Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II review – Our verdict
At the beginning of this review I questioned whether the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II is a better camera than the G1 X, and I’m glad to report it is. A lot of this comes down to its improved optics, but it’s not as revolutionary as one might expect. Battery life is still rather poor at around 240 shots per charge, the screen and handgrip aren’t as refined as other parts of the body, and then there’s the price. For £749 you get good image quality, but it is overpriced for what it is – made more so by adding the viewfinder, which takes it close to a four-figure sum. This is a price above what many will be happy to pay for a premium compact and it’s not a camera I’d strictly associate with the word ‘premium’ for the way it feels in the hand. Overall, while the G1 X Mark II is an improvement, it is some way off providing the perfect blend of advanced features and premium build quality in a size that fits the pocket and at a price most will be prepared to pay.
Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II review – Key features
Pop-up flash
The G1 X Mark II’s pop-up flash is activated using a small button at the side of the body just below the camera-strap lug. The camera provides three levels of manual flash adjustment, but is also compatible with E-TTL and EX-series Speedlites.
Zoom control
The zoom is controlled using the zoom switch located around the shutter button. Switching the camera from stills to video mode slows down the speed at which the zoom operates for smoother zooming transitions.
Mode dial
The mode dial is positioned right where you want it – on the corner of the body where it can be easily accessed and controlled with the thumb. It notches positively into place with each turn, meaning it won’t be knocked unintentionally.
Wi-Fi functionality
The G1 X Mark II paired up with the Canon Camera Window app on our iPhone with no hesitation. Our only gripe with the Wi-Fi is the positioning of the Wi-Fi button, which was accidentally knocked several times in use, thus slowing down the shooting process.
Touchscreen
The 3in touchscreen is incredibly responsive and only requires the lightest of touches to navigate the menu or adjust settings. It makes the camera more intuitive to set up, especially when it comes to focusing.
Menu
The G1 X Mark II should be complimented for its excellent menu system. Settings are broken down into three categories and for times when you want to access commonly used camera settings, the func.set button should be used.
