Fuji X100 alternative, Canon G1X... G-series Canon with APS-C Sensor

[NickTrop]

Not in the market for a camera but this looks like an interesting alternative if you can't stretch for the Fuji X100. Looks like a G-series Canon, basically, but with an APS-C sensor. Lens is 2.8 at widest - a trade off, but it has an articulated LCD, a zoom providing a "range of focal lengths", and an MSRP of $800 US - signficantly less pricey than the X100. Didn't see any thread about this, sorry if this is a dupe. Thought it worth pointing out. Probably a hot camera. The Canon G series has a stellar reputation as their flagship point-n-shoot line, now with an APS-C sized sensor... Not the "hottest" thing from a design standpoint but I bet this thing will take outstanding pics.

http://gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/_new...-introduces-new-flagship-powershot-gx-1-elphs

 

[jsrockit]

I think it's a step in the right direction for Canon. It's not APS-C (closer to m4/3), but the smaller sensor G series did well even in these times of small APS-C and M4/3 cameras. This new sensor should help Canon against the Fuji X10 (a direct competitor). Many pros seems to like this camera still to this day. Not my thing, but it is nice to see larger sensor P&S cameras coming our way. I'd still love a truly pocketable camera (like pants pocket small, not jacket) with a m4/3 sensor or larger.

 

[NickTrop]

I think it's a step in the right direction for Canon. It's not APS-C (closer to m4/3), but the smaller sensor G series did well even in these times of small APS-C and M4/3 cameras. This new sensor should help Canon against the Fuji X10 (a direct competitor). Many pros seems to like this camera still to this day. Not my thing, but it is nice to see larger sensor P&S cameras coming our way. I'd still love a truly pocketable camera (like pants pocket small, not jacket) with a m4/3 sensor or larger.

Yes, you're correct/I stand corrected. It's not APS-C. It's a new sensor, a hair bigger than 4/3 (I think) but smaller than APS-C. Should be better than the X10 since it should will better in low light and you will probably be able to blur out the background.

I think if I was in the market for a camera, I wouldn't consider this - or the X100 but I'm sure they're fine cameras. I keep coming back to, "Why would I buy this if I can pick up any of the fine compact APS-C DSLRs? I guess as a hobbyist, I don't have unlimited funds I'm willing to spend so for me "bang for the buck" is the primary concern. $800 - $1200 gets me a lot more camera albeit in a more boring form factor. And I really think size differential is an overstated benefit as they all fall into the "medium" size to me. Not pocketable like an Olympus XA or the small sensor digitals, not behemoth full-frame pro cameras or medium format cameras... In between - too big to pocket but not a chore to carry around.

 

[NickTrop]

Oh - and PS, "mods" if by chance, you can take "APS-C" out of the thread title it would be appreciated. I'd rather not perpetuate misinformation - honest mistake or not. Thanks (if you see/if possible...)

 

[dbarnes]

One thing about the new Canon: Its new not-quite-APC-C sensor has 4:3 proportions rather than 3:2. May or not matter. I prefer 3:2. Your mileage may vary.

http://files.petapixel.com/assets/uploads/2012/01/diagram_mini.jpg

 

[Archlich]

While both companies treasure their entry-level DSLR business so much that they couldn't release a proper mirrorless system, this camera kills off Nikon 1 system instantly. What will Nikon do? Uprage its P line? Lower Nikon 1 price? Either way they fail.

The viewfinder on the G1X looks as squinty as past G cameras. Not a X100 substitute I suppose.

 

[NickTrop]

While both companies treasure their entry-level DSLR business so much that they couldn't release a proper mirrorless system, this camera kills off Nikon 1 system instantly. What will Nikon do? Uprage its P line? Lower Nikon 1 price? Either way they fail.

The viewfinder on the G1X looks as squinty as past G cameras. Not a X100 substitute I suppose.

True, this. However, bear in mind this camera costs $400 less than the X100. For some that's a decent piece of change. But you're correct. This probably hurts the Nikon 1 sales.

 

[nightfly]

If they could put this sensor in an s95 sized body with an f2.0 lens, that would be really sweet.

 

[Paddy C]

One ugly looking camera. Yikes.

 

[rbelyell]

I think it's a step in the right direction for Canon. It's not APS-C (closer to m4/3), but the smaller sensor G series did well even in these times of small APS-C and M4/3 cameras. This new sensor should help Canon against the Fuji X10 (a direct competitor). Many pros seems to like this camera still to this day. Not my thing, but it is nice to see larger sensor P&S cameras coming our way. I'd still love a truly pocketable camera (like pants pocket small, not jacket) with a m4/3 sensor or larger.

yup, another reason to ignore CanNikon and root for the real digi-innovators like fuji, olly etc. if nothing else, these kinds of cams need to be versatile and 2.8 is not versatile. in fact, it stinks!

 

[stompyq]

Wish ricoh would put a similar sized sensor on there next GRD

 

[jsrockit]

If they could put this sensor in an s95 sized body with an f2.0 lens, that would be really sweet.

Exactly!!!!

And I have to disagree... this camera is not a killer of any other camera. This camera already firmly has its user base in tact. The Nikon System 1 is doing extremely well despite what we at RFF think about it. And the X100 is a totally different concept...it is not in any danger.

 

[39per1]

Wish ricoh would put a similar sized sensor on there next GRD

I agree......

PS: with such an IQ and that size, this Canon could become my favourite camera for daily use, a replacement for the middle range DSLR+zoom kit (i.e.: 28/80 or 24/120)...the most insteresting new camera among all those mirrorless/fake-rangenfinder cameras.....

 

[unixrevolution]

One ugly looking camera. Yikes.

That only matters if you're on the lens-end, not the finder-end.

That, and I don't think it's really all that ugly.

 

[Archiver]

I'm looking forward to this one. My first digital camera was a Canon S45 with 35mm eq lens, and when I got the S70 with 28mm eq lens I was totally in love. After that I went through a number of other digital cameras including the G7 until Canon released the G10. Boy, it was great to be back to a 28mm Canon compact. I love the ergonomics of the G series, too.

But in the meantime I also fell prey to DSLR's and large sensor cameras like the Sigma compacts. Since getting into bigger sensors I've found small sensor images to be lacking in a lot of ways. This will be the first 'compact' camera that Canon has released with a large sensor, and if it is essentially an upgraded G10 with a DSLR-sized sensor, I will love it. The Fuji X10 is a cool camera but somehow the files lack a kind of richness or depth or 'robustness' that I've only seen from large sensor cams. This new Canon could be very, very good for me.

Now I just have to decide whether to get myself on the waiting list now, or to hold out until others jump on the early adopter train.

 

[Paul T.]

It shows the fourthirds cameras are having an impact on Canon. If it makes them raise their game, good.

I owned a G10 and was frustrated by it in many ways - mainly the barrel distortion and the impossibility of getting any OOF areas. But it focused reliably and altho the VF was lousy, at least it has a VF. But this is a huge improvement, especially if it signals that way for generally bigger sensors, without a huge price premium.