Suggestions for G19 replacement.

I got the G7XII in early May because I wanted a small compact to take on a trip to Hawaii. I also took a couple of other larger cameras, but I like having the small one with a fairly good capability to have with me when I don't want to take the larger stuff. I previously was using an S95, which was a very good camera for its time (came out in 2010). But I wanted newer technology...a larger 1" sensor (at least), touch screen, tilt screen, and newer capabilities. I considered the G5X and G1XIII, but finally decided to get the G7XII for several reasons: small size, and better zoom (24-100 and 1.8-2.8, like the G5X) than the G1XIII, which I finally ruled out due to very high price, less zoom and slower lens. I didn't choose the G5X because it seemed like it was ready for an update...it had a slower processor but in many ways it's very similar to the G7XII. But larger because of the viewfinder. I thought I wanted a viewfinder for a small camera, but decided I could forgo that and for the most part, I haven't missed it much.

Through using the G7XII on my vacation, I have come to really like it for certain things. You have to know what you want the camera for, and what features you definitely want to have. It doesn't replace a DSLR, but it's still a great little camera that can do a heck of a lot and produce very good photos. It takes good landscape type photos, it's great in low light (especially interiors....I wanted to shoot inside some historic buildings and I could do so without flash), I've even gotten some fairly good bird photos and its ability to shoot the Milky Way really surprised me. It has a lot of neat features on it, including some scene modes that are fun even if you don't use them frequently. The tilt up screen was useful on a number of occasions, and I like that. The touch screen menu system is pretty good and simple, and it's easy and quick access to change settings or access other things like the timer, closeup focus, manual focus.

I wasn't sure how much I'd like it when I bought it, but I'm very pleased with it and it's a good replacement for my S95.

Here are a few photo samples showing some of the different things it can do including scenic, closeup, night sky.  Most of these were just quick snaps, except the night sky one which took a bit of setting up with manual infinity focus, long exposure, etc.