) and is the ideal camera for new photographers. With a 5X Optical Zoom lens and wide-angle capabilities beginning at 24mm, this camera provides the user with the ability to fit an entire landscape or a specific area of a subject into one shot. The camera also features a16-megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor, ISO range of up to 3200, 3.0-inch wide LCD and Full HD 1080p video capture for brilliant, high resolution quality. High-Speed Burst mode has also been included for continuous shooting up to 5.8 frames per second.
The Canon PowerShot ELPH 110 HS camera is scheduled to be available in February with an estimated selling price of $249.99.