The PowerShot G7 X Mark II compact camera is the first from Canon to use the new Digic 7 image processor that we will soon see in other models from the company. But the camera is also the first to introduce a change in the way image stabilization works, through Dual Sensing IS, which is good news for both videographers and photographers.
According to a report published by Nikkei technology, while previous Canon cameras, like the Powershot G7 X, use a gyroscope for the stabilizing system to work, the new model “takes into account the data on the amount of camera shake obtained from the image data collected by the CMOS sensor.” Canon calls this function “Dual Sensing IS.”
Dual Sensing IS provides improved IS performance with up to 4-stops of image stabilization, counteracting image blur caused by body movement. This means that when you’re moving around, shooting, and have no time to stand still, the new Image Stabilizer system helps, significantly, to reduce camera shake. Additionally, the camera introduces another new feature, “panning”, that allows the camera to lock onto the main subject, automatically adjust the shutter speed for background blur.
Canon’s new PowerShot G7 X Mark II digital camera pairs a 1.0-inch, 20.1 Megapixel CMOS sensor with a luminous optical zoom lens, equivalent to 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 with a 9-blade iris diaphragm. A multi-angle 3.0-inch capacitive touch panel LCD with a screen resolution of 1.04 million dots and tilt options of 180° up and 45° down is the control center for both photography and video, while in terms of communications built-in Wi-Fi and Near Field Communications (NFC) capability are present, with a dedicated Wi-Fi button for easy sharing and transferring of images and videos.
Offering a Time Lapse Movie mode, common to many Canon models, to help capture images at preset intervals and combine them to create a short movie clip, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II also offers the ability to capture 1080p Full HD video at 60/50 fps in MP4 format with stereo sound.
Those looking for a small package for video capture may want to look at the PowerShot G7 Mark II. With full manual control through the versatile lens control ring, which gives customisable access to the most important settings, as aperture, shutter speed, ISO or focus, while keeping noise to a minimum, the camera offers MF Peaking, highlighting what is in focus, on the touch screen.
Canon’s Dynamic Image Stabilisation works with Auto Level to correct camera shake over five axes automatically, ensuring scenes are steady and horizons straight, even when shooting on the move or at unusual angles. In terms of Image Stabilization when using video, Canon’s system works in four different ways:
- Dynamic IS – Effective for video shooting at wide-angle focal lengths, eliminating the unwanted shaking that typically occurs while walking.
- Powered IS – Compensates for hand movement when shooting video at the telephoto end of the zoom range, where camera shake is magnified.
- Macro (Hybrid) IS – Corrects for motion blur that is likely to occur when shooting video while walking. Also compensates for the shift-type camera shake common in macro shooting.
- Active Tripod IS – When shooting video while using a tripod, the Image Stabilizer is active to compensate for slight camera shake.
The introduction of Dual Sensing IS, which may well be extended to other models, represents another technology where the word Dual appears in Canon cameras. Besides the Dual Pixel CMOS AF, which is now becoming a “must have” feature for video and photography, Canon also has another Dual technology in their models: Dual-layer Metering Sensor. One could almost say that good things always come in pairs…
The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II digital camera is currently scheduled to be available in May 2016 for an estimated retail price of $699.99.