Canon has introduced PowerShot G1 X Mark III, the latest addition to their premium G-series of compact cameras. For the first time, Canon’s compact camera features a 24.3 MP APS-C CMOS sensor. Another novelty is the Dual Pixel auto-focus technology, which was also never featured in a compact Canon camera before. PowerShot G1 X Mark III has a 24-72mm equivalent lens with optical image stabilization and f/2.8-5.6 aperture. Judging from the specs, this is basically a “baby M5,” only with a fixed lens.

According to Yuichi Ishizuka, president and COO, Canon U.S.A., the new PowerShot G1 X Mark III puts their latest innovations in an advanced, compact camera. The technology we generally see in Canon’s DSLRs is now placed in the G-series for the first time. The 24.3 MP APS-C sensor is paired with ISO range of 100-25,600, which should allow you better image quality even in low-light conditions.

We’re familiar with the Dual Pixel AF system. But just like the APS-C sensor, this is the first time Dual Pixel AF is placed in a Canon compact camera. There’s also Touch and Drag AF, which lets you use the rear screen as a touchpad while looking through the viewfinder. This way you can focus on the subject with a tap of your finger. PowerShot G1 X Mark III shoots up to 7 fps (up to 9.0 fps with One-Shot AF). As for the video, it shoots 1080/60p and timelapse. The camera body is water- and dust-proof, and has a built-in Wi-Fi, NFC and Bluetooth connectivity.

Take a look at the full specs: Image Capture Device Type 24.2 Megapixel*, APS-C CMOS (sensor aspect ratio 3:2)* Image processing may cause a decrease in the number of pixels. Total Pixels Approx. 25.8 megapixels Effective Pixels Approx. 24.2 megapixels Lens Focal Length 15.0 (W) – 45.0 (T) mm (35mm film equivalent: 24-72mm) Optical Zoom 3x Digital Zoom 4x Focusing Range Normal/Auto: 3.9 in. (10cm) – infinity (W), 11.8 in. (30cm) – infinity (T)Macro/Underwater Macro: 3.9 in. – 1.6 ft. (10-50 cm) (W) Autofocus System TTL Autofocus, Manual Focus Viewfinders Optical Viewfinder Built-in electronic color viewfinder with 0.39-type screen size and approx. 2.36 million dots LCD Monitor 3.0 TFT color liquid crystal type Vari-angle with electrostatic capacitance touchscreen panel LCD Pixels Approx. 1.04 million dots LCD Coverage Approx. 100% Aperture and Shutter Maximum Aperture f/2.8 (W), f/5.6 (T) Shutter Speed 1-1/2000 sec. (in Auto mode)30–1/2000 sec. (in all shooting modes)BULB (in M mode only)1/8 minimum in Manual Movie Mode Exposure Control Sensitivity ISO 100-3200 (in Auto mode)Max. ISO Speed in P mode is ISO 25600 Light Metering Method Evaluative, Center Weighted Average, Spot Exposure Control Method Manual Exposure, Program Shift, AE Lock, AE Bracketing Exposure Compensation ±3 stops in 1/3-stop increments White Balance White Balance Control Auto, Day Light, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten, Fluorescent, Flash, Underwater WB, Color Temperature Flash Built-in Flash Manual Pop-up Flash (Auto, On, Slow Synchro, Off) Flash Range 1.6 ft. (50cm) – 29.5 ft. (9.0m) (W), 1.6 ft. (50cm) – 14.8 ft. (4.5m) (T) Flash Exposure Compensation ±2 stops in 1/3 increments Shooting Specifications Picture Style Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Fine Detail, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome, User Def. 1-3 Self Timer Off, 2 sec., 10 sec., Custom Wireless Control Wi-Fi® / NFC / Bluetooth® JPEG Compression Mode Still Image: Exif. 2.3 (JPEG), RAW (Canon original: 14-bit, CR2)Video: MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo)) Image Storage Storage Media SD/SDHC/SDXC and UHS-I Memory Cards File Format Design rule for Camera File system (DCF) compliant; DPOF (Version 1.1) compatible Image Recording Format Fine/Normal JPEG Compression Mode Still Image: Exif. 2.3 (JPEG), RAW (Canon original: 14-bit, CR2)Video: MP4 (Image: MPEG-4 AVC/H.264; Audio: MPEG-4 AAC-LC (Stereo)) Number of Recording Pixels Approx. Number of Shots per a Canon Metric 16GB SD Card Interface Audio Out Stereo Wired Hi-Speed USB (Micro USB), HDMI (Type D) Wireless Wi-Fi®Specifications: IEEE 802. 11b/g/nFrequency: 2.4 GHzChannels: 1-11Security: WEP, WPA-PSK (AES/TKIP), WPA2-PSK (AES/TKIP)NFCBluetooth®Version: Ver. 4.0

  • Compatible with iOS® versions 9.3/10.3, Android™ smartphone and tablet versions 4.4/5.0/5.1/6.0/7.0/7.1. Data charges may apply with the download of the free Canon Camera Connect app. This app helps enable you to upload images to social media services. Please note that image files may contain personally identifiable information that may implicate privacy laws. Canon disclaims and has no responsibility for your use of such images. Canon does not obtain, collect or use such images or any information included in such images through this app.** Compatible with Android™ smartphone and tablet versions 4.4/5.0/5.1/6.0/7.0/7.1.*** Compatible with select smartphone and tablet devices (Android™ version 5.0 or later and the following iOS® devices: iPhone 4s or later, iPad 3rd gen. or later, iPod Touch 5th gen. or later) equipped with Bluetooth® version 4.0 or later and the Camera Connect App Ver. 2.1.30. This application is not guaranteed to operate on all listed devices, even if minimum requirements are met. Other Direct connection to Canon SELPHY, PIXMA Photo Printers & PictBridge compatible printers Power Supply Power Source Battery Pack NB-13L, Battery Charger CB-2LH Shooting Capacity Approx. 200 shots with Screen On (CIPA compliant)Approx. 250 shots with ECO Mode Playback Time Approx. 4 hrs. Physical Specifications Operating Temperature 32-104°F/0-40°C Operating Humidity 10-90% Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 4.5 x 3.1 x 2.0 in. / 115.0 x 77.9 x 51.4mm Weight Approx. 14.1 oz. / 399g (including battery and memory card)Approx. 13.2 oz. / 375g (camera body only)   As for the pricing and availability, the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark III is coming in November 2017, but it’s already available for preorders. The price is $1,299. Personally, I’d rather buy a DSLR for this money. But if you need a high-end compact camera, you will probably consider this one. There are a few sample photos here, so you can see for yourself how this camera performs. Still, I am waiting to see more sample images and hands-on reviews to see if it’s really worth the money.