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Excellent for what it is.

Started Oct 11, 2019 | User reviews
Chuck Fralick
Chuck Fralick Regular Member • Posts: 485
Excellent for what it is.
14

Everybody raves about the Sony RX100s, but I prefer this camera in several major ways. It feels more substantial when holding it and more solid. It's a little larger which makes carrying it easier and the handling better, and there is a built-in, textured rubber grip. The menu system, for me, is much better. Much more intuitive. The image quality for stills is just as good as my earlier Sony RX100III and maybe better. I don't shoot video much but the movie quality of the later Sony RX100s is better, plain and simple. The pop up viewfinder is not as convenient as the new Sony RX100VI's, but the viewfinder viewing quality is close if not quite as good. Zoom range is great (24-120) and at 1.8 to 2.8 is plenty fast. I personally like the Canon colors better and I find I have plenty of dynamic range for a 1" compact. Powered zooming on all these compacts sucks - almost wish it could be manual. Shooting speed is fast, with fast autofocus (can't tell much difference between my Sony and this) and little shutter lag. Battery life is not great, but will get you through a typical vacation day of taking photos. I still got an extra battery. Overall, I simply like it better than the Sonys and it fills my needs as a take-anywhere or backup to my DSLR.

 Chuck Fralick's gear list:Chuck Fralick's gear list
Nikon Coolpix AW110 Leica Q Leica Q Canon G5 X II Leica SL (Typ 601) +13 more
Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
20 megapixels • 3 screen • 24 – 120 mm (5×)
Announced: Jul 9, 2019
Chuck Fralick's score
4.5
Average community score
4.7
bad for good for
Kids / pets
great
Action / sports
mediocre
Landscapes / scenery
excellent
Portraits
excellent
Low light (without flash)
good
Flash photography (social)
good
Studio / still life
good
= community average
mcshan Veteran Member • Posts: 5,066
Re: Excellent for what it is.
1

Enjoyed your quick review. If I have been curious about anything I am wondering how IQ compares to the Sony's (III-IV-VA +). I appreciate DPR's studio comparison but viewing photos is the only way to really compare. Wish there were more on Flickr. Someone on the DPR posted shots taken with the G5X II of Hawaii and I loved that set. As always Canon colors look great. Could it be that because of similar sensors used the cameras produce images about the same?

I get that focusing is better with at least the last two Sony's but I'm not shooting too much action these days and for me I'd take the faster lens over zoom. I never shoot video.

Thanks for posting your thoughts. Enjoy the camera.

 mcshan's gear list:mcshan's gear list
Leica X1 Canon PowerShot G1 X Leica X2 Sony RX100 Leica X Vario +17 more
Jay08816 Regular Member • Posts: 223
Re: Excellent for what it is.
1

Chuck Fralick wrote:

Everybody raves about the Sony RX100s, but I prefer this camera in several major ways. It feels more substantial when holding it and more solid. It's a little larger which makes carrying it easier and the handling better, and there is a built-in, textured rubber grip. The menu system, for me, is much better. Much more intuitive. The image quality for stills is just as good as my earlier Sony RX100III and maybe better. I don't shoot video much but the movie quality of the later Sony RX100s is better, plain and simple. The pop up viewfinder is not as convenient as the new Sony RX100VI's, but the viewfinder viewing quality is close if not quite as good. Zoom range is great (24-120) and at 1.8 to 2.8 is plenty fast. I personally like the Canon colors better and I find I have plenty of dynamic range for a 1" compact. Powered zooming on all these compacts sucks - almost wish it could be manual. Shooting speed is fast, with fast autofocus (can't tell much difference between my Sony and this) and little shutter lag. Battery life is not great, but will get you through a typical vacation day of taking photos. I still got an extra battery. Overall, I simply like it better than the Sonys and it fills my needs as a take-anywhere or backup to my DSLR.

Thanks. Like some others I am trying to decide between this camera & Sony rx100 vii. Price of the Sony just went up $100, making the Canon even more attractive. I didn't much like the two-step evf on the Canon. Do you find it a nuisance at all. Also, could you please explain how the in-camera raw processing on the Canon works. Will I still need LR or similar if I want to shoot raw?

Thanks,

Jay

Chuck Fralick
OP Chuck Fralick Regular Member • Posts: 485
Re: Excellent for what it is.
1

Jay,

That 2-step EVF is a little more hassle,  but I found and easy solution - when I'm walking around with it I just leave the EVF up. I thought at first it might be risky (damage) but it's not. It's just not in a location that would take any potential hits.

I'll tell you one minor nit about this camera. I was at a swimming pool on "doggy day" where on the last day of the pool year they allow the neighborhood dogs to swim - it's hilarious. I took several photos and all were blurry. Then i started looking at the body and realized I had left it in macro. I wish there was a beep or other warning if you're in that setting.

A coupe of snaps attached - yes they're crummy pics (OOC JPEGS), but the dogs were not cooperative and the day was bright and harsh. Ours is the Standard Poodle (Freddy). I have not edited at all for levels, etc. He's literally pitch black, so to say contrast is an issue is an understatement.

Chuck

Freddy and my wife at pool.

Freddy saying hello

 Chuck Fralick's gear list:Chuck Fralick's gear list
Nikon Coolpix AW110 Leica Q Leica Q Canon G5 X II Leica SL (Typ 601) +13 more
Chuck Fralick
OP Chuck Fralick Regular Member • Posts: 485
Re: Excellent for what it is.

My pleasure. I really like the camera and don't think you could go wrong with it (unless video is your thing). I'm carrying it around now as a backup to my D850 (which is a pain to carry - but love it).

Cheers,

Chuck

 Chuck Fralick's gear list:Chuck Fralick's gear list
Nikon Coolpix AW110 Leica Q Leica Q Canon G5 X II Leica SL (Typ 601) +13 more
2string
2string Senior Member • Posts: 1,250
Re: Excellent for what it is.

Chuck Fralick wrote:

My pleasure. I really like the camera and don't think you could go wrong with it (unless video is your thing). I'm carrying it around now as a backup to my D850 (which is a pain to carry - but love it).

Cheers,

Chuck

Are the videos worst then the G7X Mark II. I thought the Mark II vids were OK...

Jay08816 Regular Member • Posts: 223
Re: Excellent for what it is.

Chuck Fralick wrote:

Jay,

That 2-step EVF is a little more hassle, but I found and easy solution - when I'm walking around with it I just leave the EVF up. I thought at first it might be risky (damage) but it's not. It's just not in a location that would take any potential hits.

I'll tell you one minor nit about this camera. I was at a swimming pool on "doggy day" where on the last day of the pool year they allow the neighborhood dogs to swim - it's hilarious. I took several photos and all were blurry. Then i started looking at the body and realized I had left it in macro. I wish there was a beep or other warning if you're in that setting.

A coupe of snaps attached - yes they're crummy pics (OOC JPEGS), but the dogs were not cooperative and the day was bright and harsh. Ours is the Standard Poodle (Freddy). I have not edited at all for levels, etc. He's literally pitch black, so to say contrast is an issue is an understatement.

Chuck

Freddy and my wife at pool.

Freddy saying hello

Thanks. Again very helpful. We have two miniature poodles - grey and black. Not easy to photograph. I used a Pany zs60 for a recent trip and had a similar experience with the macro setting.

Best wishes,

Jay

Chuck Fralick
OP Chuck Fralick Regular Member • Posts: 485
Re: Excellent for what it is.
1

No - they are perhaps a little better. Hard for me to tell given I don't do much video.

 Chuck Fralick's gear list:Chuck Fralick's gear list
Nikon Coolpix AW110 Leica Q Leica Q Canon G5 X II Leica SL (Typ 601) +13 more
Chuck Fralick
OP Chuck Fralick Regular Member • Posts: 485
Re: Excellent for what it is.

Naturally I just realized those 2 pics were taken with my iPhone XR and not my G5 - jeesh. I am getting old. No matter, they weren't for showing off the camera, more to show off the doggy day.

 Chuck Fralick's gear list:Chuck Fralick's gear list
Nikon Coolpix AW110 Leica Q Leica Q Canon G5 X II Leica SL (Typ 601) +13 more
YWG Senior Member • Posts: 1,364
Re: Excellent for what it is.

Chuck Fralick wrote:

....

I took several photos and all were blurry. Then i started looking at the body and realized I had left it in macro. I wish there was a beep or other warning if you're in that setting.

...

Yeah, this is annoying. Had it in all my old power shots all the way to my g5x mki and g7x mki. I didnt see that on other makers compacts so it would be nice if this was an automatic adjustment.

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Olympus Stylus 1s Canon PowerShot G5 X Olympus E-M1 Olympus E-M1 II
vlad2304 Regular Member • Posts: 399
Any Canon utilities for g5x ii?

Hello!

Just bought Canon g5x ii and had time only to charge the battery.

I have realized that there is no CD with utilities in the box like it was with all my previous Canon cameras.

There is also no link to download on Canon site or I just could not find it.

How are you downloading pictures from the camera to PC without removing the memory card?

Thank you!

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Sigma dp2 Quattro
DonA2
DonA2 Veteran Member • Posts: 3,720
Re: Any Canon utilities for g5x ii?

vlad2304 wrote:

Hello!

Just bought Canon g5x ii and had time only to charge the battery.

I have realized that there is no CD with utilities in the box like it was with all my previous Canon cameras.

Yes, that alone saves Canon 3 cents per.  Males sense to me. 

There is also no link to download on Canon site or I just could not find it.

Just go to the Canon site and get the manual.

How are you downloading pictures from the camera to PC without removing the memory card?

With the SX70 I bought the Canon very overpriced USB cord.  If you check Amazon the same thing is about $7.  Seems most favor a card reader or the computer's reader.  Don't care for this myself.

Thank you!

 DonA2's gear list:DonA2's gear list
Canon PowerShot S2 IS Canon PowerShot SX10 IS Canon PowerShot S100 Canon PowerShot SX40 HS Canon PowerShot SX50 HS +2 more
mcshan Veteran Member • Posts: 5,066
Re: Any Canon Zoombrowser type program?

Do newer Canon point and shoot cameras still offer something along the lines of the old Zoombrowser?  I know that program is gone but back in the day it was my favorite for photo organizing and it worked with any camera.

Microsoft Photos is at best only okay.  It freezes and is unreliable.

-- hide signature --

"Open the pod bay doors HAL"

 mcshan's gear list:mcshan's gear list
Leica X1 Canon PowerShot G1 X Leica X2 Sony RX100 Leica X Vario +17 more
Chuck Fralick
OP Chuck Fralick Regular Member • Posts: 485
Re: Any Canon utilities for g5x ii?

I'll give you the abbreviated version. On the side of the camera is a button labeled WiFi. Pressing that takes you to a menu. Among the options there are mobile device (phone symbol), printer (Wifi printing), or upload to an internet site (cloud symbol). If you select mobile device, it will give you a link to the app download. Follow all the options and you can then stream your photos to your phone or tablet. Similar sorts of options for the other two options (printer, cloud). It's a pain not having a manual, but there are resources on line at Canon for all this.

Chuck

 Chuck Fralick's gear list:Chuck Fralick's gear list
Nikon Coolpix AW110 Leica Q Leica Q Canon G5 X II Leica SL (Typ 601) +13 more
Chuck Fralick
OP Chuck Fralick Regular Member • Posts: 485
Re: Any Canon utilities for g5x ii?

Forgot to add that you can control your camera from your phone once set up (many cameras allow this now). Convenient.

Manuals can be downloaded here:

https://www.usa.canon.com/internet/portal/us/home/support/details/cameras/point-and-shoot-digital-cameras/advanced-cameras/powershot-g5-x-mark-ii?tab=manuals

There is software available there as well though I never use it - I'm stuck in the Lightroom and SmugMug camp.

Chuck

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Nikon Coolpix AW110 Leica Q Leica Q Canon G5 X II Leica SL (Typ 601) +13 more
ClaudeVoyage Regular Member • Posts: 217
Re: Excellent for what it is.

Having this camera and a RX 100 III before, i agree with your review.

And i can't agree more about that :

"Powered zooming on all these compacts sucks - almost wish it could be manual"

It is the first thing i don't like on all these cameras. I was thinking of replacing my mirrorless camera by this compact camera but for this specific reason, no way !

I don't like the focusing in very low light of the G5X mk2, it hunts very much. I was surprised at this behaviour.

 ClaudeVoyage's gear list:ClaudeVoyage's gear list
Canon G5 X II Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Panasonic G95 +1 more
2string
2string Senior Member • Posts: 1,250
Re: Excellent for what it is.
1

ClaudeVoyage wrote:

Having this camera and a RX 100 III before, i agree with your review.

And i can't agree more about that :

"Powered zooming on all these compacts sucks - almost wish it could be manual"

It is the first thing i don't like on all these cameras. I was thinking of replacing my mirrorless camera by this compact camera but for this specific reason, no way !

I don't like the focusing in very low light of the G5X mk2, it hunts very much. I was surprised at this behaviour.

How low of light are you talking about? Something like bar room,stage lighting?

vlad2304 Regular Member • Posts: 399
Re: Excellent for what it is.
1

Thanks to all for your answers!

I took the camera to a trip to Moscow mainly to shoot my grandson indoors.

When upon my return I checked the results I was shocked - none (none!!!) was more ore less decent.

All of them were shot with ISO settings up to 1600 and due to light conditions mostly at 1600. So, they were very soft and slightly out of focus. 
I was lucky to be within BestBuy return period and the camera went back.

Not my cup of tea

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Sigma dp2 Quattro
ClaudeVoyage Regular Member • Posts: 217
Re: Excellent for what it is.

indoor or cityscape at night.

 ClaudeVoyage's gear list:ClaudeVoyage's gear list
Canon G5 X II Panasonic Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4.0 ASPH Panasonic Lumix DC-ZS80 Panasonic G95 +1 more
2string
2string Senior Member • Posts: 1,250
Re: Excellent for what it is.

I bought the G5X MII from Best Buy. Took it back after 3 days...SOFT SOFT SOFT. Bought the Sony and I'm very happy. SHARP SHARP SHARP...My G7X MII was better than the G5X II...To bad the handling and touch screen is nice...

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