The PowerShot G7 X was Canon’s first camera with a 1-inch sensor, and its obvious target was Sony’s RX100 series.
The 20.2-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor works with a DIGIC 6 processor, which allows bursts of up to 6.5 frames per second. The 24–100mm lens (4.2x zoom) opens to f/1.8 at the wide end and f/2.8 at full zoom, which is still bright for a compact. The 3-inch, 1.04-million-dot touchscreen flips up 180 degrees for selfies. Video tops out at Full HD 60p, and Wi-Fi and NFC are built in.
PowerShot G7 X has good image quality, beautiful design and high quality touch screen. But there are some disadvantages, such as the lack of a hotshoe, poor autofocus system and no dedicated panorama mode.
Design
At first glance, the Canon PowerShot G7 X looks pretty neat and luxurious with a black body made of alloy coated with white spots but also very dusty. The compact body measures 103×60,4×40,4 mm and weighs 304 grams. The front of the camera is set by Canon with a control loop that can customize the shooting mode and settings. Users can change from shutter speed to ISO with this control loop. The feel of hand-set on the metal custom rings brings the user an enjoyable feeling.
This top-up ring allows flexibility in setting shutter speeds, especially in brightness compensation. However, this default control of the EV sometimes causes unnecessary hardship. The 180-degree flexible touch screen allows for easy selfie shooting. The touch screen is very responsive, so it’s easier to review the image with just a touch. This screen is also very useful in custom settings during video recording without using the physical button customizations. The design of the display screen is exposed outside easily scratches when used for a long time, and also easy to stain if not well maintained.
The built-in flash has a range of 5cm – 7m (wide angle mode) and 40cm – 4m (tele mode), and the light output is quite flat, accurate in low light conditions. Having no accessory footrest (hotshoe) is a limiting factor for those wishing to attach larger capacity lights or using high-end recording equipment.
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Image and processing performance
The images captured on the Canon PowerShot G7 X give the colors a brilliance. Frames with high contrast, light sensitivity range are quite clear division, the details in the light array is still stable. With RAW images, restoring the details is also easier. During the trial, the capture and processing speed in the light array complex is not good performance, especially in HDR processing. This is the weak point of the PowerShot G7 X for competitors in the same segment as Sony RX 100 III or Fujifilm 100T.
Canon’s PowerShot G7 X uses a 31-point autofocus autofocus system with Auto Focus (AiAF). The PowerShot G7 X enables fast processing with still or portrait photography but in low light situations the speed is slower at telephoto frames. Those who are interested in close-up mode (Macro) at 5cm distance at the widest angle are not really impressed. At the maximum aperture of f / 1.8, the resulting image is not really sharp, but the depth of the image is quite good.
The PowerShot G7 X’s ISO range is quite impressive with a sensitivity of up to 12,800 and the ability to handle noise and sharpness from RAW images is impressive. Quality image quality at ISO 1600, with higher levels, the image starts to decline in color as well as sharpness. At ISO 125, the Dynamic Range range is 12.4EV, and the PowerShot G7 X sensor works well at ISO 1600 with a range of 9.5EV, dramatically reducing the maximum ISO at 12,800.
Quality video
The video recording capability is quite good in compacts with 1080p resolution and frame rate of 60 fps. Users can set ISO 3200, the highest level when using video recording mode. In addition, the screen also makes it convenient to set focus points during recording.
User Experience
Ease of use
For a camera this small, the Canon PowerShot G7 X has plenty of physical controls. The mode dial sits on top of an exposure compensation dial, and the ring around the lens can be set to control aperture, shutter speed, zoom or ISO. Once you’ve assigned the ring to the setting you change most, you rarely need to open the menus.
The touchscreen helps too. You can tap to choose a focus point, swipe through photos and change settings without hunting through buttons. It’s quick and accurate, and it makes the G7 X easier to pick up than most enthusiast compacts.
Image review and playback
Photos show on a 3-inch touchscreen, where you can pinch to zoom and check the histogram. You can rate images and run a slideshow in camera. For anything more, you’ll want a computer or the Canon app on your phone.
Portability and travel
The G7 X fits in a jacket pocket, which is the main reason to buy it. You get a 1-inch sensor and a bright f/1.8–2.8 lens in a camera about the size of a deck of cards, only thicker.
Because it’s so small, the G7 X is easy to bring along on a day of walking around a city, and it doesn’t draw attention at a dinner party the way a bigger camera would. The bright lens means you can keep shooting indoors without the flash.
Pros and cons
Pros:
1-inch sensor gives much better image quality than a phone or a typical compact, especially in dim light
Bright f/1.8–2.8 lens for low light and background blur
Small enough for a jacket pocket
Quick, accurate touchscreen and a customizable lens ring
Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for sending photos to a phone and remote shooting
Cons:
Contrast detection autofocus, which can hunt in low light and struggles with fast subjects
Screen tilts up for selfies but doesn’t tilt down, which makes shooting over crowds awkward
No viewfinder, so in bright sun you’re relying on the screen
Short battery life, so carry a spare
Final thoughts
The G7 X gets you close to the image quality of an entry level DSLR in something you can carry every day. The 1-inch sensor and bright lens handle low light well, and the touchscreen and lens ring make it quick to use.
The autofocus struggles with moving subjects, and there’s no viewfinder. Battery life is short as well. Sports and wildlife shooters should look elsewhere, but as a pocket camera that’s a clear step up from a phone, the G7 X is hard to beat.
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Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst
Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.