It doesn’t look all that different from the G-series cameras that came before it, but the G1 X is an entirely new animal in the Canon stable. The G12 will still live on in the line-up — similar to the way the S95 and S100 co-exist — but the G1 X is clearly the new top dog in town.
First things first, the lens is attached to the camera. So, that means that even though it has a new 1.5-inch sensor inside, there’s no need to fret about crop factor or lens compatibility for a new camera system. The camera is a system within itself.
The High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor measures 18.7 x 14mm, which places it squarely in the fray that’s currently playing out in the space between tiny compact sensors and the APS-C models found in many DSLRs. It’s actually bigger than the sensor found in Nikon’s 1-series cameras and even Micro Four-Thirds cameras.
The sensor is, of course, paired with Canon’s relatively new Digic 5 processors. Combined, they offer a maximum ISO of 12,800, which they’re promising will look a lot better than it would on the average advanced compact. It also does 1080p video, which you had probably already guessed by now.
The integrated zoom lens is a 4x with a maximum aperture of F/2.8-F/5.8 and a full-frame equivalent zoom range of 28-112. That should make it feel extremely familiar to those who use the common 5D Mark II and 24-105 F/4L IS combination. It uses Canon’s hybrid IS technology (Canon only does optical IS) in order to keep things sharp, even at the longer focal lengths.
The back of the camera is equipped with a 3-inch vari-angle LCD with a resolution of 922,000 dots. It’s not a touch screen, but there are plenty of tactile dials and buttons to handle the familiar Canon navigation system.
When the G1 X comes in February, it will cost $799, which means it will also bring with it features you’d expect out of a high-end compact like a hot shoe, an optical viewfinder and 14-bit RAW capture.
It would’ve been nice to see wireless flash control (like the kind built into the 7D and 60D DSLRs) built into the pop-up flash, but perhaps in the next version.
We’ll be doing some hands-on coverage of the G1 X from the CES show floor, so look for that soon. What do you think of this new breed of super high-end compacts like the Fujifilm X10 and the G1 X? Do you need interchangeable lenses?
Standout Spec: 14.3MP 1.5″ CMOS Sensor
Product Specifications
| Sensor Size: | 1.5 inch |
| Sensor Type: | CMOS |
| Megapixels: | 14.3 |
| Optical Zoom Range: | 4 |
| 35mm Equivalent: | 28.00 mm |
| Maximum Aperture: | F/2.80 |
| Display Type: | Vari-Angle LCD Screen |
| Display Size: | 3.0 inches |
| Display Resolution: | 922000 pixels |
| Minimum ISO: | 100 ISO |
| Maximum ISO: | 12800 ISO |
| Built-in Flash: | No |
| Burst Rate: | 4.50 fps |
| Media Type: | Secure Digital (SD), Secure Digital High Capacity (SDHC), Secure Digital Expanded Capacity (SDXC) |
| RAW: | Yes |
| Video Capture: | Yes |
| Maximum Video Resolution: | 1080p |
| HDMI Port: | Yes |
| Height: | 3.2 inches |
| Width: | 4.6 inches |
| Depth: | 2.5 inches |
| Weight: | 17 ounces |
| Hot Shoe: | Yes |
| Rotating Screen: | Yes |
| Touch Screen: | No |
| Optical Viewfinder: | Yes |
| Body Colors: | black |
| Video File Format: | MPEG-4 AVC/H.264, MOV |
| Audio File Format Points: | Linear PCM |
| Price: | $549.00 |
| Model Number: | X1 |
| SKU: | 5249B001 |
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