Canon G7 X Mark II Review – Specs, Photo and Video Capabilities

The Canon G7 X Mark II is Canon’s compact DSLR replacement, and one of the newer releases in the G line. This camera comes after the previous model: the Canon G7.

Ahead, we’ll take a look at the improvements, unique features, and drawbacks of the Canon G7 X Mark II, and let you know whether or not you should add it to your wish list.

The Canon G7 X Mark II

The Canon G7 X Mark II is a newer, more improved version of the previously released Canon G7 X. The two cameras don’t offer too many notable differences, but there are a few that improve the usability of the camera - especially for those who are new to photography and videography.

Ahead, we’ll take a look at some of the larger improvements Canon made to this camera that might attract some new customers - or even some older customers who want access to the upgrades.

How Has the Design Changed?

The Canon G7X Mark II has gone through a couple of noteworthy design changes after the release of the previous version. The tilt of the LCD screen is one, and while it’s not the most flashy improvement, it is a quality of life feature that was certainly missing in the original.

The LCD screen on the first G7 X only tilted up, which means it was relatively difficult to take overhead photographs. You couldn’t see the screen, so you had to take blind pictures and hope they turned out the way you wanted them to.

Another massive quality of life improvement for the Canon G7X Mark II is the positioning of the controls. They are all on the right side with this model - opposed to the first G7 that almost always required two hands to make sure you were changing to the mode you wanted to.

With the G7 X Mark II, you can easily switch modes by using the control wheel with your right thumb. There might be times when you need another hand to steady the body of the camera, but you’ll probably be able to make one-handed switches without much of an issue.

The LCD touchscreen is another addition Cannon made to this line of camera. Most people probably expect LCD touchscreens on their cameras, but you might be surprised to learn that this feature doesn’t always come standard. Either way, it’s an added feature and worth mentioning with the other design upgrades.

Video Improvements

While the design upgrades improve the flow and comfortability of the Canon G7 X Mark II, the video upgrades are what will make some Canon users make the switch to the newer model.

The Canon G7 X Mark II still offers 1080p, and 60 fps, but those who film with the camera now have access to automatic capture and enhanced low-light photography among other enhanced features.

The low-light capabilities of the Canon G7X Mark II might be the most noteworthy video improvement of them all. You can take a photo with barely any light whatsoever and have it come out crisp and clean.

There is a good amount of noise when you take a picture in a dark room. Still, those who aren’t well-versed in photography likely won’t be able to tell the difference between a picture taken with proper light and a picture taken with hardly any light at all.

The automatic capture feature is another way Canon improved the user experience with this camera. Shooting video will be easier for those who don’t have much experience. Autofocus does a lot of the work for you, and the image tracking is some of the best we’ve seen out of this line of Canon cameras.

What We Like (Key Features) 

Some of the features added to the Mark II do even more to set it apart from the previous version. Some of these features even make it a strong contender to be a better value than other comparable cameras you’ll see. Ahead, we’ll give you an overview of why you might want to upgrade from the G7 or choose the Mark II over another option in the same category.

Specifications:

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Public Perception

Most of the other Canon G7 X Mark II reviews we’ve seen paint the camera in a positive light. This includes both user reviews and professional camera reviewers who have gotten their hands on the Canon G7 X Mark II.

There are a few different Canon G7 X Mark II on Amazon, but all of them have user reviews that average 4.5 stars. The bulk of the reviews come at the five-star mark, and only 15% of the customers rated the Mark II below four stars.

Users are happy with the Canon G7 X Mark II for the same reason we’re happy with it. It provides a small DSLR replacement camera that is powerful enough to take beautiful photos in all conditions and offers excellent value at this time.

What We Think

The Canon G7 X Mark II is a few years old now, and that colors the way we think about it. On the one hand, it presents excellent value and is still relevant in today’s photography landscape. On the other hand, those who are upgrading from the original G7 might want a newer camera that will stay relevant for longer.

Canon has made several upgrades with the Canon G7 X Mark II, and they continue to improve upon their compact camera offerings. The low light capabilities of the Mark II set it apart from the pack, and the upgrades in LCD screen, battery life, and processor allow it to compete with some of the other cameras released in the past two years.

DSLR fans might miss the viewfinder feature, but this won’t be a dealbreaker to many other customers. We would recommend this camera to those who want a compact DSLR replacement that can fit in their pocket and take powerful shots. On top of that, its age means you won’t be paying nearly as much as you would when it was brand new.