Canon's premium compact range got a new addition at this year's Photokina; the G7 X joins the likes of the G1 X and G15 at the top-end of the company's fixed lens compact line-up, but is the first of its kind to use a 1in sensor - making it the ideal middle ground in terms of size and image quality. We managed to get our hands on an early sample during the show, in order to bring you some first impressions.
As soon as you pick up the G7 X, it's clear just how compact it actually is; easily able to slip inside a pocket, it's significantly smaller than the average micro four-thirds camera and compares favourably with Sony's RX100 III. Canon hasn't had to dumb down the controls in order to achieve this, though. A dual mode dial on the top lets you control exposure compensation as well as change camera mode, while aperture has been moved to the lens assembly. There's even room for a pop-up flash, but there's no viewfinder or hotshoe.
A textured finish gives the camera a "wet" look, and helps create plenty of grip. It's comfortable to hold, with enough room to grip the lens dial in one hand and the body in the other - as you might with a larger interchangeable lens camera. It also looks the part too, thanks to a few subtle red accents around the shutter button and mode dial.
Canon has opted to make the screen tilt by up to 180 degrees, but only in one direction. That means you can flip the screen over to frame yourself from arms length, or tilt it upwards when shooting from a low angle, but you can't tilt it backwards for shooting above your head. Considering the target audience (photographers that want better image quality than a basic compact can provide) we aren't sure that appealing to the selfie crowd is necessarily the right move. At least it doesn't add significantly to the bulk of the body.
The screen itself is sharp at 1.04-million dot, and was bright enough to see clearly in direct sunlight. We'll have to wait for a full review to see how it performs in a range of lighting situations, but we doubt many will mind the lack of an optical viewfinder.
The fixed lens uses 8.8-36.8mm, f/1.8-2.8 optics, which is equivalent to 24-100mm in 35mm terms. Paired with a 20-megapixel, backside illuminated (BSI) sensor, Digic 6 image processor and 31-point autofocus system, we're confident it should be able to hold its own in a range of shooting scenarios. Low light shouldn't be an issue either, with ISO 12,800 shooting.
As well as full PASM modes, you can shoot in RAW, JPEG or both simultaneously. This is great news for photographers that have outgrown automatic mode, but the G7 X still caters for less skilled shooters thanks to Canon's typically excellent white balance and quick autofocus.
Unfortunately we weren't allowed to take our test shots away with us, but the few brief snaps we managed looked crisp and detailed on the camera's screen. The new autofocus system felt very snappy and accurate, so we can't wait to see how it handles more challenging lighting conditions.
Sony has been the go-to camera manufacturer for anyone looking for a compact camera that also squeezes in a big sensor, but that's no longer the case with the G7 X. Canon appears to have done an excellent job adding manual controls and more advanced shooting options, without sacrificing size or portability, while the lens looks to be a versatile companion to the 1in sensor ideal for a multitude of shooting situations.
Canon says the G7 X will be going on sale for £579 from October - we can't wait to get hold of a final model to truly put it through its paces, and bring you a full review a little closer to launch.
