Big test
mode chunters away somewhat, but it gets the job done without too much hunting overall. Manual focusing feels a bit weird at first as it’s done using up and down arrows on the touchscreen, rather than with a physical dial, but it very quickly made sense to me and there are focus peaking and zoom settings to help out. On top of that there’s a focus bracketing mode that’s activated via the main menu. Therein you can set the number of frames and the focus spacing, and a sequence is in the next shot. It works really well, especially for focusing stacking techniques. The G7X III is not blessed with masses of battery life, and I tended to get around 290 shots per charge, though this depended on exposure mode, temperature and all sorts of other things. On the plus side, you can charge it via the camera’s USB C port, so that means using external power packs or car chargers is easy. Basically that’s a big tick in the travel box. KS
Final word
ABOVE Control design and layout is excellent making the G7XMark III a delight to use. The on/off button is large and positive too
PERFORMANCE: LENS QUALITY
8.8mm
36.8mm
Verdict In an age where compact cameras are increasingly losingmarket share to smartphones, the G7XMark III has its work cut out. But with decent enough image quality, good handling, responsiveAF, and plenty of features you can’t find on a smartphone, this camera does plenty to convince.
F/1.8
F/1.8
F/2.8
F/2.8
F/2.8
F/2.8
F/4
F/4
FEATURES Lots of high-end features, improved video, versatile zoom range PERFORMANCE The stacked sensor allows very fast burst shooting and good AF HANDLING Small and light, but that doesn’t compromise handling VALUE FOR MONEY Good performance, but it comes at budget DSLR money OVERALL A full-featured and very usable compact for travel or vlogging
22 /25
F/4
F/5.6
F/5.6
F/8
F/8
F/4
F/5.6
F/5.6
23 /25
F/8.0
F/8
F/11
F/11
F/11
F/11
23 /25
21 /25
The G7XMark III has a 8.8-36.8mm (24-100mm equivalent) zoomwith a bright but variable aperture of f/1.8 to f/2.8. Testing the lens for sharpness, we shot throughout the aperture range at the equivalent of 24mm, 50mm and 100mm. At 24mm, results were acceptable in the middle at f/1.8, but became soft at the edges. Sharpness in the centre improved to f/2.8, and stayed at its peak until around f/9. At the edges, sharpness was best at f/8. At the 50mm equivalent, results were much better, with good centre and edge sharpness wide open, peaking at around f/3.5 and well maintained at the smaller apertures. At the 100mm equivalent, sharpness was a little lacking wide open at the centre and edge, but quickly improved, peaking at f/4 and not losing clarity until about f/9. There was some fringing and flare noted, but mainly at the 24mm end when shooting into the light. Some barrel distortion was noticeable at 24mm, and there was moderate vignetting at the widest aperture settings, both were easily corrected in Raw.
89 /100
PROS Face Tracking AF, 4K video, good handling CONS No accessory shoe to hold microphone
54 Photography News | Issue 70
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