46 DECEMBER 2019|COMPUTER SHOPPER|ISSUE 382
CANON PowerShot
G5XMarkII
★★★★★
£829•From http://www.amazon.co.uk
MASSMARKETCOMPACTcameras may
be in decline,but Canon is betting that the
high-end combinationof asmall, convenient
body with good image quality might show
there’s lifeint hem yet. ThePowerShot G5 X
Mark II is therefore designedto lure in
travelling photographers, or perhaps
professionals lookingforatake-anywhere
camera that shoots better images than a
smartphone,without the hassleof aDSLR.
The G5XMark II follows the 2015 G5 X,
and keeps things interestingby redesigning its
predecessor as it heads outto pasture.Gone
is the faux DSLR shape with the electronic
viewfinder (EVF) hunchedover the middleof
the lens; instead, the EVF is nowaspring-
loaded number recessed in the camera.
There areafew changes inside,too.
Resolution is fractionally down on the
original G5 X: where the MarkIhad 20.2
effective megapixels, the Mark II has 20.1.
The sensor is the same size as that in the
original G5 X, but it’s nowastacked CMOS
unit, which means, in theory,faster data
readout and therefore better performance.
FUN SIZED
The resultof hiding the EVF is that the G5 X
Mark II looksalot more likeatraditional
compact camera, albeit one withalens that
protrudesalittle from the body,even when
it’s retracted. The protruding lens is
functional, however; as on the original G5 X,
there’s amultifunction ring that can be used
to set shutter or aperturevalues.
The body is otherwise pared back and
pleasingto hold. The rubber grip isn’tapatch
on the ergonomicsof full-size DSLRs, but the
G5 XMark II is nonetheless comfortable,and
the dimensionsof the camera are kept slimline
VERDICT
Atinycamerathatshootsthebeststillsand
videosyou’llgetfromsomethingthissize
COMPACTSYSTEM CAMERA
by the omissionof aproper flash hotshoe on
the topoft he camera.Adouble-jointed
spring-loaded flash is all you get, which will
reduce the appealof the G5 XMark II for
those hopingto use external lights.
The camera is otherwise well appointed
with controls. Thetop, apart from the obvious
shutter release and zoom control, hasapair of
control wheels, oneforselecting the camera
mode from the usual suspects–the full range
of PASM modes, plusadedicated video mode,
exposure bracketing andvarious scene
options–and alarger one beneathfor
exposure compensation.
The latter is particularly useful, especially
with the G5XMark II offering live exposure
simulation, as it means you can get your
exposure dead-on in camera rather than doing
it yourself with processing work afterwards.
GOTTHETOUCH
The backof the camera again hasapractical,
rather thanoverbearing, setof controls.
The direction pad works asaseries of
shortcutsto fe atures such asfocus mode,
burst settings and flash control, and is
surroundedby athumbwheel. The latter is
small –about the diameterof a1pc oin –but
with aknurled edge and pleasing click as it
turns, it’s easy enoughto use.
Otherwise,the rearof the G5 XMark II is
occupied chieflyby its touchscreen.At 3in,
it’s not the biggest, but it’s comfortable,and
its 1.04-million-pixel-resolution makes it an
accurategauge of sharpness.
The pop-up EVF is novel and at first a
little confusing. Simply pulling the lever on
the sideof the camerato pop it up doesn’t
activat eit; you needto grab the edgesof the
EVF screen with your thumb andforefinger
and pull ittowards youto bring itto life.
Once it’s going, you’ll finda0.39in EVF with
ahealthy resolutionof 2.36 million pixels.
Wisely,Canon hasn’t attemptedto shoehorn
all the information from the maintouchscreen
on to the EVF,soy ou only get the bare
necessities: shutter speed, aperture,shots
remaining and justafew others.
POINTS OF INTEREST
The EVF works well, particularly in conjunction
with the G5XMark II’s superb implementation
of touch to fo cus, where the rear screen
works asatrackpad, allowing youto pull the
autofocus point around with the camera lifted
to your eye. It quickly became our preferred
wayofw orking, not least when bright sunlight
made the rear monitor hardto see.
The lens is practical–a5xz oom,
equivalent in 35mmterms to 24mm at
wide-angle and 120mm when zoomed in.
Aperture-wise,you get f/1.8 at wide-angle
and astopslower f/2.8 zoomed in. An f/2.8
120mm lens helps keep ISO under control in
awide rangeof circumstances.
Still images areoutstanding, and it’s impressivethatit
can shoot quality4Kvideo in suchacompactbody
