Canon G1X announced, high-end compact camera

[scottg]

The Canon G1X has been announced, what do people think of this new cameras?

I think it will appeal to Canon G9, G10, G11 fans who wish to upgrade.

It is similar in price, size, and sensor size to some of the Olympus and Panasonic Mirrorless cameras, like the E-PL3 - but without the ability to change lenses.

It will be interesting to see if it has any advantages to the mirrorless cameras in the same price range and size range. The one advantage may be that is it appears to have a better lens than the 14-42mm or 14-45mm kit lenses that come with the mirrorless cameras, with a longer zoom range.

[tswinner]

Looks like a fun camera. Great for an upgrade or a nice walk around camera when you don't want to lug your dSLR.

[Zig]

I think it's a great high-end point and shoot. However, with a price point of $800, you could buy a Nikon D90 dSLR body. If you're willing to invest $800 in a camera, perhaps you'd be willing to spend more and invest in lenses as well. Yes, the housing would be more as well, but it all depends on your goals as an underwater photographer. Just my two cents.

I'd love to have that camera for top-side shooting, though. RAW, video, no extra lenses to worry about forgetting, compact, good sensor...I'll be putting it on my wish list.

[ekoast]

I have the G12 and love the camera. The reason for deciding on the G12 was that I wanted a high end point and shoot to improve picture quality and also have full manual control. I wasn't ready for the DSLR cost. Knowing full well that I will eventually be upgrading to DSLR, I think I made a good choice as a stepping stone to DSLR.

For use as an underwater camera, those that fall into my category of not wanting to jump into the DSLR realm quickly whether for cost or learning curve, I think the D1X will miss the mark in terms of price point. Especially if you are buying an entire system. Since I won't need to buy strobes, cables, tray and arms when I eventually upgrade to DSLR, the hit won't be so bad.

Even though, I consider the G12 a great compact camera for the money, I can already feel myself running against the ceiling of its limitations in terms of the lens and limited (in relation to DSLR) settings. The G1X will have a fair amount more going for it, but at $800, that's a lot to spend on an underwater set up where the user will eventually start itching to upgrade to DSLR. (it will happen to all of us compact users eventually.)

Time will tell where it falls in the underwater photography user niche. As a top side camera, it will probably bode well with the DSLR crowd that wants to travel light.

Eric

[scottg]

I see this competing with the mirrorless cameras from Panasonic, Olympus and Sony, not competing with a dSLR.

Most people will go with a G1X or mirrorless camera for a smaller size setup, and the availability of less expensive housings. I think the G1X will appeal to people to feel that that will not need additional lenses besides the 28-112mm.

People who buy a mirrorless camera like the Olympus E-pl3 + 14-42mm lens are probably looking at buying another lens at some point, which definitely pushes the total cost up.. although E-Pl2 are selling for a really good deal now.

[nudibranco]

This camera could be an interesting Underwater Camera but its Macro capability seems to be far from being a viable option.

It has a magnification factor of about 0.07 ....far from being able to do Macro size pictures. An optional diopter (even a +10) will give a magnification below 1:2 or 1:3.

The M43 lineup is much better suited for Underwater use.

Andrea