DIY grip for G7X

One of my pet peeve with G7X was its lack of grip. It is not comfortable, in my opinion. So I went to the net to search for a custom grip. Nothing at all.

I have no choice but to do some DIY job. Of course my workmanship sucks big time. But the end result works. I will post how I DIY these grips for those who wanted to know later.

  

I tested this grip and it was pretty sturdy and I felt so much more comfortable to hold the camera.

Canon Powershot G7 X sharpness test 24mm

I have been warned that at f1.8 and f2.8, the IQ was quite soft for Canon G7X. So I try to do an informal test.

The test set up is as follow,

ISO: 400
Aperture : Variable from 1.8 to 11 (of course not all aperture are tested, only those that I used most of the time)
Object distance: ~10cm from camera
Camera handheld
No flash fired
Focal range: 24mm

 Subject

 f1.8

 f2.8

 f3.2

 f4

 f5

 f5.6

 f8

 f11

I would not say that G7X gave the sharpest image in the market. But sharpness is by no means a weak point of Canon and I would go as far as saying that sharpness consistency is pretty good actually from my test.

Short review of the new Canon G7X (what matters to me most)

The birth of a new camera - Canon G7X. This time, Canon seemed to have abandon her 1.5" sensor and favour the 1 inch sensor format that had been make pretty popular by Sony RX100 series of compact cameras.

When Canon introduced this camera, I am excited... very excited, especially with the launch price. It was at US$699 when you get it from the United States and S$799 when you got it from Singapore. And frankly speaking, this type of pricing is incredibly good when compared to the price of a Sony RX100 mkIII which cost around US$799.99 in US and in excess of 1k when you get from Singapore.

When there was a promotion in one of the stores that I like, I jumped at the opportunity and gotten my hands on one. I will do a quick review of this camera after a few hours of playing with it.

Below is some of the powershot G7X features (courtesy of canonrumors.com)
(http://www.canonrumors.com/2014/09/official-canon-powershot-g7-x/)

New 1.0-inch, 20.2 Megapixel* High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor combined with Canon’s powerful DIGIC 6 Image Processor creates the Canon HS SYSTEM for outstanding low-light performance up to ISO 12800, enhanced image quality, and fast operation.

A bright f/1.8 (W) – f/2.8 (T), 4.2x Optical Zoom (24mm–100mm), 9-blade iris diaphragm and IS equipped lens enables you to capture more in your frame, and is ideal for low-light conditions or using shallow depth-of-field for dramatic, soft backgrounds. Focus range starts at 2.0 in. for Macro and 1.3 ft. for Tele.

Selfie-ready multi-angle capacitive 3.0″ touch panel LCD with a screen resolution of 1,040K dots for a sharp, clear display and easy operation and sharing.

High-Speed AF (0.14 sec.) greatly improves focus speed. 31 AF points provide an expanded and more accurate focus area. Paired with continuous shooting speeds of up to 6.5 fps and the removal of buffer time, you can get your best shot in full resolution.

For easy Wi-Fi® connectivity**, built-in NFC (Near Field Communication) allows quick and simple pairing to a compatible Android™ device***.

Capture stunning 1080p/60p Full HD video for lifelike images and convenient playback on an HDTV via the HDMI output. Record at up to 60 frames per second for even more detailed, superb results in MP4 format.

Intelligent IS automatically chooses from eight different modes to optimize image stabilization for virtually shake-free images in a wide variety of conditions.

Convenient control ring, exposure dial, and mode dial provide intuitive manual adjustment.

Shoot breathtaking images and video of the stars with Star Mode designed to better capture the brilliance and wonder of the night sky.

Now let us get on with the review do note that this review is only on what matters to me most when choosing and shooting with a camera. I did not nor would I test every single function and feature of the camera.

When I first hold the camera in my hand, I am amazed at its great built quality. There was absolutely no flimsy structure, no squeaky button, etc. Even the tilting screen is nice and tight.

  

 

The camera is not exactly pocketable unlike the S120. It was kind of thick, but if you have a cargo pants, it shouldn't be a problem.

There is however a couple of issues I immediately noticed with the camera.

1) No hotshoe. (Yeah, yeah. I know, there is no hotshoe right from the beginning and I should have known. But still... no hotshoe) and that means no add on accessories like a viewfinder.

2) No viewfinder (not really a biggie if you don't plan to shoot under direct sunlight).

3) The camera to phone connectivity can only be compatible with android and apple phones because you need to download an app. into your phone. So since I am using windows phone, I cannot use that function.

4) The battery/ SD card compartment is so close to the tripod hole that when I mounted a tripod quick release plate (the smallest I can find) on the camera, I still cannot open the door to access my battery and SD card.

Otherwise the camera is perfect for my use, thus far.

I did a quick shot out of my room and at my backyard and found that the image quality while not DSLR or m4/3 standard, are actually pretty impressive.

ISO test

Note that this was not a scientific test, nor was it mean to be one. Anyway, I try to keep all variable as constant as possible. I mount my camera on a tripod, position my subject around 1 meter from the camera and shoot at f8 at 24mm focal length.

 ISO 125

 ISO 200

 ISO 400

 ISO 640

 ISO 800

 ISO 1000

 ISO 1600

 ISO 2000

 ISO 2500

 ISO 3200

 ISO 4000

 ISO 5000

 ISO 6400

 ISO 8000

 ISO 10000

 ISO 12800

From the ISO test that I have taken, I noticed that image all the way to ISO 3200 is pretty usable, although I would not go as far as saying that it had not noise at all, but I find that for a compact camera, I can accept this level of noise.

AF speed

The Autofocus speed of the G7X is good, I used the OMD EM5 with a 12-50mm lens to compare with it and found that in good lighting they came very close with each other, of course OMD-EM5 wins in this area and in poorer lighting, the AF speed of the G7X is lagged behind quite significantly but not consider slow.

There is slight shutter lag, but in my opinion it is not really that bad for a compact camera.

Scenes

There really ain't that many scenes in this camera, although frankly speaking, I have not use any scenery mode for years and I don't foresee doing it.

Manual Control

There are plenty of manual controls on this camera, especially the function ring which is a joy to use. I became an instant fan of this ring.

The control ring is set to control the aperture of the camera as standard when at aperture control (Av) and control the shutter speed when at Shutter control (Tv) mode. However, you could also customise it to a couple of thing such as manual focus, zoom, ISO, etc. Normally I would just use the control ring as its default, however, at times I would set it to MF since I find it easier to manual focus that way as oppose to its normal manual focus method.

The manual focus is pretty accurate especially when you can magnify the image, however I find the control a bit lagging. I had try to MF on a subject once and was thoroughly frustrated by this lag. I think I am too use to a DSLR and m4/3 control and had lost touch with compact camera.

Flash

Although there is no hotshoe on the G7X to allow for a external flash (there are other ways though), it does have a build in flash. Of course that flash is not that powerful, but it did illuminating nearby subject pretty well.

 

 

Conclusion

Although I would have like to do a more detail review, my time with the camera is still pretty limited and I am too busy with work and school, so I can only do a simple review on what matters to me most on this camera.

All in all, I am pretty happy with the money spend and would have like to do more in near future with this camera. Stay tune.

Some shots from G7X

   

   

What I am excited about G7X

1) Quite a small camera, like the size and it can fit into all of my bags.

2) Great image quality for a compact all the way to ISO 3200.

3) Good to use function ring (I think it is the best thing since sliced bread)

4) Excellent focal range (24-100mm as compared to Sony RX100III 24-70mm)

5) Excellent lens speed (f1.8 to f2.8)

6) Great AF speed for a compact camera

7) Great price as compared to competitor (like Sony RX100III)

What I am not too excited about G7X

1) Phone connectivity don't work for Windows Phone

2) No weather sealing (not a deal breaker though)

3) (Still trying to determine if this is a problem) I distinctively felt the camera getting warm after a couple of shots in my room, not too sure about this though, gonna try again.

4) Tripod hole too near to the battery/ SD card compartment

5) If the LCD screen can be twisted to face downward it would be better so I can take over the head shot at my subject.

6) No hotshoe...

7) No viewfinder

8) No filter thread or accessories for add on filters

What I really hope G7X would implement

1) Viewfinder (one like the Sony RX100III)

2) App for windows phone (I mean, come on! There are heaps of people using windows phone!)

3) External filter thread accessories, like the G1X/ G1XmkII

Nokia XL review Part 2

Introduction

Taking note that the Nokia XL is an affordable handset, what it offer is pretty nifty. Having a 5MP rear camera with LED flash and a 2MP front camera which can be very useful for teleconferencing and selfies.

On paper, the rear camera do looked interesting and can get the job done extremely well. Hereby, I will do a review on the camera and see if it can deliver as spec.

Of Camera

The main camera of Nokia XL is a 5MP camera that had a four times digital zoom and sported a 1/4 inch sensor.

The camera had Auto focus and a focal length of 32mm (which actually is not that wide and I would prefer at least a 28mm or 24mm wide). What I am surprised was that it had inbuilt LED flash too. Which is a welcoming addition for an affordable handset.

The first thing I find lacking was the dedicated shutter button, unlike my Nokia Lumia 1520. It was hardly a deal breaker, but I really like to have one.

The image quality of the main camera is actually quite good if you are shooting at the correct environment and under the correct lighting condition.

If you set the ISO to auto, be prepared for a not that good quality images that is a big disappointment because most people would just leave the ISO to auto. However when I manually

 ISO-100

 ISO-200

 ISO-400

The image quality for small size, even up to ISO 400 is pretty good, of course there are noises taking that it was a small sensor, I am not expecting too much.

The issue I had with the camera is its auto-ISO, which I find is not accurate and somehow the images achieved is inconsistent, some of images are passable, others are totally not worth looking at.

Also under very harsh lighting, images achieved are very 'hard' as seen in the undermentioned photo;

From the photo, if I can direct your attention to the 'white' ground, you can see that all the details are actually gone, replaced by mere white ground and the grasses seemed overly sharpened (of course you can reduce the sharpness in the handset itself - before you take the photo and I believe it will help abit here).

In softer lighting though... image quality could be quite good.

So if you are using the phone camera in controlled lighting or at least know where to position your phone, you can actually achieve pretty acceptable results.

Keeping in mind that this is suppose to be an affordable handset, I think I can overlook most of the issues mentioned.

One good thing about this handset in term of photography, was that there was a LED flash built into the phone for the main camera. This feature was not even there for the Nokia Lumia phones like the 630, 520, etc.

The issue with the LED flash was that, it was not bright enough for most purposes, and as usual, you need to know how to control or set the lighting to achieve a good result.

So I would recommend that you leave the LED flash alone, unless absolutely necessary.

with flash

 without flash

The above two photos are taken at roughly the same time, one with the LED flash activated and another with the flash deactivated. As seen the result are totally different and the flash is not doing the flower a credit. It is difficult to do a standard fill in flash for the camera mainly because of the lack of certain manual control, unlike the Nokia 1520, 1020, etc... but coming from a handset that is selling at S$239, I am expecting the differences, so it is alright.

That said, Nokia XL did have certain level of manual control over its camera, like manual selection for it ISO setting, sharpness level, Contrast level, white balance and exposure. These welcoming features are important for people like myself as I could use these settings to get the shot I wanted.

The LED flash is actually quite useful when certain app was loaded and it can turn your phone into a torchlight.

Video

As mentioned in Part 1, there is no dedicated movie player for the movie, and whatever shot will be recorded into the gallery folder of the phone. Since I am not a good videographer nor was my interest lying in the video aspect, I have tested only whether the video work as mentioned.

One thing is... it is easy to take video, not much fuss over there and the AF worked pretty well. The quality of the video is passable like its still photos, but I am not seeing anything stellar.

The sound recorded is quite accurate when played using the Nokia XL.

I have no complain for the video aspect of the camera.

Conclusion for the Photography experience of the phone

Designed to be appealing to mass market for an affordable handset, I would say that the pro outweighs the cons for the camera. I would not compare it with the 20MP or 41MP camera found on the Nokia 1520 and Nokia 1020 respectively, they are different beasts. The little camera of the Nokia XL hold its ground well alone, it was no much better or lesser than most of its competitions sporting 5MP cameras.

Pro:

- Easy to use camera UI
- Quite good image quality (if you select your own ISO) for its class under correct lighting condition
- came with inbuilt LED flash
- Fast AF that was accurate
- Quite a lot of art filters for its camera class
- Can select own ISO, white balance, exposure, sharpness and contrast.

Con

- No dedicated camera shutter button.
- Inaccurate photo quality when using auto-ISO
- LED flash is very weak and very difficult to control in order to achieve a shot I wanted.
- No manual focusing, controlling of aperture and shutter speed.