In response to the demands of discerning advanced-amateur shooters, the PowerShot G5 X is the first G-series model equipped with a 0.39-inch approximately 2.36-million-dot EVF. Delivering exceptional operability during viewfinder shooting, the EVF employs an organic EL (electroluminescent) panel that not only achieves a high level of resolution, but also offers a wide color gamut and high contrast. Furthermore, the EVF incorporates a Canon-proprietary eyepiece lens that makes possible approximately 100-percent coverage while ensuring high-resolution performance through to the periphery of the viewing area.

Drawing on Canon’s extensive optical technologies, the G5 X features a bright f/1.8–2.8 24–100 mm (35 mm film equivalent) 4.2x optical zoom lens that realizes high image quality from the wide-angle to telephoto ends with minimal blur and noise even in low-light conditions. Comprising eleven elements in nine groups, the lens includes a UD (ultra-low dispersion) lens element that effectively minimizes the occurrence of chromatic aberrations and three aspherical lens elements that correct for curvature of field as well as spherical aberrations that can occur at the telephoto end.

The PowerShot G5 X combines a bright lens with a large 1.0-inch 20.2-million-effective-pixel backlit CMOS sensor to make possible imaging with rich color gradation and beautiful background blurring characteristics. The sensor, in addition to featuring a high pixel count, realizes a surface area that is approximately four-times larger than that offered by 1/2.3-inch image sensors commonly used in digital compact cameras and approximately 6.7-times larger than that of the 1/3-inch sensors often used in smartphones. Thanks to its large size, each pixel commands a large light-gathering area, enabling the G5 X to achieve a high level of sensitivity while minimizing noise even when shooting in low-light environments.

The camera includes a Manual Movie mode that allows aperture, shutter speed and ISO settings to be changed even while recording video. Furthermore, an Auto Level Compensation function^* automatically corrects for camera angle to ensure subjects remain level during video shooting.

* When Auto Level Compensation is set to “On,” the camera records and plays back 90 percent of the shooting angle of view. In addition, the camera’s stand-by screen displays images that have been corrected for camera angle.