14 hours ago
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infocus
Lives in
Washington, DC, United States
Works as a
New Media Producer, Smithsonian American Art Museu
Has a website at
http://about.me/jeffgates
Joined on
Aug 27, 2002
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Before telling you my "must haves" let me preface this by saying I am a photographer, art photographer and taught college-level photography for 23 years. Also, as I've aged, my back is simply not what it used to be. My last film camera was a Pentax 6x7, the grand daddy of SLRs and heavy as they come. I started to not enjoy taking photographs and that was a critical line I crossed. I didn't like that feeling. Okay, with that in mind, here are my "requirements" for my perfect camera:
1. Lightweight (must fit in my backpack but not take up my entire backpack). I want a camera that is as unobtrusive as possible.
2. Huge sensor for the best quality images I can get. I like to print BIG.
3. Low noise at high ISOs.
4. Widest aperture I can get for low light situations. f1.4 anyone? LOL
5. Quick AF and quick burst.
6. Usable viewfinder for brightly lighted situations
7. Adjustable electronic screen
8. Easy to access controls
Umm, did I forget anything? LOL
infocus: Just think of all the incredible photos all of us could have taken with the various cameras we own and love if we were out taking pics instead of rehashing the pros and cons of this camera.
Well, Dan, if one is really interested in the camera, then they should read at least some of the comments before chiming in. That's what makes for a solid online community. And what about those of us to are more regular to these forums? Why should we have to reread the same pros and cons over and over?
i have suggested to dpreview that they always have one thread devoted to the pros and cons of any equipment. There you could post your opinions to your heart's content. But, instead we have these same comments in just about every thread about this camera.
I've been a part of online communities for quite awhile. What I'm suggesting is an effort to make this community work better. And, make our time here more efficient.
I was a bit disappointed that the G 1X didn't come with a "real" instruction book, just a PDF. I like to carry around the instructions with me as I learn a new camera.
So, I took the PDF and transferred it to both my iPhone and my iPad as an iBook. Having it on my iPhone will be very helpful since I have my phone with me all the time.
If you want to know how to do this here's a link that shows you: http://www.simplehelp.net/2010/06/22/how-to-add-pdf-files-to-read-in-ibooks-on-your-ipad-ipod-touch-or-iphone/
infocus: Just think of all the incredible photos all of us could have taken with the various cameras we own and love if we were out taking pics instead of rehashing the pros and cons of this camera.
Dan, my comment wasn't a generic "we should be out taking photos instead of sitting in front of our computers." It was specific to the comments on the G 1X. I've religiously followed all the comments on this camera at dpreview because I thought I might be interested in it.
And after reading every comment the main pros and cons of this camera were stated over and over and over again. It got repetitive and boring. It was as if no one was reading previous comments before posting.
Each of us has qualities we're looking for in a camera. And what's important to you may not be important to me. Initial comments about the pros and cons were helpful (as were all the reviews I read). But restating the same pts over and over does not make for a vibrant online forum.
Carlos AF Costa: Now you guys forced me to decide. I’m gonna make! How it will be the best camera ever? Well: It will be a full frame, will fit in the palm of your hand, weighs three ounces, focal length of 6 mm to 1200 mm. The features will be limited only by your thinking: Everything you can think and desire the camera will do perfectly. I mean it will be led only and just by your mind! Will have so much resolution that you will have doubts if it is a reflection of reality that you have in your hand or the reality itself. Finally it will cost you a dollar. Something still to criticize?
With all that, I'd rather be able to just "wish" the perfect photograph or to be able to take the perfect photo with my eyes. Then I will be able to simple wish it to the printer, after I've invented bio WiFi. LOL
Just think of all the incredible photos all of us could have taken with the various cameras we own and love if we were out taking pics instead of rehashing the pros and cons of this camera.
acidic: I've had the G1X for a few weeks and shot around 100 frames with it in varying conditions (rain, sunlight, twilight, incandescent lights,...).
I really like the image quality. I like the handling. I like the size. I don't care for the exposure compensation wheel on the top plate, but don't really mind it (would prefer the rear dial controlled EV in Av mode, like Canon dSLRs). Macro sucks compared to earlier G series, but don't really mind it.
What I hate is the slow overall responsiveness from shot to shot (in single shot mode), especially when trying to make a quick adjustment between shots.
I also hate the price.
If the G1X were $650, I would happily keep it.
If the G1X were faster, I would happily keep it.
Since neither of the above apply, I shall not be keeping the G1X. In the meantime, I will be continuing to use my 5DII bodies for 90% of my photo taking, and using my just-as-slow-but-way-way-waaay-cheaper Olympus EPL1 for the rest.
That is all. Have a pleasant weekened.
I'm a recipient of an open-box G 1X. Looks like it was never used. And I got it for $80 off.
645D: Canon is on drug or something these days. There is no advantage to buy Canon. For lower end, I would rather buy NEX or NX, which offer smaller body with equal or better IQ and similar price. For higher end, D800 is hands down winner.
For the record, I am no hater of Canon. I own Canon stuff for 20 plus years, still have 2 F-1New, original EOS-1 (film), EOS-RT, and current 1D mk3, with over ten Canon glasses. These Canons were the technology leader at their time. Last week, I was tempted get a 60D for $685, but passed, considering that I could get a NEX 5N or NX200 for similar price and easier to carry around.
Canon doesn't offering any "wow" stuff now:-(
It's Nikon and Sony and even Olympus now keep offering great surprises at great prices:-)
I think the issue is that this camera is not easily pigeon-holed into any other class. So comparing it to, say the NEX, which is unwieldy IMHO, isn't quite fair. There are so many categories for comparison, each of us has our own important things we're looking for.
Unfortunately, people keep reiterating and reiterating them. Personally, I'd like to move on and discover other insights everyone has.
Chris Lofty: Well, I've been using the G1X for 2 weeks now and am really beginning to love it, even with the few niggles!
Why so many negative remarks? The reason I love it and bought it is that compared to my 50D and L glass it's like carrying a feather; size and weight are relative to what you are used to!
I'm a fairly fit Senior citizen but I am finding it more and more of a burden lugging my 'Big' gear around on my back whilst cycling and Hiking, I was looking for an alternative for these occasions but still retaining excellent IQ for my Hobby and sales to Microstock. The G1X is almost the perfect answer to this,
I accept the criticisms and shortcomings but overall I believe Canon has gone down the right route with the G1X and my aging back is already thanking me!
The G1X is not replacing my DSLR just complimenting it.
Well, I'm not quite a senior citizen yet (but it's getting closer) and this is exactly why I bought the G 1X. And, shocking as it may be to some of you, this will be my main camera (and I am not just an enthusiast --taught photo for many years).
bigdaddave: This camera is so nearly good, but it falls neatly between every stool.
It's more expensive than a base dslr or 4/3rd cam
It's lens and FPS are too slow to make it usable for anything other than static subjects
It's too big for a compact - if you're going to take this why not a 4/3rds?
It's viewfinder isn't good enough
All in all a fail
It may not fit in my pocket but it fits nicely in my small backpack. And I have a case that allows me to wear it on my belt if necessary. Good enough for me.
Greg Gebhardt: Mine arrived a few minutes ago and am charging the battery now. This is no toy and feels good in my large hands. Feels very well made, all metal
Is the camera out? Amazon has it coming in March.
Byeonghee: Canon could make it smaller. This is too big as a P&S.
I'm not a prosumer and I want this type of flexibility, sdyue. In fact, if the photo quality is good and I can easily put it in my backpack without the weight of extra lenses, etc., this is the type of camera I want. Not perfect, but what camera is? But the best for me so far (as long as the images are good).
AbrasiveReducer: These photos look fine and vidicate those who've said at at the end of the day, if the sensor is too small, no go. My question is, how many people are there who, on the one hand want small size, lightweight and the simplicity of non-interchangable lenses but on the other hand will pay for a G1X. It's a bit like the $240 earplugs for my iPod. Great to have but if I was really interested in the ultimate quality I wouldn'd be using an iPod.
It's not like expensive earplugs when you have a bad back and don't want to lug around a lot of equipment. As I've said before, I have to WANT to take my camera with me in order to take good photos.
So, where's the best place to sell my G11?
One of the things I'm looking at in these images is the detail in the shadow areas. The image of the graffiti pillar, the one of the sculpture (globe) in a garden, and the image of the riverboat at dusk are decent examples. In all cases the detail is good while maintaining the quality of the higher lighted parts of the image.
The next thing I looked at was the still life taken at different ISOs. There is a difference between the ISO 100 and the ISO 12800 for sure. BUT the higher ISO image is very acceptable for that range.
So far this camera is looking good to me.
Mal_In_Oz: I like the idea of this camera, having owned and loved the Canon G10. Many people don't want interchangeable lenses. But the image of the G1X alongside the smaller GX1 complete with zoom is very telling. If the fixed lens G1X does not provide a smaller package overall then why bother?
As good as it may be, I think this camera will be obsolete within 6 months. The only reason we put up with P&S cameras is due to portability and price, and this camera has neither.
"If the fixed lens G1X does not provide a smaller package overall then why bother?"
Because if you factor in the weight and bulk of extra lenses this is a more manageable package.
I taught photo on the college level for years. As I've gotten older I've become less enamored with DSLRs. Too big. I even used to shoot with a Pentax 6x7 (still have it). But those days are long gone. I like having a camera I can carry with me without breaking my back. I'm willing to compromise a bit with some of the optics/features one might find in a DSLR. The 4:3 cameras look good. They're smaller. However, they still would require bigger lenses. And I don't want to carry around a lot of equipment. I don't care if this camera is too big to put in my pocket as long as it will fit nicely in my backpack (without being too heavy).
I have a Canon G11 now & for the reasons above this new Canon may be a good step up for me because of the sensor. Would I like a 24mm, yes. Would I like a f2.0 lens? Sure. But for the convenience and keeping the fun in taking pics, I am willing to compromise. I'm not signing up yet for this camera. But I will look carefully when further reviews come out.