Canon has just announced its new PowerShot G3 X, which we previously saw teased as an “in development” product. Now, we know the camera features a 20.2MP 1″ CMOS sensor and Canon’s DIGIC 6 image processor.
The lens covers a 25x optical zoom range equivalent to 24-600mm (35mm format) with a variable f/2.8-5.6 aperture. Of course, optical image stabilization is present as well.
The G3 X features a 3.2″ 1.62M-dot resolution LCD that tilts 180-degrees and possesses the beloved capacitive touch control. The camera sports 31 AF points with what Canon calls “high-speed AF” and captures stills up to to 5.9fps with no buffer lag or frame limit (for JPEGs anyway). The G3 X can capture RAW, JPEG and RAW + JPEG still image files.
The G3 X also captures 1080p video at 24p, 30p and 60p frame rates and offers both an external mic port and headphone port. In a first for such a consumer-level camera from Canon, the G3 X also offers clean-HDMI output for recording to an external monitor.
The G3 X features built-in Wi-Fi with NFC connectivity. It is compatible with the optional Canon EVF-DC1 electronic viewfinder and Canon EX Speedlites.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing about the Canon PowerShot G3 X is the $999 asking price. Considering Sony’s recent announcement and feature list of the RX10 II, the G3 X seems a little underwhelming at that price point.
The Canon PowerShot G3 X ships in July 2015. Check it out here at B&H Photo.
Now I need to look at that Sony…
My only concern about these more compact cameras at this price range is: are they durable?
I own 2 Canon G series cameras.
They are rock solid
Canon has lost me on this one. The $999.00 price tag is high though not insurmountable, but then it takes another $240.00 to make it a fully functional camera with an EVF. 95% of my shooting is outdoors in daylight, so to use this camera I first have to remove my Rx sunlasses, fish out my regular glasses that include close focus ability to compose and assure focus is correct, then hold it at arms length which stresses my arthritic elbows and shoulders, and, depending on the suns position possibly have to shield the lcd with one hand. This is strictly a young persons camera.