Canon G7X Mark III Review

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Basic Specifications
Full model name:	Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Resolution:	20.20 Megapixels
Sensor size:	1 inch (13.2mm x 8.8mm)
Lens:	4.20x zoom (24-100mm eq.)
Viewfinder:	No / LCD
Native ISO:	125 - 12,800
Extended ISO:	125 - 25,600
Shutter:	1/25600 - 30 sec
Max Aperture:	1.8
Dimensions:	4.1 x 2.4 x 1.6 in. (105 x 61 x 41 mm)
Weight:	10.7 oz (304 g) includes batteries
Availability:	08/2019
Manufacturer:	Canon
Full specs:	Canon G7X Mark III specifications

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20.20 Megapixels	4.20x zoom	1 inch size sensor

Canon G7X III Review -- Now Shooting!

by Jaron Schneider
Preview posted: 07/08/2019

Updates:
07/30/2019: First Shots posted
08/23/2019: Performance posted

Announced alongside the G5X Mark II, you may at first glance not be able to tell the two cameras apart. They both share a long list of features in common, but the G7X Mark III has a short list of very specific additions that clearly position it as a vlogging camera and separate it from the G5X II's more "all around" companion camera design.

The G7X Mark III is the same size as the previous generation model, but weighs 14 grams less than the Mark II and features the same 24-100mm-equivalent f/1.8-2.8 lens. Furthermore, the Canon G7X III also looks very similar to its predecessor, save for some minor styling changes. It maintains the lack of a viewfinder and keeps the small, pop-up flash on the left-side corner of the top deck.

Imaging & Performance

When it comes to the imaging pipeline, the G7X III uses a new 20.1 megapixel 1.0-inch stacked CMOS sensor which is coupled to Canon's DIGIC 8 processor (an upgrade over the DIGIC 7-powered G7X Mark II). That stacked CMOS sensor is another improvement over the Mark II iteration of the camera, enabling enhanced performance features, such as full-res 20 frames-per-second bursts in high speed shooting mode (using fixed focus, one-shot AF mode).

An even faster 30 fps RAW-only burst mode is available, and a pre-record feature has also been added, allowing you to start capture about half a second before the shutter button is fully pressed, with about 2-3 seconds of total image capture time before the buffer fills.

The 20 and 30 fps burst modes are a dramatic increase in performance over the Mark II, which maxed out at just 8 fps in single-shot AF mode. With the new DIGIC 8 processor and thanks to the stacked sensor design, the G7X Mark III can now exceed the Mark II's top burst rate while using Servo AF mode, at 8.3fps, according to Canon's specifications. Support for Canon's newer compressed RAW (C-RAW) .CR3 format has also been included.

Buffer depths are generous, too. Canon claims 89 C-RAW, 55 RAW or 118 JPEG frames in 20 fps mode, and up to 70 frames in 30 fps RAW burst mode.

The G7 X III uses a 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen TFT LCD that offers 1.04-million dots of resolution and approximately 100% field of view coverage.

The G7 X Mark III also features an electronic shutter speed of up to 1/25,600s in Tv, M and Manual Movie modes (mechanical shutter speed maxes-out at 1/2000s), and a maximum native ISO of 12,800 (expandable to 25,600). Canon has also added an in-camera panoramic photo feature, and made improvements to the Star Mode. You can now shoot star trails with an electronic shutter that will result in very little vibration in the camera, and star time-lapse is also available for capture and export in-camera at 4K resolution.

Canon has also added focus bracketing, a feature found on the EOS RP. The user interface on the G7X III has also been improved, with a focus on making the camera function more like EOS cameras than ever before.

Video Recording Features

As nice as these still image improvements are, Canon's stated main focus of advancement on the G7X III was video performance, stating "really high-end video capabilities from a small compact camera." In fact, they are "calling all YouTube creators" to their "next-generation vlogging camera."

That video performance includes 4K UHD video capture at 30p, HDR movie capture, 1080p120 slow motion, and no crop at any resolution on the aforementioned 1-inch sensor. These video enhancements greatly improve on the max 1080p60 of the previous generation, though it is worth noting that the G7X Mark III's 4K has no 24p option. Continuous video recording is limited to 9 minutes, 59 seconds for 4K, 7:29 for Full HD at 120fps, or 29:59 for the remaining Full HD and HD recording options.

Canon has also added 4K frame grabs exported as JPEGs, a feature akin to Panasonic's 4K Photo mode. They have also enabled USB-C charging and power delivery on the G7X Mark III, allowing you to continue shooting even when plugged in to an external power source. The camera also features an external mic jack, but no headphone jack. Note that there is no sensor-shift image stabilization on the G7X II, however, the lens does feature optical image stabilization.

The G7X Mark III can also be controlled via Bluetooth, and lets you geotag locations via your mobile device using that connection.

The G7X III seriously differentiates itself from the G5X Mark II and changes the trajectory of its target market when it comes to connected video capabilities. The G7X III introduces direct connection to YouTube using a hotspot or Wi-Fi, allowing for live streaming to YouTube Live from the camera basically from any location. You can also schedule live streams ahead of time on YouTube, and then choose those slotted times directly from the camera. This livestream connectivity is the G7X Mark III's greatest differentiation point from the G5X Mark II, which sees many if not all of the sensor and processor-based improvements the G7X Mark III has received that are mentioned above.

Additionally, while in "selfie mode," you now have a record button located on the LCD itself to make starting and stopping video recording easier (you no longer have to look on the back of the camera as you did in the previous iteration). The G7X Mark III can now also record and playback video in vertical orientation for use on Instagram, etc. You cannot enter YouTube Live in vertical video format, however.

Storage, Connectivity & Battery

The G7X III offers a single SD card slot with UHS-I support. As mentioned above, the Canon G7X III does include a 3.5mm stereo mic input, but no headphone jack. Additional wired connectivity includes a USB Type-C port (with Power Delivery support) and a Type-D Micro HDMI port (and you can completely disable information displayed on the screen for clean HDMI output). Wireless features include built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

When it comes to battery life, the G7X III is powered by a NB-13L lithium ion battery pack, which is the same rechargeable battery as the previous model. According to CIPA battery ratings, the estimated battery life is slightly less than the predecessor, at approximately 235 shots or ~320 shots in ECO Mode. The G7X II, on the other hand, was rated at approximately 265 shots (or ~355 shots using ECO Mode).

In addition to supporting in-camera battery charging, the G7X III can now be powered via USB-C as well. Canon sells the PD-E1 USB Power Adapter for both functions, but it lists for a pricey US$190. Less expensive third-party USB power adapters (and power banks) should also work with the appropriate cable, but we believe they may need to be USB PD (Power Delivery) compliant to power or charge the G7X III (details from Canon on minimum requirements for USB power sources and cables are unfortunately few and far between). A dedicated (standalone) battery charger is included in the bundle.