Is the Canon G7X really worth it?

Christmas is just around the corner, and sooner or later, amazing photos of influencers, TikTokers, and people you probably follow will begin to flaunt their digital cameras looking crisp and vibey, something that’s almost impossible to recreate on a phone. Chances are, if you search for “digital camera” on popular platforms like TikTok, the Canon G7X Mark III or II will be the first thing to pop up.

But of course, that begs the question: is this camera actually worth it, and if so, how is the user experience? I bought it so you don't have to, so let's take a deep dive.

First Impression

Obviously, my first impression was how beautiful and professional it looked; it almost has this rough leathery look to the camera's main body. It was also surprisingly a bit heavy at around 304 grams, a bit heavier than your average iPhone/phone, but considering all the functions that it has to offer, the reason for the weight was quite valid. Inside the packaging, you will also find a charger that has a foldable power collector, which I find really nice, and also a wrist strap, which you can attach to the side hook of the camera for easier transportation. With all this being said, this camera is super compatible because of its small but sturdy size – it can even fit in your smallest crossbody bag.

( Sample photos on Canon G7X Mark III)

As you can see from this collection of images that I’ve taken, it does take some really nice contrast, especially when you’re in a dimly lit area; however, if you’re not, you can very easily change the ISO speed of the camera just by clicking the menu.

My favourite details

Firstly, this camera has to offer so many amazing features that I haven’t seen before in many cameras, such as the filters that they have: grainy black and white, which gives you a scary horror effect; soft focus to give that dreamy-like blur; a toy camera effect mimicking a really vintage old quality toy camera; and my personal favourite, the fish-eye filter, making super funny photos of your friend’s enlarged heads.

Another thing is the touchscreen; unlike other cameras, this touchscreen is amazing and almost as functional as a phone. When viewing your gallery, you can zoom in and out just like on an iPhone and also tap the screen to take a photo without having to focus the camera.

If you’re interested in taking selfies, this camera has a pop-up screen (flip screen), perfect for selfies! 

Unlike other alternatives, such as the Canon EOS (a popular alternative), the lenses can retract back into the camera, further emphasising its compactness for those vacation vlogs. This camera is only 10cm wide and 5.5cm tall.

In fact, this camera was also designed for vlogging, as it can take high-quality 4K videos, has an external mic, and photos can be very easily transferred by a USB-C, which is available everywhere, making transferring photos extremely fast.

The difference between Canon G7X and Dupes

The most popular dupe is the Canon SX730 HS. Yes, it has a good zoom of 24-960 mm, it’s portable and convenient just like the G7X, and it’s also user-friendly for beginners.

However, the G7X offers a wider lens, leading to better quality photos; it also has a 4K resolution, unlike the SX730 HS, and it’s not really good for vlogging since there is no external mic or RAW output (the ISO range is also limited, which can minimise your contrast).

This does not mean that you shouldn’t buy it; it is still a very good dupe since it also has a similar structure to the Canon G7X. If you’re looking for a similar, more affordable alternative, this would be the best one.

Another popular dupe is the Sony ZV-1. This is because it has a similar sensor lens and image potential. It’s also very portable, just like the G7X. In terms of video, taking this camera would be better; however, when taking photos, it won’t match the quality of the G7X. This camera would be great if you are looking for vlogging specifically. Also, unfortunately, this camera does not have a flash, and you will need to buy that separately from the camera. According to other users, you do have to adjust the settings quite a lot to achieve a good photo, whereas with the Canon G7X, most of the auto settings are good.

Why should you buy the Canon G7X

In my opinion, and for most owners of this beloved camera, the image quality is so much better than your typical phone and many other digital cameras due to its 1-inch sensor. Furthermore, it also has a great lens aperture, which allows you to take photos and videos with just the right amount of background blur, a problem that many camera enthusiasts may experience. The camera is very transparent with its settings, allowing you to learn to adjust your camera settings, simply giving you more creative control without being a professional. As someone who’s never been into photography, using the Canon G7X is definitely helpful. Due to the extent of its settings, it also allows many auto settings for beginners but is also great for professionals to use at the same time. Overall, my favourite feature about this is its compactness. Despite its amazing quality, being only 10cm wide, it can practically fit into any backpack. As someone who owns both the Canon G7X Mark II and Mark III, I can guarantee you that they will last you decades without compromising quality, so see it as a great long-term investment.

Pricing on the Canon G7X Mark III (retail value ): $879.99), but since this camera has limited stock, the resell value will be more than $1,000. The reason behind this is actually because of its popularity and over-inflation, so as time goes by, so will the price.

Pricing on the Canon G7X Mark II (retail value ): $663.99), but since it is vintage (idk, it was released in February 2016) and no longer produced, the resale value can be almost upwards of $1,300. Originally when my family bought it when it came out, it was around 7,000,000 VND; however, due to over-inflation and influencers recommending it, prices have soared.

Canon G7X Mark II or Mark III?

This is a common question; I get asked a lot, but personally, they are almost exactly identical: same lens, same zoom, same quality. The only real difference is the video quality is slightly better, and the Mark III is 15 grams lighter, which, to be honest, doesn’t make such a big change.

If you wish to buy the Mark II because, as seen by the photos, the images produced give an older, more vintage, look and overall more life-like through the eyes, choose it. However, it also might just be the photography skills of the user, something that can significantly change the quality of your images. The Canon G7X Mark II is extremely rare; however, so the Mark III is also an excellent choice and alternative.