We go hands-on with the new Canon Powershot G3 X, with a 1inch sensor and 25x optical zoom lens.
| Canon Powershot G3 X in Compact Cameras
The Canon Powershot G3 X is the latest ultra zoom camera from Canon that was previously announced as being in development, and features a 20 megapixel 1inch BSI CMOS sensor, with an impressive 25x optical zoom lens, 5-axis image stabilisation, a 3.2inch 1.6million dot touch-screen, plus built in Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity.
Read our full Canon Powershot G3 X Review.
Canon Powershot G3 X Features
The nearest competitors to the Canon Powershot G3 X are the Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II, and the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000, both offer 20 megapixel 1inch CMOS sensors and a bright optical zoom lens. Here we compare the main features of the Canon Powershot G3 X verses the Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 and Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II:
| Canon Powershot G3 X | Panasonic Lumix FZ1000 | Sony Cyber-shot RX10 II | ||
| 20 megapixel 1inch sensor | 20 megapixel 1inch sensor | 20 megapixel 1inch sensor | ||
| 24-600mm equivalent (25x) | 25-400mm equivalent (16x) | 24-200mm (8.3x) | ||
| f/2.8 - f/5.6 | f/2.8 - f/4.0 | f/2.8 constant | ||
| 5-axis IS | 5-axis IS | Optical Steadyshot | ||
| 3.2inch, 1.62m dot touch (Tilting) | 3inch, 921k dot (Vari-angle) | 3inch, 1288k dot (Tilting) | ||
| N/A (Optional extra) | EVF, 2.36m dot | EVF, 2.36m dot | ||
| 5.9fps continuous | 12fps continuous | 14fps continuous | ||
| FullHD video, stereo | 4K video, stereo | 4K video, stereo | ||
| Mic/Headphone sockets | Mic socket | Mic/Headphone sockets | ||
| Wi-Fi / NFC | Wi-Fi / NFC | Wi-Fi / NFC | ||
| Weather sealed | N/A | Weather sealed | ||
| 300* shot battery life | 360 shot battery life | 400 shot battery life | ||
| 123.3mm x 76.5mm x 105.3mm | 136.8mm x 98.5mm x 130.7mm | 129.0mm x 88.1mm x 102.2mm | ||
| 733g | 780g | 813g | ||
| £799 RRP | £609 (£699 RRP) | £1200 RRP |
Impressively, the Canon Powershot G3 X features the longest optical zoom, but the smallest and lightest camera body of the three. * The Canon Powershot G3 X battery life can be extended to 410 shots with ECO mode enabled.
Canon Powershot G3 X Handling
On top you'll find the pop up flash, flash hot-shoe with accessory port, mode dial, exposure compensation dial, shutter release and zoom rocker, as well as the on/off and video record buttons. Underneath there is a metal tripod socket, with video lug hole, plus the battery and memory card compartment.
The camera has a good sized rubber hand grip, a protrudiing rear rubber thumb grip, plus rubber on the left hand side, making it easy to hold. The G3 X is weather sealed to the same standard as the Canon EOS 70D, according to Canon.
The high resolution touch-screen is responsive and tilts up 180degrees for "selfie" shots, and 145 degress down. An optional electronic viewfinder (EVF2) can be attached to the flash hot-shoe. The camera has an impressive macro focus, with the camera letting you focus on subjects 5cm away from the lens, even when you have zoomed into the equivalent of 100mm.
The lens ring can be customised, although it can't be used to control the zoom. In addition, the top scroll dial, S (shotcut) button, video button, MF / Zoom frame assist buttons, plus the two buttons next to the thumb grip, can all be customised.
The menus can be navigated and operated using the touch screen, and are clearly laid out. They are very similar to the Canon EOS menus so should be familiar to anyone who has used a recent Canon EOS camera. There is a Q button that can be used to bring up a quick on-screen overlay of some of the most commonly used options.
Read our full Canon Powershot G3 X Review.
Canon Powershot G3 X Hands-On Photos of Equipment
Canon Powershot G3 X Specifications
| Manufacturer | Canon | |
| Lens | ||
| Max Aperture | f/2.8 - f/5.6 | |
| 35mm equivalent | 24mm - 600mm | |
| Optical Zoom | 25x | |
| Image Sensor | ||
| Pixels | 20Mp (Megapixels) | |
| Pixels (W) | 5472 | |
| Pixels (H) | 3648 | |
| Sensor Type | Back-lit CMOS (B.S.I.) | |
| Sensor Size | 1inch | |
| Sensor Size (width) | No Data | |
| Sensor Size (height) | No Data | |
| Aspect Ratio |
| |
| LCD Monitor | ||
| LCD Monitor | 3.2in | |
| Screen resolution | 1.62million | |
| Touch Screen | Yes | |
| Focusing | ||
| Min Focus | 5cm | |
| Focusing modes |
| |
| Exposure Control | ||
| Shutter speeds shortest | 1/2000sec | |
| Shutter speeds longest | 30sec | |
| Bulb mode | Yes | |
| Exp modes |
| |
| Metering |
| |
| ISO sensitivity | 125 - 12800 | |
| White balance |
| |
| Exposure Comp | +/-3 | |
| Shooting Options | ||
| Continuous shooting | 5.9fps | |
| Video | ||
| Movie mode | Yes | |
| Video Resolution |
| |
| Video FPS | 60p, 50p, 30p, 25p, 24p | |
| Stereo Sound | Yes | |
| Optical Zoom with Video | Yes | |
| Other Features | ||
| Image Stabilisation | Yes | |
| Interface | ||
| HDMI | Yes | |
| USB | USB 2 | |
| Wi-Fi | Yes | |
| Storage | ||
| Card Type |
| |
| File Type |
| |
| Power Source | ||
| Battery Type | Lithium-Ion | |
| Battery Life (CIPA rating) | 300shots | |
| Box Contents | ||
| Box Contents | Camera, Battery Charger, Battery, Lens Cap, Lens strap, Neck Strap, AC Cable | |
| Dimensions | ||
| Weight | 733g | |
| Width | 123.3mm | |
| Height | 76.5mm | |
| Depth | 105.3mm | |
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Photographs taken using the Canon Powershot G3 X
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18 Jun 2015 9:44AM-
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18 Jun 2015 11:56AM-
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18 Jun 2015 6:50PM-
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18 Jun 2015 7:30PM-
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19 Jun 2015 7:21PMThere is a real gap in the market for a camera with a 1" or bigger sensor, a compact body and a decent general use lens like the good old 28-200 equivalent.
Everything currently available either has a short range zoom that is too restricted (and no teleconvertor available) or a rediculously long zoom that most people don't need that results in a camera as big as a DSLR. The Minota Dimage was ideal, it just needs modern technology!
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22 Jun 2015 6:53PMNo, the best of the three is actually the cheapest. the Panasonic. superior zoom range than the Sony but limited f-stop reduction and of course has an EVF.
Close Canon, but work harder.
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5 Jul 2015 10:56AMHaving said all of the above my latest Canon is the G7X (upgraded from an S100) and I'm hugely pleased with it. If this camera has the same image sensor then it should take an excellent picture.
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