Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Canon’s most video-focused PowerShot camera yet
A 30fps Raw Burst shooting mode lets you capture images more speedily
£700 FROM Canon, canon.co.uk FeatuRes 20.1MP CMOS sensor; 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 (35mm equiv.) lens; 4K (UHD) video to 30p, Full HD video to 120p; 3in touchscreen
Enthusiast compact cameras have come some way since Canon’s PowerShot G7 X was launched back in 2014. That model, together with its G7 X Mark II successor, was initially aimed at photographers looking to travel light without compromising on image quality, although both cameras came to be well regarded by amateur videographers too.
Capitalising on this, the G7 X Mark III gets a handful of video-centric technologies, although there have been plenty of other changes elsewhere. Highlights include a new 20.1MP 1-inch stacked sensor, together with a DIGIC 8 processing engine. The lens has been carried over from the G7 X Mark II, with a range of 24-100mm in 35mm terms, and a maximum aperture of f/1.8-2.8.
That new processor/sensor combo allows for some burst-shooting gains. 20fps is now possible at full resolution, while a new 30fps Raw Burst shooting mode lets you capture images even more speedily.
4K video recording without a crop has been added on top of the previous Full HD capture, the latter recording up to 120p for slow-motion output. Vertical shooting and livestreaming to YouTube are also on board, as are a mic port and an ND filter inside the lens to help balance exposure.
The G7 X Mark III doesn’t have an electronic viewfinder or a hotshoe, though the 3in touchscreen can be tilted up and around to allow for all kinds of shooting angles.
Image quality
The G7 X and G7 X Mark II were respected for their image quality and with a fresh sensor, the standard should be as good here.
The lens hasn’t changed, which is good as it covers a decent focal range, and has a very respectable maximum aperture. It can be a little soft at either extreme; this is less noticeable when the subject is less detailed and relatively close to the camera, but more distant and/or complex subjects highlight the slight inconsistencies through the range.
The camera’s metering system performs well overall, although it’s prone to a little overexposure. This is easily remedied with the exposure compensation control, which also serves to improve colours that can be a little washed-out in overexposed shots. But colours in images captured in more balanced conditions are perfectly good.
Video quality is also generally good. There’s a little rolling shutter when moving around, and some wind noise can be picked up when shooting outside, but this isn’t unusual. When you consider what it offers for the money, the G7 Mark III is a very capable all-rounder. Matt GOlOwczynski