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A reasonable budget for what you'd expect might be a reasonable mirorless camera.

We've just been discusing the new Canon G1X Mk2 in another thread on UH and so far consensus is it's not worth $800 - or actually $1,100 with optional reasonable Electric viewfinder.

You'll usually get lots of sage advice mixed with a smidgeon of good natured prejudice and bias when asking about camera brands. Mostly male ego :) Just like you do in discussions about horses, aircraft, motorcars, motorcycles, bicycles, binoculars and stirrup pumps.

But camera models are fair subjects.

Among the better advice here is to try a new camera before you buy it. Go to a proper over-the-counter shop with a new card in your pocket. Or buy one there and use it with the cameras in which you are interested.Take photographs inside the store, and with permission snap some images outside.

Objectively, you can't argue against the IQ of the camera models mentioned here in this thread.

Subjectively of the list so far suggested I'd reccomend the Fuji AE. (I have a Fuji X100S, and I guarantee there's nothing mirrorless short of a Leica that performs and feels as good.)

Street price just under $1,100 makes it a good acquisition.

But it's not a camera you'll want to use if you prefer non-eyelevel viewfinder cameras that must be operated at awkward arm's length, mobile phone style, while squinting at a cheap and impossible LCD screen in the sunlight. It has rangefinder styling, a proper optical viewfinder and traditional 35mm camera balance.

Nor is it a Japanese or Chinese camera toy with "features" - novelties and gadgets. If you want to make movies, you'll need to buy a movie camera. If you want to plot your waypoints you'll need to buy a GPS. If you want to play
computer chess ....
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Et cetera... ;)
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Fair comment Kingmapix.... Even though I could be tempted to offer an argument or three... ;)

But that woud extend the thread to an exhausting debate we'd inevitably qualify with a 'horses for courses' mother-clause.

Talking of horses, your signature 'card' is commendable. A romantic Palladin knight...?

Are you a photo mercenary, or do you sling your camera for hire to fight evil and right wrongs...? :)
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Ah yes. You're right. Could it be an Oriental puzzle perhaps..?

I mean, when is a camera to be marketed as a phone, and when is a phone to be marketed as a camera...?

Frankly, I get best communcation on a phone that was sold to me as a phone. Similarly, I enjoy my best still images from still cameras bought as
1. DSLRs and 2. a mirrorless. In my case, a Nikon and an Olympus DSLR, and a Fuji X100S. (I was an early user of the G series Canon, the G12. It was fun for a while. But the optical viewfinder among other drawbacks was inhibiting. It goes to eBay sometime soon.)

As for movies, no contest.... I prefer a dedicated videocamera.

It's sort of a principle I guess.

Like, when out in the paddock I think I'll continue to ride the horse and not try to saddle the cow.

But I guess I'm picky. ;)

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Mmmmmm.... I just might possibly be tempted NeilL if the specs weren't so abysmally mean-minded and bean-counter banker motivated.

It seems the reports are correct. Canon is complacent after a decade or more seducing the student market, but now no longer bothering with market research to find out what the majority of consumers in that mirrorless price-features-quality bracket wants. And once you're over the mirrorless $1,000 mark you're beginning to talk back-up pro photojournalism. The PJ agencies have not liked the Canon G1X. Agencies with standing like Alamy actively advise against the camera.

Canon's launch hyperbole makes extravagant claims that can't be supported.

Nor, supriingly has Nikon so far appeared to be bothering with that segment of the mirrorless market.

Surely it can't be simple economics...?

Fuji and Olympus have put sone hard yard engineering and physics hours
into serious upper model mirrorless market research and R&D.

Olympus came up with a retro twist on the eclectic Pen F 1/2 Frame, and has given us the PenD.

Fuji has topped everyone by coming out with as near as dammit a mini Leica challenger and going properly retro to rangefinder stylng and handling ease,
combining an acceptable small sensor with excellent glass, good light capture and splendid ergonomics. The design aesthetics of the Fuji X100 Pro and S aren't half bad either.

But should I wait for something better than the new offering from Canon...?

No. Not really.

I'm heading into the SE Asian jungles in a few weeks time. I don't think I'll risk a wait for a solid, serviceable, alternative to a Canon G1X Mk3 when I know I can rely on my robust Nikon and Fuji.

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Canon has at last addressed the problems with its chunky G1X mirrorless by making the replacement G1X Mk2 more appealing to at least one sector of the market.

What are your thoughts...?

Although the new camera is as ugly as its predecessor, at least the overall chunky size has been reduced. Slightly. Canon has also and unaccountably reduced the sensor pixel capture. Slightly. Pixels on the HS CZMOS sensor are down fom 14.8 to 12.2.

Meanwhile, there's a longer zoom lens range. It has been increased. Slightly.

The price has gone up. Slightly. Or a lot, if you want an eye-level viewfinder. This is now a $300 optional extra for an EVF add-on. That takes the rrp to $US 1,100.

Although faster all auto handling claims are being made, the G1X Mk2's equally, if not more important, manual operation remains vague. But on specs it would be less than Canon's cheaper DSLR offering.

Obviously Canon is not trying to raise its standard all that high, but is looking more toward the well-heeled hobby amateur, and hoping to compete on the mirrorless market against the cheaper Sony. The G1X Mk2 seems no threat to the excellent Fuji X100S that can be bought for about the same price as a G1X Mk2 with EVF and grip. The optional grip is another 'bright' Canon marketing idea for certain markets, including Australia.

The remaining few changes from the "old" G1X include a tiltable pop-up flash and a tiltable vanity LCD screen. The tilting tiny inboard flash allows for bounced extra light in large venues, but with no substantial sensor light capture potential a tilting flash could be a picture disappoinment, and of little use at the Winter Olympics. The tiling LCD screen might appeal to the "selfies" obsessed photographers. But they'll need still to transfer the image to a mobile phone to inflict it on friends and family.

Reviews so far are scant. Cnet seems so far to have the most positive response:

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/canon-powershot-g1x-mark/4505-6501_7-35835030.html

My thoughts are dim. Declaring my bias, I favour the Fuji X100S still. There'll be many others here who'll have different POVs. After all, there were some peope who actually liked the earlier Canon G1X...!

But the G1X Mk2 could appeal to a sizeable section of soiety who exist for and within social media. The new camera appears to have been designed to appeal to the vanity posers who live on Instagram and for people who are now accustomed to using their mobile phone as a snap happy camera.

So, perhaps Canon might add an android phone to its G1X Mk 3 due out in 18 months...?
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Hear! Hear!
But..... It's up to us.
The manufacturers will continue using cheaper undersized sensors to make the most of their digital high profit-taking bonnza for as long as we put up with it; as long as we make do with cheap novelty gadgets and conformity bling in new cameras.
Digital IQ expectations similar to those of film might be possible when we stop buying their cheaply made but overpriced inferior cameras and demand the supply of basic 35mm size sensors - not as an end format, but a miniature beginning.
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Time you lot across the pond stopped shouting through that ol' Coastal Contrast Index and went metric.
Here in The Land Downder 30 degrees is glorious Summer sunshine, surf, swimming, great photo light and outdoors living...! ;)
But hey, seems we're a tad younger than you. It's only just gone 2014 here; anf therex's no risk of getting hoarse shouting through snowdrifts. The only shouting we're doing is at the barbie for more beer.
On the other hand, we're now preparing to get just a litle 'hoarse' cheering in the coming Chinese New Year.
Have a Happy One...!
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No...! :thumbup:
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Good grief...! Really...! Here in The Land Downunder we always thought
"BC" was a biblical reference for time...!

Certainly did. With two border collies, you had me chuckling from the very beginning. Thank you kindly... :thumbup:

Mexico...?
:? ;-)

Easy up 'wahak'. Read my post. You're taking out of context a fraction of what I wrote. Note that I credited you.
- Th.B.

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