When Canon introduced the original PowerShot G7 X back in 2014, the public was amazed by the quality of its images, but that wasn't enough to ignore its limitations. Over time, the Japanese giant knew exactly what needed fixing, and the result is the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II. The camera has been on the market for almost three years, but thanks to its updated processor, an improved lens, a tilting screen with extra angles, a decent burst mode, and optimizations in battery performance, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II remains a very popular model.
Smartphone manufacturers keep adding cameras to their high-end models, and some people inevitably wonder what's the point of buying a dedicated unit. I admit there are very skilled photographers out there when it comes to taking photos with smartphones, but sooner or later we all appreciate the superior capabilities of individual cameras, even if they are ultra-compact. In recent months we've explored several, from the Sony DSC-RX100 V, which is about to break the 750 euro floor, to the Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II, comfortably priced below 400 euros. Today we're going to take a close look at an ultra-compact that sits between both: the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II.
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II: So You Don't Miss Anything on Your Trip
Announced originally in mid-2016, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II features a 20.1-megapixel effective CMOS sensor paired with the DIGIC 7 image processor. Its ISO sensitivity ranges from 125 to 12,800, with a boost up to 25,600, while the shutter speed ranges from 1/2000 to 30 seconds. The LCD screen remains three inches with a resolution of 1.04 million dots, but besides having touch support, Canon decided to move the hinge to the bottom, allowing a 180-degree upward tilt (ideal for selfies) and 45 degrees downward. Another optimized aspect is the grip. The original G7 X could be a bit slippery, but on the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II we get a much firmer grip without increasing its weight.
The autofocus system on the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II uses 31 contrast-detect points, representing a significant quality jump over the standard G7 X. In general, face detection and subsequent tracking in simple mode do a good job, but if you need to capture extra movement, it's recommended to switch to single-point continuous autofocus. That brings us to burst rates. The average for normal mode is 4 FPS, with a buffer of 32 RAW shots and the rest of the card in JPEG. However, high-speed mode exceeds 8 frames per second, unless you enable continuous autofocus, dropping to about 5.5 FPS. A technical detail to note is that the camera requires 4 to 5 seconds to clear the buffer when shooting JPEG, and 14 to 15 in RAW. It seems like excessive time at first glance, but the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II is not an action camera, and we can always look for a faster card to compensate.
The interface of the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II doesn't present radical changes, a decision from the Japanese giant that we'll always appreciate. The top is dominated by the mode dial, and around it we find a ring that serves as an exposure compensation dial. If you look at the camera from the front, you'll notice a lever on the lower right quadrant. That lever is used to change the advance type on the control ring, whether stepped or continuous. Returning to the mode dial, there you'll find Canon's classic functions: Full Auto, Hybrid Auto, Programmable Auto P, Shutter Priority Tv, Aperture Priority Av, Manual M, custom shortcut C, scene menu SCN, and video. Once again, Canon delivers a very complete manual, and any secondary detail can be resolved with its help.
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II prioritizes image capture and RAW processing. That doesn't mean its video is deficient. The camera uses the full sensor width with no reported crop, but the maximum resolution is capped at 1080p60. If your plan is to shoot 4K and pay the same, you have options like the Olympus PEN E-PL9 or the more affordable Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX15. However, the 1080p60 of the PowerShot G7 X Mark II is impressive, even in low light. WiFi connectivity is there, and if you have an Android smartphone with NFC, pairing is even easier. The rest basically depends on the Canon Camera Connect app, which received an update last Monday. User response has been mixed, so don't worry too much if the app doesn't cooperate at first.
Accessories for Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II
With a price of 545 euros, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II has enough reasons to justify a slight premium, but that doesn't excuse it from a good selection of accessories. It doesn't come with weather sealing, and its battery needs assistance during long sessions, which is quite normal among ultra-compacts. Our selection aims to cover that and more.
Batteries and Power
The market doesn't abandon us when it comes to offering alternative accessories for Canon cameras, and the PowerShot G7 X Mark II is no exception. With an average of 265 shots, it's easy to imagine many casual photographers being satisfied with a single charge, but if your goal is to squeeze the Mark II during a trip or a long outing, then it's not a bad idea to add a Gloxy battery compatible with NB-13L and a hybrid 2-in-1 charger for home and car. With an extra battery and a charger like that, any lack of power should be resolved. Look for the product code "0712599622,VDTS-4604-CH-0713116009" for this set.
Tripods and Supports
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II received some body adjustments to improve the user's grip, but that didn't create a transport problem. In fact, the camera weighs 319 grams with the battery installed, which allows the use of relatively small supports. The first tripod for Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II we're going to recommend is the Manfrotto Pixi, with a maximum tolerance of one kilogram, which you can also use as a mini selfie stick if you want. The overkill option is already a classic at NeoTeo, and I'm referring to the Clampod Takeway T1. Compact, sturdy, it withstands up to 40 kilograms, and it grips firmly to anything.
Bags
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II needs protection from dust and liquid, and whoever uses it to the limit will have to deal with both. The good news is that it doesn't ask for much. First, a Lowepro Dashpoint 30 case with padded interior and secondary pocket costs less than 15 euros. Second, the Pacsafe Camsafe ZP anti-theft bag resists both punctures and cuts, and also has hooks that block access to its interior, as well as a fairly discreet design that doesn't draw attention.
Memory Cards
There's some delay in clearing the buffer when using burst mode on the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II, and with that in mind, it's logical to look for the fastest memory cards. With a write speed of 60 megabytes per second, it's impossible to go wrong with a Transcend SDXC 128 GB card, but if you're looking for something a bit cheaper, its 32 GB variant with 45 MB/s write speed will get the job done.
Special Kits
Blocking dust and liquid from entering during transport is an excellent strategy, and a solid way to protect our investment, but it will be useless if we don't repeat the same effort at home using a cleaning kit. The folks at Gloxy give us everything we need in a convenient 6-in-1 package, which includes a blower, cleaning fluid, cloths, and a brush. And while we're at home, why not add a mini studio to the combo? With a size of 40 x 40 x 40 centimeters, you can install it anywhere. If you plan to sell something, do it with style and a good photo.
Checkered flag, at least for today. The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II sits a couple of steps above the PowerShot G9 X Mark II thanks to its tilting screen, dedicated exposure controls, more flexible burst, and several additional details (including the grip). The lack of 4K support is an asterisk on its record, but we already know Canon: Better a flawless 1080p than a half-baked 4K. If that sounds good and you like being part of the Canon family, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II won't disappoint you. Good luck!
