Canon G7x Mark II

The Canon G7x Mark II is a premium compact camera that allows the users a high degree of control. The previous model, simply dubbed Canon G7x, was known for its high image quality, and this newer model is no exception. However, the first iteration has excellent specs on paper, it fell a bit flat in its execution. Its pocket-friendly size is quite a boon, as it can deliver comparable quality to some bigger cameras while being easier to carry.

Design

The look and feel of the G7x Mark II, along with its design are very sleek, albeit slightly utilitarian. Even though it appears a bit minimalistic, the design is quite handy in nature. The compensation dial can be easily reached, the buttons are grouped on the right side so adjustments can be quickly made, and there’s a switch under the lens that can turn off the clicking sound when you’re turning the lens to change settings. However, there’s no support for external accessories, such as a flashgun, but there is a small built-in flash.

Screen

The screen itself is great, and has a wide color palette, on top of being touch-sensitive. You can easily navigate through the menus, and can even pinch to zoom to check focus, and swipe through images. There’s no EVS, but the screen can be tilted, and that makes taking photos from awkward angles a smaller hassle. It can also face completely forward, so you can easily take selfies.

The Lens

The lens is a modest 4.2x that at first might not seem like a lot, or to be very useful, but in many every day scenarios it should be more than enough. It might not be superzoom, but it offers more than the classic 24-70mm full-frame lens. This lens is great for creating shallow depth-of-field effects, and for low-light environments. You also have the option for adding digital zoom. Canon offers two levels of digital zoom, but it’s best avoided when you want to retain the original image quality.

Performance

One of the best parts of the G7x Mark II is its focusing ability. Locking unto objects is quick, and there’s only a minimal slow-down in low light, and focusing speed remains the same even at the furthest reaches of the lens. Where it stumbles, is with small objects. You can switch to macro focusing, but it doesn’t really help much.

The processor of the camera is excellent. The camera boots up practically immediately and is ready to shoot in about a second.

Image Quality

In short, the camera does a fantastic job at capturing photos. The camera produces well-exposed images in different shooting conditions, and the automatic exposure works fantastically – you rarely have to change the settings. The best sizes for printing the photos is up to A4, as you can see a bit of image smoothing in larger formats.

Canon already had a decent base with the original G7x, and with the Mark II they’ve improved upon it greatly. A very capable camera that can be used in different situations and shooting conditions, but it’s best suited for being a backup camera, especially for enthusiasts. Great in its own way, but for the price range and features offered, it’s best not to rush to purchase the G7x Mark II.