Canon Canon G1X Imminent?

Amin

Hall of Famer
According to 1001 Noisy Cameras, Canon will be introducing a new G-series flagship, featuring a 1.5-inch (edit: probably means 1/1.5" = 2/3") 14-megapixel CMOS sensor and a 4X (28-112mm equivalent) zoom lens with a starting aperture of f2.5. The price mentioned: $800.

No sources were given for the story, so we'll have to sit tight. This could be very interesting depending on the camera size and speed at telephoto.

Source: Revealeaked: Canon G1X with 1.5-inch 14mp CMOS sensor - 1001 Noisy Cameras
 
A 1.5" sensor would sit between the Nikon CX and the m43 in size, right? (I never have been able to figure out how that is measured, a 1" sensor doesn't measure 1" in any dimension).
If so that promises well for performance, but is still quite a bit smaller than the Canon crop DSLRs so it would make sense in terms of not cannibalising their own product line.

I'm a bit disappointed at the 28mm wide, 24mm would have been a lot nicer, but I guess it's a matter of keeping the lens size under control.

It certainly would be a bold move by Canon with everyone else going for interchangable lenses in this market segment, but maybe that's a good thing. It will be interesting to see how close this rumor is to an actual product.
 
Unless I'm mistaken, a 1.5" sensor would be larger than 4/3. It's hard to imagine that the camera would be similar in size to current Powershot G cameras unless the lens were very slow (and software corrected). I'm wondering if they mean 1/1.5" (usually referred to as 2/3") which would be much less interesting!
 
Unless I'm mistaken, a 1.5" sensor would be larger than 4/3. It's hard to imagine that the camera would be similar in size to current Powershot G cameras unless the lens were very slow (and software corrected). I'm wondering if they mean 1/1.5" (usually referred to as 2/3") which would be much less interesting!

The 1001noisycameras posting is a bit confusing. Is it a 1.5-inch sensor.... or is it a 1/1.5-inch sensor? And I'm with you: Wouldn't a 1/1.5-inch sensor be the same as a 2/3 sensor (which is smaller than a four-thirds sensor)? The head reels...:eek:
 
I am sure they mean 2/3. The interesting thing is the fixed lens, which I think makes more sense for a sensor this size, but it would have to be bright. Is "starting" at f/2.5 enough? Sounds like 2.5-5.6, but we shall see.
 
Yeah, the 2/3 seems to be the emerging standard for these high end compacts. The X10 got there first, Samsung's EX1 replacement sounds like the same, and now the Canon. Its a small enough increment in size over the 1/1.7 that HAS been the standard, that I don't think it requires a radical redesign (or at least resizing) of these cameras. But the rest sounds fishy. Its the same focal range as the X10 and if it starts at f2.5 and, ostensibly, ends at something well north of the Fuji's f2.8, I don't see how they're planning to get $800 for it. Then again, this is all rumor stage and no doubt some of the details are wrong and some are our own speculation, so I guess we'll have to see what the actual package looks like.

-Ray
 
I was just looking at the Canon G12 specs. It has a 5x optical zoom with a 28-140mm focal range at f2.8-4.5. If the new camera is only a 4x zoom and starts with f/2.5, perhaps it'll be a bit better... like maybe f/2.5-3.5. My old S3 IS was f/2.7-3.5. Granted, that camera had a tiny sensor. But it also had a zoom range of 36-420mm. But the question for me is, will the new sensor offer enough advantage over the current 1/1.6 or 1/1.7 sensors to make the shortened focal range worth it? Nikon's P7100 gives you 28-200mm at f/2.8-5.6. Fun to talk about... we'll just have to wait and see.

EDIT: The more I think about it and consider what Olympus offers with its XZ-1, I have to wonder if the rumor about the new Canon got it backwards. Maybe f/2.5 will be at the long end, with something like f/2.0 or even f/1.8 at the wide end. That's what the XZ-1 gives you... for a lot less than $800.
 
EDIT: The more I think about it and consider what Olympus offers with its XZ-1, I have to wonder if the rumor about the new Canon got it backwards. Maybe f/2.5 will be at the long end, with something like f/2.0 or even f/1.8 at the wide end. That's what the XZ-1 gives you... for a lot less than $800.

I was thinking the same thing. For us$800 I would expect a sensor at least as big as the micro 4/3s one and at least an f1.8 lens.
 
Starting at F2.5 doesn't bode well for where the long end will be. Unless Canon keeps it at a constant 2.5. That'd be pretty sweet. But why not be more ambitious ... F1.4-2.5. That's not asking for too much right?
 
I've gotta be frank here....

This seems a little too late from a major manufacturer. This ground has been covered by Olympus and Fuji - you would think with their budget they could invest more in compact R&D. Very disappointing indeed!

Sorry!..... but, hey, the upshot is that manufacturers, like Fuji, et. al., are now capturing a very attentive market segment and good on them! Canon will always serve the masses with their dSLRs and teeny sensor compacts. But in the middle fertile ground, giants will be born. I predict Fuji will rank third in the camera sales stakes by as early as September 2012 - elbowing Sony with it's new X-mount sales (I know big call..)
 
Gutsy call on Sony! As I understand it, Sony has retooled their lens launch plans, for lenses that actually make sense (imagine that!) so I don't think they'll be unseated easily, but Fuji may become the very nice alt choice. Also, if Fuji really releases in the rumored price range, frankly that will put a ton of price pressure on Sony. The NEX7 and the new 24 will seem overpriced, if the Fuji is as nice in real life as it seems to be in the rumor mill.
 
Did I miss something? What did Sony do? Or is going to do?

Gutsy call on Sony! As I understand it, Sony has retooled their lens launch plans, for lenses that actually make sense (imagine that!) so I don't think they'll be unseated easily, but Fuji may become the very nice alt choice. Also, if Fuji really releases in the rumored price range, frankly that will put a ton of price pressure on Sony. The NEX7 and the new 24 will seem overpriced, if the Fuji is as nice in real life as it seems to be in the rumor mill.
 
Gutsy call on Sony! As I understand it, Sony has retooled their lens launch plans, for lenses that actually make sense (imagine that!) so I don't think they'll be unseated easily, but Fuji may become the very nice alt choice. Also, if Fuji really releases in the rumored price range, frankly that will put a ton of price pressure on Sony. The NEX7 and the new 24 will seem overpriced, if the Fuji is as nice in real life as it seems to be in the rumor mill.
...and I think this is a great play on Fuji's behalf. It carefully observed the market reaction, and pricing, of the NEX7 (clearly its closest competitor) - while strategically leaking and monitoring the reaction to the estimated specs and cost of the rumoured XP1. It affirmed the fact that the market was keen for this camera and by pricing it beneath the NEX wdays before the launch - while still retaining a stronger VF and far better lenses up its sleeve - they pulled out a check move in my books. I assume there's much tight executive finger-crossing that the first few months are glitch-free (no sticky aperture or orb issues). Meanwhile it will be very exciting to see how Sony counters this check position.

Meanwhile, Canon strikes me as the overweight beast sitting on the biggest rock still moving its mammoth head sluggishly around to scan the environment. Nothing ground-breaking....and I bet they are scratching their heads in the wake of the other behemoth of the plains, Nikon, expelling its 1-series...and the market's not receiving the offering too well. And yet they think the next-gen G-series release will gain, or even maintain, ground for them? Surely in this market you cannot trade on a brand alone?
 
I've gotta be frank here....

This seems a little too late from a major manufacturer. This ground has been covered by Olympus and Fuji - you would think with their budget they could invest more in compact R&D. Very disappointing indeed!

Sorry!..... but, hey, the upshot is that manufacturers, like Fuji, et. al., are now capturing a very attentive market segment and good on them! Canon will always serve the masses with their dSLRs and teeny sensor compacts. But in the middle fertile ground, giants will be born. I predict Fuji will rank third in the camera sales stakes by as early as September 2012 - elbowing Sony with it's new X-mount sales (I know big call..)

While Canon and Nikon continue to do well with their DSLRs, I think the market for small-sensored compacts with 3-5x zooms is in big trouble. I think improving cellphone cameras will literally decimate this market within two years. This is a particular problem for Canon, which has done very well with compacts up to now. But I suspect the only small compacts that will survive will be those that offer long zooms or substantially better image quality than we've seen to date. It's a good thing Canon and Nikon have awakened and recognized the mirrorless movement. Because I also see the market for traditional DSLRs being reduced to a niche in only a few years - with only the most hard-core traditionalist consumers and specialized pros buying them. The good news is that some fantastic new mirrorless cameras will be hitting the shelves before long.
 
I've gotta be frank here....

This seems a little too late from a major manufacturer. This ground has been covered by Olympus and Fuji - you would think with their budget they could invest more in compact R&D. Very disappointing indeed!

Sorry!..... but, hey, the upshot is that manufacturers, like Fuji, et. al., are now capturing a very attentive market segment and good on them! Canon will always serve the masses with their dSLRs and teeny sensor compacts. But in the middle fertile ground, giants will be born. I predict Fuji will rank third in the camera sales stakes by as early as September 2012 - elbowing Sony with it's new X-mount sales (I know big call..)

But just how big a market is there for a premium priced camera system, most likely with a limited range of prime lenses only? Just how many prime lenses on average do you spot in amongst a crowd of DSLR users? I would see the X-Pro as having a relatively small, niche market. The only way I could see the Fuji selling truckloads of CSC cameras is if the X-Pro is just the flagship body and they bring in some more consumer oriented bodies and lenses using the same mount below it.
 
...and I think this is a great play on Fuji's behalf. It carefully observed the market reaction, and pricing, of the NEX7 (clearly its closest competitor) - while strategically leaking and monitoring the reaction to the estimated specs and cost of the rumoured XP1. It affirmed the fact that the market was keen for this camera and by pricing it beneath the NEX wdays before the launch - while still retaining a stronger VF and far better lenses up its sleeve - they pulled out a check move in my books. I assume there's much tight executive finger-crossing that the first few months are glitch-free (no sticky aperture or orb issues). Meanwhile it will be very exciting to see how Sony counters this check position.

Meanwhile, Canon strikes me as the overweight beast sitting on the biggest rock still moving its mammoth head sluggishly around to scan the environment. Nothing ground-breaking....and I bet they are scratching their heads in the wake of the other behemoth of the plains, Nikon, expelling its 1-series...and the market's not receiving the offering too well. And yet they think the next-gen G-series release will gain, or even maintain, ground for them? Surely in this market you cannot trade on a brand alone?

Based on the Nikon response, it seems to me that there's still a very large DSLR-only market, who don't mind a small sensored camera as their snappy-cam. The new G series will help those Canon fan boys not feel left out. It seems to me the GX1 will be competing with the Nikon One series, and not m43, NEX or Fuji. Just a different market.
 
But just how big a market is there for a premium priced camera system, most likely with a limited range of prime lenses only? Just how many prime lenses on average do you spot in amongst a crowd of DSLR users? I would see the X-Pro as having a relatively small, niche market. The only way I could see the Fuji selling truckloads of CSC cameras is if the X-Pro is just the flagship body and they bring in some more consumer oriented bodies and lenses using the same mount below it.

As big as the Contax market was (i.e. not too big), but it is likely a halo product, which can shine on their other offerings. They're not going to be able to release a DSLR, and they don't have the muscle likely to go truly head-to-head with NEX, so niche is the right move for Fuji. I bet they get the want-it-but-cant-afford-a-Leica crowd (er, that'd be me), the "I never got off film yet" crowd, the "I want something different/retro/hipster crowd" and maybe some other small segments. I'll bet they do pretty well, though, and certainly seem in a better position than Oly for 2012, as an example (as sad as it may be).
 
Based on the Nikon response, it seems to me that there's still a very large DSLR-only market, who don't mind a small sensored camera as their snappy-cam. The new G series will help those Canon fan boys not feel left out.
Agreed 100%

It seems to me the GX1 will be competing with the Nikon One series, and not m43, NEX or Fuji. Just a different market.
...do you mean the Panasonic GX1 or the next Canon G-series? Sorry mate I'm assuming the latter but just wanting to be sure.

What is it about the letter "G" and "X" for mirror-less camera manufacturers?...there's an X from Fuji, Leica, Panasonic to name a few and a G from Canon, Panasonic, and... I sort of feel sorry for the "Y" "O" and "U"s of this world :confused:
 
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