Quick take: Don't overpay for the Canon G7X Mark III. It was rushed out to answer Sony, its 4K overheats and it still uses contrast-detect autofocus that hunts. The Sony ZV-1 is a better, cheaper vlogging camera, the RX100 VII is a better all-rounder, and for photos the APS-C Canon G1X Mark III costs less than half of what G7X Mark IIIs are selling for.
Why Canon Made the G7X Mark III
A lot of the people hyping this camera are new to point-and-shoots, so here's some context. Sony was beating Canon with the RX100 VI and its 24-200mm lens, and the RX100 VII added the one thing people had wanted for years: a mic jack in a compact. Canon was already losing market share, and the Mark VII threatened to wipe them out, so they responded with the G7X Mark III.
Like any corporation, they did the bare minimum. They added a mic jack and 4K, and that 4K overheats like you wouldn't believe. When I reviewed it five years ago, it was the first time a camera had ever locked me out from overheating. If I'd been trying to catch something that was actually happening, I'd have missed it. At $750, I called it a brick then, and I stand by it.
The Autofocus Problem
Even if you only shoot photos, it still uses contrast-detect autofocus, with no phase detection, which was already old technology. It hunts, especially in low light. With a bright window behind you, it tries to focus on the background instead of you, and in video you get constant pulsing in and out of focus. A lot of competitors in this category don't have that problem.
Better Option: Sony ZV-1
Then Sony released the ZV-1, a sort of mini successor to the RX100 V. The RX100 V already beat the original G7X with much better autofocus. Canon has better color science, and that's why I shoot most of my pro video on Canon R5 Cs, but in this class the ZV-1 is still a very good camera. I still use it, and I've shot most of my YouTube videos on it.
The same fast 24-70mm-equivalent F1.8-2.8 lens as the G7X and RX100 V
A mic jack
A hot shoe, so any strobe that works on your other Sony cameras works on it. I've done a full strobe photo shoot with one.
No EVF, which lowered the price and made it more video-focused
It cost less than the G7X Mark III
The RX100 VII was a few hundred dollars more than the G7X Mark III, so there was at least some justification for the Canon if you wanted audio input and didn't care about 4K or great autofocus. Once the ZV-1 came out, that argument went out the window.
For Photos: Canon G1X Mark III
What really perplexes me is how the G7X Mark III became TikTok's camera when the Canon G1X Mark III exists. It has an APS-C sensor, the same sensor as the Canon 80D, which is more than three times larger than the 1-inch sensors in these other compacts, so you naturally get better image quality. It also has a built-in EVF and, unlike every other camera I've mentioned, it's weather sealed. And it sells for less than half of what G7X Mark IIIs are going for online right now.
You Might Not Need a New Camera
Everything is better than a phone, but for some people, an aftermarket lens for the phone they already have is the cheaper solution. If you want a selfie screen for your rear cameras, there are accessories for that too, they cost much less than a camera, and there's no supply shortage.
Please learn a bit about cameras instead of buying one because an influencer takes great photos with it.
Final Verdict
Don't spend money on a G7X Mark II or Mark III unless you find them at proper used prices. Nobody should pay more than about $350 for a Mark II or maybe $450 for a Mark III, and even then, keep in mind that the Mark III's 4K is practically unusable and autofocus on both is poor.
Keep Reading
The Canon G1X Mark III Is The Best Point-And-Shoot Camera Around
Canon PowerShot V1 vs Sony ZV-1 II: Battle of the Pocket Cameras
Gear in This Video
Better alternatives
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through these links costs you nothing extra and helps support the channel.
