Canon G1X - is it for me ?

I am thinking about buying a Canon G1X. I have a G 12 and a 430 EX 11 flash. I can get a fair trade in on the G 12 at the camera store.

A bit of background to help any answers.

I'm primarily a DSLR photographer. I've been an avid photographer since 1968, using SLR/DSLR, Rangefinder 35mm, Medium Format film.

I have 3 DSLR camera bodies (ASP-C, but not Canon) and an assortment of lenses.

For serious photography I use my DSLR's. I use my G12 as a daily carry around and would use a G1X (if I bought) for the same purpose.

Subjects...landscapes, winter scenes,, wild life, vintage vehicles...a lot of general photography.

Clarity , resolution, colour rendition are important criteria to me.

I have some questions about the G1X:

• Sensor size- I understand it is significantly bigger than the G 12's...in fact it is near the size of the Canon ASP-C sensor. Is this correct ? MP's are somewhere around 14, I think. My question....are the photo's (quality wise) when blown up to say 8 X 10 the equivalent of say a Canon DSLR with a kit lens ?
  
• I understand the G1X is bigger than the G 12...but I don't know how much bigger. I plan to go down to a camera shop in the next few days to check it out...but is the G1X significantly larger ? I primarily use the G 12 as a daily carry around....that would be the G1X's role if I got it and it wasn't too much of a brick. What do you think ?
  
• Features- I'm a long time (since '1968) photographer (earned my living 40 + years ago) and I like to be able to set my cameras...ie; aperture, shutter, etc. I was first attracted to the G series because of it's abilities in this area. I'm assuming the G1X can be set, much like the G 12. Are there any differences ?
  
• Macro/ low light- I find the G12's macro and low light abilities not too bad. Does the same apply to the G1X ?
  
• Difference between the G1X and G 12- Is it basically just the sensor size...or are there a host of differences that the G1X has over the G 12 ?
  
• Anything else...re: suggestions, experiences good or bad, general view of this camera..is it a good purchase ?
  

Sensor Size:

http://www.naturescape​s.net/memberpics/4-sensors.jpg

Camera Size:

http://www.radiantlite​.com …oads/2012/01/g1​x-g12..png

Low Light:

http://www.dxomark.com …ores/CS_G1XvsG1​2vsG11.jpg

http://thenewcamera.co​m …non-G1-X-vs-Canon-G12.jpg

For you - G1X seems perfect.

I am waiting for the G2X or EOM-MX or RX1-Zoom. I chose the RX100 for my carry around for now. Take a look at the RX100 for a carry around. G1X is better overall quality of pic but the RX100 is a close second.

G15 vs RX100 vs G1X (not best comparison as I never shoot at iso 6400 - atleast until I get the MKIII or IDX)

http://www.google.com …3&ved=1t:429,r:​6,s:0,i:94

I don't have a G1 X, rather a G11. The G1 X cannot do macro as close as the G11/G12, but most folks have used the Canon 250D (+4) and 500D (+2) close up lenses/filters to achieve good results. This thread on Flickr may be helpful.

http://www.flickr.com …iscuss/72157629​663705999/

Marco Nero has posted several threads on DPR about the G1 X and macro with the close up lenses. Here's his gallery on PBase.

http://www.pbase.com/n​ero_design/g1x_250d_50​0d

Dennis

While the G1X has a few less megapixels to play with, its lens is better than your standard Canon kit lens. 8x10 is too small to notice much if any difference between 14 and 18MP.

Overall it is still a relatively small camera, but unless you're talking big coat pockets, it is not a pocketable camera.

Biggest difference is that the direct dial for ISO has gone so as to fit the pop-up flash. ISO is now changed by pressing a button on the back of the camera and selecting the desired ISO with the control dial

Low light is much better. Macro requires a lens adapter and close-up filters (250D, 500D or similar)

Mostly this. The G1X operates like a Powershot but makes images like an EOS. It does appear to saturate colours more than an EOS, so I find myself desaturating the cyan channel in particular to get more natural looking skies.

Size - it's much less pocketable. I did a quick and dirty size comparison for another member. It's not so much the body dimensions - though it is slightly bigger in every dimension. Rather it is the bulk of the lens assembly which requires big pockets. Much bigger pockets :

The advantage over your G12 will be.
Control of depth of field, high ISO performance, lastly with a sensor 6 x the surface area of the G12 you will get more detail and image quality.
Canon targeted the majority of the market where photographers already have or had a DSLR rather than the occasional snapper user.

The G1X definitely has some nice features...viewfinder, flash, built in zoom (faster zoom)..unlike some of the 4/3 cameras. I'm kinda torn between the G1X and the E-PL5 now. Who said this was going to be easy!

Luckypenguin wrote in post #15242865
It does appear to saturate colours more than an EOS, so I find myself desaturating the cyan channel in particular to get more natural looking skies.

I must look at that.
I find it interesting that you report this as DPReview also spoke about saturated colours in their tests and yet my own experience is quite different.
We've had threads on here talking about the lack of colour , other review sites criticising the yellows and more claiming the JPEG+Red is the most accurate.
Funny business this assessment of colour.
Personally I like the default JPEGs as they come very close to my Leica X1 ( cool blues ) although the yellows can be a bit green sometimes.

To the OP I would recommend holding a G1X first as the weight can come as a surprise ; it's a camera I want to hate but can't when I see the shots

Les, I have both the G1X and a G11 and I use them both.

I keep the G11 in my pickup for those times when I need to take a few pics, such as a few weeks ago when a drunk driver hit my truck...

I find that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

Yes it's harder to pocket the G1X mainly due to the increased width because the lens is deeper. I have a snug fitting case with a neck strap that works very well. Some of my jackets have large inside pockets that will also carry it.

As I use both of them, I can directly compare the two. I really do find that aside from the pocketability, the G1X outshines the G11 in virtually all details. Having a sensor that is 6 times the size of the previous G series is a huge plus. My low light shots are way superior.

The AF, while not fast like a DSLR, is very accurate. It takes the 430EX that I used on my G9 and G11. The removable lens cap is a love/hate thing. I really don't mind it but do find I frequently turn the camera on without removing it. It can be a pain.

Shutter lag? Yeah well, all the G's suffer on that one.

Yes it is a bit heavier but I like the solid feel to it. When I pick up my wifes basic Olympus P&S, I really appreciate the G1X more. (no comparison there though...)

I do like the stop up/down dial on top. I use it a lot. I like the pop up flash too. I use my 430EX for when I need a decent flash, but many times outside flash fill is needed if my subjects are brightly lit from behind. Rather than bring up a menu to turn the flash on, I leave it turned on all the time and simply flick the catch to pop it up when needed. I find it way faster.

I do like being able to go beyond ISO200. Big plus when low light shooting is needed. And the results are amazing.

Speaking for myself, I would never consider the G15. Especially because they did away with the articulating screen again. For me, that screen is mandatory and not having it is one thing I hated about my G9 over my G2.

IMO, the G1X is better suited for those of us who like to compose our shots in addition to P&S a quick pic, and adjust the settings for our own needs, while a G15 is better suited for those who want a nicer than basic point and shoot. Again, MY opinion..

I am well pleased with my G1X and the results it gives me.

tinfire wrote in post #15243846
I must look at that.
Funny business this assessment of colour.
Personally I like the default JPEGs as they come very close to my Leica X1 ( cool blues ) although the yellows can be a bit green sometimes.

To the OP I would recommend holding a G1X first as the weight can come as a surprise ; it's a camera I want to hate but can't when I see the shots

Same for me I quite like the default colours, reminds me very much of that Velvia Film. I normally preset +5 on saturation in lightroom, but with the G1x I do very little post processing other than merging of multple exposures.

Agree with the latter of your post, you think the camera will eventually come to a frustrating experience but it doesn,t when the pics come up on the monitor screen.
The G1x has a bit of a character, its not a pretty camera with everything done automatically, its a "working camera" that rewards you with good images by the bucketloads.
For portability it goes into one of my Lens cloth bags and straight into my overcoat pocket, the articulated screen means it doesn,t get scratched like other exposed screens.
If they bring out a Mk 11, i will probabably buy it.

I went from a G9 to the G1X. The G1X lets me do things I could not do with the G9. I love to shoot in natural light and the G1X does this very well. I also sometimes like to zoom way in on a photo I took and crop just that area and with the G1X this is now possible.

The G1X fits my budget and does what I want it to without spending the big bucks for the pro cameras and gear.

tinfire wrote in post #15243846
I must look at that.
I find it interesting that you report this as DPReview also spoke about saturated colours in their tests and yet my own experience is quite different.
We've had threads on here talking about the lack of colour , other review sites criticising the yellows and more claiming the JPEG+Red is the most accurate.
Funny business this assessment of colour.
Personally I like the default JPEGs as they come very close to my Leica X1 ( cool blues ) although the yellows can be a bit green sometimes.

I think that (in my case anyway) it is due to how Adobe's G1X camera raw profile for Lightroom reads the colours from the raw file. Over-saturated cyan in skies has become a pet hate of mine, and I find this to be worse on the G1X raws as well as those from the various Olympus cameras that I have had. It's easily removed of course so it isn't a problem as such. I don't use the G1X jpegs so I can't comment on how they handle cyan.

tinfire wrote in post #15243846
To the OP I would recommend holding a G1X first as the weight can come as a surprise ; it's a camera I want to hate but can't when I see the shots

I've wondered a few times if I should sell the G1X but I change my mind when I see what it produces. More than any other camera it makes you realise that the practise of equating image quality to the numbers generated from sensor test results can be deceiving.

For you, the G1X is probably a reasonable consideration and likely a good choice. I’ve had the G12 and now use the G1X + 7D combination. My blog documents my experiences.
Specs: http://lightdescriptio​n.blogspot.com …res-g9-vs-g12-vs-g1x.html
Side by side with G12: http://lightdescriptio​n.blogspot.com …1x-first-impressions.html
Pocketability: http://lightdescriptio​n.blogspot.com/2012/05​/g1x-pocketable.html
Macro: http://lightdescriptio​n.blogspot.com/2012/03​/g1x-macro.html
… and 41 more posts on or mentioning the G1X: http://lightdescriptio​n.blogspot.com/search/​label/G1X
As you’ve probably noted with your G12, none of the G series are particularly quick or good with flash.
I do tend to use the G12 for web sized close-ups and time lapse video although the G1X is OK.

Thank you for all the replies. I also checked out a G1X. It's an impressive camera and for a small camera....impressive with that relatively large sensor.

It's pricey though, although I'm still thinking of getting one. I would much rather have the G1X as a replacement for my G 12 than the G 15.

I'm still mulling it over.

Lesmore wrote in post #15257590
It's pricey though, although I'm still thinking of getting one. I would much rather have the G1X as a replacement for my G 12 than the G 15.

I'm still mulling it over.

You only cry once!

Then you'll be glad you shelled out a little extra for the G1X!

I know I am very glad I spent a couple hundred more. I got mine for a decent price at the time, which was 750. They can be had cheaper now.