G1 X

This camera is best compared to other large sensor fixed lens cameras like the Fuji X100 and Leica X1 not to the small P&S G series that went before.
Before moaning about no Macro and slowish autofocus you have to accept the physical limitations imposed by the huge sensor and marvel at the small body and lens that Canon engineers have devised.
The bottom line is Image Quality. In this regard the G1X is a winner even in low light with a sensor that is perfectly acceptable to 3200 and even usable at 12800.

One thing that does disappoint me is the level of Gizzmo engineering.
For example, why should I need a tripod to shoot HDR in HDR mode when other makers let me shoot handheld and then align the shots in Camera?
Why do I need software to stitch panoramas when others do it in camera?
Fuji lets me process RAW in camera to create variable jpegs so why can't Canon?

So, Canon have given us a strongly made body that fits in a jacket pocket and genuinely produces DSLR images.
I actually went "wow" when I saw some of the results (I've never said that about images from my Sony A55 DSLR ) and the images compare well to those from my Leica X1.
If only Leica could come up with that lens in the new X2 they'd be on to a winner.

Try before you buy as it won't suit everyone but it sure suits me.

My Canon 400D fitted with Canon's 17-85mm lens failed whilst on holiday (the lens seems to have packed in). What to do? The timing coincided with Canon's launch of the PowerShot G1X. For years I'd thought about buying a G series. Perhaps the gods were trying to tell me something. I bought it. (I should point out that the G1X is a different beast to the G12 - and does not replace it. The G1X has a much bigger sensor, more pixels, higher ISO capability, better screen, HD quality video etc.)

Everything about the G1X screams quality: the metal body, the action of the control dials, the fully articulated LCD screen, the lens. Although it's no pocket point-and-shoot (unless you have a poacher's jacket) it's rather neater than the camera I've been carrying around for some years. Reflecting its size and weight (about 500g), it doesn't have a P&S-style wrist strap but Canon provides a neck strap (a mite short for me but that's minor).

The main programme control dial is very similar so if you're used to a Canon DSLR you won't have any problem in getting up and running with this machine. The LCD screen is stunning and all the information presented can be customised. As can many of the control options eg the click-wheel on the back, the rotating dial above the handgrip on the front, and Canon also provides a dedicated customisable short-cut switch. Menus seem to be very straightforward - possibly simpler than those on my 400D.

The viewfinder is a simple tunnel design and is clearly only provided for those (few) occasions when ambient light conditions render the screen unusable. Field of view is about 80% less than actual frame size and at power-up (wide angle) a good chunk of the lower left corner of view is obscured by the lens barrel. Also, no information at all is provided in the viewfinder and I suspect most owners will therefore default to the LCD screen. However, the screen is a power-drain (my 400D seemed to go on forever so long as I didn't use the flash) and an additional battery might be a good idea if you're out-and-about.

Sensor size is large which means the 4x zoom range is 28-112mm (35mm equivalent). This is the same as the Canon 17-85mm lens at the (more useful) wide angle end although it's a bit shorter at the telephoto end. (But there is a switchable 4x digital zoom option.) Likewise, the G1X lens is faster at the wide angle end (f/2.8 vs f/4) and similar at the telephoto end (f/5.8). ISO range is huge: up to 12800 and noise-free at 1600 which will probably mean that you won't need to drain the battery further by using flash.

And image quality? I simply can't fault it. The G1X is at least up to my DSLR standard and, in many cases, performs better. My only slight concern is that the AF might be a touch slower than I am used to.

I haven't used the 1080p movie mode so cannot comment on that aspect.

I will get the 17-85mm lens repaired, but what bothers me is that I might just never use the 400D again.

An update to my review:

I've had the 17-85mm IS lens fixed (it was the iris diaphragm) and done a side-by-side comparison between the G1X and the 400D (both set at f/8 with auto white balance). I compared the results using Photoshop Elements running on a MacBook Pro. In terms of image sharpness I'd say that there's nothing in it - the G1X perhaps being slightly better. G1X metering is more accurate (evidenced by the exposure histogram) but G1X images are definitely cooler with a noticable shift to the blue end (possibly a result of the 400D's slight under-exposure). This result isn't necessarily to my taste and I might reduce the G1X's exposure setting by 1/3rd stop or so (using the wheel beneath the mode setting dial).

In terms of ease of use I'm happier with the DSLR's viewfinder than the G1X's screen. This is probably because I've always had a viewfinder camera and never previously used a "P&S". I'm certainly impressed with the information that can be displayed on the screen and it's good to have live-view so that you can set optimum exposure before composing the shot. But I'm disappointed that Canon didn't incorporate an electronic rather than an optical viewfinder.

AF is slow and the G1X occasionally hunts for best focus. I've taken some good photos of the kids (achieving a nice background blur) but I wouldn't use it for fast moving subjects (although there is a tracking AF option). In order to speed things up, I'd suggest turning off image stabilisation unless you really need it. This will increase battery life as well.

So I think it's horses-for-courses. The G1X is neater and is ideal as a "grab-and-go" camera. A screen is sometimes more convenient and I still can't fault its picture quality. I like its ability in low-light situations (because of faster lens, high ISO and better IS), I like its build quality and its "feel" in the hand (although shutter release is too light), but for rapid shooting and serious work I'd use the 400D.

Having lost my interest in big time photography, i off loaded my 5D2 based DSLR kit and replaced it with this point and shoot, after reading quite a few reviews about various models in the P&S area, including the likes of Fuji's X100 etc.

There is no doubt about the build quality of this camera, or image quality - especially when working in RAW. The optical viewfinder is functional, though the lens showing in the bottom left hand corner can be a distraction at times. The EVF is an extremely competent piece of kit and gives you the chance to shoot from just about any angle as such view finders often do.

The menu system, and custom settings are not as easy to learn or use as on the 30D, 40D, 5D2 or any other Canon DSLR that I've tried, but then you are looking at a different type of camera, and different price range. You need to sit yourself down with the pdf manual on the screen and go through the manual one step at a time to really get to understand how this camera works, and thus to get the absolute most out of this camera. That said, the program and auto modes do an extremely competent job, and the images produced are not to be sneezed at, metering and focusing being more than reliable.

The on board flash appears to have been included just to fill in the space on the top left, but thankfully the camera comes with a hot shoe. I would certainly recommend adding an external flash to your arsenal - nothing expensive - but something that will work in ETTL mode with a Canon camera.

The lens has a more than acceptable focal length for nearly all uses - you really would need to move to a DSLR if you wanted more (via an additional lens which then adds price, bulk and the chance for dust contamination). The quality of the glass is also more than acceptable.

The real glitch with this camera is achieving focus lock. You half press the button to acquire the shot, then have a noticeable pause before it actually 'gains' the image at the full shutter button operation. I'm learning to work with it, but i've used Digital P&S from almost a decade ago that had better & faster focus acquisition and lock.

At the end of the day, a camera is only a tool for gaining a photograph - or digital image in these modern times - and this camera will certainly not let you down as something you can put in you pocket and walk around with. That said, i would not recommend it as some ones first camera, no would i recommend it as a simple P&S - that would just be a waste of money.

Am I happy with my purchase of this camera? Yes - because I expected and accepted the limitations of a P&S camera compared with a high end DSLR system. If that focusing issue could be improved via a firmware update - then i would have given this camera 5 stars - but with it, it is to lose a star.