Canon PowerShot G5X Mark II Digital Camera, Black {20.2MP}

Canon's pocket G5 X II packs a 24–120mm f/1.8 lens into compact form

The 1-inch BSI-CMOS sensor at 20MP gives you enough resolution for serious editing work, and the DIGIC 8 processor's ISO invariance is genuinely useful in practice: underexpose at a lower ISO to protect highlights, then recover shadows in post without meaningful noise penalty. That kind of flexibility matters when you're shooting in mixed light with no time to bracket. RAW support means you're not locked into Canon's JPEG rendering, and the electronic shutter reaches 1/25600 sec for shooting at f/1.8 in bright conditions without a neutral density filter.

The 24–120mm f/1.8–2.8 zoom is the reason to buy this camera. Five stops of focal length range with a fast aperture throughout most of the zoom is a combination you simply don't find in a body that fits a jacket pocket. The 30 fps burst mode with 15-frame pre-buffer is a legitimately useful tool for nailing the exact peak moment in a fast sequence, though focus locks at the burst start. The electronic viewfinder resolves 2,360,000 dots at 100% coverage, the 3-inch tilting touchscreen handles awkward angles without fuss, and the whole package weighs 340g. For a photographer who wants one pocketable body capable of handling everything from wide environmental portraits to 120mm compressed street work, the G5 X II earns its place in the bag.

Who It's For

Travel photographers get a 24–120mm equivalent range in a 340g body that clears any carry-on weight concern, with optical stabilization and RAW capture for post-processing latitude. Street shooters benefit from the f/1.8 maximum aperture and the electronic shutter's silent 1/25600 sec ceiling for wide-open work in daylight. Documentary and family photographers will use the 30 fps burst with pre-buffer to pull the decisive frame from fast, unpredictable moments. Enthusiasts who want full manual control, a tilting touchscreen, and a 2,360,000-dot EVF in a shirt-pocket body will find those tools all present here.

Key Features

• 1" BSI-CMOS sensor, 20MP resolution, DIGIC 8 processor with ISO invariance
• 24–120mm f/1.8–2.8 zoom lens, 5x optical zoom, built-in ND filter
• 30 fps burst mode with 15-frame pre-buffer, focus locked at burst start
• Electronic shutter up to 1/25,600 sec for bright-light shooting
• Electronic viewfinder, 2.36M-dot, 100% coverage with 3" tilting touchscreen
• Optical image stabilization, RAW support, 4K video at 30p
• USB 3.2 Gen 1 charging, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity
• 340g weight, 111 x 61 x 46mm body

FAQ

What's the autofocus situation with burst shooting?

The 30 fps burst mode locks focus at the moment you press the shutter-it won't track moving subjects. You get 15 frames of pre-buffer before full depression, which helps nail peak moments, but this isn't a camera for tracking action sequences with continuous AF.

How does ISO invariance actually work on this camera?

Shoot at ISO 125 and underexpose to protect highlights, then push roughly 3.7 stops in post without meaningful noise penalty. The DIGIC 8 processor handles this genuinely well in RAW, which is why shooting RAW is worthwhile here-JPEGs don't offer the same latitude.

Is the 24–120mm lens fast enough throughout the zoom range?

The aperture ranges from f/1.8 at 24mm to f/2.8 at 120mm, so yes-you maintain a fast aperture for most of the zoom. It's the main reason to buy this camera. The lens includes a built-in neutral density filter for shooting at f/1.8 in bright daylight without a stop-down filter.

How's the video performance compared to stills?

The G5 X II handles 4K at 30p from the full sensor width, which is solid. But there's no 24p option (Canon eliminated all 24p video modes), no microphone input, and no Log capture to maximize dynamic range. It's primarily a stills camera that can shoot video clips.

What's the deal with high ISO noise?

High ISO noise reduction is problematic-the camera leaves behind substantial luminance noise while destroying detail, resulting in mushy images by ISO 12800. This camera isn't built for high ISO shooting. Stick with the ISO invariance trick instead.

Can you use Face Detection during burst shooting?

No. If you enable Face + Tracking mode with continuous autofocus, burst shooting is disabled and you're limited to single shots. You have to choose between tracked continuous AF or burst capture, which is a real limitation for family or event shooting.

Does the lens control ring feel as refined as the rest of the camera?

No. The ring lacks damping between clicks and feels hollow compared to other controls. It has a permanent clicky action with no smooth-rotation option, making it awkward for video manual focus even though it works fine for stepped functions like exposure compensation.