Recommendation, please . . .

[ddeand]

I've had great performance and luck with my G11 for the past few years, but like most gearheads, I'm getting a little itchy for something new. While I like many of the features of the small, mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses, I am intrigued by the potential for better IQ that I will get with the Canon G1 X. I've read most of the posts regarding the G1 X on the forum, and I've also done read a bit about the pluses and minuses of the camera. I just need a push one way or the other on what to get for my next rig.

I generally use the camera for travel photography, some wildlife, a little close-up work, and a bit of family type stuff. I figure the larger sensor and better image quality of the G1 X would compensate for the macro limitations, but I'm a little worried about the slower focusing. On the other hand, I think the G1 X would be better than most of the other cameras I've seen for interior shots where I can't use a flash (e.g., cathedral and museum interiors). I have also started to use a tripod more often for my close-up work. My camera has to be pocketable, and my G11 has been good for that - I wouldn't want to go much bigger, though. I sold my DSLR when I bought the G11 and have been very happy with that choice.

So, is the larger sensor and greater quality enough to offset some the things I would give up (when compared to the G11)? I'd really like to hear some opinions, experiences, suggestions, or alternatives.

Thanks for any help you might be able to give!

Dean

[the jimmy]

From reading your post, are you sure you don't mean the G1x as opposed to the $6800 D1x?

[Rudi]

Originally Posted by the jimmy

From reading your post, are you sure you don't mean the G1x as opposed to the $6800 D1x?

And you mean the 1D X, right?

[Rudi]

Originally Posted by ddeand

So, is the larger sensor and greater quality enough to offset some the things I would give up (when compared to the G11)? I'd really like to hear some opinions, experiences, suggestions, or alternatives.

I think the larger sensor more than offsets the issues that you mentioned.

[algold]

imho AF speed is the same, may be G1X is slightly faster than G11, depends on the camera settings. after buying G1X I haven't used G11 even once and passed it to my 13-years old son. have to say that a battery life of G11 is a lot better, used to get up to 500 shots from one charge with it, but a spare battery or two can fix this.

[the jimmy]

Originally Posted by Rudi

And you mean the 1D X, right?

Ahh, yea

Seems I wasn't the only one to make that mistake

[Rudi]

Originally Posted by the jimmy

Ahh, yea

Seems I wasn't the only one to make that mistake

It's all good. It was just amusing, two posts one after each other, both wrong. It goes to show just how bloody confusing camera model designations really are these days!

[denncald]

Originally Posted by the jimmy

From reading your post, are you sure you don't mean the G1x as opposed to the $6800 D1x?

Gee, I was thinking he was confused between the G1 X and the GX1...

Dennis

[ddeand]

Oops!!! My bad - I did mean the G1X. Pretty big difference, eh?

Dean

[2mnycars]

Dean, I regret buying a Sony NEX5 because I've lost the portability and quality that Canon makes. I find the Sony menus confusing, and the gear is so large that I might as well carry a dslr body. And going that way was expensive.
There is a difference in image quality with a larger sensor. I chose the Sony because of better high ISO performance. Yet though it meets that need, I seldom carry it. If I had a G12 I would carry it every day.
I had 2-G11's, and a G9 before that.

I have had no experience with the Canon camera with the larger sensor, and without interchangeable lenses. (The name escapes me. )

Throwing this in, so that others may reconsider before going along the path I chose. For me it has had its interesting moments, but it hasn't been worth the cost. ( I would have saved a lot buying the smallest dslr body my camera maker produces, and that would have been only slightly larger than what I chose, due to the large lens sizes for the NEX format.)

[tinfire]

I don't think that many G1X owners have illusions about the design weaknesses but you will have seen nothing but universal praise for the image quality... better than many DSLRs.

There are lots of things that I dislike about the G1X but it delivers what I want and focuses far more quickly than many would have you believe (AF speed is not a problem for me).
In a small package you have a first class picture making machine.


Personally I think that the G1X's shelf life is now limited.
I've never seen another in the wild and they are rarely on display at camera stores ; I haven't seen one on a shelf for at least 3 months.
Grab one when the prices start to drop ; I think it may acquire cult status.