34 30 November 2019 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113
CANON’S G7 X series of
advanced compact cameras has
long been popular with enthusiast
photographers, and this latest
version increases its attraction
still further. Like its predecessors,
it’s based around a 20MP, 1in
sensor and a 24-100mm-
equivalent f/1.8-2.8 lens that
offers a really useful combination
of range and light-gathering
ability. Yet this fi ts inside a
pocketable body with a good
complement of external controls,
along with a tilting touchscreen
for composing your images.
In technical terms, the Mark
III’s big update is the adoption
of a stacked CMOS sensor and
Canon’s latest Digic 8 processor.
This brings much faster autofocus
and continuous shooting, with a
new Hi-speed Raw option that
shoots at 30 frames per second.
In addition,4Kvideorecording
is available, supported by the
addition of a microphone socket
for better quality sound.
Canon has proven to be very
adept at making small cameras
that handle well, and the G7 X III
follows suit with a nice tactile
control ring around the lens,
top-plate exposure-compensation
dial and well-spaced buttons on
the back. Most importantly, it also
delivers very pleasing images. If
you’d prefer to have a built-in
viewfi nder, along with a longer
zoom in a slightly larger body,
then also take a look at the
G5 X Mark II, which costs £849.
Overall, though, the G7 X
Mark III is a lovely
pocket camera that we
really enjoyed using.Canon PowerShot
G7 X Mark III
● £699 ● http://www.canon.co.uk
Sony RX100 VII
●£1,199●www.sony.co.ukTestbench BEST CAMERAS OF 2019
What we like
● Small, light and easily pocketable
● Excellent image quality
● Plenty of useful featuresRecommended
SONY’S RX100 series has been
at the leading edge of compact-
camera technology ever since the
original model debuted in 2012.
With the latest, seventh, edition
the company has made the best
pocket travel camera we’ve ever
seen – at least for those who can
stomach its stratospheric price.
As with last year’s RX100 VI,
which is still on sale at a slightly
more agreeable £979, this latest
version pairs a 24-200mm-
equivalent f/2.8-4 lens with
a 20-million-pixel 1in-type
sensor, in a body that will slip
into a jacket pocket. It sports
a pop-up electronic viewfi nder
and a tilting rear screen, which
together provide excellent
fl exibility for composing your
shots. Other handy features
include 4K video recording and
built-in Wi-Fi for transferring
images to your phone.
The RX100 VII’s main update is
that it gains Sony’s much-hyped
Real-time Eye AF and Real-timeTrackingtechnologies.Together
with continuous shooting at up to
20 frames per second, this
means it can keep up with fast,
unpredictable situations that
would defeat its rivals. It you want
a small camera to photograph
family or sports, for example,
there’s nothing else quite like it.
Equally, its excellent lens means
it’s a fi ne choice for travel
photography when you don’t
want to carry heavy kit.
Our main criticism is that all the
advanced features have rather
outgrown the user interface,
which was never that great to
start with. So it’s best to consider
the RX100 VII as a point and
shoot – albeit
an incredibly
sophisticated one.What we like
● Consistently sharp lens through
the entire zoom range
● Remarkable autofocus system
● Handy pop-up viewfinder and
tilting screenRecommended
The G7 X Mark III isn’t
out of its depth when
challenged by low lightThe RX100 VII is a brilliant
little pocket travel camera