Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II Canon - Review 🏆

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a premium compact digital camera that packs impressive imaging capabilities into a lightweight, portable body. This Mark II version builds upon the foundation of the original G5 X model with updated internals and new features to deliver an even more versatile shooting experience.

At the heart of the G5 X Mark II is a 1-inch, 20.1MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 image processor, which work together to produce high-resolution photos and 4K videos. The sensor is larger than what you'd find in a typical point-and-shoot camera for improved light gathering abilities. Meanwhile, the fast DIGIC 8 processor enables quick shooting speeds, fast autofocus, and excellent high ISO noise reduction.

The G5 X Mark II sports a 5x optical zoom lens equivalent to 24-120mm with a bright f/1.8-2.8 maximum aperture range. This gives you a versatile wide-angle to short telephoto zoom range for everything from landscapes to portraits. The bright f/1.8 aperture at the wide end allows for creative background blur and low light shooting.

With its blend of imaging capabilities, creative controls, and manual settings in a highly portable body, the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II offers enthusiast and prosumer photographers an advanced compact camera option. This overview will take a deeper look at the G5 X Mark II's design, features, image quality, and performance.

Design and Build Quality

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II has a compact and lightweight design with premium build quality. It measures 110.9 x 60.9 x 46 mm and weighs approximately 340 grams. The body is constructed out of metal and has a textured grip that provides a secure hold.

Despite its small size, the camera is ergonomically designed with an ample handgrip and well-placed controls. All of the buttons and dials are within easy reach. There is a control ring around the lens which can be customized to change settings like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The camera has a tilt up touchscreen LCD which can flip up 180 degrees. This allows you to shoot from high and low angles. Overall, the build quality is excellent with a sleek, premium look and feel.

In comparison, the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS offers a robust design that balances portability and functionality. This model features a more prominent zoom lens suited for capturing distant subjects, with a 50x optical zoom capability. It also boasts a 3-inch LCD screen for easy framing of your shots. Weighing about 442 grams, it's slightly heavier but remains manageable for daily use. Both cameras deliver outstanding image quality, but the SX540 HS particularly excels in long-range scenarios. For more details, check out the Canon PowerShot SX540 HS.

Image Sensor and Processor

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II features a 1-inch 20.1MP CMOS sensor paired with the DIGIC 8 image processor. This combination allows the camera to capture excellent image quality with crisp details, vivid colors, and low noise even in low light.

The 1-inch sensor size is quite large for a compact camera, enabling superior light gathering compared to smaller sensors. This allows for cleaner images with better dynamic range. The high 20.1MP resolution also provides ample resolution for large prints or aggressive cropping.

The fast DIGIC 8 processor contributes to the overall great image quality as well. It provides quick processing to reduce noise and artifacts while delivering natural looking photos. The DIGIC 8 also enables fast continuous shooting up to 20 fps with autofocus, fast autofocus acquisition, and 4K video recording capabilities. Overall, the pairing of a 1-inch sensor and DIGIC 8 processor makes the G5 X Mark II capable of delivering DSLR-like image quality and performance in a compact form factor.

In addition to the G5 X Mark II, the Canon IXUS 285 2421Y85 offers a compact and stylish design that is perfect for everyday photography. It features a 20MP sensor and a versatile 12x optical zoom lens, allowing you to capture stunning details from a distance. The IXUS 285 also includes Wi-Fi connectivity for easy sharing of photos and videos, making it an ideal choice for those who want a simple point-and-shoot experience. For more information about the Canon IXUS 285, you can visit Canon IXUS 285 2421Y85.

Lens

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is equipped with a 4.2x optical zoom lens, which provides a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 24-100mm and a fast maximum aperture range of f/1.8-2.8. This versatile zoom range goes from a true wide angle to short telephoto, making the G5 X Mark II ideal for landscapes, architecture, street photography, portraits, and daily casual shooting.

The lens construction incorporates 14 elements in 11 groups, with 1 dual-sided aspherical lens element and 1 UA lens element to help reduce chromatic aberrations and deliver excellent sharpness and clarity across the zoom range. 5-axis optical image stabilization provides up to 4 stops of shake correction for sharp handheld shots and videos.

The bright f/1.8 maximum aperture at the wide 24mm end enables good low light performance and allows for selective focus control. Combined with the 1-inch sensor, it can produce a shallow depth of field for pleasing background blur. The lens is not interchangeable but provides a great balance of speed, versatility and portability.

Autofocus and Shooting Speed

The Canon G5 X Mark II has a fast and accurate autofocus system thanks to its 31-point contrast detect AF system. It can lock focus in just 0.02 seconds, allowing you to capture fleeting moments with ease.

For tracking moving subjects, the AF system does a decent job of locking on and maintaining focus. It may struggle a bit with erratic motion, but overall it's reliable.

The G5 X Mark II has a good continuous shooting speed of up to 20 fps when using the electronic shutter, or 8 fps with the mechanical shutter. This allows you to capture fast action sequences with a decent number of shots to choose from.

The buffer depth when shooting RAW files is around 23 frames, which isn't huge but enough for short bursts. The buffer clears fairly quickly as well, so you won't be waiting too long before you can shoot again.

Overall, the autofocus and continuous shooting performance is very solid for a compact camera in this class. It provides enough speed and accuracy for action photography, while also handling general shooting very well.

Video Recording

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is capable of recording high-quality video footage. It can shoot video at up to 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. For smoother motion, 1080p Full HD video can be recorded at up to 60 fps. The camera uses the H.264 video codec for efficient compression without sacrificing quality.

Slow motion video is possible at lower resolutions - 720p HD video can be recorded at up to 120 fps. This allows you to capture fast action and play it back in smooth slow motion. Timelapse video recording is also supported.

The PowerShot G5 X Mark II has built-in stereo microphones that provide clear audio recording. There is also a 3.5mm mic input that allows you to connect an external microphone for improved audio quality in your videos.

Overall, the video capabilities of this camera make it a versatile choice for vlogging, travel videos, or casual video projects. The high 4K resolution provides plenty of detail, while the fast frame rates at 1080p or 720p allow for creative slow motion effects.

Display

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II has a 3-inch rear LCD touchscreen with 1.04 million dots resolution. The screen can tilt up 180 degrees and down 45 degrees, providing good flexibility for composing shots from high or low angles. The screen is bright, vibrant, and easy to view in most lighting conditions.

The touchscreen allows quick and intuitive access to camera settings and menus. You can use touch to select a focus area, track moving subjects, capture shots, and more. Overall, the display is very capable and matches what you'd expect to find on a premium compact camera.

Connectivity and Battery

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II offers robust connectivity options along with decent battery life. It has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth that allows for wireless image transfer and remote camera control via the Canon Camera Connect app. The Bluetooth connectivity provides a constant connection to your mobile device, enabling quick auto transfer of images.

For wired connectivity, the G5 X Mark II has a USB 2.0 port that can be used for charging the battery as well as transferring files to a computer.

In terms of battery life, the camera is powered by the NB-13L lithium-ion battery which provides up to 230 shots per charge when using the rear LCD, or 370 shots per charge when using the EVF, based on CIPA standards. While not outstanding, the battery life is decent for a camera of this class. The battery can be charged either in-camera via USB or using an optional dedicated battery charger. Overall, the connectivity options are versatile, and the battery life is adequate for a day of casual shooting.

Pros

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II packs many advanced features into a compact point-and-shoot camera body. It has a 1-inch 20.1MP CMOS sensor and the latest DIGIC 8 image processor, allowing for good image quality and fast operation.

Autofocus in particular is quick and accurate thanks to Canon's Dual Pixel CMOS AF system. It can lock focus in as little as 0.02 seconds and track subjects smoothly. This makes it great for action shots and video recording.

Speaking of video, the G5 X Mark II can record sharp, stabilized 4K video at up to 30fps. The 5-axis image stabilization helps offset camera shake for smoother handheld footage. The camera also has good slow motion capabilities, able to shoot 1080p video at up to 120fps.

So in summary, the fast autofocus, 4K video recording, and advanced features in a pocketable body are some of the biggest pros for this camera. It packs substantial capabilities into a compact point-and-shoot design.

Cons

The PowerShot G5 X Mark II has some limitations to be aware of.

• The battery life is moderate, allowing about 230 shots per charge. This is typical for a compact camera, but frequent shooters may want to pack a spare battery.

• There's no external mic input. For vloggers or videographers needing high-quality audio, this could be a drawback. You'll have to rely on the built-in stereo microphone.

• The 1-inch sensor, while good for a point-and-shoot, is smaller than APS-C and full-frame sensors in DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. This can impact low light performance and ability to achieve a shallow depth of field. Casual users may not notice, but photographers wanting maximum image quality and control over depth of field may prefer a larger sensor camera.

Overall the G5 X Mark II is a versatile compact camera with a great feature set, but it does have some limitations, especially for video, battery life, and maximum image quality potential. Most casual users will likely be very satisfied with its performance and capabilities.