G7Xm2 -> G5Xm2 / G7Xm3 interface changes
Jan 3, 2021
Hi, I've lost my G7X mark ii and I'm considering to replace it by a G5X mark ii, for the slightly better IQ, longer zoom and newer features (usb power, slow-mo, ...). I was also a bit disappointed by the G7Xm2 auto-focus when shooting my toddler, so I went to try the G5Xm2 in a shop to test the AF, and I have to admit that I found it much faster.
However while playing with it I noticed some interface changes that I would almost consider software regressions since the G7Xm2, that makes me wonder if I don't prefer sticking to the G7Xm2:
- The Auto Exposure Bracketing feature is completely different: the configuration and activation is not saved anymore upon camera reboot, and it's not anymore automatically taking the shoots, you have to manually switch to continuous drive and keep the shutter pressed, or even hi-speed continuous drive if you want it as fast as possible (like on G7Xm2, ~0.15s between shots) to avoid blur when the scene is changing (and this further causes automatically the switch from "face + tracking AF" to "1-point AF", which is tricky with "servo AF" enabled). Looks very painful, as I use to enable AEB very often for HDR postprocessing (and I don't want to use the builtin HDR feature: too risky if the scene changed, don't have time to wait for the result, analyse/tune the result, waste battery, ...)
- The long exposure noise reduction (dark frames) seems to have disappeared. I know that I can do it manually, but for casual shooting it's a pain. There is also the multishot NR, but it's different, and we could use both.
- It does not seem possible anymore to select the "rate of change" policy in "iso auto settings". I used to configure it to slow (favor lower iso thus longer shutter) when shooting still landscapes, and to fast (favor higher iso thus shorter shutter) when shooting people in low light. Now it seems we can just set a max iso and min shutter, which seems less "automatic" than just biasing the auto mode.
So I'm wondering if there are good reasons for these changes, if it's actually better is some aspects but I'm too much used to the old settings and overestimating their relevance, or if on the contrary Canon dropped good designs for bad reasons?
Thanks for your advice!