The Fujifilm X10/X20/X100v's Alternative for Street Photography that Nobody Wanted

Back in 2012, this camera hit the shelves at $799, aiming to be the flagship of Canon's compact camera series. Let me introduce you to a solid alternative to Fujifilm X10, X20, or even the Fuji X100 series—the original Canon G1X.

We've all heard about the Fujifilm X10 and X20, right? They're great options, especially for those eyeing the X100V but working with a tight budget. But, you know, there's another gem that often gets ignored - the original Canon G1X.

Now, I'll admit, the Canon G1X didn't immediately grab my attention either. I was planning to scout out some cheap manual lenses for my XE1 when I stumbled upon a listing for this G1X at around 70 bucks. It seemed oddly inexpensive, but that's pretty normal when dealing with individual sellers. In my experience, buying secondhand cameras from folks who used the gear themselves often results in snagging a bargain.

The Canon G1X line was marketed as the flagship G series premium compact, and its original release in 2012 sported a hefty price tag of $799. That's a lot of cash, isn't it?  It was a bit of a game-changer. Packing a 14-megapixel 1.5” CMOS sensor, it's almost as tall as the APS-C sensor used in DSLR cameras. Just to put things in perspective, the sensor size is around 6 times larger than that of the Canon G12 and over 4 times the area of the sensors in the Fujifilm X10 and X20.

When you compare these three, as Photography Blog rightly pointed out, the X20 seems to win out in most discussions. It's why some have started noticing the used X20 prices climbing, followed closely by the X10. Oddly enough, it seems that only a small group of enthusiasts have their eyes on the Canon G1X.

Compared to my trusty G12, which I thought was pretty decent, this G1X, at least on paper, outshines it by a mile. Surprisingly, it's not that popular. Sometimes, people even list the G1X for cheaper than the G12, which is a bit bizarre. Maybe it's because of the prevailing trends where folks believed that the previous Canon G series housed the best camera sensor - the CCD - for that authentic film look. But, you know, thinking outside these trends might be a good thing. This G1X flaunts a CMOS sensor, unlike my G12 with a CCD sensor.  With the Canon G1X rocking a CMOS sensor now, you don't wanna skip the fun of trying out that vintage film look from old cameras on this channel. Get ready for more cool film look recipes coming to this channel!

I gave the classic chrome and Fuji Pro400H recipes a quick test on this Canon G1X. If you haven't checked out those videos yet, feel free to take a peek. What struck me was how well both recipes worked on this camera. They technically belong to the same Canon lineup, so it's no surprise they jive. What's evident right off the bat is the superior image quality this camera delivers compared to my G12. Expected, really, considering it boasts a sensor six times larger. Some might love it for the finer images, but I get it if some aren't entirely sold because, in the film look world, it's about embracing imperfections. Think CCD sensors, low megapixels, that dreamy vintage feel, quirky lenses, and flares. At least, that's my take on it.

 

 For those eyeing the X10, X20, or even the X100V alternative, I reckon the original G1X is well worth a shot. Sure, Fujifilm's rangefinder X series has a sleek design, but the Canon G1X isn't that shabby. The design is rather stylish to be honest. It's a tad bulkier than my G12, but it still falls under the compact camera category. I've been taking this camera with me everywhere for the last couple of weeks. Gotta admit, though, the lens looks a bit ridiculous when it zooms in. Still, I'm pretty happy with the overall design.

The design is pretty much an exact copy of my G12. Though, you might miss that ISO dial from the G12 on this G1X. They've replaced it with an exposure compensation dial since the original space for that dial is taken up by the pop-up flash. But fear not, you still get that shutter dial, aperture ring, a fully articulated screen, and that nifty viewfinder with diopter adjustment.

Now, in terms of speed, the shutter flaps per second are a bit slower at 1.9 compared to the Fuji X10's zippy 10 shutter flaps per second. That's something you might want to mull over. 

If you're big into macro photography, I'd advise you that this camera might not be your ideal choice. Trust me on this.

Overall, it's a fantastic compact camera. The pricing and Canon's marketing as the flagship G series back in the day say a lot about the quality of this camera. You can feel it as soon as you hold it—similar to the sturdy construction of my trusty Canon G12.

So, that pretty much sums it up. I'm looking forward to experimenting a lot with this camera alongside my trusty Canon G12 in the future.

No stress if you don't own a Canon G12 or G1X—I'm pretty sure my recipes will do the trick on any Canon G series camera. Actually, I'd love for you to give it a shot on any Canon camera with a similar layout. And if you're on the lookout for alternatives, check out my video on different old pocket-size cameras that won't break the bank but still deliver that cool film-like vibe.[]