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The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a fixed-lens premium compact built around a 20.1-megapixel, 1.0-inch stacked sensor and a bright 24–120mm-equivalent zoom. Its pop-up electronic viewfinder, vari-angle screen and full-width 4K recording make it a capable-looking travel package on paper. The buying caveat is availability: Canon UK marks its store bundle discontinued and permanently unavailable, so a used or refurbished unit’s condition and asking price matter more than its 2019 launch price. This is a specification-led review, not a hands-on image-quality or autofocus test.

What kind of camera is the G5 X Mark II?

It is a premium compact with an integrated lens: you cannot remove the lens or attach an interchangeable-lens system. Canon specifies a 20.1-megapixel effective-resolution, 1.0-inch stacked CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 processor. Canon’s Camera Museum describes the stacked sensor as the first of its kind used by Canon. That describes the design, not a measured guarantee of better results than another camera.

The central trade-off is convenience versus flexibility. One small camera provides a wide-to-short-telephoto range without lens changes, but you cannot swap lenses for a wider view, longer reach or different optical character. The specifications establish its feature set; they do not establish how its photos compare with other cameras in real-world conditions.

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Lens and framing: useful reach, with a changing aperture

The built-in 8.8–44mm lens covers a 24–120mm-equivalent field of view, or about 5× optical zoom. Its maximum aperture is f/1.8 at the wide end and f/2.8 at the telephoto end. The maximum aperture becomes smaller as you zoom in, so f/1.8 is not available throughout the range.

#1 Best Overall
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III 20.1MP Digital Camera Vlogging Bundle
  • Canon USA Authorized. Items Include: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Digital Camera (Black), NB-13L Battery Pack, Canon CB-2LH Battery Charger, WS-DC12 Wrist Strap, Shoulder Bag, 64GB Memory Card
  • Crisp Photos in a Compact Package - The PowerShot G7 X Mark III is built for sharp, vibrant photos without the bulk of a big camera. Its 20.1MP sensor and bright lens capture beautiful detail, even in low light. Whether it’s your morning latte, a night out with friends, or scenic vacation views, this camera delivers high-quality shots every time.
  • 4K Video Made Simple - Shoot stunning 4K UHD video with no cropping, perfect for YouTube, vlogs, or home videos. The flip-up screen makes filming yourself easy, and the external microphone input gives your videos clear, crisp sound—no complicated setup needed. It’s a content creator’s best friend.
  • Fast and Friendly for Every Moment - With speedy autofocus and continuous shooting, you won’t miss a beat—ideal for kids, pets, or capturing life’s spontaneous moments. The intuitive touchscreen and compact design make this camera feel natural from the first use.
  • Share Instantly with Built-In Wi-Fi & Bluetooth - Send your photos and videos straight to your phone with the Canon Camera Connect app. Post to social media, send to friends, or back up your memories—all without cables. It’s fast, easy, and keeps you connected wherever you go.

For travel, the range spans wide scenes and everyday subjects through moderately tight portraits. It does not replace a long telephoto lens. Canon lists two ways to compose: a pop-up EVF rated at approximately 2.36 million dots and a 3-inch vari-angle LCD rated at approximately 1.04 million dots. The viewfinder is useful when you prefer eye-level framing; the articulated screen offers more flexible viewing angles than a fixed display.

Still photos and burst modes

Canon product materials list continuous shooting up to 20 frames per second and a RAW burst mode up to 30 frames per second. These are maximum specification figures, not evidence that the camera will sustain those rates indefinitely or achieve a particular autofocus hit rate. The consulted specifications do not provide independent comparative tests of image quality, autofocus, or burst performance, so a performance ranking would be unsupported.

Rank #2
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Digital Camera (Black)
  • 20.1 Megapixel 1.0” stacked CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 Image processor.
  • 4.2x optical zoom Lens (24-100mm f/1.8-2.8) with optical image Stabilizer.
  • 4K 30P/ FHD 120P video.
  • Turn your Canon camera into a high-quality webcam--Learn more: canon.us/livestream
  • Use the EOS Utility Webcam Beta Software (Mac and Windows) to turn your Canon camera into a high-quality webcam, or do the same using a clean HDMI output.

Video: full-width 4K and high-frame-rate Full HD

The camera records 4K UHD (3840×2160) at up to 29.97/30 frames per second, as well as Full HD at up to 119.9/120 fps. Canon says 4K uses the full sensor width; the UK product listing describes it as uncropped. That means the camera does not apply a narrower sensor crop for 4K capture, but it does not mean every video setting has identical framing or that recording is unlimited.

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Canon’s specifications note clip, time and card-dependent recording limits. Check the camera’s manual and the conditions for the specific recording mode before planning long takes. DPReview’s specifications profile lists no microphone port; if an external microphone is essential to your workflow, verify the connection requirements against the manual rather than assuming one is available. The available sources do not establish comparative thermal behavior or continuous-recording performance.

Rank #3
Canon PowerShot V1
  • Great for vlogging, video, live streaming.
  • Built-in 16-50mm F2.8-4.5 wide angle zoom lens (35mm equivalent).
  • 1.4-Type, 22.3MP for Stills and 18.7MP for Video Sensor.
  • Cooling fan for longer high-resolution shooting times.
  • Canon Log 3 to record movies with a wide dynamic range and 10-bit color depth, starting at a base speed of ISO 800.

Battery, storage and charging

The G5 X Mark II uses an NB-13L battery and SD, SDHC or SDXC cards, with UHS-I compatibility. Canon’s support specifications rate still-photo endurance at approximately 230 shots with the screen active, 180 with the EVF, or 320 in ECO mode. These are manufacturer ratings, not independent test results, and actual use can vary with settings and shooting habits. Canon also rates video endurance at approximately 55 minutes with the screen on or 45 minutes with the EVF on.

Canon documents in-camera USB charging when using its PD-E1 adapter, with approximately 110 minutes stated under Canon’s conditions. Do not assume every USB adapter or power bank will provide compatible charging; check the camera documentation and the power source’s specifications.

Rank #4
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III Digital Camera Lens Kit (Silver)
  • 20. 1 Megapixel 1. 0” stacked CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 Image processor.
  • 4.2x optical zoom Lens (24-100mm f/1. 8-2. 8) with optical image Stabilizer.
  • 4K 30P/ FHD 120P video.
  • Turn your Canon camera into a high-quality webcam--Learn more: canon.us/livestream

Is the G5 X Mark II worth buying used?

It may suit someone who specifically wants a pocketable camera with a bright 5× zoom, eye-level viewing and 4K video, but the value depends on the individual unit and its price. Canon UK’s store marks its camera-and-spare-battery bundle “Discontinued” and “Permanently unavailable.” That is the status of that UK store listing, not proof that new, refurbished or used units cannot be found elsewhere. Current marketplace stock, resale prices and seller quality are not established here.

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Canon announced an estimated US retail price of $899.99 and expected availability in August 2019. That is historical launch context, not a current fair-price benchmark. Compare a seller’s current asking price with the camera’s condition, included accessories, return terms and alternatives available in your region.

Best Value
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Digital Camera + 64GB Memory + Stabilizing Grip + Software Pack +More (Value Bundle)(Renewed)
  • Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III(International Version)- 20.2MP 1" Stacked CMOS Sensor, DIGIC 8 Image Processor, 4.2x Optical Zoom f/1.8-2.8 Lens, 24-100mm (35mm Equivalent), 3.0" 1.04m-dot touchscreen w/ 180° upward tilting, In-camera battery charging, Built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi
  • Large 20.1MP 1" stacked CMOS sensor, along with a DIGIC 8 image processor, the G7 X Mark III offers notable imaging performance characterized by high speed and low noise. The stacked sensor design, coupled with the DIGIC 8 processor, affords especially quick focusing speeds, up to 20-fps continuous shooting, and UHD 4K30p and Full HD 120p video recording
  • This camera supports vertical video recording along with live streaming through YouTube, via a Canon iMAGE GATEWAY account, and the ability to use an external microphone and clean HDMI output further enhances recording quality.
  • 4.2x zoom lens, which covers a 24-100mm equivalent focal length range for wide-angle to short-telephoto fields of view. An f/1.8-2.8 maximum aperture range suits working in difficult lighting conditions as does an Optical Image Stabilizer
  • Movavi Professional Video & Photo Editing Software Kit - Compatible with Windows and Mac Operating systems this software package comes with premium softwares to fulfill your Photo/Video/Vlogging Editing need

What to check before the return period ends

  • Inspect the lens for damage and confirm it extends, retracts and zooms smoothly across its range.
  • Raise and lower the pop-up EVF several times; check its display and the screen’s movement through its articulation range.
  • Test the card slot with a compatible SD card: take photos, record a short video and play both back in-camera.
  • Check the USB charging behavior with a compatible setup, and ask about the age and condition of the NB-13L battery.
  • Capture video at the settings you intend to use and review the files, rather than relying only on a seller’s description.
  • Confirm the seller’s return window, what accessories are included and whether the stated condition matches the camera you receive.

These checks can identify obvious functional problems, but they are not a substitute for a seller warranty or a guarantee about remaining service life.

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Specifications at a glance

Feature Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
Sensor and processor 20.1-megapixel effective, 1.0-inch stacked CMOS; DIGIC 8
Lens Built-in 8.8–44.0mm, equivalent to 24–120mm; approximately 5× optical zoom
Maximum aperture f/1.8 wide to f/2.8 telephoto; maximum aperture changes as you zoom
Viewfinder and screen Pop-up EVF, approximately 2.36 million dots; 3-inch vari-angle LCD, approximately 1.04 million dots
Video 4K UHD up to 29.97/30 fps; Full HD up to 119.9/120 fps; Canon describes 4K as full-width
Maximum burst figures Up to 20 fps continuous shooting; up to 30 fps RAW burst in Canon product materials
Battery NB-13L; Canon-rated stills: approximately 230 screen-on, 180 EVF-on or 320 ECO-mode shots
Storage SD, SDHC and SDXC; UHS-I compatible

Verdict

The G5 X Mark II brings together a particularly useful compact-camera combination: a bright 24–120mm-equivalent zoom, pop-up EVF, vari-angle screen and full-width 4K recording. Its fixed lens, modest manufacturer-rated battery endurance and discontinued UK store listing are practical limits to weigh. For a used purchase, decide based on your need for those features and the condition, return protection and local price of the actual unit—not its original launch price or specifications alone.

Sources: Canon U.S. support and specifications; Canon Camera Museum; Canon U.S. 2019 launch announcement; Canon UK store listing; DPReview specifications profile.

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Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Digital Camera (Black)
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III Digital Camera (Black)
20.1 Megapixel 1.0” stacked CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 Image processor.; 4.2x optical zoom Lens (24-100mm f/1.8-2.8) with optical image Stabilizer.
$1,549.00
Bestseller No. 3
Canon PowerShot V1
Canon PowerShot V1
Great for vlogging, video, live streaming.; Built-in 16-50mm F2.8-4.5 wide angle zoom lens (35mm equivalent).
Bestseller No. 4
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III Digital Camera Lens Kit (Silver)
Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III Digital Camera Lens Kit (Silver)
20. 1 Megapixel 1. 0” stacked CMOS sensor and DIGIC 8 Image processor.; 4.2x optical zoom Lens (24-100mm f/1. 8-2. 8) with optical image Stabilizer.
$1,457.93

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.