Opinions for the G5 X

Hi guys,

I currently use a DSLR (EOS 7D) with a kit lens and cheap 100-300mm telephoto. A lot of the time I find the weight too much to really enjoy bringing the camera.

The obvious solution? Change to mirrorless of course!

The problem is that with my very small inflexible budget any mirrorless I could afford would be pretty bad. I mean, I don't want to leave canon and I can't really go without a viewfinder, electric or otherwise. That only leaves me with something like an EOS-M, M2, M10, or perhaps M3 (pushing it). None of those models have a viewfinder (well, the M3 has an optional one but that costs money I don't have).

Then, I recently found the Powershot G5 X. If I were to give up action photos (which I don't really do much of anyway) it looks ideal. I could sell my 7D and two lenses (soon to be three), and change my current Powershot SX410 IS for something a bit better (particularly with the ability to shoot RAW), perhaps a SX50, I could change to a G5 X.

The obvious downgrade for changing from DSLR to compact would be the small sensor, and the fixed lens. Here are my thoughts:

Smaller sensor: My EOS 7D was released in the 2009, the Powershot G5 X in 2015. Using DPR's studio comparison the noise seems only slightly worse on the G5 X.

Fixed lens: I don't have a whole bunch of money for new lenses, and it might be some I could live without.

-

What do you think? Is there anything I'm overlooking? Thanks. 

Chris 222 wrote:

The G1X3 is a vastly better cam. Feel free to check my previous posts about it on this forum.

Please. I don't have money for such a camera. i don't want recommendations for a more expensive camera.

Dunlin wrote:

...my very small inflexible budget...

Dunlin wrote:

Then, I recently found the Powershot G5 X. If I were to give up action photos (which I don't really do much of anyway) it looks ideal. I could sell my 7D and two lenses (soon to be three), and change my current Powershot SX410 IS for something a bit better (particularly with the ability to shoot RAW), perhaps a SX50, I could change to a G5 X.

The obvious downgrade for changing from DSLR to compact would be the small sensor, and the fixed lens. Here are my thoughts:

Smaller sensor: My EOS 7D was released in the 2009, the Powershot G5 X in 2015. Using DPR's studio comparison the noise seems only slightly worse on the G5 X.

Fixed lens: I don't have a whole bunch of money for new lenses, and it might be some I could live without.

I've had a G5x mkI for several years. Here is a post on my thoughts from 2018 but still represents what I think of it.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/61736615

1" cameras, you get compact size but there are compromises to noise, detail, CAF for older cameras, being cramped, sluggish. Other things you might be able to tailor with ILC is weather resistance and of course, customizing the focals, apertures to your situation.

YWG wrote:

Dunlin wrote:

Then, I recently found the Powershot G5 X. If I were to give up action photos (which I don't really do much of anyway) it looks ideal. I could sell my 7D and two lenses (soon to be three), and change my current Powershot SX410 IS for something a bit better (particularly with the ability to shoot RAW), perhaps a SX50, I could change to a G5 X.

The obvious downgrade for changing from DSLR to compact would be the small sensor, and the fixed lens. Here are my thoughts:

Smaller sensor: My EOS 7D was released in the 2009, the Powershot G5 X in 2015. Using DPR's studio comparison the noise seems only slightly worse on the G5 X.

Fixed lens: I don't have a whole bunch of money for new lenses, and it might be some I could live without.

I've had a G5x mkI for several years. Here is a post on my thoughts from 2018 but still represents what I think of it.

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/61736615

1" cameras, you get compact size but there are compromises to noise, detail, CAF for older cameras, being cramped, sluggish. Other things you might be able to tailor with ILC is weather resistance and of course, customizing the focals, apertures to your situation.

Thanks very much - really helpful.

I'm wondering now if an Olympus om-d e-m10 (original) and kit lens would be better... I'm not sure. I prefer to stay with Canon.

I'll continue my research.

Chris 222 wrote:

Dunlin wrote:

Chris 222 wrote:

The G1X3 is a vastly better cam. Feel free to check my previous posts about it on this forum.

Please. I don't have money for such a camera. i don't want recommendations for a more expensive camera.

If you had bothered to read my posts you would know that I paid way below MSRP for my second G1X3.

The vast majority of my posts, not to mention the extensive resources I published here, are made because I feel I can help someone. But you couldn't bother to read any of that either.

I therefore seriously do not appreciate that nasty subject line of yours.

ON IGNORE.

I have sent you a PM.

EOS M50 is basically perfect for you but I am not convinced that your miniscule budget allows it.

Peter in Canberra wrote:

Can't give huge amount of experience but I have had a G5X for some months now (used copy). Coming to it from (still have) Nikon D7500 and D3300. Wanted a small carry-able camera with a viewfinder, and 1 inch sensor sounded a good step-up from 1/1.17 sensor of G16.

I have been impressed by the image quality from the G5X. The viewfinder seems good to me too (my only comparison is a Nikon B700 I had for a short time - didn't like the EVF among other things).

In short, I like it.

In Australia this model seems to hold its value, so even if you got one and didn't like it you would probably get your money back.

I also thought about Oly E-M10 - once again as a small camera, especially with the 'pancake' zoom. As I am not leaving the dSLRs I didn't see the point of getting into a new mount and when the relative difference in size of E-M10 to D3300 not that much.

Thank-you peter.

I'm still really in two minds - before I took this whole line of thought I ordered a 50mm f/1.8.

Perhaps that lens will convince me to stick with DSLR - I might be able to change to a smaller model - Canon EOS 100D or even one of the smaller Nikons.

Then again, the Powershot G5 X would in some ways be more capable than a small entry-level DSLR.

I'm in two minds.

Peter in Canberra wrote:

Another thought. (Given Canon 7D a tank).

Used Nikon D3300 & AF-P 18-55 & 70-300 DX VR lenses.

Makes a very light & compact kit.

AF-P 70-300 is excellent wrt sharpness & AF speed, and thus bang for buck (not just my view). In my opinion D3300 better than its successors 3400 & 3500. OVF of 3300 (& maybe 3400) a bit bigger than 3200 and 5x00 series.

Not a Canon solution though. (Sorry to be Nikon commando in Canon camp)

Perhaps, perhaps...

Thanks for your thoughts. One of the most tempting things about Nikon is the 35mm f/1.8 - Canon doesn't do one.

KEG wrote:

EOS M50 is basically perfect for you but I am not convinced that your miniscule budget allows it.

It doesn't. 

If I had the money I would get an EOS-M6 II and several small EF-M lenses and be done with it.

Dunlin wrote:

KEG wrote:

EOS M50 is basically perfect for you but I am not convinced that your miniscule budget allows it.

It doesn't.

If I had the money I would get an EOS-M6 II and several small EF-M lenses and be done with it.

M6 mk II is one sweet package, especially with 70-300 f/4-5.6L.

Another option is to save up for R7, I went for M6 mk II because I have been building my M setup since 2015, if I didn't have M would set my sights for R7 or R10 and just accept the fact that RF lenses are rather expensive.

Dunlin wrote:

Peter in Canberra wrote:

Another thought. (Given Canon 7D a tank).

Used Nikon D3300 & AF-P 18-55 & 70-300 DX VR lenses.

Makes a very light & compact kit.

AF-P 70-300 is excellent wrt sharpness & AF speed, and thus bang for buck (not just my view). In my opinion D3300 better than its successors 3400 & 3500. OVF of 3300 (& maybe 3400) a bit bigger than 3200 and 5x00 series.

Not a Canon solution though. (Sorry to be Nikon commando in Canon camp)

Perhaps, perhaps...

Thanks for your thoughts. One of the most tempting things about Nikon is the 35mm f/1.8 - Canon doesn't do one.

Canon has RF 35/1.8, 35 mm is just about right on FF but I feel it to be rather too long for crop, 22 - 24 mm are the sweet spots in my opinion.

RF 35, 16 and 50 are the 3 "inexpensive" RF lenses that are worth getting.

If RF-S 22/2.0 ever materializes I would get one without a single thought because my R is an aps-c video camera and I fairly sure I will end up with R100 if it ever materializes.

What about G7 X mk II, not too expensive, still in production, seems to be capable of excellent results, I have been planning to get one for eons for no reason other than to have spiritual successor to G2 in my collection and well also to have lighter alternative to my R and M setups.

KEG wrote:

Dunlin wrote:

Peter in Canberra wrote:

Another thought. (Given Canon 7D a tank).

Used Nikon D3300 & AF-P 18-55 & 70-300 DX VR lenses.

Makes a very light & compact kit.

AF-P 70-300 is excellent wrt sharpness & AF speed, and thus bang for buck (not just my view). In my opinion D3300 better than its successors 3400 & 3500. OVF of 3300 (& maybe 3400) a bit bigger than 3200 and 5x00 series.

Not a Canon solution though. (Sorry to be Nikon commando in Canon camp)

Perhaps, perhaps...

Thanks for your thoughts. One of the most tempting things about Nikon is the 35mm f/1.8 - Canon doesn't do one.

Canon has RF 35/1.8, 35 mm is just about right on FF but I feel it to be rather too long for crop, 22 - 24 mm are the sweet spots in my opinion.

RF 35, 16 and 50 are the 3 "inexpensive" RF lenses that are worth getting.

If RF-S 22/2.0 ever materializes I would get one without a single thought because my R is an aps-c video camera and I fairly sure I will end up with R100 if it ever materializes.

I really meant a DSLR equivalent lens.

Thanks anyways...

KEG wrote:

What about G7 X mk II, not too expensive, still in production, seems to be capable of excellent results, I have been planning to get one for eons for no reason other than to have spiritual successor to G2 in my collection and well also to have lighter alternative to my R and M setups.

Seems a fair bit more expensive than the G5 X.... not really suitable.

If you are considering a G5 X plus an SX 50, as I understand your original post, have you considered the G5 X Mark II as a single option instead? I know the newer model is more expensive than the original, but it does have some reach compared and an internal popup OVF. Then again, if you really need the extra reach of the SX 50, this won't cut it.

requa wrote:

If you are considering a G5 X plus an SX 50, as I understand your original post, have you considered the G5 X Mark II as a single option instead? I know the newer model is more expensive than the original, but it does have some reach compared and an internal popup OVF. Then again, if you really need the extra reach of the SX 50, this won't cut it.

Noo... not really.