Canon PowerShot G3 X camera becomes official

Canon has unveiled the new PowerShot G3 X compact camera with a 25x optical zoom lens and a large 1-inch-type image sensor.

Canon has been working on a line-up of premium compact cameras for over a year. The PowerShot G1 X Mark II features a 1.5-inch-type sensor with a 24-120mm lens. It was introduced in February 2014, while the PowerShot G7 X was announced at Photokina 2014 with a 1-inch-type sensor with a bright 24-100mm lens.

During the Photokina 2014 event, the Japan-based company confirmed that another premium compact camera was in the works. Earlier in 2015, the manufacturer confirmed that the device would be called PowerShot G3 X and that it would come packed with a superzoom lens with a 1-inch-type sensor. Now, the shooter is official and it is here to take on other premium compact cameras with high-zoom lenses, such as the Sony RX10 II and Panasonic FZ1000.

Canon PowerShot G3 X features a 20.2-megapixel 1-inch-type sensor and a 25x optical zoom lens with 24-600mm lens (35mm equivalent).

Canon Powershot G3 X announced with 25x optical zoom lens and 1-inch-type sensor

The same 20.2-megapixel 1-inch-type CMOS sensor, found in the PowerShot G7 X and made by Sony, has been added by Canon into the PowerShot G3 X. It offers an ISO sensitivity range between 125 and 12,800.

The new compact camera is powered by a DIGIC 6 image processor and comes with a 31-point contrast detection autofocus system just like the G7 X. However, the Canon PowerShot G3 X offers a burst mode of up to 5.9fps, while the G7 X offers 6.5fps.

When compared to both the RX10 II and FZ1000, Canon’s G3 X offers the lens with the most extended zoom. The optic offers a 35mm focal length equivalent of 24-600mm and a maximum aperture of f/2.8-5.6, depending on the selected focal length.

In order to keep things shake-free at telephoto focal lengths and in low-light conditions, the compact camera employs a 5-axis Intelligent Image Stabilization technology.

Canon PowerShot G3 X offers multiple controls and dials taken from EOS DSLRs.

G3 X offers weathersealing and manual controls for advanced photographers

Canon PowerShot G3 X is advertised as a weathersealed camera and as the most rugged model available in the G-series. It comes with rubber sealing that will offer dust and water resistance to the same level as a Canon 70D DSLR.

The compact shooter comes with manual controls borrowed from EOS-series DSLRs. The list includes an Auto Exposure lock button, an autofocus selection button, a drive AF button, exposure compensation dial, mode dial, and a control dial.

On the back, users will find a 3.2-inch 1.62-million-dot tilting LCD touchscreen that will be the only built-in way of framing photos. Nevertheless, the EVF-DC1 electronic viewfinder can be purchased separately from Amazon and can be mounted onto the camera’s hot shoe.

Wireless capabilities are a must-have in today’s digital imaging world, so the Canon PowerShot G3 X comes packed with WiFi and NFC. These technologies will allow users to remotely control the camera and to transfer files via a mobile device.

Canon PowerShot G3 X employs a tilting touchscreen on the back and a built-in pop-up flash on the top.

Superzoom compact camera to be released this July for under $1,000

Canon’s new premium compact is not a video powerhouse as it records only full HD videos at up to 60fps. However, it comes with microphone and headphone ports, while supporting HDMI output. Additionally, users can manually control the exposure settings as well as the audio levels.

Another gimmick of the PowerShot G3 X is called Star Time-Lapse Movie. It is a mode that creates time-lapse movies detailing star movements. Moreover, star movements can be turned into bright photos thanks to the Star Trails mode.

This shooter supports RAW photos and comes with a minimum focusing range of five centimeters. Its shutter speed ranges between 30 seconds and 1/2000s. When shooting portraits in low-light conditions, a built-in pop-up flash is available for the users.

The compact camera comes with a battery life of 300 shots on a single charge. The device measures 123 x 77 x 105mm / 4.84 x 3.03 x 4.13 inches and weighs 733 grams / 25.86 ounces.

Canon PowerShot G3 X is scheduled to become available in July 2015 for a price of $999.99. Potential buyers can already pre-order it from Amazon at the aforementioned price.