G1x - why I loved it, hated it, and sold it

First, I have been shooting canon slr's, and dslr's for over 30yrs. I started(and my family) tired of lugging all the stuff on family vacations, etc. I have used a few p&s, but never really happy, bought a canon s100 and was very happy, but with all the reviews on the G1x, I thought this would be it.
Pros: image quality is simply outstanding, very close if not the same as my dslr.
Build, it is like a metal brick.
Cons: I never hated it, but its just a odd size. Not that big, but its really like taking a small camcorder, you need a small shoulder bag. Of course everyone has different needs , and shooting, so not a killer to a lot. But I found I always left it home, and grabbed the S100, fits in my pocket, could take it on my motorcycle, vacations, to the pool, etc., hand it to my wife to keep in her purse.
Sold it: I ended up selling the G1x, and buying a Sony rx100. Image quality is close, g1x is better, but it is the same size as the s100, but better.

My guess is canon could change the form factor to a s100, but then lose sales on s1xx, and all the other pockets they make.

I am a canon guy, and will stick with them for dslr's, but unless they change, I will be following the Sony line for high end point and shoots.

Interesting post. I carry the G1X in a bag with my 60D. I regard the image quality of the G1X as top drawer, so it is like an extra quality 24-105mm zoom whenever I need some reach, and a standard lens, macro or wide angle zoom is on my dSLR. The G1X is probably lighter than a zoom of that quality would be for a dSLR too. So I love it, and often leave the house with just the G1X... and feel really free. I won't be selling it anytime soon, I just love this camera.

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Interesting and helpful perspectives!

I agree about packing all the DSLR stuff and the quality of the G1X images. I hate shoulder bags and found a leather belt pouch on eBay that works fine with the G1X. I hardly notice it's there but handy when needed. I bought a Think Tank belt and shoulder setup that I thought would make carrying the DSLR and lenses more comfortable but it's a hassle to use. I might be different from the majority of photographers but I started in photography in 1949 and been through many phases of the industry and have always preferred rangefinder cameras over those with AF for constantly accurate focusing but they're a dying breed and I guess so am I. If Canon was to come out with RF model of the G1X it would sure be an affordable Leica alternative but I doubt that will ever happen.

I recently bought a 70-200L F/4 IS and a 17-40L F/4 thinking that would stimulate use of my 5D2 but I still grab the G1X most of the time. It's just so much easier carry around and the image quality is pretty darn good although I have to admit FF has the edge. I'm hoping Canon will someday come out with FF compact like the G1X, maybe with a better viewfinder (or better yet RF!).

I tried a whole bunch of different compact cameras over the years but I was never happy with their handling, their control layout, and especially their image quality. Similarly I found the size and viewfinder-based interface of DSLRs restrictive.

Enter cameras like the G1X, Micro Four Thirds, Samsung NX, Fuji X...perfection! Smallish size, big enough to have good control layouts, and image quality easily the match of equivalent DSLRs.

Anyone want to buy my old Canon lenses?

I don't know, but I just was never happy with the images of my G1X. The outdoor pictures on normal sunny days or in average high contrast setups were simply way too harsh due to lack of good dynamic range. I was actually pretty disappointed as I expected much more from the huge sensor. After reading more on the subject it does seem that the jpeg engine is partly to blame rather than the sensor and maybe the way to get good performance out of your G1X is to only take pictures in RAW and develop them on your computer while regaining a few stops in DR by manipulating shadows and highlights.

spear wrote in post #16402210
I don't know, but I just was never happy with the images of my G1X. The outdoor pictures on normal sunny days or in average high contrast setups were simply way too harsh due to lack of good dynamic range. I was actually pretty disappointed as I expected much more from the huge sensor. After reading more on the subject it does seem that the jpeg engine is partly to blame rather than the sensor and maybe the way to get good performance out of your G1X is to only take pictures in RAW and develop them on your computer while regaining a few stops in DR by manipulating shadows and highlights.

Agree with this with regard to the Jpeg processor, sometimes you need to de saturate and change the shadows and highlights and there is a loss in detail when examining at over 100%.
However shooting out at RAW is much better for post processing and is the better option for a good quality image.

Like I said when I started this discussion, I really loved everything except size. You have to carry like a small purse bag for it. For my needs, when going small, I need something that fits on my belt or pockets, (motorcycle, or just going out where I might take a picture, might not) and the G1x can't, and the Sony rx100 can. I think canon could change the form factor to that of the s100/110 if they wanted to, but then they would be shooting them selves in the foot, eliminating their other p&s cameras, but they would dominate the market, IMHO.

I may be demonstrating my ignorance here but it won't be the first time and likely not the last . . .

If the JPG parameters are minimized, particularly the one for contrast, does that help maximize dynamic range? For the G1 X, this is apparently done under the 'Custom Color' menu.

Also, does Dynamic Range Correction work as advertised and provide any real benefit?

spear wrote in post #16402210
After reading more on the subject it does seem that the jpeg engine is partly to blame rather than the sensor and maybe the way to get good performance out of your G1X is to only take pictures in RAW and develop them on your computer while regaining a few stops in DR by manipulating shadows and highlights.

I'm sure that there are some exceptions, but I haven't yet had the pleasure of owning a camera where this wasn't the case.

scottgee1 wrote in post #16402802
I may be demonstrating my ignorance here but it won't be the first time and likely not the last . . .

If the JPG parameters are minimized, particularly the one for contrast, does that help maximize dynamic range? For the G1 X, this is apparently done under the 'Custom Color' menu.

Also, does Dynamic Range Correction work as advertised and provide any real benefit?

More contrast = less dynamic range, at least it does if the camera applies contrast as a simple "make darks darker" and "make brights brighter" adjustment. Conversely a lack of contrast creates a flat image and reduces the impression of sharpness. Balancing contrast and dynamic range is best achieved by performing a tone curve adjustment and through processing software that increases micro-contrast without affecting the overall contrast levels.

The dynamic range expansion in the G1X does work as advertised but not to the standard where I would choose it over shooting raw.

I have always shot RAW with the G1X, and have always been wowed by the quality of the files. I just like to be in control, I guess. Plus, I have all the time I want to kill by experimenting with files in post processing. RAW never disappoints.

Hi,
I have understand that the laws of physics are limiting the thinness of G1X.
Bigger sensor means bigger lens. And larger aperture means bigger lens. There is no way around it.

K