Canon PowerShot G5X Digital Camera {20.2MP}

Canon's 1-inch compact with built-in EVF and full articulation.

The G5 X packs a 20MP BSI-CMOS sensor behind a 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens into a body that sits somewhere between a capable compact and a miniature DSLR. That lens staying at f/1.8 out to 28mm and not reaching its minimum of f/2.8 until 55mm gives it a genuine low-light advantage at mid-range focal lengths. Pair that with optical image stabilization, ISO up to 12800, and RAW capture, and you have a fixed-lens camera that can pull usable files out of genuinely difficult light.

What separates the G5 X from its 1-inch peers is the combination of a 2,360,000-dot electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage and a fully articulated, side-hinged 3-inch touchscreen. The EVF is always-on, no pop-up mechanism, so bringing it to your eye immediately activates it. The side hinge on the screen means it works in both landscape and portrait orientation at odd angles, and you can fold it out flat to rest in your left palm for extra stability when shooting video. Three customizable control dials, a dedicated exposure compensation dial, aperture priority, shutter priority, and full manual exposure round out the physical controls. At 5.9 fps in JPEG, it handles moderate burst shooting, and 1080/60p video with combined optical and digital stabilization produces smooth footage even when walking. Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC and the Canon Camera Connect app add remote shooting with full manual exposure control from a smartphone.

Who It's For

Street photographers working in mixed or low light will find the always-ready EVF and f/1.8 wide end make the camera fast to use without drawing attention. Travel shooters who want a single carry that covers 24mm to 100mm with RAW output and a fully articulated screen for tight angles get a lot of range in a compact body. Videographers shooting documentary-style or vlog content benefit from the side-hinged screen, touch-to-focus rack control, 1080/60p recording, and the stabilization system that smooths out handheld movement. Astrophotography hobbyists have built-in star trail and star time-lapse modes that handle long compositing sequences in-camera without requiring additional software.

Key Features

• 20MP 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor with DIGIC 6 processor
• 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens stays f/1.8 to 28mm for genuine low-light advantage
• 2.36M-dot OLED electronic viewfinder with 100% coverage, always-on activation
• 3-inch fully articulated side-hinged touchscreen works in landscape and portrait orientation
• Three customizable control dials plus dedicated exposure compensation dial
• 1080/60p video with combined optical and digital stabilization and manual exposure control
• Built-in Wi-Fi with NFC and smartphone remote shooting with full manual control
• 5.9 fps JPEG burst, RAW + JPEG capture, ISO 125-12800

FAQ

What makes the G5 X stand out from other 1-inch compacts?

It's the only current 1-inch compact combining a fully articulated side-hinged screen with a built-in 2.36M-dot electronic viewfinder. That screen flips out to rest in your left palm for extra stability, and the viewfinder activates automatically when you bring it to your eye-no pop-up mechanism needed.

How does the 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens perform in low light?

The lens stays at f/1.8 out to 28mm and f/2.0 at 35mm, giving it a genuine low-light advantage over competitors that lose brightness faster through the range. Paired with optical image stabilization and ISO up to 12800, you can pull usable files from genuinely difficult light in JPEG and RAW.

Can you shoot RAW bursts?

RAW burst performance is weak-it drops below 1 fps, which rules it out for action work. JPEG bursts work fine at 5.9 fps (or 6.2 fps in practice), but if you need RAW speed, this isn't the camera.

Does the touchscreen work well for focus control?

Yes. Tap any part of the screen to reposition the AF point instantly, or use it to pull focus silently while filming video. That touch-based focus control is a genuine advantage over fixed-AF rivals.

What's the battery life actually like?

Canon rates it at 210 shots per charge, which is low compared to competitors. In video, expect about 72 minutes of continuous 1080/25p recording on a full charge. The camera can charge in-camera over USB, which helps if you're traveling.

Does it shoot 4K video?

No. Maximum is 1080/60p with combined optical and digital stabilization. Video quality is smooth and well-stabilized, but you won't get 4K resolution.

How does autofocus handle moving subjects during burst shooting?

It's complicated. Use 1-point AF with Servo mode for continuous focus during bursts, but the AF point disappears once you start shooting, and the burst rate drops to 4.5 fps. For everyday moving subjects, stick with Face/Tracking mode and shoot one frame at a time.