Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II Canon - Review 🏆

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is a premium compact digital camera that offers impressive performance and image quality in a highly portable body. Released in 2016, it is the successor to the popular G7 X model.

The G7 X Mark II retains the sleek, attractive design of the original while adding some key upgrades. Most notably, it now has a 1-inch, 20.1MP CMOS sensor, an upgraded DIGIC 7 image processor, and improved autofocus and image stabilization systems.

This camera is designed to appeal to enthusiasts and pros looking for a capable yet compact option. It produces excellent image quality, even in low light, and has a versatile lens with a useful zoom range. The flip-up touchscreen display provides flexibility when composing shots from different angles.

Overall, the Canon G7 X Mark II delivers strong photo and video performance in a pocketable form factor. It's a versatile compact camera that offers extensive controls and advanced features that go beyond basic point-and-shoot models.

Design and Handling

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II has a sleek and stylish design that fits nicely in your hand. It weighs just over 300 grams, making it lightweight enough to carry around all day without feeling fatigued.

The body is made of a combination of metal alloy and high-grade plastic, giving it a premium look and feel. The matte black finish resists fingerprints and smudges.

The control layout is intuitive, with a mode dial on top that lets you quickly switch between full auto, semi-auto, and manual modes. On the back is a thumb wheel and dedicated movie button for easy access. The buttons are well-spaced and provide nice tactile feedback.

The 3-inch touchscreen LCD flips up 180 degrees for easy selfies and vlogging. The screen is bright, vivid, and easy to view even in sunlight. Overall, the G7X Mark II is designed to be an easy-to-use point and shoot camera in a compact and stylish body.

In contrast, the Canon Powershot SX70 offers an even more versatile shooting experience. With a powerful 65x optical zoom lens, this camera allows for stunning detail in both wide-angle and telephoto shots. It features a similar sleek design but adds a larger grip for enhanced handling. The responsive electronic viewfinder and vari-angle LCD screen make it ideal for a wide range of shooting situations, including wildlife photography. The SX70 also boasts 4K video capabilities, making it a great choice for vlogging and capturing high-resolution moments.

Image Quality

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II features a 1-inch, 20.1MP CMOS sensor, which delivers excellent image quality for a compact camera. The sensor resolution allows you to capture highly detailed photos with crisp clarity.

Dynamic range performance is quite good, providing roughly 2 stops of highlight recovery in RAW files. This allows you to pull back blown highlights and retain details in high contrast scenes. Shadow recovery is also very good thanks to the sensor's low noise levels.

High ISO performance is another strength of this camera. Noise is well controlled up to ISO 3200, with very usable results even at ISO 6400. Images remain relatively clean and detailed at high ISOs with minimal color desaturation or loss of dynamic range. This makes the G7X II highly capable for low light photography.

Overall, the image quality from the 1-inch sensor is a standout feature, providing DSLR-like results in a pocketable form factor. The combination of resolution, dynamic range and high ISO performance allow you to capture photos and videos in a wide variety of conditions.

In addition to the PowerShot G7 X Mark II, consider the Canon EOS M200 Kit (White) + EF-M 15-45 IS STM, which features a 24.1MP APS-C sensor. This camera delivers stunning image quality with impressive detail and color reproduction. The versatile EF-M 15-45mm lens provides flexibility for various shooting scenarios, from wide-angle landscapes to portrait photography, making the M200 a great choice for both beginners and enthusiasts.

Features

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II has a number of impressive features that make it stand out as a top point and shoot camera.

Autofocus

The G7 X Mark II utilizes Canon's advanced autofocus system with 31 focus points. It can lock focus in just 0.2 seconds, enabling you to capture fast action shots. The autofocus is highly accurate and works well even in low light conditions.

Continuous Shooting Speed

A fast continuous shooting speed is essential for action photography. The G7 X Mark II can shoot up to 8 frames per second, allowing you to capture multiple shots in quick succession. This is fast enough to freeze most types of motion.

Video Capabilities

Beyond still photos, the G7 X Mark II can record full HD 1080p video at up to 60fps. The quality is excellent with crisp details and accurate colors. You can use the optical zoom while recording. The camera also has built-in stereo microphones for audio capture. Slow motion video at 120fps is another nice bonus.

Lens

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is equipped with a built-in 4.2x optical zoom lens that covers a 35mm equivalent focal length range of 24-100mm. This versatile zoom range lets you capture wide landscape shots as well as close-up portraits.

The lens has a fast maximum aperture range of f/1.8-2.8, enabling the camera to capture sharp images in low light conditions. The wide f/1.8 aperture at the 24mm wide angle setting also allows for creatively blurred backgrounds and selective focus.

The lens incorporates Canon's latest lens coating technologies to reduce flare and ghosting. This results in excellent optical quality with high sharpness and contrast across the zoom range. Chromatic aberration is also well controlled. Overall, the lens delivers impressive image quality that exceeds what you'd expect from a compact camera.

Connectivity

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II offers robust connectivity options to make transferring and sharing photos seamless. It has built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allowing you to connect to mobile devices and wireless printers. You can transfer photos to your smartphone or tablet using the free Canon Camera Connect app.

Bluetooth is also included for an always-on connection between the camera and your mobile device. This allows easy sharing even when the camera is turned off.

For wired connections, the G7 X Mark II has a USB 2.0 port to connect to your computer. Images can be transferred directly into photo editing software for quick edits and uploads. There is also a Micro HDMI port to view photos and videos directly on an HDTV.

Overall, the connectivity options on the G7 X Mark II are versatile for both wireless and wired image transfers and sharing. The Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, and HDMI ports give you flexibility when it comes to getting your photos off the camera and onto your other devices.

Battery Life

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II has decent battery life for a compact camera. According to CIPA ratings, it is capable of up to 265 shots per charge.

In real-world usage, battery life will vary depending on your settings and usage. The monitor can drain battery fairly quickly, so using the EVF and turning off wireless connectivity can help extend battery life. Power saving modes are also available to maximize each charge.

With a combination of real-world battery saving techniques, you should be able to squeeze out 300-400 shots per full charge, maybe more if you are conservative with your settings. This is enough for all-day or weekend shooting for most casual users. Heavy users may want to pick up a spare battery however.

Overall the battery life is fairly average for a camera of this size and class. It's adequate for casual use, but hardcore photographers may want more juice. Proper battery conservation allows you to get the most out of each charge.

Value

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II offers great value for a compact camera with a 1-inch sensor and built-in zoom lens. At around £500, it's priced very competitively against other similar cameras like the Sony RX100 series.

A key strength is the combination of image quality, zoom range, and features in such a small body at this price point. The large 1-inch sensor produces great image quality for a compact camera, making it a versatile option. The 4.2x optical zoom lens gives you a useful 24-100mm equivalent focal length range to work with. And you get a good range of features like wireless connectivity and full manual controls.

Considering the image quality and zoom power you get, the G7 X Mark II is a better value than basic compact cameras. It's also a more affordable option than premium 1-inch compacts like the Sony RX100 series, which can cost £800-£1,000. The trade-off is that it lacks some of the extras like the popup viewfinder and faster lens of the RX100 models. But for the price, the G7 X Mark II stacks up very well as a high-end compact camera.

The main downside is that there is no viewfinder built-in. So if you need an eye-level viewfinder, you'll have to pay more for a different camera. Battery life is also just ok and some enthusiasts may want more manual controls or a wider aperture lens. But overall, the G7 X Mark II hits a sweet spot for features, image quality, and price in the compact camera market.

Alternatives

When looking for a high-quality compact camera with excellent image quality, there are a few alternatives worth considering besides the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II:

• Sony RX100 V - This Sony model has a very similar design and specs to the G7X II, including a 1" sensor, 24-100mm lens, and 4K video. The RX100 V adds an impressive autofocus system with 315 AF points and can shoot at 24 fps burst mode. However, it is more expensive.

• Panasonic Lumix LX10 - The LX10 is another great option with a 20MP 1" sensor and 24-72mm lens. It has a touchscreen that flips up for selfies and offers 4K photo modes. The LX10 is competitively priced with the G7X II.

• Fujifilm X70 - This stylish, fixed lens camera has an APS-C sensor for higher image quality. It has a wider 28mm equivalent lens and retro rangefinder design. The X70 lacks a zoom but produces excellent photos and videos. It may appeal to photographers looking for a prime lens compact.

• Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II - For those on a tighter budget, the G9X II has a similar 1" sensor and 28-84mm lens as the G7X II. You lose the viewfinder and larger battery but gain a slimmer design. Image quality remains excellent for a lower price point.

Overall the Canon G7X II is an excellent choice but there are comparable options from Sony, Panasonic, and Fujifilm to consider as alternatives. It comes down to price, features, and individual shooting needs.

Conclusion

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is a great option for enthusiasts looking for a compact point-and-shoot camera with excellent image quality and useful features.

Overall, the G7 X Mark II delivers impressive image quality thanks to its 1-inch 20.1MP CMOS sensor and DIGIC 7 image processor. It captures sharp, detailed images with excellent dynamic range and high ISO performance. The camera also has fast autofocus and burst shooting capabilities, making it well-suited for action shots.

Some of the highlights of the G7 X Mark II include its bright f/1.8-f/2.8 zoom lens, tilting touchscreen LCD, and full manual controls. The camera also offers useful features like built-in Wi-Fi/NFC for easy sharing. Battery life is a bit disappointing at around 265 shots per charge, but overall the G7 X Mark II provides great performance and image quality in a highly portable body.

For enthusiasts looking for a powerful but compact camera, the Canon G7 X Mark II is easy to recommend. It delivers great image quality, fast performance, and a versatile feature set. The touchscreen interface is intuitive and the camera feels great in the hand. At its current price point, the G7 X Mark II is an excellent value for the performance it provides.