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Canon G1 X 14.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens Full 1080p HD Video and 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD Black

3.8 3.8 out of 5 stars 182 ratings

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About this item

  • 4x Optical Zoom 28mm Ultra Wide-Angle lens with Optical Image Stabalizer
  • Canon's newest HS SYSTEM with a 1.5-inch, 14.3 MP High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor with DIGIC 5 Image Processor (up to 128oo ISO)
  • 3.0-inch Vari-angle PureColor System LCD with 922.000 dots for shooting at a variety of angles
  • Full range of shooting and recording modes inlcuding 14-bit RAW + JPEG (as in Canon DSLR cameras)
  • Full 1080p HD Video in Stereo Sound with a dedicated Movie Button and HDMI Output for HDTV viewing
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The Pinnacle of PowerShot Bright, fast and more creative than ever: advanced technologies come together for an exciting new camera that moves beyond anything the G-Series has seen before. The PowerShot G1 X digital camera will inspire advanced amateurs who have embraced the G-Series to explore new realms of photographic expression, and give pros an excellent camera that complements their creative demands. The new 1.5-inch High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor approaches DSLR size, with a light-sensitive area that's approximately 6.3 times larger than that of the PowerShot G12 digital camera. The new 14.3 Megapixel sensor, combined with a new lens and DIGIC 5 Image Processor, creates the HS SYSTEM that delivers image quality previously impossible in a compact camera, with beautiful blur, lower noise, and extraordinary resolution in low-light shooting and can shoot at ISOs of up to 12800. The PowerShot G1 X also has 14-bit RAW capabilities for even greater creative control and Full HD Video

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Canon G1 X 14.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens Full 1080p HD Video and 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD Black
Canon G1 X 14.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4X Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens Full 1080p HD Video and 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD Black
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Price$449.99-18% $599.99
List:$730.00
$1,100.00$697.99-20% $398.00
List:$499.99
$990.00
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Customer Ratings
Zoom
3.3
4.4
4.3
4.6
4.2
Auto focus
3.3
4.0
4.5
4.3
4.0
Image stabilization
3.3
4.5
4.2
4.0
Picture quality
4.0
4.4
4.1
4.3
Sold By
BYDEALS
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Adorama
Amazon.com
Sunshine Photo & Electronics
display type
LCD
LCD
LCD
LCD
AMOLED
display size
3 inches
3 inches
3 inches
3 inches
3 inches
1 inches
lens type
Zoom
Wide Angle
Telephoto
Wide Angle
Wide Angle
Macro
zoom type
Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom, Optical Zoom
Optical Zoom
Optical Zoom
Digital Zoom
shooting modes
Aperture Priority, Auto, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
Manual, Shutter Priority, Sports
Aperture Priority, Manual, Program, Shutter Priority
Automatic
connectivity tech
HDMI, USB
HDMI, Bluetooth, USB
Wi-Fi, NFC
HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, USB, Micro HDMI
HDMI
video resolution
FHD 1080p
4K UHD 2160p
4K UHD 2160p
2160p
2160p, 1080p
FHD 1080p

What's in the box

  • Instruction Manual
  • Product Description

    Product Description

    Full range of shooting and recording modes including 14-bit RAW + JPEG for ultimate creative control

    From the Manufacturer

    The Pinnacle of PowerShot

    Bright, fast and more creative than ever: advanced technologies come together for an exciting new camera that moves beyond anything the G-Series has seen before. The PowerShot G1 X digital camera will inspire advanced amateurs who have embraced the G-Series to explore new realms of photographic expression, and give pros an excellent camera that complements their creative demands. The new 1.5-inch High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor approaches DSLR size, with a light-sensitive area that’s approximately 6.3 times larger than that of the PowerShot G12 digital camera. The new 14.3 Megapixel sensor, combined with a new lens and DIGIC 5 Image Processor, creates the HS SYSTEM that delivers image quality previously impossible in a compact camera, with beautiful blur, lower noise, and extraordinary resolution in low-light shooting and can shoot at ISOs of up to 12800. The PowerShot G1 X also has 14-bit RAW capabilities for even greater creative control and Full HD Video recording. Manual settings and operability inherited from EOS cameras impart a high-level shooting experience, and open the door to new creative possibilities. Substantive luxury defines the design: a neatly clarified sculpture with a firm grip, huge Vari-angle LCD and optical viewfinder.

    Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor
    The latest-generation Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor brings phenomenal increases in processing speed and power. Improved chip architecture and algorithms deliver greatly expanded functionality with further refinement in image quality. Improved noise reduction produces clearer images when shooting in low light at high ISO speeds. Enhanced i-Contrast performance adjusts differences between light and dark areas to achieve even more natural-looking results. The faster processing speed also results in faster continuous shooting capability. The DIGIC 5 Image Processor also makes possible a new, highly advanced automatic white balance system. Whereas conventional white balance makes an overall adjustment based on a single type of light source, the new Canon Multi-Area White Balance analyzes several areas of the image to determine whether different adjustments are needed, for example, for the main subject and the background.

    Canon 1.5-inch, 14.3 Megapixel High-Sensitivity CMOS Sensor
    Canon engineers developed a sensor for PowerShot G1 X digital camera that is nearly the size of an EOS DSLR camera’s APS-C sized sensor, and built with a similar pixel structure—each pixel site is larger, allowing more light to be captured—giving the PowerShot G1 X a completely different level of image quality than compact cameras that have come before it. At 1.5 inches, the sensor is approximately 6.3 times larger than that of the PowerShot G12 digital camera. This heightened degree of sensitivity, along with 14.3 Megapixels, delivers several distinct advantages. Noise is dramatically reduced at high ISO speeds for clear low-light and nighttime shooting. Resolution at low ISO speeds is incredibly rich and precise. And, most atypically for a compact camera, the PowerShot G1 X digital camera allows you to create the intensely beautiful background blur that is the hallmark of DSLR cameras.

    Canon HS SYSTEM
    The Canon HS SYSTEM lets you take bright, clear photos in an even wider range of shooting situations. Beautiful low-light shots are possible with minimal noise and maximum detail in highlight and shadow areas. The system is the result of two technologies brought together in PowerShot cameras: a high-sensitivity imaging sensor, which is able to capture more light; and the DIGIC Image Processor, which actively reduces noise with high-speed image processing. The 14.3 Megapixel Canon CMOS sensor in the PowerShot G1 X incorporates advanced light reception technology that enhances sensitivity. The new DIGIC 5 Image Processor provides a major boost in noise reduction, expanding the usable range to an amazingly high ISO 12800. The HS SYSTEM thus lets you use higher shutter speeds to capture clearer images with reduced noise and blur.

    Shooting and Recording Modes Including 14-bit RAW + JPEG
    The PowerShot G1 X offers a host of shooting and recording modes ranging from fully automatic to fully manual, plus Full HD movies and full-resolution High-Speed Burst HQ at a maximum of 6 frames*. The camera recognizes 32 shooting situations, automatically optimizing settings for achieving the highest quality shots on the go. Alternatively, you can exert complete creative control over the look and feel of your images. 14-bit signal processing, just as in EOS series cameras, gives images notably rich detail and smooth gradation. Compared with 12-bit processing, 14-bit offers a 4x increase in RAW data, makes a visible impact, giving images rich detail in both highlights and shadows as well as smoother, more natural tonal gradation for outstanding image quality.

    *Continuous shooting speed is 4.5 fps.

    Canon Full HD Video Advantage

    In addition to the HS SYSTEM, the combination of the advanced CMOS sensor and DIGIC 5 Image Processor in the PowerShot G1 X digital camera makes it possible to shoot crisp, clear high definition video. Imagine the fun and excitement of being able to shoot spectacular 1080p Full HD video with stereo sound that you can later watch on your HDTV or download to your computer to share with family and friends. In addition to being able to shoot Full HD 1080p video at 24* frames per second, the PowerShot G1 X digital camera can also shoot 720p HD video at 30** frames per second.

    *Actual frame rate is 23.976 fps.
    **Actual frame rate is 29.97 fps.


    Dedicated Movie Button, Wind filter feature and Optical Zoom for easy video capture
    It’s never been easier to shoot videos with a PowerShot digital camera. The PowerShot G1 X has a dedicated movie button that lets you start and stop recording instantly. There is no need to go through layers of menus or operate switches or dials to switch to and from video recording mode. The camera is always ready to shoot stills or video whenever you want. The PowerShot G1 X also incorporates an electronic wind filter, which suppresses wind noise that can muffle or distort the sound. And unlike less sophisticated point-and-shoot cameras, the PowerShot G1 X lets you use the full range of optical zoom when you’re shooting a video.

    HDTV Playback via HDMI with CEC Support
    It’s easy to enjoy and share the videos you shoot with the PowerShot G1 X. Simply connect its HDMI terminal to your HDTV using an HDMI cable. And because the PowerShot G1 X supports HDMI-CEC technology, you’ll be able to control the playback of your images and videos on any CEC-enabled HDTV using the TV’s remote control. (CEC – Consumer Electronic Control – is part of the HDMI specification, enabling components in a system to communicate with one another.)


    iFrame
    With the PowerShot G1 X, you can also shoot video in the Apple iFrame format, which is a computer-friendly standard that speeds up importing and editing of videos. It keeps file sizes small, making it more convenient to upload or e-mail high-quality videos. The iFrame format enjoys native support in compatible Mac and Windows video applications, making it unnecessary to perform time-consuming and often quality-degrading conversions.

    4x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom and 28mm Lens
    The PowerShot G1 X digital camera is equipped with a newly designed 4x Wide-Angle Optical Zoom and 28mm lens (35mm equivalent: 28–112mm), built with the knowledge acquired over decades of Canon leadership in optical technology innovation. Canon engineers specifically designed this lens to take advantage of the PowerShot G1 X digital camera’s exceptionally large sensor. Bright and fast, the f/2.8 lens captures a wealth of subtle detail, even indoors and in dark scenes, and easily covers a full range of shooting situations. It incorporates the latest in Canon UA lens technology, suppressing lens aberration for outstanding image quality throughout the entire zoom range. Images are richly expressive, from areas of highest resolution to beautifully artistic background blurs. The wide angle gives you more to work with in every shot, expanding your avenues for creative photography. Zooming is fast and precise, and 4x power takes you in for the close-up.

    UA Lens Technology
    Pioneered by Canon, UA Lens technology makes possible compact lenses with remarkable optical performance. By using molded glass with an ultra-high refractive index in aspherical lens elements, Canon has succeeded in reducing lens size while significantly reducing image aberrations. Another stellar example of cutting-edge Canon optics, UA Lens technology helps make PowerShot digital cameras pocket-friendly and capable of astounding image quality.

    Optical Image Stabilizer
    Handheld shooting can often lead to camera shake, making photos and videos blurry. Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer is a sophisticated system that shifts a lens group to correct unwanted camera movement. It makes handheld photography more practical in more shooting situations. For photos, it enables shooting at slower shutter speeds, accommodating more low-light shooting situations of up to 4 stops without having to boost ISO sensitivity. With camera shake reduced, you get a sharper, steadier image.

    Intelligent IS
    The latest advance in Canon Optical Image Stabilization technology, Intelligent IS analyzes camera movement and applies the best shake correction method for the shooting situation. For stills, the system automatically selects among Normal, Panning, Macro (Hybrid) and Tripod IS modes. When shooting video, the system automatically selects among Dynamic, Powered, Macro and Tripod IS modes. With Intelligent IS, you can concentrate on image capture, letting the camera make the most effective IS settings to assure the steadiest possible image.
    Normal Panning Macro Dynamic
    Powered Tripod Corrects for a wide range of camera movement when shooting stills. Panning motion is detected so that IS does not interfere with desired camera movement. Corrects for shift-type camera shake, which typically occurs in (close-up) shooting. Effective for video shooting at wide-angle focal lengths, eliminating the unwanted shaking that typically occurs while walking. Compensates for hand movement when shooting video at the telephoto end of the zoom range, where camera shake is magnified. When tripod use is detected, the Image Stabilizer is stopped because it is not needed.
    3.0-inch Vari-Angle PureColor System LCD
    With the PowerShot G1 X digital camera, difficult shooting angles won’t stop you from getting the shot you want. The camera’s big 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD screen swivels out and rotates, tilting up and down to give you access to the highest and lowest angles for shooting flexibility that greatly enhances your creative expression. You can also capture perfectly centered self-portraits or put yourself into group shots. The LCD screen’s benefits don’t end with mobility. A resolution of 922,000 dots gives you an unprecedented level of detail in the images you’re composing. The high resolution level also makes it easy to read on-screen information when you’re adjusting camera settings and accessing shot information. Full-spectrum color is true and natural. As befits a high-performance camera designed for advanced users, the PowerShot G1 X digital camera is equipped with an optical viewfinder as well. Shoot SLR-style with the real image optical zoom finder, and customize the viewfinder for your vision with dioptric adjustment.

    Electronic Level
    The PowerShot G1 X even has a built-in electronic level that calculates the camera’s horizontal angle of tilt and displays the information on the LCD monitor. The feature makes it easier to capture a perfectly level shot every time.

    High-Speed Burst HQ
    Utilizing the increased processing speed and power of the new Canon DIGIC 5 Image Processor, High-Speed Burst HQ makes it possible to capture fast action stills at full resolution during continuous shooting. The results are exceptionally high-quality images recorded in rapid sequence. In this mode, the PowerShot G1 X can capture a maximum of 6 shots in a single burst.*

    *The continuous shooting speed is approx. 4.5 fps.

    Smart AUTO
 The camera automatically selects the best shooting settings for optimal quality based on subjects and environmental factors to provide point-and-shoot simplicity. Program
    The camera automatically and intelligently selects the aperture/shutter speed combination based on the shooting conditions.
    Movie Digest Records a video clip before capturing a still image and then combines one day’s worth of clips into a video. Shutter-priority You select the shutter speed, and the camera automatically selects the appropriate aperture. Aperture-priority You set the aperture, controlling depth-of-field. The camera automatically selects the shutter speed. Manual
    You have complete control of exposure, selecting both aperture and shutter speed manually. Custom Define and store your own settings to achieve the effects you prefer. Portrait Brings the subject into focus while beautifully blurring the background. Landscape
    Increases depth-of-field for sharp and sweeping landscape shots. Kids & Pets
    The camera reduces focus time so you won’t miss those special shots. Sports The camera uses high shutter speeds to capture fast-moving subjects. Handheld Night Scene Take clear and steady pictures at night without the use of a tripod. Super Vivid Super Vivid intensifies existing hues, saturating the scene with bright colors. Color Accent Choose to retain a single color in your image while other colors turn monochrome. Color Swap Select a color and replace it with a color you specify for special effects. High Dynamic Range The camera combines three different exposures to get one evenly lit image. Nostalgic
    Create the look and feel of old photographs using sepia tones and black-and-white. Beach
    Get clear shots of people at a sunny beach without darkened faces. Underwater
 Capture underwater images with reduced backscatter effect. Optional Underwater Case required. Foliage Capture brilliant shots of autumn foliage, greenery and blossoms. Snow
    Shoot clear snow scenes without darkened subjects or an unnatural bluish tint. Fireworks Create brilliant images of skyrocketing fireworks. Fisheye Effect Now you can get the fisheye effect — a classic photographic distortion — without a fisheye lens. Miniature Effect Give images a miniature look with an effect that emphasizes perspective by blurring the top and bottom of the image. Toy Camera Effect
    Simulates photos taken with “toy” or pinhole cameras, darkening the image at the edges to create a vignette effect. Monochrome Choose from three single-tone effects: Black-and-White, Sepia, or Blue. Poster Effect
    Poster Effect combines several similar shades into one color, turning subtle gradations into eye-catching, scene-popping contrasts. Movie
    Capture high-quality video in HD (1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720) or VGA (640 x 480) with audio. Easily delete unwanted clips in playback mode. iFrame Movie
    The Apple® movie format, iFrame, makes it easier and quicker to import and upload videos while retaining high image quality. High-Speed Burst HQ Captures fast-action shots at full resolution, providing continuous shooting when the shutter button is held down. Smart Shutter
    The camera automatically takes the photo when people smile, wink, or get into frame. Stitch Assist Easy-to-use guidelines simplify the shooting of aligned multiple frames that can later be combined (using bundled software) to create panoramic photos.
    Movie Digest
    Creating a video* containing highlights of a family vacation or an important occasion is a lot easier than you might think. When you use Movie Digest on the PowerShot G1 X, the camera will automatically record a short video clip (up to approximately 4 seconds) every time you shoot a still image. That entire day’s worth of clips will then be automatically combined into a single video.

    *Movie Digest videos are recorded at VGA (640 x 480) resolution and 30 fps.

    High Dynamic Range
    In High Dynamic Range, the camera will shoot three different exposures in succession and then merge them together to produce a spectacular image with highly detailed shadow and highlight areas.


    Miniature Effect for Movies
    Emphasizes perspective for a miniature effect by blurring upper and bottom portions of videos and stills.

    Actual results may vary from examples shown above.
    Final image may vary depending on picture composition.


    Creative Lighting Options for Pro-level Images

    Compatibility with Cannon Speedlite Flashes
    The PowerShot G1 X digital camera gives you access to exciting EOS accessories including the new Macro Light Adapter MLA-DC1, Macro Ring Light MR-14EX, and all of the Canon Speedlite flashes, long revered by professional photographers. The high output of Speedlite flashes brings out the depth and texture of your images in full, natural beauty. The ultra-lightweight Canon Speedlite 270EX II is a compact, high-performance flash unit that’s fun and easy, with adjustable illumination angle and guide number. The versatile new Speedlite 320EX features an LED light on the front of the flash body that can be used to illuminate nearby subjects in dim light, ideal for shooting video.

    EOS-like Manual Shooting for Beautiful Images with Beautiful Detail

    Mode Dial and Front Dial Electronic dial
    Bilevel dial
    PowerShot G1 X allows fully manual shooting to give you complete creative control over your images. Adjustment of settings is streamlined and intuitive, with a design based on Canon EOS operability. A bi-level dial on top of the camera sets the mode and allows quick adjustment of exposure compensation. An ergonomically-placed electronic dial located on the camera’s front provides a natural feel for control over camera settings letting you concentrate on getting the perfect shot. Step-zoom allocation is also available.

    High Dynamic Range Scene Mode
    Shooting in high contrast environments can often result in photos with overexposed and underexposed sections. So to tackle this problem, Canon developed the High Dynamic Range shooting mode to make shooting even more intuitive. Under High Dynamic Range* the camera will shoot three different exposures in a succession (underexposed, overexposed and normal) and then merge them into a single image. Underexposed areas are combined with the overexposed and vice versa, resulting in an evenly detailed image with flattering shadows and highlights.

    *Tripod is required.

    What's in the Box?

    1. PowerShot G1 X Digital Camera
    2. Battery Pack NB-10L
    3. Battery Charger CB-2LC
    4. USB Interface Cable IFC-400PCU
    5. Lens Cap (with strap)
    6. Neck Strap NS-DC9
    7. Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM

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    Product information

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    Product Warranty: For warranty information about this product, please click here

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    Read about our customers' top-rated cameras on our review page: Point-and-Shoot Cameras

    Customer reviews

    3.8 out of 5 stars
    3.8 out of 5
    182 global ratings

    Customers say

    Customers like the image quality, quality and light performance of the camera. For example, they mention it takes good pictures in a wide range of lighting types and levels, has a high-resolution, 3" vari-angle LCD, and stands out as a solid camera that can withstand many years of use. That said, some complain about the video quality. They say it's slow, and has issues with focus and macro. Opinions are mixed on the size.

    AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

    55 customers mention49 positive6 negative

    Customers like the image quality of the camera. They mention that it takes good pictures in a wide range of lighting types and levels, and that the details and colors are wonderful. They also appreciate the high-resolution, 3" vari-angle LCD, and variety of functions.

    "...While praised for image quality (especially in unassisted low light) and innovative sensor tech in a smaller package, comments like "designed by..." Read more

    "...speeds (60 seconds to 1/4000 of a second), and its ability to create superb pictures even when using a high ISO setting, thus offers a VERY high..." Read more

    "...First, the good: - Nice image quality, especially distant subjects - Nice handling, especially if you're used to G-series or EOS..." Read more

    "...camera that allows you to leave your DSLR at home, but still gives you fantastic photos and allows you full control, then this camera may be exactly..." Read more

    51 customers mention48 positive3 negative

    Customers are satisfied with the quality of the digital camera. They mention that it is a solidly capable camera that will deliver high quality, has a high quality construction, and is incredibly capable. The optical viewfinder is reliable and convenient, and the body is made of solid metal.

    "...It also has high quality construction that comes with some heft and size, not really "pocketable" but certainly portable; which some users will..." Read more

    "...in a smaller package. - Very good low-light performance - Decent (practical) zoom range suitable for the vast majority of needs -..." Read more

    "...It is a perfect companion camera to have when you do not want to tote around your DSLR and all of the accessories that comes with that...." Read more

    "...It isn't a CSC, and it isn't a DSLR. It's a solidly built, all-in-one point-and-shoot compact with a big sensor and a fixed lens that zooms...." Read more

    24 customers mention24 positive0 negative

    Customers like the light performance of the camera. They mention that it works well in low light conditions, does low light high ISO shots very well, and has excellent low light capabilities. The image quality is great in low-light quality and the sensitivity is top notch for a camera this size.

    "...small form containing lots of features, and with excellent low light capabilities...." Read more

    "...Not so with this G1 X; the LCD screen is big and bright and I have to tell you that it is my opinion that an articulating LCD screen is the only way..." Read more

    "...Low-end dSLR image quality in a smaller package. - Very good low-light performance - Decent (practical) zoom range suitable for the vast..." Read more

    "...It rivals my Canon 60D in that regard. Its low-light sensitivity is top notch for a camera this size, due mainly to the fact that the sensor is..." Read more

    21 customers mention16 positive5 negative

    Customers find the camera easy to use. They mention that the controls are simpler to use, and the user interface is intuitive for most users. The operation is straightforward, and it's convenient. The camera has all the manual features you would expect from a professional camera, and loading the disk makes reading the manual easier.

    "...'s menu system translates well across their entire line, is intuitive for most users, and makes some complaints about "no actual included paper..." Read more

    "...cameras as SLR backups because they had RAW capability, plenty of manual control, and portability. They were not without their limitations, though...." Read more

    "...By that time, I give up.3. Even though the interface is intuitive, it does take some practice to get the settings right for a particular shot,..." Read more

    "...The optical viewfinder is reliable, mimics the zoom, and convenient but it has parallax error and doesn't display any shooting data like an SLR would..." Read more

    32 customers mention18 positive14 negative

    Customers are mixed about the size of the digital camera. Some mention that it's more compact than the G1X, and a wonderful compact camera that fits almost in every pocket. However, others say that it is too big to carry in anything but a largish coat pocket.

    "...simply the best designed, the best performing, and the most advanced compact digital camera on the market today and is, again in my opinion, the..." Read more

    "...For this photographer, the Sony was just too small, without a fully articulated view screen, and without a good way to use filters..." Read more

    "...What a fantastic camera. Fast focus, more compact than the G1X, and the flexibility of the interchangeable lenses are a win win win in my eyes...." Read more

    "...Thirdly, the lens extends out from the body making it a bit bulky. Lastly the HDR setting gets confused...." Read more

    29 customers mention6 positive23 negative

    Customers are dissatisfied with the video quality of the camera. They mention that it is slow to focus, shoot, and playback. They also mention that the shutter lag limits what they can do with the camera, and that it's not a high speed demon. Customers also say that it takes a long time between photos.

    "...The macro mode makes users unhappy. It is not a high speed demon like every other Canon DLSR. It is not the "latest thing"...." Read more

    "...While the lens is not as fast as I should like (f/2.8 [moderately fast - but I really wish it were f/2.0] at its wide-angle setting to f/5.8..." Read more

    "...Slow focus, slow shot-to-shot, slow playback-to-shoot performance - Exposure compenstation dial requires the use of left hand; better to shoot..." Read more

    "...Image quality in some ways is better than my EOS 60D. And the resolution is great enough to allow some cropping without noticeable loss of..." Read more

    23 customers mention4 positive19 negative

    Customers are disappointed with the focus of the camera. They say that the auto focusing is very weak and slow, and the focus gets confused. The range of focus is narrow, and it can't seem to focus on many objects.

    "...joins the complaints about auto focus distances, inability to properly focus at times, the continuous yellow "not focused" warning telling you to..." Read more

    "...Slow focus, slow shot-to-shot, slow playback-to-shoot performance - Exposure compenstation dial requires the use of left hand; better to shoot..." Read more

    "...camera, and the reason it does not get 5 stars from me, are its sluggish auto focus, its poor view finder, and its relatively high price...." Read more

    "...said it could get as close as eight inches, but auto focus got even worse at such close range...." Read more

    19 customers mention0 positive19 negative

    Customers are disappointed with the lack of a true macro capability in the camera. They say that the macro mode is nonexistent, and it makes them unhappy.

    "...The macro mode makes users unhappy. It is not a high speed demon like every other Canon DLSR. It is not the "latest thing"...." Read more

    "...4. I don't like the optical viewfinder. It's basically useless (there's no information or anything there), and when the lens is extended, you can..." Read more

    "...It is not very strong at higher ISO ratings. Of course, I am spoiled to the low light capabilities of the 5D Mark III now...." Read more

    "...Another flunk was the macro mode...." Read more

    Canon PowerShot G1 X: An Excellent Advanced Digital Compact Camera, Especially for Low-Light/High-ISO Photographs
    5 Stars
    Canon PowerShot G1 X: An Excellent Advanced Digital Compact Camera, Especially for Low-Light/High-ISO Photographs
    This is not a 'perfect' camera (what is?). It is not the nicest-looking (best styled) compact camera (in my opinion, the best looking are the Fujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD and the Leica M9 18MP Digital Range Finder Camera (Black, Body Only). Nor is it the most prestigious. And it is definitely NOT a replacement or a substitute for a DSLR camera.If it is not any of these things, then what is it?It is, in my opinion, simply the best designed, the best performing, and the most advanced compact digital camera on the market today and is, again in my opinion, the very finest such camera yet made.Many people, such as myself, do not want an interchangeable-lens camera for various reasons (including the expense, the inconvenience, and necessity to carry about a rather large array of camera equipment).Yet some of those people, including myself, want an advanced, highly capable, camera with a high-quality lens, a large sensor, and the ability to take pictures under many varied conditions (including low-light without flash) and have those pictures turn out exactly the way they'd like. In other words, they want pictures the equal of those produced by most DSLRs - and they (and I) want to be able to achieve this quality 'in-camera' rather than having to use computer software afterwards.There is really no technical reason why such a camera couldn't have been made before but it appears that this one is the first that can actually achieve that goal.As a preamble, I encourage you to read EVERY review of this camera which appears on Amazon, as well as all of the comments thereto. Plus I also suggest that you read reviews on other sites (including the 'professional' reviews). After all, this is a very expensive camera and you want to make certain that you have obtained every bit of information available to you before you buy it.Here on Amazon you will see almost as many 'con' reviews and comments as 'pro' ones.Some writers feel it is too expensive for what you get. Some writers feel it has too many disadvantages, one way or another. Many of the writers, very obviously, do not truly know how to use it. And there are some people who just don't like it.Some reviewers have purchased the camera and returned it after just a short period of ownership. Frankly, I believe that they did not learn to properly use it. This is a very advanced camera and learning it will take a lot of time. A couple of weeks won't do.There are also a few reviewers here who, while praising the camera for its abilities, are nevertheless somewhat negative in tone; these appear to be written by people who own DSLR cameras and are looking for a more convenient alternate to be used at certain times.Unfortunately, it appears to me (and I could be wrong of course) that they want a compact fixed-lens camera which has EXACTLY the same types of design, features, and, especially, controls of their interchangeable-lens camera.It 'ain't' going to happen!I do want to say that all of these people's opinions are, of course, just as valid as mine and are to be respected (and you'll surely want to consider them) - but I disagree with them all.To begin with, this is a very sophisticated and complicated instrument. In order to derive the maximum benefit from its capabilities, you must be very familiar with the technical fundamentals of photography - or be willing to learn them. Otherwise, if you're not going to teach yourself to use it to its maximum advantage, why pay $800.00 for this camera? If you don't want to take the time to learn these things, feeling perhaps that the effort in obtaining this knowledge is too time-consuming for you personally, or if you just want to take ordinary snapshots and don't really need the capabilities of an advanced camera, in my opinion, you could and should buy a much less expensive one which will suit your needs.This camera would definitely not be for you and I say that without meaning to be disrespectful to anyone.If you're still interested, however, I want to tell you right now that this is a VERY long review and, while I do apologize for its length, I hope you will read all of it to understand what I personally like in a camera, why I particularly like and recommend this one, and why I feel that it is worth every penny I paid for it.Ten years ago, I bought a Canon PowerShot G2 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom which, at the time, was one of the best cameras available. It had many good features; it had a nice, bright f/2.0 - 2.5 maximum aperture across its 3:1 zoom ratio but it also had some disadvantages. For example, the smallest f-stop was only f/8 - this, to me, was unsatisfactory (I had not seen that particular specification listed anywhere; had I known about that minimum f-stop, I might not have bought the camera!). In addition, the maximum shutter speed was only 1/1000 second and the ISO range was from 50 to only 400. In other words, this camera did not offer a high dynamic range. As a result of these disadvantages, I missed a number of pictures I would have liked to have had. In addition, it had only 4.0 mega-pixels; though high at the time I bought it, today only cell-phones offer that little.Since that time I have been looking for something better but I had no luck until now. Every camera I saw (including other models in the Canon PowerShot G line) had various disadvantages which precluded my consideration of them.I want a fixed-zoom-lens camera with a wide range of ISO settings (the equivalent of slow-to-fast films), the ability to take good, noise-free ("grain-free") pictures at high ISOs (sensitivities) so I can take low-light pictures without using flash, a relatively fast lens which can also stop down to at least f/16, and the ability to take pictures in a wide range of shooting modes (automatic, manual, etc). In other words, I want a camera which has most of the capabilities of a DSLR but without the need to change lenses.When I read about the Fujifilm X-100, it seemed to be very good but it is clearly out of my price range (as is the Leica - but I can always dream). In addition, though it has a large APS-C-sized sensor (the same as in DSLRs and even larger than the G1 X) and its lens is fast (f/2.0), it is fixed focal length only (no zoom) and it has only a 12.3 mega-pixel sensor (a relatively low figure at its price by today's standards) and, while, if the camera were in my price range, I could accept all of that, most importantly, according to "Popular Photography's," test results, its measured noise figures are mediocre, even at only moderately high ISO settings. I am afraid that that is something I do not want to accept.There are several Sony cameras which have good noise figures at high ISOs but they have too many other disadvantages, at least for me, to consider them. In addition, though I'm sure that this is not representative, I personally know TWO people whose expensive Sony cameras 'died' shortly after the warranty expired - and Sony would do nothing for them. Please note that I'm sure this is an anomaly - I own many Sony products though not cameras - and I have never had problems with any of them; nonetheless, though I'm certain that most Sony camera owners are completely satisfied, these people's experiences has left a sour taste in my mouth for Sony's cameras.The Fujifilm X10 12 MP EXR CMOS Digital Camera with f2.0-f2.8 4x Optical Zoom Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD, which was introduced recently, IS in my price range and, as soon as I saw it, I put it into my Amazon Wish List.However, when "Popular Photography" reviewed it in the March 2012 issue and I saw the rather dismal high-ISO noise figures listed for the camera, fast lens or no, I immediately removed it from my Wish List. (I have been reading "Popular Photography" for over fifty years now and I have learned to trust their test figures implicitly.)Please note that I am sure that the X10 is a fine camera and will please all who buy it but it does not fulfill my requirements. (However, you should keep in mind that the Fujifilm X10 does cost two hundred dollars less than the Canon G1 X.)I first heard about this new Canon G1 X 14.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens Full 1080p HD Video and 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD in January of this year and last month I received an email from "Popular Photography" about their test results (which now appear in the April 2012 issue).As soon as I saw their test results figures (and read the entire review to which the email linked), I immediately pre-ordered the camera from Amazon! This is the first camera in ten years to induce me to part with 'coin of the realm' and buy it.You can find all three of these reviews online at "Popular Photography's" site if you wish to read them.Of course, when I ordered the camera, I had no idea whether or not I would really like it. I was taking a chance.But now that I actually have the G1 X, I can only say that I am VERY pleased with it, as pleased as possible.Among its other attributes, its lens stops down to f/16, something I have sorely missed for the past ten years. Do you know the old photographer's trick? On a bright sunny day set the aperture to f/16 and then set the shutter speed to the speed of the 'film' [the ISO rating you have chosen]. Set the focus either to Infinity or to ten feet [depending on the nature of your main subject]. Exposure will be perfect and everything will be sharp. On cloudy days, set the aperture to f/11, and so forth. The wider the aperture, of course, the more critical focusing becomes. (I always recommend 'bracketing' your shots, both for focus and exposure; it's easy to do with this camera, either automatically or, my own preference, manually.)This camera, with its relatively large, relatively fast lens (at the wide angle setting; the range is f/2.8 to f/16), its wide range of shutter speeds (60 seconds to 1/4000 of a second), and its ability to create superb pictures even when using a high ISO setting, thus offers a VERY high dynamic range. This means that you will be able to take pictures in just about any lighting condition (and without using flash if that is your preference, as it is mine) and the pictures will turn out exactly the way you want them.I have uploaded some pictures along with the information about the parameters. Other people have uploaded even better pictures than mine and I hope you will look at all of them. You will see just what this camera can achieve under many varied conditions.I have also uploaded a (rather pathetic - sorry about that) 1-minute video which, bad as it is, does show the image capabilities of this camera under some trying conditions (and, if you see any noise, it is solely due to the fact that I had to compress the original video to conform to Amazon's requirements; there is absolutely NO noise in the original video).And in the still images, I see hardly any 'noise' ('grain') no matter under what conditions I take a picture. While the lens is not as fast as I should like (f/2.8 [moderately fast - but I really wish it were f/2.0] at its wide-angle setting to f/5.8 [very slow - and I really wish it were faster] at its maximum telephoto setting), the fact that you can easily use high ISO settings (the range is ISO 100 to ISO 12,800) with little or no loss of image quality (unlike the Fujifilm models) MORE THAN MAKES UP for the lack of lens brightness (and, as a trade-off, slower lenses can produce sharper pictures as focus is not as critical as it is with fast lenses).In other words, you can use a sensitivity rating of ISO 6400 (and sometimes, depending upon the nature of the subject, even ISO 12,800) with hardly any visible noise in the picture! As far as I know, there is no other compact camera on the market which can achieve that!Why does this camera have this capability while other competitors do not? It is because of the sensor size in it. Its sensor is 1.5 inches (the Fujifilm X-10's sensor s only 2/3 inch), it has 14.1 mega-pixels, plus it has Canon's very advanced design for noise reduction (which, by the way, is user-adjustable). A 1.5 inch sensor is almost the same size as the APS-C-sized sensors used in most DSLR cameras. I believe that no other compact fixed-zoom-lens camera has such a large sensor.Naturally a larger sensor requires a larger (and heavier) lens yet Canon has managed to design the lens to a fairly reasonable size and weight (and the camera's overall weight is also quite reasonable - plus it is well-balanced).This absolutely first-rate lens (there can be no other description for it) has a 4:1 zoom range; this may be an inadequate zoom range for some people (especially those who favor 'superzooms') but note that, everything else being equal, the lower the zoom ratio the sharper the lens ("prime" lenses being the sharpest of all) and the lower the zoom ratio, the lower the lens distortion. This lens's zoom ratio is certainly adequate for me!And it's the large sensor and the large sharp lens which allow for the truly superb pictures this camera produces.A large sensor coupled with a relatively large lens has another major advantage: the ability to make excellent closeup 'portrait' photos (which allow the main subject to be in sharp focus while the background is blurred). Yes, this can be done with post-processing software but here it can be done in-camera. DSLRs can do this routinely but few compact cameras can. (You can also get the same results using fully manual aperture/shutter settings and manual focus.)As with most other digital cameras, there are various scene settings (Kids & Pets, Fireworks, Sports, etc.) which I have not yet used but which will probably come in handy at various times.Multiple facial recognition (as well as red-eye reduction, both prevention before and fixing after taking a flash picture) is also offered as is blink indication. Regarding flash (which I myself use only rarely and then I use only the built-in flash), the camera does have a 'hot-shoe' so that, with an optional bracket, very sophisticated flash attachments (Canon Speedlights for example) can be used.In addition, the built-in flash can be physically lowered into the body when you're not using it, a nice touch. In the 'P' Program setting, I leave the flash in the 'on' position but with the flash body lowered into the camera so it won't fire. Then, when I occasionally do wish to use flash, all I have to do is to raise the flash body and it's ready to go.Naturally burst shooting is present and it appears to be very sophisticated. Automatic bracketing is another feature and, using the available HDR setting, three images can be combined automatically to allow for a high dynamic range (note that the subject must not move; this is primarily for landscapes or cityscapes).This camera has a myriad of possible adjustments; to obtain maximum benefit from them will frankly require a long learning curve (I have just scratched the surface!).However - and this is a BIG however - right out of the box you can use its Auto setting and probably 95+% of your pictures will come out fine (and they will be of far higher quality than almost all other compact fixed-lens cameras and on a par with any produced by DSLRs). If and when you desire to be a bit more creative (in camera), well you can 'play' with the menu adjustments and set the camera to do what you like. (And you need not worry about messing up the settings: there is a quick Reset All option which sets everything back to factory defaults.)Just as on a DSLR, there are options to take pictures in several ways: fully automatically; aperture-priority (you set the lens opening, the camera decides the shutter speed); shutter-priority (you set the shutter speed and the camera decides the aperture); and full manual (you set everything). (This is what I use most of the time.) Note that the camera will show you "correct" settings (what it thinks is correct) and you can reset your settings to what the camera has decided or you can ignore that altogether.This model also features a terrific articulating LCD screen. So did my G2 but its size (about an inch diagonal) and its brightness were severely wanting. Not so with this G1 X; the LCD screen is big and bright and I have to tell you that it is my opinion that an articulating LCD screen is the only way to go. The advantages of having one of these becomes very apparent as you use it. As a matter of fact, I would not, under any circumstances, purchase an expensive camera which did not have one.Do you like to shoot in RAW (or RAW + JPEG) mode? It's easy with this camera (and fast too if you have a fast-writing card) and you do NOT need to use Canon's software to process and edit RAW images. [You can view a picture I took in RAW mode and adjusted via software - both done very quickly - in the uploaded photo section.]Are there any possible disadvantages? Sure there are! Automatic focusing in low-light situations is perhaps very slightly slower than I should like but, in fact, I use manual focus for the most part (I use manual aperture and shutter settings most of the time too) and the auto focus is not nearly as slow as some people suggest; obviously it is much faster in bright conditions but it seems adequately fast in most low-light situations too. I know that some people would rather have the ability to turn a lens ring to manually adjust focus (I would too) but such an option is probably not possible at this time with a lens such as this one. In any case, as I have been manually focusing via a menu option for the last ten years, this is no problem for me. (And outdoors I use the 'trick' I mentioned so I generally do not need to focus the lens at all. This 'trick' can be used for high-speed outdoor sports photography.)I also wish there were a "Bulb" setting for long exposures but, unfortunately, this camera does not support that. (Truth to tell, in my well over 50 years of taking pictures, I have used the "Bulb" setting only two or three times and that was with 35mm film cameras.)Some people have commented on the fact that the optical viewfinder does not display any information (even about focusing, as in true rangefinder cameras) as well as the fact that, at the wide-angle setting, the necessarily large lens obscures the lower left portion (the lens disappears when setting it to telephoto). Though they are correct, and this is one of the few really valid complaints about this camera, at least for me, this is not too significant: I use the optical viewfinder rarely, only when I am taking pictures outdoors under very bright light (and the 3-inch LCD on this camera is so bright - so far I have used it only at its default brightness, 50% - that it may not even be necessary to use the optical viewfinder as often as I did with my older G2, if at all). Nonetheless, the camera really should have an EVF rather than an optical viewfinder. As we're unlikely to see any more reasonably-priced true rangefinder cameras, I believe that the day of the optical viewfinder has passed.So if an optical viewfinder is of major importance to you, you may wish to look elsewhere. However, the mediocrity of this feature is not enough to sway my opinion or enjoyment of the camera.One disadvantage of this particular large lens and large sensor is that it cannot focus very closely (7 inches is about as close as you can get). If you do a LOT of Macro shooting, and do not wish to buy auxiliary lenses, this may not be the camera for you. I only rarely wish to use Macro so this is not a disadvantage for me personally. [But see my uploaded Macro picture of an Iris flower within the "View and share related images" section; if you know what you're doing, you can indeed take ultra-closeups with the G1 X.]I have to say that, though it is acceptable, I generally do not care for a 'press and click on' (or 'center-pinch') type of lens cap, much preferring the old-fashioned kind which just slips on (of course I want a cord attachment; this one has it). The internal mechanism of 'press and click on' types can break if not handled carefully. Just my opinion.And regarding the lens, WHY OH WHY do manufacturers of advanced compact cameras NOT put filter threads within their lenses? Canon makes you buy a Canon FADC58C 58mm Filter Adapter for G1 X which, like the adapter I had to use on my G2, is cumbersome and a plain pain to have to use every time you want to attach a filter. You must remove the lens surround ring (and put it somewhere), attach the filter adapter, and then attach the filter. You can't leave this Canon filter adapter mounted full-time because the lens cap won't work with it. So, when you're done shooting using a filter, you must reverse the procedure by retrieving the surround ring, removing the filter and the filter adapter, and then reattaching the surround ring in order to use the lens cap. This is BRILLIANT(?!?) design! [But please see my May 6 update about an inexpensive and complete remedy for this.]However you can see that these 'disadvantages' are QUITE minor (they could be called 'nit-picking') and have no bearing whatsoever on the quality of the pictures you will get or even the ease of taking them.This Canon has many individual and well-designed physical controls (thus minimizing the necessity for using menu options when actually taking pictures) yet very strangely this model does not offer one additional button (which it should have): it would have been nice had Canon included a white balance button to quickly adjust the setting. But the camera does have an 'assignable' button and I assigned white balance to it (so that takes care of that problem!). And, if a situation requires you to change the assignable button, even temporarily, to something else, that is quick and easy to do.The rest of the controls are, again in my opinion, exemplary in design.Of course, in the final analysis the question is: how good are the pictures? I have to say that, based on my own use of the camera, they are, in a word, SUPERB. If you look at the pictures (and the video) I and others have posted here, you can judge for yourself.Color in the 'standard' setting is positively beautiful, vivid and accurate. And, for certain circumstances, there are many color adjustments available (assuming you are shooting JPEG; if shooting RAW, you adjust the color via your RAW processing program). Black-and-White photos are luminous; I can think of no other word to describe them. Sepia-toned pictures are also very, very beautiful.If one were to try to compare pictures made with this model with similar ones made with much more expensive DSLRs, and one did it 'blind' (in other words he/she did not know which photos were made with which camera), I do not think anyone could distinguish between them. That's how high in quality pictures taken with this camera are.I hope that you have found this somewhat lengthy review to be of some value to you (sorry, there's still some more to go!). I have tried to explain my thought processes in the decision to replace my ten-year-old G2 (which I'm still keeping, however) with this new one (which is a much more advanced, sophisticated, and capable model) and, if your wishes are similar to mine, then I am certain that you will be as pleased with the G1 X as I am.I have a couple of small 'point-and-shoots:' the Fujifilm FinePix T300 14 MP Digital Camera with Fujinon 10x Wide Angle Optical Zoom Lens (Black) and the Kodak Easyshare Touch M5370 16 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom, HD Video Capture and 3.0-Inch Capacitive Touchscreen LCD (Silver). For what they are they are nice, and my wife and I take them along wherever we go.But, regarding quality of pictures produced, they're not even in the same ballpark as this Canon model. (I gave them 5-stars each but that is within their category, the only fair way, I think, to rate a product.)And you can, if you wish when you first obtain it, just set this camera to its full Auto setting and it will be as easy and as quick as any of those 'point-and-shoots' and, of course, the pictures will be vastly superior. I suggest that you start off that way and, as you become more familiar with it, you'll want to start trying some of the more advanced features. You will never 'outgrow' this camera. Obviously, if you have someone else take a picture, you would merely set the camera to Auto.And as further proof of ease of use (with the caveat that you know what you're doing!), please note that I took all of the pictures (and the video) after just a couple of hours of 'playing' with the camera and WITHOUT reading the instruction manual. Of course operation is rather straightforward and it's quite similar to that of my PowerShot G2. If you have ever used any advanced compact digital camera (including Superzooms, etc.), you should have no difficulty with this one. If you have never used such a camera, the voluminous (242 page) instruction manual found on the included CD-ROM will answer any and all of your questions about this particular camera.My 10-year old Canon PowerShot G2 featured construction of the absolute highest quality; it is still functioning as it did when new (and it still looks new!). This new Canon PowerShot G1 X appears to be constructed with the same integrity (and its body is made of metal, not plastic).In conclusion, it is my belief that, with this camera, no matter what you do or how "poor" a photographer you are (and I'm afraid I'm one of the most mediocre, at least aesthetically-speaking), you just can't help but get really fine pictures, something you can't always say with many other models.If you are in the market for a camera such as this, I recommend that, after you investigate this one carefully, if it appeals to you, just buy it.Is it expensive? It most certainly is! But (assuming you have sufficient financial resources), the question to ask is do you get good value for money? In my opinion, the answer is a most resounding 'yes!'However, if, for some reason, you do not like it, and, if you have bought it from Amazon (something I strongly recommend), you merely contact them and they will arrange it such that you can return the camera at no cost to you (and you'll get a refund quickly!). Just make certain that you have given the camera a fair chance over an appropriately lengthy (as necessary) period of intensive study and experimentation.This camera or even this type of camera (essentially very expensive 'point-and-shoot' cameras, albeit extremely advanced) is not for everyone. It's not even for the majority of people. But I believe that there are enough people who would rather have this type than a DSLR such that Canon will sell a significant number of them. The fact that this camera seems to be in relatively short supply confirms my thoughts.As I stated at the beginning of this review, I and some other people desire an advanced, highly capable, camera with a high-quality fixed-zoom-lens, a large sensor, and the ability to take pictures under many varied conditions (including low-light without flash) and have those pictures turn out exactly as desired (and at the same, or at the very least practically the same, high image quality as those which can be obtained with much more expensive DSLRs). In my opinion, this one is IT!Thus I give this camera my highest possible recommendation and, if you buy one, I hope you like it as much as I do.Thank you for reading all of this (perhaps the "War and Peace" of camera reviews?) and for considering my opinions.Lawrence H. Bulk==================================================================================================================================Update: May 6, 2012Back when I bought that PowerShot G2, Canon included a 32 MB 'starter' Compact Flash card. No such luck with this one. Canon included NO card - plus the camera has NO internal memory. That means that you MUST buy a card at the same time you buy the camera; I bought two (I always like backups) SanDisk Extreme Pro 16GB, SDHC, UHS-1 Flash Memory Card SDSDXPA-016G-X46,Black, a very good one - and it writes and reads very fast; the 16 GB size is sufficient for me as I download pictures to my computer (and back them up to external hard drives) at least once a day (and with two cards, I have plenty of capacity).There are some other accessories I recommend that you buy (in addition to an SD card): this Power 2000 PT72 Replacement Recharger for Canon NB-10L Battery or P2K ACD-347 and two (2) Power2000 1200Mah Lithium Battery Replacement For Canon NB-10L Battery (For Canon SX40 HS Camera). (Why two spare batteries? Because, while this camera is not a 'battery hog,' nonetheless, its battery does not last quite as long as I should like. Anyway, that is my recommendation.) Fortunately, neither of these two accessories are expensive.I bought this COSMOS ® Brown Leather Case Cover Bag For Canon Powershot G1X Digital Camera DC G1 X + Cosmos cable tie which, at the time, was the only non-OEM case being offered by Amazon. While its price is good, Amazon now has other cases (which look almost the same as mine) for much less money; you'll want to investigate them.==================================================================================================================================Update: June 8, 2014While still an excellent camera, this unit has now been superseded in my estimation by the Fujifilm X-S1 12MP EXR CMOS Digital Camera with Fujinon F2.8 to F5.6 Telephoto Lens and Ultra-Smooth 26x Manual Zoom (24-624mm).Though the Fujifilm does not have nearly as large a sensor nor the ISO range that the Canon does, and thus cannot produce such wonderful low-light high-ISO photographs as can the Canon, overall, at least for the kind of photos I take, it is a far superior camera. Its versatility and ease-of-use make it my "go-to" camera. On our last vacation, I did not even bother to take the Canon along, relying completely on the Fujifilm for still pictures. And believe me, the quality of the photos it produced requires no apologies. Having many dedicated settings buttons, as opposed to the Canon's menu-driven ones (buttons are faster and easier to use in the field), and having a very high zoom-ratio lens (of very high quality) as opposed to the limited zoom range on the Canon, trump the Canon's advantages, in my opinion.In addition, the Fujifilm is much less expensive. I strongly suggest that anyone reading this carefully investigate the Fujifilm X-S1 Digital Camera.
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    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2012
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    5.0 out of 5 stars Canon PowerShot G1 X: An Excellent Advanced Digital Compact Camera, Especially for Low-Light/High-ISO Photographs
    Reviewed in the United States on March 21, 2012
    This is not a 'perfect' camera (what is?). It is not the nicest-looking (best styled) compact camera (in my opinion, the best looking are the [[ASIN:B0043RS864 Fujifilm X100 12.3 MP APS-C CMOS EXR Digital Camera with 23mm Fujinon Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD]] and the [[ASIN:B002NX13LC Leica M9 18MP Digital Range Finder Camera (Black, Body Only)]]. Nor is it the most prestigious. And it is definitely NOT a replacement or a substitute for a DSLR camera.

    If it is not any of these things, then what is it?

    It is, in my opinion, simply the best designed, the best performing, and the most advanced compact digital camera on the market today and is, again in my opinion, the very finest such camera yet made.

    Many people, such as myself, do not want an interchangeable-lens camera for various reasons (including the expense, the inconvenience, and necessity to carry about a rather large array of camera equipment).

    Yet some of those people, including myself, want an advanced, highly capable, camera with a high-quality lens, a large sensor, and the ability to take pictures under many varied conditions (including low-light without flash) and have those pictures turn out exactly the way they'd like. In other words, they want pictures the equal of those produced by most DSLRs - and they (and I) want to be able to achieve this quality 'in-camera' rather than having to use computer software afterwards.

    There is really no technical reason why such a camera couldn't have been made before but it appears that this one is the first that can actually achieve that goal.

    As a preamble, I encourage you to read EVERY review of this camera which appears on Amazon, as well as all of the comments thereto. Plus I also suggest that you read reviews on other sites (including the 'professional' reviews). After all, this is a very expensive camera and you want to make certain that you have obtained every bit of information available to you before you buy it.

    Here on Amazon you will see almost as many 'con' reviews and comments as 'pro' ones.

    Some writers feel it is too expensive for what you get. Some writers feel it has too many disadvantages, one way or another. Many of the writers, very obviously, do not truly know how to use it. And there are some people who just don't like it.

    Some reviewers have purchased the camera and returned it after just a short period of ownership. Frankly, I believe that they did not learn to properly use it. This is a very advanced camera and learning it will take a lot of time. A couple of weeks won't do.

    There are also a few reviewers here who, while praising the camera for its abilities, are nevertheless somewhat negative in tone; these appear to be written by people who own DSLR cameras and are looking for a more convenient alternate to be used at certain times.

    Unfortunately, it appears to me (and I could be wrong of course) that they want a compact fixed-lens camera which has EXACTLY the same types of design, features, and, especially, controls of their interchangeable-lens camera.

    It 'ain't' going to happen!

    I do want to say that all of these people's opinions are, of course, just as valid as mine and are to be respected (and you'll surely want to consider them) - but I disagree with them all.

    To begin with, this is a very sophisticated and complicated instrument. In order to derive the maximum benefit from its capabilities, you must be very familiar with the technical fundamentals of photography - or be willing to learn them. Otherwise, if you're not going to teach yourself to use it to its maximum advantage, why pay $800.00 for this camera? If you don't want to take the time to learn these things, feeling perhaps that the effort in obtaining this knowledge is too time-consuming for you personally, or if you just want to take ordinary snapshots and don't really need the capabilities of an advanced camera, in my opinion, you could and should buy a much less expensive one which will suit your needs.

    This camera would definitely not be for you and I say that without meaning to be disrespectful to anyone.

    If you're still interested, however, I want to tell you right now that this is a VERY long review and, while I do apologize for its length, I hope you will read all of it to understand what I personally like in a camera, why I particularly like and recommend this one, and why I feel that it is worth every penny I paid for it.

    Ten years ago, I bought a Canon PowerShot G2 4MP Digital Camera w/ 3x Optical Zoom which, at the time, was one of the best cameras available. It had many good features; it had a nice, bright f/2.0 - 2.5 maximum aperture across its 3:1 zoom ratio but it also had some disadvantages. For example, the smallest f-stop was only f/8 - this, to me, was unsatisfactory (I had not seen that particular specification listed anywhere; had I known about that minimum f-stop, I might not have bought the camera!). In addition, the maximum shutter speed was only 1/1000 second and the ISO range was from 50 to only 400. In other words, this camera did not offer a high dynamic range. As a result of these disadvantages, I missed a number of pictures I would have liked to have had. In addition, it had only 4.0 mega-pixels; though high at the time I bought it, today only cell-phones offer that little.

    Since that time I have been looking for something better but I had no luck until now. Every camera I saw (including other models in the Canon PowerShot G line) had various disadvantages which precluded my consideration of them.

    I want a fixed-zoom-lens camera with a wide range of ISO settings (the equivalent of slow-to-fast films), the ability to take good, noise-free ("grain-free") pictures at high ISOs (sensitivities) so I can take low-light pictures without using flash, a relatively fast lens which can also stop down to at least f/16, and the ability to take pictures in a wide range of shooting modes (automatic, manual, etc). In other words, I want a camera which has most of the capabilities of a DSLR but without the need to change lenses.

    When I read about the Fujifilm X-100, it seemed to be very good but it is clearly out of my price range (as is the Leica - but I can always dream). In addition, though it has a large APS-C-sized sensor (the same as in DSLRs and even larger than the G1 X) and its lens is fast (f/2.0), it is fixed focal length only (no zoom) and it has only a 12.3 mega-pixel sensor (a relatively low figure at its price by today's standards) and, while, if the camera were in my price range, I could accept all of that, most importantly, according to "Popular Photography's," test results, its measured noise figures are mediocre, even at only moderately high ISO settings. I am afraid that that is something I do not want to accept.

    There are several Sony cameras which have good noise figures at high ISOs but they have too many other disadvantages, at least for me, to consider them. In addition, though I'm sure that this is not representative, I personally know TWO people whose expensive Sony cameras 'died' shortly after the warranty expired - and Sony would do nothing for them. Please note that I'm sure this is an anomaly - I own many Sony products though not cameras - and I have never had problems with any of them; nonetheless, though I'm certain that most Sony camera owners are completely satisfied, these people's experiences has left a sour taste in my mouth for Sony's cameras.

    The Fujifilm X10 12 MP EXR CMOS Digital Camera with f2.0-f2.8 4x Optical Zoom Lens and 2.8-Inch LCD, which was introduced recently, IS in my price range and, as soon as I saw it, I put it into my Amazon Wish List.

    However, when "Popular Photography" reviewed it in the March 2012 issue and I saw the rather dismal high-ISO noise figures listed for the camera, fast lens or no, I immediately removed it from my Wish List. (I have been reading "Popular Photography" for over fifty years now and I have learned to trust their test figures implicitly.)

    Please note that I am sure that the X10 is a fine camera and will please all who buy it but it does not fulfill my requirements. (However, you should keep in mind that the Fujifilm X10 does cost two hundred dollars less than the Canon G1 X.)

    I first heard about this new [[ASIN:B006UMM2BW Canon G1 X 14.1 MP CMOS Digital Camera with 4x Wide-Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom Lens Full 1080p HD Video and 3.0-inch Vari-Angle LCD]] in January of this year and last month I received an email from "Popular Photography" about their test results (which now appear in the April 2012 issue).

    As soon as I saw their test results figures (and read the entire review to which the email linked), I immediately pre-ordered the camera from Amazon! This is the first camera in ten years to induce me to part with 'coin of the realm' and buy it.

    You can find all three of these reviews online at "Popular Photography's" site if you wish to read them.

    Of course, when I ordered the camera, I had no idea whether or not I would really like it. I was taking a chance.

    But now that I actually have the G1 X, I can only say that I am VERY pleased with it, as pleased as possible.

    Among its other attributes, its lens stops down to f/16, something I have sorely missed for the past ten years. Do you know the old photographer's trick? On a bright sunny day set the aperture to f/16 and then set the shutter speed to the speed of the 'film' [the ISO rating you have chosen]. Set the focus either to Infinity or to ten feet [depending on the nature of your main subject]. Exposure will be perfect and everything will be sharp. On cloudy days, set the aperture to f/11, and so forth. The wider the aperture, of course, the more critical focusing becomes. (I always recommend 'bracketing' your shots, both for focus and exposure; it's easy to do with this camera, either automatically or, my own preference, manually.)

    This camera, with its relatively large, relatively fast lens (at the wide angle setting; the range is f/2.8 to f/16), its wide range of shutter speeds (60 seconds to 1/4000 of a second), and its ability to create superb pictures even when using a high ISO setting, thus offers a VERY high dynamic range. This means that you will be able to take pictures in just about any lighting condition (and without using flash if that is your preference, as it is mine) and the pictures will turn out exactly the way you want them.

    I have uploaded some pictures along with the information about the parameters. Other people have uploaded even better pictures than mine and I hope you will look at all of them. You will see just what this camera can achieve under many varied conditions.

    I have also uploaded a (rather pathetic - sorry about that) 1-minute video which, bad as it is, does show the image capabilities of this camera under some trying conditions (and, if you see any noise, it is solely due to the fact that I had to compress the original video to conform to Amazon's requirements; there is absolutely NO noise in the original video).

    And in the still images, I see hardly any 'noise' ('grain') no matter under what conditions I take a picture. While the lens is not as fast as I should like (f/2.8 [moderately fast - but I really wish it were f/2.0] at its wide-angle setting to f/5.8 [very slow - and I really wish it were faster] at its maximum telephoto setting), the fact that you can easily use high ISO settings (the range is ISO 100 to ISO 12,800) with little or no loss of image quality (unlike the Fujifilm models) MORE THAN MAKES UP for the lack of lens brightness (and, as a trade-off, slower lenses can produce sharper pictures as focus is not as critical as it is with fast lenses).

    In other words, you can use a sensitivity rating of ISO 6400 (and sometimes, depending upon the nature of the subject, even ISO 12,800) with hardly any visible noise in the picture! As far as I know, there is no other compact camera on the market which can achieve that!

    Why does this camera have this capability while other competitors do not? It is because of the sensor size in it. Its sensor is 1.5 inches (the Fujifilm X-10's sensor s only 2/3 inch), it has 14.1 mega-pixels, plus it has Canon's very advanced design for noise reduction (which, by the way, is user-adjustable). A 1.5 inch sensor is almost the same size as the APS-C-sized sensors used in most DSLR cameras. I believe that no other compact fixed-zoom-lens camera has such a large sensor.

    Naturally a larger sensor requires a larger (and heavier) lens yet Canon has managed to design the lens to a fairly reasonable size and weight (and the camera's overall weight is also quite reasonable - plus it is well-balanced).

    This absolutely first-rate lens (there can be no other description for it) has a 4:1 zoom range; this may be an inadequate zoom range for some people (especially those who favor 'superzooms') but note that, everything else being equal, the lower the zoom ratio the sharper the lens ("prime" lenses being the sharpest of all) and the lower the zoom ratio, the lower the lens distortion. This lens's zoom ratio is certainly adequate for me!

    And it's the large sensor and the large sharp lens which allow for the truly superb pictures this camera produces.

    A large sensor coupled with a relatively large lens has another major advantage: the ability to make excellent closeup 'portrait' photos (which allow the main subject to be in sharp focus while the background is blurred). Yes, this can be done with post-processing software but here it can be done in-camera. DSLRs can do this routinely but few compact cameras can. (You can also get the same results using fully manual aperture/shutter settings and manual focus.)

    As with most other digital cameras, there are various scene settings (Kids & Pets, Fireworks, Sports, etc.) which I have not yet used but which will probably come in handy at various times.

    Multiple facial recognition (as well as red-eye reduction, both prevention before and fixing after taking a flash picture) is also offered as is blink indication. Regarding flash (which I myself use only rarely and then I use only the built-in flash), the camera does have a 'hot-shoe' so that, with an optional bracket, very sophisticated flash attachments (Canon Speedlights for example) can be used.

    In addition, the built-in flash can be physically lowered into the body when you're not using it, a nice touch. In the 'P' Program setting, I leave the flash in the 'on' position but with the flash body lowered into the camera so it won't fire. Then, when I occasionally do wish to use flash, all I have to do is to raise the flash body and it's ready to go.

    Naturally burst shooting is present and it appears to be very sophisticated. Automatic bracketing is another feature and, using the available HDR setting, three images can be combined automatically to allow for a high dynamic range (note that the subject must not move; this is primarily for landscapes or cityscapes).

    This camera has a myriad of possible adjustments; to obtain maximum benefit from them will frankly require a long learning curve (I have just scratched the surface!).

    However - and this is a BIG however - right out of the box you can use its Auto setting and probably 95+% of your pictures will come out fine (and they will be of far higher quality than almost all other compact fixed-lens cameras and on a par with any produced by DSLRs). If and when you desire to be a bit more creative (in camera), well you can 'play' with the menu adjustments and set the camera to do what you like. (And you need not worry about messing up the settings: there is a quick Reset All option which sets everything back to factory defaults.)

    Just as on a DSLR, there are options to take pictures in several ways: fully automatically; aperture-priority (you set the lens opening, the camera decides the shutter speed); shutter-priority (you set the shutter speed and the camera decides the aperture); and full manual (you set everything). (This is what I use most of the time.) Note that the camera will show you "correct" settings (what it thinks is correct) and you can reset your settings to what the camera has decided or you can ignore that altogether.

    This model also features a terrific articulating LCD screen. So did my G2 but its size (about an inch diagonal) and its brightness were severely wanting. Not so with this G1 X; the LCD screen is big and bright and I have to tell you that it is my opinion that an articulating LCD screen is the only way to go. The advantages of having one of these becomes very apparent as you use it. As a matter of fact, I would not, under any circumstances, purchase an expensive camera which did not have one.

    Do you like to shoot in RAW (or RAW + JPEG) mode? It's easy with this camera (and fast too if you have a fast-writing card) and you do NOT need to use Canon's software to process and edit RAW images. [You can view a picture I took in RAW mode and adjusted via software - both done very quickly - in the uploaded photo section.]

    Are there any possible disadvantages? Sure there are! Automatic focusing in low-light situations is perhaps very slightly slower than I should like but, in fact, I use manual focus for the most part (I use manual aperture and shutter settings most of the time too) and the auto focus is not nearly as slow as some people suggest; obviously it is much faster in bright conditions but it seems adequately fast in most low-light situations too. I know that some people would rather have the ability to turn a lens ring to manually adjust focus (I would too) but such an option is probably not possible at this time with a lens such as this one. In any case, as I have been manually focusing via a menu option for the last ten years, this is no problem for me. (And outdoors I use the 'trick' I mentioned so I generally do not need to focus the lens at all. This 'trick' can be used for high-speed outdoor sports photography.)

    I also wish there were a "Bulb" setting for long exposures but, unfortunately, this camera does not support that. (Truth to tell, in my well over 50 years of taking pictures, I have used the "Bulb" setting only two or three times and that was with 35mm film cameras.)

    Some people have commented on the fact that the optical viewfinder does not display any information (even about focusing, as in true rangefinder cameras) as well as the fact that, at the wide-angle setting, the necessarily large lens obscures the lower left portion (the lens disappears when setting it to telephoto). Though they are correct, and this is one of the few really valid complaints about this camera, at least for me, this is not too significant: I use the optical viewfinder rarely, only when I am taking pictures outdoors under very bright light (and the 3-inch LCD on this camera is so bright - so far I have used it only at its default brightness, 50% - that it may not even be necessary to use the optical viewfinder as often as I did with my older G2, if at all). Nonetheless, the camera really should have an EVF rather than an optical viewfinder. As we're unlikely to see any more reasonably-priced true rangefinder cameras, I believe that the day of the optical viewfinder has passed.

    So if an optical viewfinder is of major importance to you, you may wish to look elsewhere. However, the mediocrity of this feature is not enough to sway my opinion or enjoyment of the camera.

    One disadvantage of this particular large lens and large sensor is that it cannot focus very closely (7 inches is about as close as you can get). If you do a LOT of Macro shooting, and do not wish to buy auxiliary lenses, this may not be the camera for you. I only rarely wish to use Macro so this is not a disadvantage for me personally. [But see my uploaded Macro picture of an Iris flower within the "View and share related images" section; if you know what you're doing, you can indeed take ultra-closeups with the G1 X.]

    I have to say that, though it is acceptable, I generally do not care for a 'press and click on' (or 'center-pinch') type of lens cap, much preferring the old-fashioned kind which just slips on (of course I want a cord attachment; this one has it). The internal mechanism of 'press and click on' types can break if not handled carefully. Just my opinion.

    And regarding the lens, WHY OH WHY do manufacturers of advanced compact cameras NOT put filter threads within their lenses? Canon makes you buy a Canon FADC58C 58mm Filter Adapter for G1 X which, like the adapter I had to use on my G2, is cumbersome and a plain pain to have to use every time you want to attach a filter. You must remove the lens surround ring (and put it somewhere), attach the filter adapter, and then attach the filter. You can't leave this Canon filter adapter mounted full-time because the lens cap won't work with it. So, when you're done shooting using a filter, you must reverse the procedure by retrieving the surround ring, removing the filter and the filter adapter, and then reattaching the surround ring in order to use the lens cap. This is BRILLIANT(?!?) design! [But please see my May 6 update about an inexpensive and complete remedy for this.]

    However you can see that these 'disadvantages' are QUITE minor (they could be called 'nit-picking') and have no bearing whatsoever on the quality of the pictures you will get or even the ease of taking them.

    This Canon has many individual and well-designed physical controls (thus minimizing the necessity for using menu options when actually taking pictures) yet very strangely this model does not offer one additional button (which it should have): it would have been nice had Canon included a white balance button to quickly adjust the setting. But the camera does have an 'assignable' button and I assigned white balance to it (so that takes care of that problem!). And, if a situation requires you to change the assignable button, even temporarily, to something else, that is quick and easy to do.

    The rest of the controls are, again in my opinion, exemplary in design.

    Of course, in the final analysis the question is: how good are the pictures? I have to say that, based on my own use of the camera, they are, in a word, SUPERB. If you look at the pictures (and the video) I and others have posted here, you can judge for yourself.

    Color in the 'standard' setting is positively beautiful, vivid and accurate. And, for certain circumstances, there are many color adjustments available (assuming you are shooting JPEG; if shooting RAW, you adjust the color via your RAW processing program). Black-and-White photos are luminous; I can think of no other word to describe them. Sepia-toned pictures are also very, very beautiful.

    If one were to try to compare pictures made with this model with similar ones made with much more expensive DSLRs, and one did it 'blind' (in other words he/she did not know which photos were made with which camera), I do not think anyone could distinguish between them. That's how high in quality pictures taken with this camera are.

    I hope that you have found this somewhat lengthy review to be of some value to you (sorry, there's still some more to go!). I have tried to explain my thought processes in the decision to replace my ten-year-old G2 (which I'm still keeping, however) with this new one (which is a much more advanced, sophisticated, and capable model) and, if your wishes are similar to mine, then I am certain that you will be as pleased with the G1 X as I am.

    I have a couple of small 'point-and-shoots:' the [[ASIN:B004HO58KC Fujifilm FinePix T300 14 MP Digital Camera with Fujinon 10x Wide Angle Optical Zoom Lens (Black)]] and the [[ASIN:B0056Z0TBE Kodak Easyshare Touch M5370 16 MP Digital Camera with 5x Optical Zoom, HD Video Capture and 3.0-Inch Capacitive Touchscreen LCD (Silver)]]. For what they are they are nice, and my wife and I take them along wherever we go.

    But, regarding quality of pictures produced, they're not even in the same ballpark as this Canon model. (I gave them 5-stars each but that is within their category, the only fair way, I think, to rate a product.)

    And you can, if you wish when you first obtain it, just set this camera to its full Auto setting and it will be as easy and as quick as any of those 'point-and-shoots' and, of course, the pictures will be vastly superior. I suggest that you start off that way and, as you become more familiar with it, you'll want to start trying some of the more advanced features. You will never 'outgrow' this camera. Obviously, if you have someone else take a picture, you would merely set the camera to Auto.

    And as further proof of ease of use (with the caveat that you know what you're doing!), please note that I took all of the pictures (and the video) after just a couple of hours of 'playing' with the camera and WITHOUT reading the instruction manual. Of course operation is rather straightforward and it's quite similar to that of my PowerShot G2. If you have ever used any advanced compact digital camera (including Superzooms, etc.), you should have no difficulty with this one. If you have never used such a camera, the voluminous (242 page) instruction manual found on the included CD-ROM will answer any and all of your questions about this particular camera.

    My 10-year old Canon PowerShot G2 featured construction of the absolute highest quality; it is still functioning as it did when new (and it still looks new!). This new Canon PowerShot G1 X appears to be constructed with the same integrity (and its body is made of metal, not plastic).

    In conclusion, it is my belief that, with this camera, no matter what you do or how "poor" a photographer you are (and I'm afraid I'm one of the most mediocre, at least aesthetically-speaking), you just can't help but get really fine pictures, something you can't always say with many other models.

    If you are in the market for a camera such as this, I recommend that, after you investigate this one carefully, if it appeals to you, just buy it.

    Is it expensive? It most certainly is! But (assuming you have sufficient financial resources), the question to ask is do you get good value for money? In my opinion, the answer is a most resounding 'yes!'

    However, if, for some reason, you do not like it, and, if you have bought it from Amazon (something I strongly recommend), you merely contact them and they will arrange it such that you can return the camera at no cost to you (and you'll get a refund quickly!). Just make certain that you have given the camera a fair chance over an appropriately lengthy (as necessary) period of intensive study and experimentation.

    This camera or even this type of camera (essentially very expensive 'point-and-shoot' cameras, albeit extremely advanced) is not for everyone. It's not even for the majority of people. But I believe that there are enough people who would rather have this type than a DSLR such that Canon will sell a significant number of them. The fact that this camera seems to be in relatively short supply confirms my thoughts.

    As I stated at the beginning of this review, I and some other people desire an advanced, highly capable, camera with a high-quality fixed-zoom-lens, a large sensor, and the ability to take pictures under many varied conditions (including low-light without flash) and have those pictures turn out exactly as desired (and at the same, or at the very least practically the same, high image quality as those which can be obtained with much more expensive DSLRs). In my opinion, this one is IT!

    Thus I give this camera my highest possible recommendation and, if you buy one, I hope you like it as much as I do.

    Thank you for reading all of this (perhaps the "War and Peace" of camera reviews?) and for considering my opinions.

    Lawrence H. Bulk

    ==================================================================================================================================

    Update: May 6, 2012

    Back when I bought that PowerShot G2, Canon included a 32 MB 'starter' Compact Flash card. No such luck with this one. Canon included NO card - plus the camera has NO internal memory. That means that you MUST buy a card at the same time you buy the camera; I bought two (I always like backups) [[ASIN:B005LFT3MA SanDisk Extreme Pro 16GB, SDHC, UHS-1 Flash Memory Card SDSDXPA-016G-X46,Black]], a very good one - and it writes and reads very fast; the 16 GB size is sufficient for me as I download pictures to my computer (and back them up to external hard drives) at least once a day (and with two cards, I have plenty of capacity).

    There are some other accessories I recommend that you buy (in addition to an SD card): this [[ASIN:B0064C01OS Power 2000 PT72 Replacement Recharger for Canon NB-10L Battery or P2K ACD-347]] and two (2) [[ASIN:B005WXQO3W Power2000 1200Mah Lithium Battery Replacement For Canon NB-10L Battery (For Canon SX40 HS Camera)]]. (Why two spare batteries? Because, while this camera is not a 'battery hog,' nonetheless, its battery does not last quite as long as I should like. Anyway, that is my recommendation.) Fortunately, neither of these two accessories are expensive.

    I bought this [[ASIN:B007JP165M COSMOS ® Brown Leather Case Cover Bag For Canon Powershot G1X Digital Camera DC G1 X + Cosmos cable tie]] which, at the time, was the only non-OEM case being offered by Amazon. While its price is good, Amazon now has other cases (which look almost the same as mine) for much less money; you'll want to investigate them.

    ==================================================================================================================================

    Update: June 8, 2014

    While still an excellent camera, this unit has now been superseded in my estimation by the [[ASIN:B006T7QRN2 Fujifilm X-S1 12MP EXR CMOS Digital Camera with Fujinon F2.8 to F5.6 Telephoto Lens and Ultra-Smooth 26x Manual Zoom (24-624mm)]].

    Though the Fujifilm does not have nearly as large a sensor nor the ISO range that the Canon does, and thus cannot produce such wonderful low-light high-ISO photographs as can the Canon, overall, at least for the kind of photos I take, it is a far superior camera. Its versatility and ease-of-use make it my "go-to" camera. On our last vacation, I did not even bother to take the Canon along, relying completely on the Fujifilm for still pictures. And believe me, the quality of the photos it produced requires no apologies. Having many dedicated settings buttons, as opposed to the Canon's menu-driven ones (buttons are faster and easier to use in the field), and having a very high zoom-ratio lens (of very high quality) as opposed to the limited zoom range on the Canon, trump the Canon's advantages, in my opinion.

    In addition, the Fujifilm is much less expensive. I strongly suggest that anyone reading this carefully investigate the Fujifilm X-S1 Digital Camera.
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