Review: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II

Sometimes, you just need a camera. And sometimes, even if you have a nice DSLR, you don't want to have to hassle with carrying lenses and a bunch of stuff. That's where a pocketable, powerful point-and-shoot can really come in handy, and I'd rank Canon's PowerShot G7 X Mark II among the best of them.

Even if you're not a camera nerd like me, it's not hard to see why this versatile, portable camera is worth its $700 price tag. While you won't get cutting-edge features like 4K video, Canon's packed this camera with features I think really matter to more people.

There are two major ways that this camera differentiates itself from what you might find in a fancy-schmancy iPhone or Android handset. The first is when it comes to sensor size. The main camera in an iPhone X has a 1/2.8" size sensor, a tad smaller than what you might have found in a premium compact about a decade ago.

Smartphone cameras can be pretty amazing but a real camera like this can devote most of its size to cramming in a bigger sensor. The 20-megapixel, 1-inch sensor inside this PowerShot is goes far beyond what a small smartphone sensor can manage, gathering light and snapping clear photos long after your phone has thrown in the towel.

The second thing you'll get from the Canon G7 X Mark II is plenty of zoom. Canon's packed 4.2x optical zoom into the G7X Mark II, giving you a wide range of shooting options. While you can get more from one of Sony's similar RX100 models—the RX100 Mark VI, for instance has a shocking 8.3x lens—Canon offers good enough reach for the money.

I was generally impressed with this camera's image quality, even if its optics obviously trade some low-light versatility for a little extra zoom. The photos I shot with it turned out well, with good sharpness and pleasing colors, like I've come to expect from a Canon. The 20-megapixel image size should crop easily too, so you'll be able to recompose to your heart's desire after the shot has been taken.

Just because owning a camera seems somewhat old-fashioned doesn't mean Canon stuck with old-fashioned features. This Canon features Wi-Fi, which lets you quickly zap photos from your camera to your phone for posting to social media. Your phone also doubles as a remote control, making group photos easier to capture with everyone in the frame.

The PowerShot G7 X Mark II also has some great design perks that make it nicer to handle than many other cameras. The tilting rear LCD is touch-friendly, and can swing up so that you can see yourself in it while shooting selfies. I found its pronounced grip a nice touch, since some of Canon's older point and shoots put bare metal or a sad rubber strip where your fingers fall.

For advanced shooters, there are some nice bonus controls, too. The ring around the front lens doubles as a convenient dial, and you can pick whether it has coarse detents or turns smoothly. There's also a physical exposure compensation wheel on the top of the camera, stacked underneath the knurled mode dial. So, there's really something for everyone here.

If I had to ding this camera for anything, it'd be battery life. Even though it was a trooper in the field, the tiny battery can only last so long. Using an industry standard test, this Canon is rated to get around 265 shots on a charge. Translation: If you're going to keep its screen on for long bouts, or plan on using the flash a ton, you'll probably find yourself searching for a power outlet, or at least a USB cord. Competing cameras can last a big longer, and it'd be nice to see if Canon can eke out at least 300 shots in a future revision. At least the G7 X Mark II's puny power cell only costs $43, so you could probably afford to grab a spare.

The last few years have seen a ton of similar cameras hit the market, but the PowerShot G7X Mark II is a no-brainer. From my perspective, this Canon is a more engaging camera to shoot than Sony's RX100 line, with easier-to-navigate controls and menus.

That's why I picked it as our favorite point-and-shoot. It might not be the coolest or the sexiest compact you can buy, but it's well-rounded and offers plenty of power for the average camera buyer. Even if you're a photo pro looking for something that's flexible and portable, you can't go wrong—the G7 X Mark II handles like a bigger camera, and its advanced controls and features won't make you regret leaving the DSLR at home.