Canon Powershot G5X Mk2 Ergonomic evaluation and score 16 September 2019

Over the last few years Canon has released a succession of boring, underspecified models which have received their share of criticism on this blog.

Now we have  the G5X.2 which comes as a welcome improvement over Canon’s previous Powershot compacts with much improved performance and usability.

In fact I am finding I actually enjoy using this camera which is not something I could say about most of the many compacts I have used over the years.

This follows standard current era Canon practice. The menus have enough items for this type of camera without being too long or complex. The graphical user interface is excellent as is navigation with the touch screen or D-pad.

There are plenty of options for user assignment of dial and button functions without this becoming overwhelming.

There is no separate video menu.

I think all the camera makers need to revisit their menu structure and move away from the camera/wrench/custom style of layout to more photographer relevant submenus like exposure/focus/image….etc.

This is decently well done with plenty of access points on the Mode Dial, Q Menu and D-pad for this type of camera.

However Canon is stuck in the past with its implementation of the Q Menu which has items down each side of the screen. This makes for un-necessarily slow navigation if one is using the D-pad.  Worse, none of those items can be selected by the user.

There is a Custom mode position on the Mode Dial but there is only provision for one such mode which is limiting.

The G5X.2 has a well positioned mini handle and thumb support allowing the user to hold it comfortably and securely without the need to purchase any kind of accessory handle.

There are positives and negatives here.

On the positive side there is a good quality monitor screen and a good quality EVF. Both of these give a nice clear, sharp view of the subject. The monitor swings up/down and is decently usable outdoors in bright light. So the basic ingredients are there and work well.

However there are several issues which diminish the viewing experience, each minor but they do add up.

The fully articulated monitor of the G5X.1 has gone. For some this will not be a problem but others have complained on user forums.

The presentation of camera data on the monitor (overlaid) is different from that in the EVF (beneath the preview image) and the EVF data display in landscape orientation is different from that in portrait orientation.

Unlike most other cameras the AF area frame does not gain bounding arrows when it is active and able to be moved. Instead active status is indicated by a Menu icon bottom left and a Set icon bottom right. One can get accustomed to this but the process requires an extra cognitive step.

In Continuous Drive and Servo AF the AF area frame does a Cheshire Cat impersonation and disappears from view which is slightly disconcerting.

The EVF is of the pop-up-pull-out-push-back-push-down type like Sony RX100 models. The advantages of this are

a) you get an EVF

b) the camera body maintains the same low profile as one without an EVF.

The disadvantages are

a) the whole pop-up thing gets tedious after a while

b) no eyecup can be fitted to block stray light from getting into the viewfinder.

The G5X.2 is one of the more enjoyable compacts to operate providing a good level of control for the enthusiast/experienced user.

The principal tasks of Capture Phase can be carried out while looking through the viewfinder and without having to greatly disrupt grip with either hand.

The clicky lens control ring has a positive action and the rear control dial is serviceable.

The exposure compensation dial is decently serviceable although I find I have to be careful to avoid moving the stacked Mode Dial at the same time.

The touch screen implementation is very good. Many operations can utilise the touch screen. Moving the AF area is positive and easy. In use the touch screen can be accessed by both thumbs.

The G5X.2 does all the things I expect of an enthusiast camera in Review Phase. Scrolling and navigating from one image to the next whether zoomed or not is positive and easy.

The only thing missing is the one-touch-to 100% jump at the focus point, a feature which Sony cameras do have.

This is a good score for a general purpose compact.

The G1X.3 scores a bit higher at 68 with a more accessible EVF, front dial and fully articulated screen.

The only compacts to score higher have been the Ricoh GR2/GR3. But these are quite specialised niche models with a single focal length lens, fixed monitor and no EVF which I suspect would make them less appealing to most users than the more versatile G5X.2.

I rate the user experience of the G5X.2 convincingly better than any of the Sony RX100 models.