The Canon PowerShot G1 X has just been released and is considered as the ultimate compact camera. It is a metal-bodied premium camera which is full of features and perfect for photo enthusiasts, regardless of what you are snapping. It is resolutely of the fixed lens (non-interchangeable) variety so should not be confused with any competitors’ similar sounding cameras.

As Canon fans will know, the company does not currently offer a compact in which the lens can be changed therefore this is as near to pro quality before you make a step up to a digital SLR.

Canon describes the G1 X as its ‘master compact’. It features a large CMOS sensor offering an effective resolution of 14.3 megapixels and an image-stabilised 4x optical zoom with a focal range - the equivalent of a wide angle 28-111mm on a 35mm film camera.

The Canon G1 X’s control layout is easy to navigate and buttons are well placed and sufficiently large for accurate function implementation. There are elements taken from Canon’s point and shoot cameras like the back plate scroll wheel, while the front command dial recalls a DSLR. Inspiration is even taken from rangefinder cameras, chiefly via its top plate dials.

On the G1 X, a five pence-sized shooting mode wheel with 10 manual and auto options sits atop a ten-pence piece shaped exposure compensation wheel, offering +/- 3EV in incremental steps. Both dials are stiff to the touch, so there little chance of accidentally slipping onto a setting we didn’t want when merely fetching the camera out of our bag.

A lever for operating the zoom encircles a raised and springy shutter release button. This has just the right amount of give to enable any user to determine its half-way point when focusing, while an instant record button for Full HD 1920x1080 pixels video at 24 frames per second (fps) sits top right of the backplate. This also falls under the thumb.

Generally the G1 X makes it easy to ‘get at’ all the camera’s functions, and anyone who has handled PowerShots lower down the range, or even an entry level DSLR, will find much familiar.

As is increasingly the case on high-end compacts and low and mid-end DSLRs, the G1 X’s back screen is angle adjustable. Here the 3-inch LCD can be flipped out at 180° from the body to effectively shoot around corners, or turned so the monitor is facing front of camera for self-portraits and group shots.

Furthermore it can be tilted up or down to achieve otherwise awkward low or high angle shots. It can even be flipped so the screen is facing inwards to the body for added protection in transit.

As if this wasn’t enough, we also get an easily overlooked viewfinder window directly above the LCD as an alternative option for composing shots.

The Canon PowerShot G1X packs an NB-10L lithium ion rechargeable battery in the base of its handgrip, shared with a slot for all variants of removable SD card media. This provides sufficient power to shoot up to 250 photos.

With a chunky handgrip and roughened lens surround enabling a steady two-handed hold when shooting or recording, the large and bright aperture lens on the front of the G1 X suggests itself as useful for taking portraits and close ups.

There are many more features of the Canon G1 X so visit http://www.canon.co.uk for more information and to buy.

 

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