Is Canon G3X a good camera?


Shanette Tan

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Jun 12, 2016
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As you can see im trying to sell my canon sx50 for a new camera.
And now im thinking whether the canon G3X is it a good camera for beginners like me.
For me, I like a camera with nice blurry background and also I take alot of videos when I travel.

So overall, is G3X a good camera? If not what are the other alternatives with cheaper budget?
 

Short answer: Yes it is good

Long answer:
Asking a question like this is asking a lady "is this handbag good?", or asking a chef "is this knife good?"
It will generate more questions because it really depends on your requirements, and different cameras are targeted at different markets. What suits me may not suit you, what is within your budget may not be within mine ;)

Since you have used the Canon SX50 for some time, you should ask yourself why is it not meeting your needs? If you list out what you need maybe we can help you better

If you don't mind the weight of G3X and has the budget, then it's good. If you don't need the superzoom range, I would suggest more pocketable cameras like the Canon G7X, Sony RX100 series... easier to bring around usually means you will use it more often. If you don't feel like bringing it then might as well use your smartphone :)
 

Ultrazoom cameras create ugly bokehs and less than sharp images, that's why there've those white lenses for some real photos. Even 20 - 35mm primes create excellent bokehs nowadays - fr my experience of using all.
 

As you can see im trying to sell my canon sx50 for a new camera.
And now im thinking whether the canon G3X is it a good camera for beginners like me.
For me, I like a camera with nice blurry background and also I take alot of videos when I travel.

So overall, is G3X a good camera? If not what are the other alternatives with cheaper budget?

Define nice blurry background. Our nice blurry background might be a bit different from yours. And all cameras create blurry background if you know how to do it (yes... even my iphone did it).

And G3X is an excellent camera, but it is heavier than the G5X and G7X and all the other compact camera, so you have to see if it is worth the stuff you are using it for... plus for a small sensor camera, it is definitely not that small in size... and price. You can get many other cameras (such as Olympus and Panasonic entry level micro four third camera with larger sensor) with that type of money, althought that type of reach.

So I would suggest that you go down to the shop, look at the camera, have a feel of it and see if it suits you. Or just get a G7X or even a Panasonic or Olympus m4/3 camera system with kit lens.
 

Define nice blurry background. Our nice blurry background might be a bit different from yours. And all cameras create blurry background if you know how to do it (yes... even my iphone did it).

And G3X is an excellent camera, but it is heavier than the G5X and G7X and all the other compact camera, so you have to see if it is worth the stuff you are using it for... plus for a small sensor camera, it is definitely not that small in size... and price. You can get many other cameras (such as Olympus and Panasonic entry level micro four third camera with larger sensor) with that type of money, althought that type of reach.

So I would suggest that you go down to the shop, look at the camera, have a feel of it and see if it suits you. Or just get a G7X or even a Panasonic or Olympus m4/3 camera system with kit lens.

yeap definitly recommend m43 .. panasonic or olympus camera as well. ... they are small and have a good collection of lens
 

if u want the blurry background thingy, suggest u get a mirrorless and a f1.8 prime lens
eg panasonic gf8 with 25mm 1.7
 

G3X is very good. I think it is good for you.

1. U use canon and u will be more familiar with how a canon camera operates.
2. Nice photos is really a master piece by the photographer which is you and not so much the camera.
3. G3X is canon's newest long range zoom compact. <- must be the best
4. U can consider a small bonuce flash to compliment low light situations.
5. It has time lapse, 600mm, quite good fps, touch screen, BSI, 60P FHD, full control... very much all dslr features are there except cannot change lenses.

Blur background is surely there but how much is good enough?
Portrait lenses with big aperature creates a beautiful bokeh but at the same time it reduce the area of sharpness. <- very much a double edge sword.
A tele lenses will give a better blur background with the whole subject in sharp focus. <- problem is u need to take the shot at a longer distance and a higher shutter speed.
 

G3X is very good. I think it is good for you.

1. U use canon and u will be more familiar with how a canon camera operates.
2. Nice photos is really a master piece by the photographer which is you and not so much the camera.
3. G3X is canon's newest long range zoom compact. <- must be the best
4. U can consider a small bonuce flash to compliment low light situations.
5. It has time lapse, 600mm, quite good fps, touch screen, BSI, 60P FHD, full control... very much all dslr features are there except cannot change lenses.

Blur background is surely there but how much is good enough?
Portrait lenses with big aperature creates a beautiful bokeh but at the same time it reduce the area of sharpness. <- very much a double edge sword.
A tele lenses will give a better blur background with the whole subject in sharp focus. <- problem is u need to take the shot at a longer distance and a higher shutter speed.

True im considering this as i can use the extra batt that i have for my sx50 on this. But now i thinking of the price and weight for G3X, Im kinda on hold for now. Currently im looking at G7X MARK II, but im thinking if the batt life of this is it good? And can i use neck strap instead of a wriststrap? Other than that, i have seen lots of vloggers using this camera and i kinda like the effect they are having. So im kinda in a dilemma position rn.. the reason im not getting m4/3 or dslr for that kind of money is because i dont wanna spent more money on lenses or to clean the lenses. Haha
 

True im considering this as i can use the extra batt that i have for my sx50 on this. But now i thinking of the price and weight for G3X, Im kinda on hold for now. Currently im looking at G7X MARK II, but im thinking if the batt life of this is it good? And can i use neck strap instead of a wriststrap? Other than that, i have seen lots of vloggers using this camera and i kinda like the effect they are having. So im kinda in a dilemma position rn.. the reason im not getting m4/3 or dslr for that kind of money is because i dont wanna spent more money on lenses or to clean the lenses. Haha

On top of weight you should also consider the size of the G3X... It is significantly larger than the G5x and G7x, with the G7x being small and light enough to be pocketable. If you are into vlogging/walking around with your cam on the end of a selfie stick, the G7x I or II would be much more usable... To do the same with a G3x would probably require a heavier duty monopod instead of a selfie stick as it weighs 700g+. With the G3x you would probably be more comfortable with a neck strap, whereas the G7x should be at home with a wrist strap.

If you plan to switch brands, there's always the RX100 MK III & IV or Panasonic Lumix LX100 which are smaller point and shoot cameras with big sensors so you'll get that creamy out of focus background. M43 really isn't more expensive, you can get a highly capable Lumix GF7 with kit lens for $499 (local dealers), this camera is both capable in stills and videos or an Olympus OMD EM-10 with kit lens for $541 on the grey market. The EM-10 is a very pretty camera, much better looking than what Canon is offering IMO.

The next best step would be to actually take an hour or so to play with each till you've found a suitable model.
 

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