Canon PowerShot G3 X review:-
), the new model feels and performs more like the G-series, a line of high-quality cameras that enthusiasts have loved for years. With its 1-inch sensor the G3 X captures beautiful photographs, and it’s not too shabby at videos either. But tourists looking for a strong all-in-one camera or enthusiasts who want a capable secondary shooter, the G3 X is a compelling option.
Features and design
The all-black G3 X is much more angular than Canon’s current
SX-series of mega-zooms (also known as “bridge” cameras) and it has a
distinct rangefinder vibe. What makes it stand apart from rest of the
G-models is the huge lens on the front. Where other G-series cameras max
out at 4x or 5x optical zooms, the G3 X has a range of 24-600mm, or
25x, with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 (wide angle) to f/5.6 (telephoto).
Also adding to its appeal is a large 20.2MP 1-inch sensor – just like
G7 X, and far larger than the 1 /2.3-inch imager used in the SX-series.
In a nutshell, larger sensors mean better photos with improved detail.
Sony’s Cyber-shot RX10 and RX10 Mark II
are the only other mega-zooms with 1-inch sensors and their focal range
is only 24-200mm (8.3x). You may think the G3 X has the Sony beat but
the RX10s have a constant aperture f/2.8 lens and performs some very cool tricks. Before we get into comparisons, let’s look at what else this Canon has to offer.
We had high expectations in image quality, and we weren’t disappointed.
The dust- and water-resistant G3 X is big and feels very substantial,
and there is no mistaking it for a pocket cam. The grip has a nicely
textured finish and, during testing, felt comfortable in our hands (as
always, you should do your own heft-and-feel test). The G3 X measures
4.9 x 3 x 4.2 inches (WHD) and weighs 1.62 pounds (fully loaded with
battery and card). That 4.2-inch spec for depth is with the camera off;
fully extended, the camera is around 7 inches. Seriously, this one is
really for vacationers who want an all-in-one camera they don’t mind
lugging around, especially when compared to the huge weight of a DSLR
with a bag full of lenses.
The lens is optically stabilized and uses USM (Ultra Sonic Motor)
technology to eliminate noise when zooming – a plus when shooting
videos. On the front you’ll also find an AF-assist lamp for focusing in
dim light and stereo mics. On the left side of the lens barrel are two
buttons, one for manual focus (MF) and Framing Assist Seek. The latter
is an excellent feature: It helps you find your subject at extreme
telephoto, since any slight movement can easily lose track of what
you’re trying to zoom in on. Tap this button and the lens will zoom
back; a shaded box appears so you can re-center what you want to
capture. This came in very handy shooting surfers catching some waves,
for example. (More about the lens performance below.)
The dominant feature on the back is a 3.2-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, rated 1.62-million dots – possibly the highest quality display we’ve seen yet. It definitely has reflectivity issues in direct sunshine but you can correct this by cranking up the brightness via the menu system. If you want to eliminate these problems completely, Canon has an optional electronic viewfinder (EVF) that attaches via the hot shoe, for $300. By comparison, the Sony RX10 has a built-in EVF.
Other features on the back include a smartphone button to link the camera to your phone or other mobile device using the Canon app (there’s also an NFC tag on the left side of the body, for use with select Android devices and Canon’s optional Connect Station accessory). To the right of the LCD is a large, textured thumb-rest to help keep the camera steady, as well as a collection of keys (shortcut, delete, AF Frame Selector, playback, menu, and display). A control wheel surrounds a center Q/Set button. The Q button pulls up the camera’s adjustable parameters onscreen, such as white balance. The four points of the dial let you change the flash, AF/burst, macro, and ISO. This control layout is very typical of the G-series and is designed for enthusiasts comfortable tweaking their shots. On the right side is a compartment with connections for a remote, USB, and HDMI, while the left-side compartment has inputs for headphones and a mic. Also on the left is a switch to manually pop the flash up. The bottom has a tripod mount and battery/SD card compartment.
What’s included
Canon supplies the camera, plug-in charger, and a battery (rated a
solid 300 shots). You also get a neck strap and a lens cover. Also
provided is a 131-page quick-start guide; the full manual is available
as a download, as is a basic software bundle for handling files.Warranty
Canon offers a typical one-year warranty for parts and labor. Canon offers an extended warranty plan, called CarePak Plus ($110-$150), which covers accidental damage and offers live support. Since the camera is on the pricey side, you may want to consider this option.Performance and use
The G3 X uses a 1-inch 20.2MP sensor that captures 5,472 x 3,648-pixel photos (JPEG/RAW). The photos this sensor is capable of look terrific. We had high expectations, and we weren’t disappointed. Colors were right on target for the most part. When we wanted a little more pop, a simple turn or three of the exposure compensation dial took care of business.
The camera has an ISO range of 125-12,800 – about as good as it gets for a non-interchangeable lens camera. Unfortunately, the G3 X is not a great performer in low light, with noise appearing at ISO 1,000 and slowly degrading as we raised the setting. Going beyond 2,000 is asking for trouble and anything higher is problematic. This was rather surprising given Canon’s track record. Just realize you’ll need to use the flash in really dim situations. The built-in flash is a good one and worked very well for some portraits taken with the forced-flash setting.
A blemish is poor ISO performance, so try to illuminate your subject in low light.
We have to say the G3 X has an excellent feel. However, shooting at
extreme telephoto requires good techniques like bracing the camera or
using stable surfaces or a tripod whenever you can. The camera has a
very good optical image stabilization system but even the slightest
movement will have your target subject jumping around the LCD screen –
if you can even find it again. That’s why the aforementioned Framing
Assist button is handy. A monopod would be a good purchase for anyone
serious about 600mm photographs or those doing a lot of panning while
shooting movies.The G3 X can be as simple as full automatic or as advanced as full manual. The mode dial offers Smart Auto, Hybrid Auto (creates a digest movie when shooting stills), PASM, two custom options, special effects, sports, scene (six choices), HDR (high dynamic range), and movie. We did a lot of shooting in Smart Auto but gave Program AE and Aperture Priority workouts as well. Regardless of the modes, the G3 X delivered excellent stills and we don’t think many photographers will complain about the quality.
We’re glad to see Canon offers Full HD 1080 at 60p movie recording. Focusing was accurate for the most part but it did lose the main subject on more than one occasion. Overall the results were good with nice colors and no hint of rolling shutter. Our biggest problem was panning at extreme telephoto, as we lost the subject even as we tried to keep the camera level as we moved.
