Canon G1X Mark III Review: Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III with APS-C sensor and Dual Pixel CMOS AF: DSLR image quality in a compact camera

With the PowerShot G1 X Mark III, Canon introduces the Dual Pixel CMOS AF in a compact camera for the first time. In addition, a slightly larger image sensor than the predecessor model is used, namely a 24 megapixel CMOS sensor, as used in the EOS 80D, for example. Canon promises DSLR image quality in compact camera format. The light is captured on the sensor by an optical triple zoom, which offers a luminous intensity of F2.8-5.6 at a focal length of 24-72 millimetres equivalent to a 35mm image. An EVF, a rotating and swivelling touch screen as well as WLAN and Bluetooth round off the equipment.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III does things differently than its predecessors. The sensor has grown again, the same 24 megapixel APS-C sensor is used as in the EOS cameras. Instead, the zoom range and the speed of the lens shrank. Thanks to this, the camera is more compact than the G1 X Mark II, even though it now features an electronic viewfinder and a swivelling and rotating touch screen. In the test, we clarify whether the innovations bring advantages, especially against more compact and faster 1″ sensor cameras.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III combines a 24 megapixel APS-C sensor with a 24-72mm triple zoom (F2.8-5.6) in a compact camera format. [Photo: Canon]

Measuring 115 by 78 by 51 millimetres, the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is significantly more compact than a DSLR in all three dimensions and even smaller than most mirrorless system cameras – even though the lens is fixed. Even compared to its predecessor, the G1 X Mark III has shrunk by almost 15 millimetres in depth. The digital camera, which weighs just under 400 grams, is even splashproof and dustproof. The compact design makes it possible to dispense with a lot of zoom and – unfortunately – also light intensity. The real 15-45 millimeter zoom lens drops from F2.8 at 24 millimeters 35mm equivalent to F5.6 at 72 millimeters. According to Canon, the nine-lamellar iris diaphragm is supposed to provide a beautiful bokeh. After all, the lens has an optical image stabilizer, which should allow up to four light value levels longer exposure times without blurring. By the way, the close-up limit of the lens is 10 centimeters at wide-angle and 30 centimeters at longest focal length, so the Canon is rather less suitable for macros. After all, thanks to the filter thread, optical accessories can be connected, such as the optionally available lens hood.

The CMOS sensor in APS-C size (crop factor 1.6) also brings it a resolution of 24.2 megapixels, with which the G1 X Mark III promises DSLR image quality. The Digic 7 image processor should also ensure this. Even the Dual Pixel CMOS AF is used, which theoretically allows a phase autofocus measurement on each pixel. In practice, however, the autofocus “only” works with 49 measuring points (7×7 grid) in the automatic mode, but with manual focus point selection, for example via the touch screen, it is possible to focus at any point. The PowerShot is also capable of group control with 3×3 fields. Focusing should take place within only 0.09 seconds. The continuous shooting speed is seven frames per second with autofocus tracking and nine frames per second without autofocus for 24 JPEG or 19 raw photos in a row (with AF 29 JPEGs).

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III has both an electronic viewfinder and a touch screen that can be rotated and swivelled to flip upside down for protection. [Photo: Canon]

The rear 7.5cm screen is movable, which allows shots from any perspective. The touch screen has a resolution of 1.04 million pixels and, like the image sensor, offers an aspect ratio of 3:2. Thanks to the folding mechanism, the screen can also be folded upside down for protection. The Canon also features an electronic viewfinder that uses a 2.36 million pixel OLED. It covers 100 percent of the image field, but Canon, as so often with electronic viewfinders, is silent about the magnification. At 22 millimetres, the eye distance is relatively generous, and dioptric correction is not missing either. In the small viewfinder hump there is even room for a mini pop-up flash, and a TTL system flash shoe is not missing either, which can be used to operate the Canon Speedlights. Because the G1 X Mark III has a central shutter, even the shortest exposure time of 1/2,000 seconds can be used, but the Canon does not offer an electronic shutter. This is ensured by a swing-in ND filter for three f-stops of light loss, which extends the creative possibilities in bright environments and intentionally longer exposure times with open f-stops.

In addition to creative programs with semi-automatic and manual control, a scene recognition function is available for recording, which automatically selects between 58 recording situations based on the situation. A panorama and HDR mode are also available. The video mode is a bit modest with maximum Full HD resolution for a modern camera, after all the 60 frames per second are very fluid. There is no external microphone connection.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is much more compact than DSLRs and even beats some mirrorless system cameras in size, despite the built-in lens. The weight of the splash-proof camera is 400 grams. [Photo: Canon]

Thanks to WLAN, NFC and Bluetooth, the Canon can be easily connected to smart devices. Thanks to Bluetooth, there is relatively energy-saving access to the GPS of the mobile device, even a radio remote triggering is possible via it. Via WLAN the camera can be remote controlled by the corresponding app for iOS or Android, a transfer of photos is also possible. A compatibility to the Canon picture station Connect CS100 also exists. In addition, the camera has a remote release connection, a micro-HDMI interface and a micro-USB socket, which can be used to charge the replaceable battery as an option. An external charging cradle is nevertheless included in the scope of delivery. A waterproof housing up to 40 meters deep is available as an accessory, giving underwater photographers a good alternative to the Leica X-U or the Sony RX100 series (also with underwater housing).

 

Despite the large APS-C sensor, the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is amazingly compact. This is due to the “not too much zoom” and fast lens.

Ergonomics and workmanship

In terms of sensor size and 24-megapixel resolution, the PowerShot G1 X Mark III is Canon’s new compact camera flagship. In addition, at just under 400 grams, it weighs more than 20 percent less than the G1 X Mark II and its dimensions have also shrunk considerably. This is made possible by a clear compromise in the lens: it loses 50 mm telephoto focal length and an aperture light intensity. Thus, it only zooms in from 24 to 72 millimeters in 35mm equivalent and with a luminous intensity of F2.8-5.6, no one gets off the stool. Even though the camera has become much more compact, it can’t compete with a current 1″ sensor camera such as the RX100 III and up from Sony. The Sonys even offer the much faster F1.8 to 2.8 lens. The comparison of the image quality should therefore be exciting, at least as far as the low-light capabilities are concerned, because with the Canon, the ISO sensitivity has to be turned 1.3 to two steps higher in comparison to the Sony. But more about this in the corresponding section.

In fact, we find the size of the G1 X Mark III very pleasant. It’s nice and compact and easily disappears into a jacket pocket, but it’s not so tiny that you don’t know how to hold it securely. She’s just right! The case consists of a mix of metal and plastic parts, which have an extremely high-quality finish. In addition, generous rubber leathers provide the necessary grip, even if the material used is likely to be somewhat more slip-resistant. A relatively small grip bead improves the ergonomics a bit, but it could also be a bit larger in view of the lens protruding further out of the body. According to Canon, the case should even have splash water and dust protection. Unfortunately, we cannot see any seals on the battery and memory card compartment at the bottom. So you shouldn’t necessarily challenge it wantonly.

Less successful is the arrangement of the front rotating wheel, but at least it locks nicely. The ring on the lens, on the other hand, is infinitely variable, which is not pleasant for every function that can be performed with it. For stepless zooming or manual focusing, this is advantageous, but not when the stepless zoom function is on the ring (the ring rocker on the shutter release button can still be used for stepless zooming) or the ISO sensitivity, aperture or other function with discrete setting values. The thumbwheel also plays a central role in operation. It is arranged on the back around the four-weapon and looks a little bit fipsig. Nevertheless, it is easy to use, as it has a good grip and turns easily without having to accidentally execute the four-way function.

In contrast to the somewhat tiny four-way controller, the keys on the back are slightly larger, but very flat. That looks noble, but they don’t feel good. One only notices by the somewhat smoother texture compared to the surrounding rubber that it is a key. The compact housing does not leave too much space for operating elements. All keys are rich in contrast, although perhaps a little too small for some, printed with the preassigned function. We are missing an ISO button right away, and there is no Fn button either. A few buttons can be reprogrammed, such as the assignment of the three control dials and the function of the video button and focus field button.

The touch screen proves to be very useful in practice, as it can also be used for operation. The ISO sensitivity can be touched directly and then adjusted using the touchscreen or classic keys. The same applies to the exposure parameters aperture and exposure time. Exposure compensation, on the other hand, is controlled by a dominant, large, fixed dial on the top of the camera. An inadvertent adjustment is not impossible, but occurred with us only rarely. In the fully automatic mode, by the way, the wheel has no function, so it can’t unwittingly “screw up” the exposure for an inexperienced photographer.

In addition, the menus can be operated via the touch screen if desired after being called up via the corresponding key. The menus are divided into a few main categories and numbered tabs. This allows you to scroll quickly, but you have to search for some functions. Here the customizable “My Menu” is very useful. The Quick Menu can even be called up directly via a touch button as an alternative to the button and can also be adapted to your own requirements by sorting and showing or hiding functions.

In addition, the touch function for setting the autofocus area is of course extremely practical. Instead of laboriously moving the focus point across the screen with buttons, you simply touch the detail of the subject you want to focus on. The screen has a resolution of one million pixels with a diagonal of 7.5 centimeters and sufficiently fine resolution. The maximum brightness of just over 700 cd/m² is barely enough to recognize anything in bright environments, but it’s not really comfortable anymore, especially details in darker subject areas can be difficult to recognize. We already had much brighter displays on other cameras.

Because the screen is held in 3:2 aspect ratio, the same as the recording sensor, there are no black mourning edges in live mode, but the displays cover part of the live image. These can be hidden with the Info button, just as a spirit level or a grid can be displayed. There is also a live histogram as well as an exposure preview, the latter being automatically deactivated when a flash is used, so that you can see your subject in dark situations that are to be illuminated by the flash. The swivel and swivel hinge of the screen is also extremely practical. It can thus be optimally positioned for all possible shooting situations or folded upside down against the camera for protection.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III offers not only a flash shoe, but unlike its predecessor also an electronic viewfinder. [Photo: Canon]

The electronic viewfinder has a practical proximity sensor, but it is a bit too sensitive. Not even folding down the screen deactivates it. Especially when touching the screen, it can happen that the monitor suddenly becomes dark, because a finger gets too close to the sensor. That would be understandable if you could use the touchscreen as a touchpad while looking through the viewfinder, for example when folded down to the side, but that doesn’t work. The viewfinder itself has a fine enough resolution of 2.36 million pixels, but it is not too large. Unfortunately Canon doesn’t indicate the magnification factor, it should be at or just over 0.5x compared to the 35mm. In addition, spectacle wearers find it difficult to see the viewfinder without shadowing. Dioptric correction may help here. Otherwise the viewfinder image shows the same information as the monitor image, even the menus can be used in the viewfinder. This puts the not too bright screen into perspective, because in sunny environments you can use the viewfinder.

The battery is much too small. With its only 4.5 Wh, the NB-13L is almost fipsig, accordingly fast it runs out of juice. Only 200 shots according to CIPA standard are possible. If you don’t use the already inefficient internal flash, there are a few more shots. Fortunately, the battery can be recharged in the camera via the micro-USB interface, for example from a power bank. In addition, Canon provides an external charger, so that you can even charge both batteries at the same time when buying a second battery (one external, one in the camera). The G1 X III is also not choosy about the USB charger.

In the battery compartment on the underside of the camera is also the SD card, SDHC and SDXC also swallows the Canon without complaint, only UHS II is not supported (corresponding cards then work in slower UHS-I mode). With a write speed of a good 75 megabytes per second, the card interface is also sufficiently fast, so that there are hardly any waiting times with a correspondingly fast memory card.

The tripod thread is placed unfavourably. It is not located in the optical axis, but directly next to the battery and memory card compartment. Even quite small quick-release plates block access to the battery and memory card. The further interface equipment is not too lavish. In addition to the Micro-USB connection, there is also a Micro-HDMI socket and a cable remote release connection (mini jack) behind a somewhat windy rubber cover on the handle side. A stereo microphone for video recording cannot be used. After all, wireless connectivity with NFC, Bluetooth and WLAN is exemplary (more on this later).

Equipment

The program selector wheel is located to the left of the viewfinder on the top of the camera and is locked to prevent accidental movement. Here the Canon offers not only a fully automatic mode with scene recognition, but also some selectable scene programs as well as creative filter effects. Both the Panorama and HDR functions can only be called up via scene programs. The bracketing function in the creative programs P, A, S and M, in which the photographer has the choice of controlling the exposure parameters, takes only three images with a maximum of two EV exposure distances – that’s really not much for an HDR image created on a computer.

 

With Micro-USB, Micro-HDMI and a remote release cable connection, the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is somewhat spartanly equipped with interfaces. For example, a microphone input would have been useful. [Photo: Canon]

Also otherwise the Canon is sufficient, but not necessarily lavishly equipped. The depth of field, for example, can be controlled by tapping the shutter release button in the live image. The focus can be set decoupled from the shutter release and placed on the AEL button. Manual focusing is supported by the focus loupe and a switchable focus peaking function. The close-up limit, which varies between ten centimeters at wide-angle and 35 centimeters at almost full zoom and 30 centimeters at full zoom depending on the focal length, together with the large sensor does not exactly ensure good macro capability. The field of view is about 13.5 x nine centimeters in both wide-angle and telephoto, which corresponds to an image scale of 1:6 or 1:3.75 in 35mm equivalent.

At least thanks to the 37mm filter thread you can use close-up lenses to improve the macro capabilities a bit. Even polarizing filters, for example, can be used without any problems. The camera even offers a neutral density filter without accessories, it can be activated via a quick menu and swallows three f-stops of light. This greatly expands the creative scope. Also the possibility to fade out to F16 gives some creative leeway, because so much is revealed: The diffraction is not yet too strong at F16.

The autofocus works quickly, within 0.23 to 0.28 seconds the G1 X Mark III focuses from infinity to two meters and triggers. The pure shutter release delay for a pre-focused subject is only 0.05 seconds. The camera works with a hybrid system of phase and contrast measurement. The dual-pixel architecture of the image sensor makes this possible because each pixel consists of two parts that can be used for focusing or focus measurement. The release itself is almost noiseless, as a central locking system is used. However, the shortest exposure time is limited to 1/2,000 second. After all, it can already be controlled from the open aperture, which is really not a matter of course with the central shutter. Unfortunately, there is no electronic shutter for even shorter exposure times.

Thanks to the hybrid autofocus, the Canon can shoot at seven frames per second, including focus tracking. Without it, Canon even gives nine continuous shots per second. We reached 8.7 in JPEG and even 9.4 in Raw, but the maximum number of images in Raw of 16 was slightly lower than the promised 19, while in JPEG even one image more than the promised 24 images was possible. After that, the continuous shooting rate drops to 4.5 frames per second in JPEG or 1.9 frames per second in raw; this speed is then maintained until the memory card is completely filled. You shouldn’t save on the memory card, because with up to 75 megabytes per second, the Canon writes for the UHS-I standard quite fast. Waiting times worth mentioning hardly occur after long picture series.

The high-quality housing of the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is made of plastic and metal and is even said to be splash-proof and dustproof. [Photo: Canon]

With a guide number of just over six, the integrated flash is somewhat puny, and good ranges can only be achieved with significantly increased ISO sensitivity. In addition, the flash must be flipped open manually, and there is no question of flipping it up in view of the tiny mechanics. After all, the flash offers long-term synchronization, an optional ignition at the end instead of at the beginning of the exposure as well as exposure correction, but manually it only offers three power levels. Thanks to the central shutter it flashes even at the shortest exposure time. The system flash shoe allows large Canon Speedlite flash units to be used directly on the camera. Wireless flashes, however, are only possible with the appropriate control unit on the camera, the internal flash is unfortunately not able to do this.

With the video function, the Canon lags behind the present and remains in the past with maximum Full HD resolution. 4K still doesn’t seem to be an issue for the Japanese manufacturer. Too bad, because here the camera gives away potential, just like with the missing microphone connection. The Full HD videos have a good quality, with up to 60 frames per second they are even extremely fluid. However, the distinction between the offered frame rates according to PAL and NTSC settings in the camera is also outdated. There is nothing to criticize about the quality of the videos, the optical zoom can be used at a slower rate (zoom noises can get onto the soundtrack, albeit quietly), the autofocus adjusts purposefully and silently and the optical image stabilizer of the lens is amplified by a digital stabilizer, which ensures very quiet videos.

In playback mode, Canon offers some photo editing options, and even creative filters can be applied later. Videos, on the other hand, cannot be edited. The integrated raw data converter is exemplary.

The wireless functions are also interesting and versatile. Thanks to NFC, the chip is a bit hidden on the underside of the camera, the connection to the corresponding devices is very easy. Bluetooth provides a power-saving permanent connection with a smartphone or tablet, whose GPS signal can also tap the camera incidentally. With the help of the faster WLAN connection, photos can be transmitted wirelessly and remote camera control is also possible. The Canon Connect Station CS100 is also supported. You can store photos on it and retrieve them from other devices.

Picture quality

As already mentioned at the beginning, Canon uses a 24 megapixel APS-C sensor for the G1 X Mark III and thus stands out from the mass market competition that relies on the smaller 1″ sensor. As a compromise, the lens is comparatively zoom- and light-weak, which eats up one or the other advantage of the larger sensor, for example the cropping possibilities or the low-light capability.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III’s tripod thread not only sits outside the optical axes, but also far too close to the battery and memory card compartment. [Photo: Canon]

The image quality of a camera stands or falls with the lens. If you can’t change this to another one like a compact camera – like the G1 X – this is all the more important. In fact, the lens convinces in practice with high contrasts and good backlight resistance. In laboratory measurement, it shows only a slight edge darkening, which rises very gently towards the edge of the image. The distortion is excellently corrected and even color fringes can hardly be measured significantly. These optical errors are nowadays all partly reduced electronically, which manifests itself as a negative effect in an increased edge blur, especially the distortion correction is notorious for it.

The lens of the G1 X Mark III already has a very high resolution of almost 60 line pairs per millimeter (lp/mm) in 35mm equivalent at 50 percent contrast with an open aperture in the image center. The zoom setting doesn’t matter at all, the lens is very good at any focal length. Only the diffraction causes the resolution to slowly decrease when dipping down, but even with F11 the resolution in the image center is over 50 lp/mm, even with F16 it is still 45 lp/mm and more. The edge resolution is also surprisingly high. For each focal length measured, it is already considerably more than 40 lp/mm for an open aperture, and even more than 50 lp/mm for a long focal length. This means that the lens shows less loss of edge resolution than the competition, which struggles with significant loss of resolution at the edge of the picture, especially in wide angle. It doesn’t matter if you use a DSLR or a mirrorless system camera with standard zoom or a 1″ camera for comparison.

Furthermore, the large APS-C sensor ensures a good signal-to-noise ratio of over 40 dB at least at ISO 100 and 200. Only above ISO 1.600 does it fall below the critical limit of 35 dB. The noise itself is fine-grained and therefore does not tend to form blocks. It appears from ISO 3.200 as a slight brightness noise, but remains at a low level up to ISO 12.800. Colour noise plays practically no role. However, the noise reduction already reduces the texture sharpness above ISO 200, so fine details are also ironed away with the noise, above ISO 1.600 this is also clearly visible.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III offers a very good image quality, especially the resolution of the lens is impressive. Above ISO 1.600, however, the image quality decreases significantly. [Photo: Canon]

Compared to the smaller 1″ sensor, the Canon can’t stand out, but we already know this from Canon’s 1″ sensor cameras, which lag at least one ISO level behind the competition in terms of quality. In case of doubt, the only option is to use the raw data format in order to get even more out of the sensor at higher sensitivities. In JPEG, in any case, the Canon doesn’t take advantage of the larger sensor in shooting situations with low ambient light, especially in view of the low-light lens; here even cameras with a smaller sensor have an advantage. But as long as the light is sufficient or you can use a tripod, the image quality of the Canon is clearly better and looks more natural.

The G1 X Mark III performs very well in terms of input dynamics. At ISO 100 there are well over twelve f-stops, even at ISO 1.600 there are still well over eleven f-stops, so high contrasts are processed very well. Only above ISO 6.400 does the input dynamic break down significantly. The tonal value curve is clearly divided for a crisp, high-contrast reproduction, while the sharpness artifacts remain at a relatively low level. They appear, but are not too strong, so that the pictures appear rich in detail, but not artificial. Those who like to photograph in JPEG should also have a look at the image styles in the menu, as they can be adjusted extremely finely and parameter-rich with regard to sharpening, contrasts and color reproduction.

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III’s gritty rechargeable battery is just enough for 200 shots. After all, it can be recharged in the camera via USB – or in the external charging cradle supplied. [Photo: Canon]

The output tonal range is almost perfect at ISO 100, as almost all available 256 brightness gradations are also used. The tonal range decreases almost linearly with increasing ISO sensitivity. Up to ISO 1.600 the value with over 160 steps is still good, but already at ISO 3.200 only 128 steps are used. The manual white balance is extremely precise and the automatic one is also good, with up to eight million colors differentiated at ISO 100, an excellent value. Up to ISO 1,600 there are very good four million and more colors. The Canon, on the other hand, does not take the colour fidelity very seriously. Although the deviation is small on average, some shades are visibly wrong. Yellow is slightly shifted to greenish and also desaturated like the green tones, purple on the other hand tends towards magenta and red tones are strongly supersaturated. Whether one finds this color rendering beautiful is a matter of subjective opinion, practice shows, in any case, that an absolutely neutral color rendering is perhaps desired in a measurement, but is not necessarily regarded by the viewer as “beautiful colors” in practice.

Bottom line

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is an all-round, albeit not perfect, camera that you can recommend without hesitation. Although it has a price of just over 1,100 euros, which is not too cheap, the return service is also good. It is compact and of high quality, without being too small for proper ergonomics. She works fast and has everything you need for daily photography on board, even if the extras are a bit sparse. The video function is very good, even if the 4K resolution is missing. It stands out pleasantly from the competition in image quality. This is not only due to the good APS-C sensor, which also delivers a high resolution in practice, but above all to the very good lens, which has a high resolution over a large aperture range and also loses only little resolution at the edge of the picture in contrast to the competition.

The large sensor provides a very good image quality with sufficient light. However, if the light fades, the Canon can hardly stand out from the first place competition. This is not only due to the slightly weakened sensor above ISO 1.600, but also to the not too fast lens. The camera can score again with long exposures from a tripod. Even those who buy a DSLR or system camera only because of the large image sensor, but don’t want to change any lenses at all, will get a superior alternative with the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III, because this image quality in combination with the compactness is not available in the interchangeable lens sector, a camera with a cheap standard zoom can certainly not keep up.

Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III Datasheet