Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II Review

Last Updated on December 7, 2023 by Sharon Advik

Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II Review:

I enjoy watching people go about their daily lives.

I enjoy filming them and their emotions, feelings, and ideas.

Every piece of street photography and videography tells a story.

I enjoy photographing strangers, pets, children, adults, and children without their knowledge.

Street videography allows me to explore and be more adventurous in my daily life.

Every morning, I get up and walk the streets of California with my “Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II” camera.

Street video recording is a game that I play with my camera partner.

This camera allows me to pursue my passion.

This camera serves as a tool for me to understand the world around me better.

My life has become much more joyful and meaningful since this camera entered.

Overview:

In previous reviews, I have stated that whenever I purchase a new camera, I use it in various settings.

I used the camera for a couple of months before deciding so that I had a clear and detailed understanding of the features of the cameras.

I did the same thing with this camera.

I used this camera’s predecessor before using this one.

I discovered that the new PowerShot G5 X Mark II isn’t just a pocket-sized camera powerhouse; it’s also more powerful and practical than its predecessor.

The original G5 X is better than the previous one because it’s smaller, has a longer 5x zoom lens, and captures 4K video with no crop factor.

This camera made my life.

This camera combines a capable core with some valuable features, excellent handling, a solid build, and a high level of control.

It’s a fun camera to use; I generally find this camera very appealing, especially for people like me who do photography for fun.

I thought it was a beautiful camera in its class.

If I had to combine all the features that make it a worthwhile purchase, I would say Canon’s PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a high-end compact camera with a versatile lens, excellent controls, and a modern 1″-type sensor.

The grip is generous and secure for a small camera, and the updated processor combines with the new sensor for seriously responsive performance.

The pop-up electronic viewfinder is a nice touch, and the camera also has fast burst shooting and high-quality 4K video.

I’m so glad I got this camera because its versatile features and simple operation made my life more fun and exciting.

Specifications:

Built-in Wireless

ISO 125 – 12800( expands to 25600)

20MP – 1″ Stacked BSI-CMOS Sensor

Optical Image Stabilization

24-120 mm F1.8-2.8 Zoom Lens

2360k Electronic dot viewfinder

3.00″ Tilting Screen

30.0fps Continuous Shooting

4K at 30fps Video Recording

FHD at 120fps Video Recording

340g. 111 x 61 x 46 mm

Body, Size, and Weight:

I am incredibly pleased with the body of the G5 X Mark. IIThe G5 X II has the overall appearance and feel of a premium, well-made product.

I like how the rubber on the grip is nice and sticky and how the textured paint keeps my camera from feeling slippery and secure in my hand.

Of all the cameras I’ve used, I know that the Canon G5 X isn’t the most miniature compact zoom camera on the market.

However, the benefits of the extra size include more control points, a better grip, and other advantages.

It has a more streamlined body and provides me with a defined grip and physical controls, but with its concealed EVF, it is as portable as possible when not in use.

Its body and design remind me of some cameras I’ve used.

I have discovered that The G5 X Mark II looks familiar to anyone who has seen Canon’s G7 X lineup and shares many design elements with Sony’s RX100-series.

They even have a comparable number of direct control points (except for the G5 X II’s dedicated exposure comp dial). However, the Canon buttons and dials give me more feedback when I use them.

If you’ve read my previous reviews, I prefer lightweight, tiny cameras I can carry all day.

And the size and weight are probably the first things I look for in a camera, regardless of what type of photography I want to do.

This camera proved to be an excellent choice in this regard.

The Canon G5 X MII weighs 340 g (0.75 lb / 11.99 oz) and measures 111 x 61 x 46 mm (4.37 x 2.4 x 1.81′′).

Given that the average weight of large sensor compact type cameras is 401g, the Canon G5 X MII is exceptionally light for its class.

Even better, at only 46mm thick, it is also relatively small, 9mm thinner than the average of its class. As a result, it’s bingo!

Weather Sealing:

I’m outraged because why would you do something like that with such a cute camera?

Why is it weather sealing on my G5 X Mark II’s body?

My camera requires protection.

I wish that Canon would include a temperature-filling feature on this camera.

However, I must now exercise extreme caution to keep it dry and dust-free.

I had to occasionally shoot the kids in the streets, dancing and playing in the rain, dust, mud, and other adverse conditions.

So I’d like to protect my camera because I can’t afford to damage it like a bay.

Weather sealing for my camera could have alleviated my concern about its longevity, allowing me to spend and film longer in the rain.

Lenses:

My Canon G5 X MII has a 24-120 mm F1.8-2.8 5x zoom lens.

It has an exceptional wide-angle capability.

I am grateful for its 24mm focal length on the wide end, and its 120mm medium telephoto angle allows me to cover the frame beautifully.

In my opinion, the best thing about this lens is its optical image stabilization.

It is beneficial to me, especially at lower shutter speeds.

The Canon G5 X MII lens also has a Manual Focus Mode.

I used the Imatest software to test the lens resolution.

It scores a little low at 24mm f/1.8, 1,722 lines, but improves to a reasonable 2,030 lines at f/2.8 and is at its best around f/5.6 (2,168 lines).

I noticed that when I zoomed in a little, this lens improved.

Sensor and Processor:

I remember once shooting some college friends on the streets of Chicago.

They danced and did interesting things; some showed us magic tricks and other exciting things.

This camera’s sensor assisted me in getting the best photography and videography results.

Because my PowerShot G5 X MARK II camera has a new 1.0-inch 20.1 Megapixel stacked CMOS sensor, I can achieve high image quality and performance.

It generates stunning, detailed images for me.

It also allows for fast, continuous shooting and autofocus, enabling me to capture important moments, such as students performing interesting, quick, magical tricks.

This camera’s DIGIC 8 Image Processor also dramatically enhances its sensor.

It enables me to produce high image quality and fast operation even when shooting in low light.

Using the image processor’s high ISO settings helps me keep my image results sharp and detailed in almost any lighting situation.

This camera impressed me in every way.

The DIGIC 8 Image Processor ensures that my photos and videos are short and lifelike, with minimal noise or grain.

I still remember my best days with this camera.

My street photography is so much with this camera.

Metering System:

I found the metering system to be quite effective.

It behaves predictably, providing the correct balance of shadows, highlights, and mid-tones in most scenes.

Metering describes how your camera determines the appropriate shutter speed and aperture based on how much light it can detect.

Metering, in a nutshell, is a method for modern cameras to reflect light and determine the proper exposure without using an accessory meter.

However, in high-contrast scenes, such as those with darker foreground details and clouds overhead, you’ll need to use Highlight Tone Priority or exposure compensation to prevent losing brighter information.

Distortion and Noise:

The distortions in this camera are generally well-controlled.

However, lateral chromatic aberration, which appears as color fringing along the edges of details towards the frame, is quite visible in raw files – though it is easily corrected.

I also thought the noise performance was excellent.

Noise performance is generally in line with what I would expect from a camera with a 1-inch sensor, that is, excellent in the three-figure ISO range and usable in the lower reaches of the four-figure range.

Some of you may find the default noise reduction level too aggressive in some scenes, so reduce it to the Low setting or process noise from raw images.

Autofocusing and Speed:

The Canon G5 X MII has an autofocusing system with Contrast Detection.

Although the G5 X Mark II lacks phase detection autofocus, its contrast detection system is generally quick and dependable.

Because of some unexpected limitations in its tracking mode, it’s not my first choice for shooting fast action, but it’s okay for more casual shooting.

The G5 X responds quickly.

In bright light, it turns on in about 1.4 seconds, locks Focus, and fires in about 0.05 seconds.

Burst capture at 20 frames per second with locked Focus is available.

I never have to worry about running out of buffer space.

Before the shooting rate slowed, B captured 100 Raw+JPG, 110 Raw, and 130 JPG images.

A 30fps Raw capture mode is also available, which charges about three seconds in a burst.

I understand the need to use Canon’s desktop software to extract each Raw in the explosion if I want to integrate them into your everyday workflow; however, any frame from the shot can be removed as a JPG using the G5s touch interface.

When conventionally shooting, the camera can capture images at a respectable 20fps.

While autofocus is unavailable at this speed, the buffer depth of 45-49 raw and JPEG frames is perfectly acceptable.

Understandably, these take about 15 seconds to flush to the fastest SDHC card we could find understandable.

LCD:

The LCD beneath the EVF is a 3-inch touchscreen with 1.04 million dots that is fully touch-sensitive.

It has an excellent slim profile and a lot of movement; having it mounted on such a long bracket allows you to pull it up to face the front and down far enough to use the camera well above head height.

With minimal delay, an eye sensor just above the LCD tells the camera when to switch between the LCD and EVF.

I am a huge fan of selfies.

I enjoy taking selfies with children on the street while eating stall food and with some cute elderly couples.

Thanks to the articulating screen on this camera,

Canon G5 X MII’s Selfie-friendly screen will make your life easier if you enjoy taking selfies or group photos.

Vloggers and other video creators who work in a single-person setup will also benefit from the G5 X MII’s LCD screen.

Viewfinder:

I’m thrilled that my G5 X MII includes an electronic viewfinder.

These viewfinder features allow me to shoot in direct sunlight on streets and other situations where viewing the LCD monitor would be difficult.

The viewfinder has a resolution of 2,360k dots and 100% coverage.

100% coverage ensures that what I see in the viewfinder while shooting matches exactly what I will get later in my image, allowing for more accurate framing and reducing the need for later cropping.

Wireless Connectivity:

My camera has a micro-HDMI and a USB-C data port, supporting SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory cards.

It greatly assists me with in-camera charging, though it is not guaranteed to work with every power pack.

Only the Canon adapter is guaranteed to function, but I successfully used an Apple MacBook Pro charger.

I can also charge the battery using the included external charger.

However, I intend to find an external working battery, as the G5 X is only rated for about 230 shots with the rear LCD or 180 with the EVF.

There are also wireless options.

The G5 is compatible with the Canon Camera Connect app, free on Android and iOS, and allows me to transfer photos to your device or use it as a remote control for the camera.

In addition to Wi-Fi, it has Bluetooth, which makes pairing with my phone more accessible.

Battery:

I wish I could get beautiful battery life in its camera because I love photographing and forget the limitations when shooting.

ILikethat of nearly every compact enthusiast zoom camera on the market, its battery life is quite limited.

It’s just the cost of having a powerful camera that still fits your coat pocket.

It has a CIPA rating of 230 shots, but in my experience, a single battery will last me all day of frequent shooting if I turn the camera off between shots.

Enabling Eco mode is also beneficial.

Still, I’d rather have a spare battery or a (powerful) USB power bank on hand.

Video Quality:

I found the quality of this camera’s 4K videos to be generally good, though I did not find it quite as crisp as it could be for a camera of this type.

There are minimal artifacts in the footage, and while there is some rolling shutter as I move around the scene, it is not an issue with moderate movement at wider focal lengths.

Using the touchscreen, I can pull the Focus smoothly between two scenes’ points.

The proficiency to call on an ND filter is very useful when shooting in bright light, as I am forced to use a shutter speed that is too fast to keep motion looking natural.

Image Quality:

If I compare the image quality to the video quality, the image quality is less impressive.

The G5 X Mark II has a 1-inch sensor, which is more significant than the average compact camera sensor and is half the size of a DSLR or mirrorless camera sensor, so I expected clean, sharp results.

However, while the colors in my test shots appeared natural, punchy, and saturated, and the exposures were generally well-balanced, the fine detail was less impressive.

When I zoom in and compare the G5 X Mark II’s fine detail rendition to that of an APS-C camera, I’m disappointed by the distinct smoothing effect in finely textured detail. The reasonably crude image sharpening can leave delicate halos around some objects.

Photography Type:

After using it for several years, I was so pleased that I refused to let it go.

So, I decided to test this camera in different areas of photography to see how my Superman performs.

So, after using it for a variety of photographic genres, I came to the following conclusion:

Sports Photography:

I also took it to a stadium for some shots because it was a football game for a friend.

It proves its worth as a professional sports camera by performing admirably during sports shoots.

Canon G5 X MII scored 43 for Sports Photography, making it an AVERAGE candidate for this type of photography.

It wasn’t a good choice for my sports photography, so I’ll have to switch to another camera if I want to do it.

Street Photography: 

It’s in my blood to photograph people on the street.

It astounds me and makes me feel alive and free.

Street photography is more than just a job; it is a way to escape the stresses of everyday life.

One of my talents is street photography, which allows me to interact with my surroundings and recall strange events.

Canon G5 X MII has an EXCELLENT Street Photography score of 88. Here it comes.

When it comes to street photography, this camera is unbeatable.

I don’t think I need to switch to another camera for street photography if I have this one with me.

Daily Photography: 

I’m so obsessed with this camera that I almost always carry it.

Because it’s light, I don’t mind wearing it all the time.

It allows me to continue with my daily photography hobby.

Even though most photographers specialize in one or two photographic genres, experimenting with different shooting techniques can lead to unexpected discoveries.

I’d call it “daily photography.” You can create various photographic styles using the same technical and aesthetic abilities.

If you succeed in one activity, you may learn critical skills and abilities to benefit your photography.

Unposed, everyday photography is ideal for this.

A good camera can capture a wide variety of images.

However, after using this camera, I rate it 75/100 for Daily Photography, placing it in the AVERAGE category.

Why should one get a Canon G5X Mark II?

• Better jpg: A more modern image processing engine is used (DIGIC 8).
• Better video: Captures higher-resolution movies (4K/30p).
• Shoots at a higher frequency (30 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• It has an electronic shutter option for completely silent shooting, which makes it less disturbing.
• It has longer telelens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• More condensed: It is smaller (111x61mm) and easily fits into a bag.
• Faster data transfer: A more advanced USB protocol is supported (3.1).
• More effortless wireless transfer: Bluetooth is supported for image sharing without cables.
• More modern: Reflects three years and eight months of technical progress since the release of the G5X.

Price:

The Canon G5 X Mark II II is a small, low-cost camera with Dual Pixel AF, Full HD, Slow-Motion, 4K recording, an external microphone input, and a fantastic rotating touchscreen.

The Canon G5 X Mark II was priced at $899 in the United States.

Retail prices are typically kept close to the launch price initially, but discounts become available after a few months.

Later in the product cycle, and especially when the replacement model is about to be released, further discounting and stock clearance sales frequently drive the camera price significantly lower.

Then, after the new model is released, excellent pre-owned deals are often available.

Conclusion:

This camera provided me with an exciting experience.

I strongly recommend this camera because it is well worth the money.

If you want tuning, this camera should be your first choice.

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is aimed at photographers who wish to have image quality superior to a compact camera and more akin to a DSLR or mirrorless model.

It’s ideal for photographers who prefer manual controls over touchscreens and auto settings, as it has a pop-up viewfinder, physical dials, and a control ring around the lens.

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