The Canon G7X Mark II has taken the photography world by storm, especially among content creators and vloggers. This compact camera packs impressive features into a pocketable design. The G7X Mark II builds upon its predecessor with significant improvements in performance and usability.
Content creators love this camera for its flip screen and excellent image quality. Photography enthusiasts appreciate its fast lens and versatile focal range.
The camera offers professional controls in a user-friendly package. Today we explore why this camera remains relevant years after its 2016 release.
Key Takeaways: Canon G7X Mark II At A Glance
Excellent Image Quality: The 20.1MP 1-inch sensor delivers stunning photos with vibrant colors and sharp details. The DIGIC 7 processor ensures fast performance and improved low-light capabilities compared to the original G7X.
Versatile Lens Performance: The 24-100mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 lens provides incredible flexibility for various shooting situations. The 4.2x optical zoom covers everything from wide landscapes to portrait shots with beautiful background blur.
Content Creator Friendly: The 180-degree flip screen makes vlogging and selfie shooting effortless. Full HD 1080p video at 60fps with 24fps cinematic option gives creators professional-looking footage.
Compact and Portable: Weighing just 319 grams with battery and memory card, this camera fits comfortably in most pockets. The improved grip design makes handheld shooting more secure and comfortable.
Smart Connectivity: Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC allow instant sharing to social media platforms. The Canon Camera Connect app enables remote shooting and easy file transfers to smartphones.
Canon G7X Mark II Build Quality and Design
The Canon G7X Mark II showcases excellent build quality with premium materials throughout. The camera features a solid aluminum body that feels substantial in hand. Canon addressed the major grip issue from the original G7X by adding a textured front grip. This improvement makes the camera much more comfortable to hold during extended shooting sessions.
The compact dimensions make this camera incredibly portable without sacrificing functionality. The red accent rings around the control dials add a touch of elegance to the overall design. The camera maintains a professional appearance while remaining approachable for casual users.
Button placement feels intuitive with most controls falling naturally under your thumb and fingers. The rear control dial is small but functional, though it can be accidentally pressed during handling. The front control dial now includes a clickable switch for silent operation during video recording.
Camera Sensor and Image Processing Power
The Canon G7X Mark II features a 20.1-megapixel 1-inch BSI CMOS sensor that delivers exceptional image quality. This sensor size strikes the perfect balance between image quality and portability. The back-illuminated design improves low-light performance significantly compared to traditional sensors.
The DIGIC 7 image processor represents a major upgrade from the original G7X. This processor enables faster autofocus, improved burst shooting, and better noise reduction. The combination of sensor and processor produces vibrant colors with excellent dynamic range.
ISO performance ranges from 125 to 12,800 with expandable options up to 25,600. The camera produces clean images up to ISO 3200 with acceptable noise levels. Higher ISO settings show more grain but remain usable for emergency situations.
RAW file support gives advanced users complete control over image processing. The camera also includes in-camera RAW conversion for quick editing without a computer.
Lens Performance and Optical Quality
The 24-100mm equivalent f/1.8-2.8 zoom lens stands as one of the G7X Mark II’s strongest features. This lens provides excellent versatility for various photography styles. The fast maximum aperture enables beautiful background blur and excellent low-light performance.
Wide-angle performance at 24mm equivalent captures expansive landscapes and group photos easily. The lens maintains good sharpness across the frame at wider focal lengths. Portrait photography benefits from the longer focal lengths with pleasing background separation.
The built-in neutral density filter allows shooting at wide apertures in bright conditions. This feature proves invaluable for portrait photography and video recording in daylight. The optical image stabilization helps reduce camera shake during handheld shooting.
Lens construction includes multiple aspherical and low-dispersion elements for improved optical quality. Chromatic aberration remains well-controlled throughout the zoom range. The lens extends when zooming but retracts completely when powered off.
Autofocus Speed and Accuracy
The Canon G7X Mark II offers reliable autofocus performance with room for improvement. The camera uses contrast-detection autofocus which works well in good lighting conditions. Face detection performs admirably for portrait and group photography.
Single-point autofocus provides the most consistent results across different shooting scenarios. The touchscreen interface makes selecting focus points quick and intuitive. Tap to focus works seamlessly during both photo and video recording.
Continuous autofocus performance shows mixed results depending on subject movement. The camera tracks subjects reasonably well but struggles with fast-moving subjects. Burst shooting locks focus at the first frame rather than continuously tracking.
Low-light autofocus performs adequately but slows down considerably in dim conditions. The AF assist beam helps in very dark situations but may disturb subjects. Manual focus remains available with focus peaking assistance.
Video Recording Capabilities
The Canon G7X Mark II delivers impressive video quality for its size and price range. Full HD 1080p recording at 60fps produces smooth, professional-looking footage. The addition of 24fps recording provides a more cinematic look for creative projects.
Video quality shows excellent color reproduction and good detail retention. The camera samples the entire sensor for video recording, reducing crop factor effects. Manual exposure control gives videographers creative freedom over their footage.
Built-in stabilization helps reduce camera shake during handheld recording. The flip screen makes vlogging and self-recording effortless. Touchscreen autofocus works seamlessly during video recording without hunting.
Audio recording uses the built-in stereo microphone with decent quality. The camera lacks external microphone input which limits professional audio options. Wind noise reduction helps outdoor recording but cannot eliminate strong wind completely.
Display and User Interface
The Canon G7X Mark II features a 3-inch touchscreen LCD with 1.04 million dots. The screen provides good visibility in most lighting conditions. Touch responsiveness feels smooth and accurate for menu navigation and focus selection.
The 180-degree flip mechanism makes the camera perfect for vlogging and selfie photography. The screen flips upward rather than sideways, which works well for most shooting scenarios. Downward tilt of 45 degrees helps with overhead shots and discreet photography.
Menu system follows Canon’s traditional layout with logical organization. The touchscreen interface speeds up menu navigation significantly. Customizable function buttons allow quick access to frequently used settings.
Playback features include zoom functionality and basic editing options. The histogram display helps evaluate exposure accuracy. Focus point confirmation shows exactly where the camera focused during capture.
Battery Life and Power Management
Battery performance remains the Canon G7X Mark II’s weakness compared to competitors. The NB-13L battery provides approximately 265 shots per charge according to CIPA standards. Real-world usage often falls short of this rating with heavy touchscreen use.
Eco mode extends battery life by reducing screen brightness and shortening review times. This mode can provide up to 355 shots per charge with conservative usage. Heavy video recording drains the battery much faster than still photography.
The camera includes USB charging capability alongside the external battery charger. USB charging provides convenience for travel but charges slower than the dedicated charger. Battery indicator shows remaining charge levels accurately.
Power-saving features include automatic screen dimming and sleep mode activation. The camera powers off automatically after preset time periods. Carrying spare batteries becomes essential for extended shooting sessions.
Connectivity and Sharing Features
The Canon G7X Mark II includes built-in Wi-Fi and NFC for seamless connectivity. Canon Camera Connect app enables remote shooting control and image transfer to smartphones. Setup process remains straightforward with clear instructions.
Wi-Fi transfer speeds work adequately for JPEG files but slow down with RAW files. The app allows basic remote control including shutter release and zoom operation. Live view streaming to smartphones works reliably for remote composition.
NFC pairing simplifies the initial connection process with compatible devices. Automatic image transfer can be configured for immediate social media sharing. The camera maintains connection stability during normal usage.
GPS tagging requires smartphone connection but works accurately when enabled. Cloud storage integration depends on third-party apps and services. Direct printing to compatible wireless printers remains available.
Performance in Different Shooting Scenarios
Portrait photography benefits from the fast lens and excellent color reproduction. The 85-100mm equivalent focal length provides flattering perspective for headshots. Background blur quality competes well with larger cameras at similar focal lengths.
Landscape photography showcases the camera’s dynamic range and color accuracy. The 24mm wide-angle captures expansive scenes effectively. Graduated neutral density effects can be achieved through exposure blending.
Street photography appreciates the camera’s compact size and discrete operation. The quiet shutter mode helps avoid drawing attention. Fast lens aperture enables shooting in available light conditions.
Macro photography works reasonably well with close focusing distances. The 1-inch sensor provides better subject isolation than smaller sensors. Manual focus becomes essential for precise focusing control.
Comparison with Key Competitors
The Sony RX100 III represents the G7X Mark II’s main competition. Sony offers built-in electronic viewfinder and better battery life. Canon counters with more versatile lens range and superior touchscreen interface.
Image quality comparison shows similar overall performance with different strengths. Canon excels in color reproduction while Sony provides slightly better fine detail. Lens sharpness varies between individual units of both cameras.
Video capabilities remain comparable between both cameras. Sony includes more advanced video features like zebra stripes and better stabilization. Canon offers more intuitive video controls and better flip screen implementation.
Price considerations often favor the Canon G7X Mark II. The camera typically costs $100 less than the Sony RX100 III. Value proposition depends on specific feature priorities and budget constraints.
Long-term Reliability and Durability
The Canon G7X Mark II demonstrates solid build quality that withstands regular use. The aluminum construction provides good protection against normal wear and tear. Button durability holds up well over extended periods.
Lens mechanism operates smoothly even after thousands of zoom cycles. The flip screen hinge maintains tight tolerances without developing looseness. Touch sensitivity remains consistent throughout the camera’s lifespan.
Firmware updates from Canon address minor bugs and improve performance. The camera receives regular support from Canon’s service network. Parts availability remains good for routine maintenance.
Sensor cleaning requires professional service but proves necessary less frequently than expected. Weather sealing is minimal, requiring careful handling in adverse conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Canon G7X Mark II good for beginners?
Yes, the G7X Mark II offers excellent automatic modes while providing manual controls for learning. The touchscreen interface makes operation intuitive for new users.
Can you charge the G7X Mark II via USB?
Yes, the camera supports USB charging in addition to the external battery charger. USB charging provides convenient travel charging options.
Does the G7X Mark II shoot 4K video?
No, the G7X Mark II maximum video resolution is Full HD 1080p at 60fps. The camera does not support 4K video recording.
How does the G7X Mark II compare to smartphone cameras?
The G7X Mark II offers superior image quality, optical zoom, and manual controls compared to smartphones. The larger sensor provides better low-light performance and background blur.
Is the G7X Mark II weather sealed?
No, the G7X Mark II lacks weather sealing. The camera requires protection from moisture and extreme weather conditions.
What memory cards work with the G7X Mark II?
The camera accepts SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards. UHS-I cards provide optimal performance for burst shooting and video recording.
