Camera Similar to G1X
Camera Similar to G1X
I'm wondering if anyone knows of a camera still being produced similar to the Canon G1X MkIII. I've been using a 5D MkIII for years but want something smaller for backpacking that still packs a great quality sensor, glass, and full featured manual mode with RAW format. It doesn't have to be Canon either. Thanks
Edit: probably an APS-C size sensor or larger
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There aren't many DSLR like fixed lens cameras out on the market today as that segment has basically evaporated.
The remaining players are:
- Fujifilm x100. There are six total iterations of this camera, the most recent of which was very recently released. It's a bit of a cult classic, which means wait lists. It's an APS-C camera and from a controls perspective is probably what you're looking for
- Rioch GR. This is another series of cameras that are pretty popular. It's also APS-C based. The mkIII was introduced in 2019
- Sony RX, in particular the RX1R. Unlike the other two, it uses a full frame sensor. Also unlike the other two, it's by far the longest in the tooth
What are you looking for that the G1X mkIII doesn't offer? Buying a used copy might be the way to go, especially since it sounds like what you're looking for.
As far as currently in production options, in addition to the three above, you could also look at mirrorless. Both their bodies and lenses are more compact than their DSLR counterparts. As far as sensor size goes, Micro Four Thirds (micro four thirds) can offer the most compact glass, followed by APS-C and then FF. That said a compact FF body, with a slower (read: smaller) lens will generally be close in size to a MFT camera with a fast lens. For outdoor and sunny, there will be no image quality tradeoff and when it gets dark the FF camera with a slower lens and a MFT sensor with a faster lens will be more or less on par thanks to the FF sensor's two stop improvement in low light. For example (scroll down if you don't see the two cameras and lenses). This does start to fall apart at longer focal lengths though - there's no substitute for the crop factor advantage beyond say 100mm of FF EQ focal length.
So... What are you looking for?
It's not that the G1X III doesn't offer something. I'm just looking to see if there are more recent examples with potentially better glass, sensors, or any other benefits because of progress with time since it's been out for some time now. I haven't found (including the wonderful suggestions in the comments) any other camera that fits what I'm looking for and will probably get a used G1XIII. Mirrorless cameras are relatively small now but the form factor of many of these cameras just take up too much volume in a hiking pack. The G1XIII has such an awesome form factor with great professional features. Ultimately I care about volume over weight, plus generally a high quality camera
If volume is your sole consideration, the G1X III will be hard to beat. if you didn't already try it, here it is dropped into the comparison.
As for advances in IQ, IMO the gains haven't been that large. The big changes are:
- Higher pixel density sensors, but IMO that's not really necessary unless you're printing huge (say 4 foot plus) or cropping heavily
- Better high ISO performance due to dual gain stages and lower overall read noise. I have no real hesitation taking my A7III up to ISO 12,800
Other than that, everything else is largely quality of life. Easier AF, faster sensor readout that enabled me to keep my A9 in electronics shutter mode basically all the time, overall speed (focus fast and take a ton of photos), computational photography (like high resolution shots, etc).
I have a 3k digital picture frame and when photos from my old D40 show up on it, I'm always surprised by how well they hold up. Great colors, good dynamic range, etc.
That's a really neat website, thanks. My camera is massive in comparison. Yeah I don't need or want such high resolution which also can hurt low light performance and shutter speed has never been a concern to me. I'll have to look in detail at the features of the G1XIII but I'm pretty convinced that that's what I'll be getting.
Glad you found the site useful! Good luck in your quest.