📷 Thinking of buying a compact photo camera? Do not miss this list of best compact cameras with buying tips and our 10 recommendations.
Buying a camera is not easy, it is not a decision to be taken lightly. A camera is not just a camera, it will become your accomplice in the battle against oblivion. He will be the one to help you capture the moments you want to remember forever, steal scenes and landscapes so they don’t fall into the well of oblivion. Because, think about it, how many moments of your life that you have not recreated through a photo do you remember clearly?
And not only will it be your weapon against oblivion, it will also be your tool of expression, the bridge to tell the world everything you have inside that you need to shout. You are a torrent of creativity and you need a friend to help you channel it. All this will be your camera, you will have to choose well, right?
Not everything is reflex in photography
Now, you still feel some pressure to acquire an SLR. It seems that if you don’t have one you can’t get good photos. If this is your fear, I have to tell you that the photographic world is much more than SLR photography, that you can take equally good photos with a mobile phone than with a SLR. The camera does not make the photographer, I will not tire of repeating it. It is not the medium, it is the person behind who takes the photo, who has the eye and the sensitivity.
So today I present to you a compact camera, because if you are one of these people, SLR cameras are not for you. Yes, it is a compact for the most demanding, as I have already announced in the title, but a compact where you have everything in one, without the need to change lenses and, in addition, it records videos.
To whom
This camera is ideal for the most travellers, for those who do not want to complicate life learning to use a SLR, for those who want everything in one, for professionals who need an extra camera to carry with them at any time. Also ideal for those who love street photography and for nightlife and party people.
PowerShot G1 X or PowerShot G1 X Mark II
This Canon camera has a successor, which is the Mark II. However, I am talking about the first, although it is older, because contrary to what it may seem, the Mark II has not improved its predecessor in particular.
For example, evolution has lost the viewer. And it’s not because I’m a viewer romantic (which I am). Sometimes it’s fine to shoot through the screen, but other times, like in bright sunlight, it’s impossible to see what you’re shooting, so a viewfinder is a must, even if it’s not exactly a good viewfinder. There are also many users who complain about failures when it comes to focusing on video and that, in general, despite having improvements, it is not up to the G1 X.
For all this, and because on top of that it is cheaper, I have preferred to introduce you to the previous model, the Canon PowerShot G1 x, but you should know that there is a later model: PowerShot G1 X Mark II.
You also have superiors like the G3 Xthe G5 X or even the G7 X Mark IIalthough they all go up in price.
Characteristic
This camera is a kind of hybrid between the Powershot G12 and a reflex. Firm and well built although made of plastic and with a retro feel. Its main characteristics are the following:
- Sensor large (one of the largest of the compacts and very close to those of beginner SLRs), which means that it collects a greater amount of light and better image quality.
- 14.3 megapixelsnothing negligible for a compact, right?
- ISO. Between 100-12,800. With very good results with high ISO values. The only thing is that in automatic it only reaches 1,600.
- Stabilizer optical of image. This is of great help at slower speeds and when shooting at longer focal lengths.
- Opening f/2.8- f/5.8 Start with an f/2.8 aperture at wide angle and as you zoom in, the aperture decreases, reaching the maximum focal length with f/5.8.
- Video. Full HD and has an exclusive button for video recording. It controls noise very well when recording scenes in low light and the possibility of blurring the background offers very good results. External microphones cannot be incorporated.
- Two wheel in the part higher. Mode selection and exposure compensation.
- front wheel to adjust the exposure in manual and semi-manual modes.
- Focal distance lens length: 28-112mm. Which will give you to cover most situations.
- Closest focus distance 20 cm. If you want to shoot macro you will have to start from this distance.
- Weight: 530 grams. about.
- LCD screen articulated 3 inches and 920,000 pixels. It detaches from the body and can be moved in all directions, allowing you to shoot from multiple positions. The fact that it is articulated also allows it to be rotated so that it is not damaged during transport.
- two shots per second (in JPG, a bit slower in RAW or combined). For bursts there is no limit (well yes, the card 😉 ).
- Battery life. Approximately 200 shots (less if combined with video).
- Direct printing system. You can print directly from the camera without downloading photos.
The best
- It is very versatile.
- The sensor.
- Excellent quality (bearing in mind that we are talking about a compact, but in quality it is above what compacts offer).
- Works great in low light, very little noise at high ISOs.
- Good opening.
- Easy to use buttons.
- Minimal vignetting effect.
- Good results even at maximum opening.
Worst
- The viewfinder is not up to the type of camera it is and the price.
- Too big and heavy to be a compact.
- It is not very fast in focus or in burst shooting. Although between the scenes it offers a high speed mode that allows (only in JPG) 4.5 shots per second.
- The short battery life.
- It loses a lot of quality when doing macro.
- The video is its weakest point, not because of the quality of the image but because of the lack of features.
Price
You can find it on Amazon for about 520 euros. It still seems expensive to you for a compact but it doesn’t offer the quality of any compact 😉
Images
I leave you some sample images made with this camera, which in the end is what really matters ;):
And here you can see many more.
summarizing
It is not the most suitable for action sports or for those who give more importance to video, but if you want a second camera to have it more at hand, your thing is to take photos in low light conditions, and/or you prioritize quality over All in all, you have an ideal option before you, as it is a camera that offers excellent quality.
Whether or not it is your best option is something that you must decide, since there is no ideal camera but the one that best suits each one, depending on their needs, use or even budget. Here you have an interesting possibility, the decision is up to you, but if you end up opting for it, we want to see the results! 😉
Thank you very much for reaching the end and for sharing if it has been useful to you. See you soon!