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I LOVE my new Canon G7X II camera.  She is tiny, but impressively powerful!  As a total YouTube camera review junkie, I often run across camera reviews of cameras that I didn’t even know I needed or wanted for that matter.  The Canon G7X II is one of those cameras!  But man…I’m so glad I stumbled across this one.  For many years, I have looked for a small camera – one that took pictures like my Canon 5D Mark IV, but fit into my pocket.  That’s a tall order!

Well…I’m here to say that a camera like that doesn’t exist.  But this little Canon G7X II really captured my attention, and now that I’ve taken many photos with it, I can confidently say “I HAVE FINALLY FOUND MY POCKET CAMERA.”  If you listen carefully, you will hear my husband’s sigh of relief.  I’ve been through lots of point and shoot, pocketable cameras, and I think I can finally end my search with my perfect Canon G7X Mark II!

Isn't this perfect? And...one of my favorite features is this cool flip up screen! Love this little gem!
Isn’t this perfect? And…one of my favorite features is this cool flip up screen! Love this little gem! And yes…that is a picture of me, taking a picture of me taking a selfie. Or something like that!

When I say have been through many pocket/point and shoot cameras, I’m not exaggerating.  I have bought (and later sold) so many I’ve lost count.  I’ve also tried cameras that were not exactly pocketable, but they were significantly smaller than my 5D Mark IV.  Sometimes, I just want a small camera that fits in my pocket, but I also want a good, sharp picture!  I don’t think that’s asking for much…

The one other camera that I think is a close second to my Canon DSLRs, is the Olympus OM-D EM II camera that I wrote about in my article titled My Favorite Purse Camera:  The Small and Perfectly Compact Olympus OM-D EM 5 II.  And if you are looking for a camera to easily carry around in your purse (a lot smaller than a DSLR), then this is the camera for you.  

It looks and feels like a DSLR, but it is a miniature version of one.  It is a micro four thirds camera, and you will love it.  However, it did not fit in my pocket.  My G7X will actually fit in my pocket!  I know, right?

I came across the G7X II when one of my favorite YouTubers mentioned that she uses the G7X for vlogging.  Well…I was just wondering what this little camera was, because there are not many Canon products I haven’t heard about.  Lucky for me, the price of the G7X was a bit lower than this YouTuber thought, because they had come out with the G7X Mark II!  Hooray.  

I could get the G7X for a bargain price and save some money.  Oh wait…but then I’d be behind in the latest technology, and that would cause all kinds of problems for me.  I like to be up to date with all my camera gear!

Canon G7X Mark II
Here is a quick snapshot I took of Morgan out front one day. She was feeling very sassy in her boots, and asked me to take her picture. Hello! I’m always looking for people who want to pose for me!

So…I saved up my money and bought a Canon G7X Mark II.  When I finally got her home, I was so happy!  And so surprised at how good and sturdy this camera felt.  For such a small camera, I expected it to feel like a toy after lugging around my 5D Mark IV!  The G7X Mark II and I hit it off immediately.

One of my favorite features is the flip screen.  You can flip it completely up (for vlogging) so when you want to take your selfie for Instagram or Facebook, you can see if the lighting is good!  Or if you want to move to a better location with a fun background.  Or if your double chin is showing – you know – important things like that!

For the first 2 weeks that I had this, I drove my family crazy taking selfies.  So fun!  And…because it is Wi-Fi enabled, you can upload it to your iPhone or other device quickly so you can put it out there on social media easily (and timely)!  Right?  But wait…my second favorite feature is the touch screen.  Once you’ve enjoyed a camera with a touch screen, you will never want any other kind!

Canon G7X Mark II
I just flipped up the screen, told Mark to lean in and smile, then click, and we were ready to post our selfie to Facebook and Instagram to let the world know where we were and what we were doing!

On the Canon Website, it describes this little gem as a camera that combines exhilarating speed and performance with a smart, compact design. It can be ideal for travel, events and anywhere on the go, or as a secondary camera, and features a high-performance 1.0-inch 20.1 Megapixel* CMOS sensor as well as a bright f/1.8–2.8 lens to help capture impressive images whenever your creativity sparks, even in low light conditions.

Canon G7X Mark II
A quick picture I took late one night at our local shopping center just to test it out in low light. Not bad – this was just in Auto Mode!

The new DIGIC 7 Image Processor immediately pays dividends with improved auto focus tracking, enhanced IS and superb image clarity even when shooting with a high ISO.

For increased flexibility, the PowerShot G7 X Mark II offers high-speed continuous shooting up to 8 fps in RAW, JPEG and RAW+JPEG modes, and is equipped with Full HD capability, built-in Wi-Fi® and NFC and in-camera RAW conversion, giving you everything you need to capture inspiring images and video and share them with ease.

The Canon HS SYSTEM lets you take bright, clear photos as they happen.  Beautiful low-light shots are possible with minimal noise and truly impressive detail in both highlight and shadow areas.

The system is the result of two technologies in the PowerShot G7 X Mark II camera: the large format 1.0-inch High-Sensitivity CMOS sensor, which captures more light; and the DIGIC 7 Image Processor, which actively reduces noise at high ISO speeds up to 12800 and processes images at high speed, even at full resolution.  

Experience the freedom of using higher shutter speeds in far more situations, allowing you to capture images with outstanding clarity and detail.

This camera has a 1.0-inch, 20.1 Megapixel* CMOS sensor with Canon’s new DIGIC 7 Image Processor.  This is why has excellent image quality even in low light.  The DIGIC 7 Image Processor has enhanced tracking and detections capabilities which keeps subjects in focus.  It also creates images with a high level of sharpness (and little noise).

I have not used this camera for any sporting events yet, but apparently, the DIGIC 7 Image Processor can stay locked on throughout the action.  It has improved face-tracking too!

The Canon G7 X Mark II also uses Dual Sensing IS, which helps to minimize blur from body movement and camera shake – which is really good for me!  Sometimes, I’m trying to take a picture of one child, while my other child is climbing on my back!  Or handing me something or tugging on my sleeve!  You know what I mean, right?  So…any help in the stabilization department is always appreciated!

Here are some of the specs that are listed on the Amazon Website:

  • 1.0-inch, 20.1 Megapixel* CMOS sensor with Canon’s new DIGIC 7 Image Processor helps deliver exceptional image quality even in low light.
  • Features a bright f/1.8 (W) – f/2.8 (T), 4.2x (24-100mm), 9-blade iris diaphragm and Battery IS-equipped lens.
  • Capture impressively high resolution images with high-speed continuous shooting up to 8 fps in both RAW mode / JPEG mode.
  • Multi-angle capacitive 3.0″ touch panel LCD with a screen resolution of 1.04 million dots and tilt option of 180 Degree up and 45 Degree down.
  • Capture stunning 1080p Full HD video in MP4 format with stereo sound.
  • Up to 8 fps continuous shooting in RAW, JPEG and RAW+JPEG modes.
  • Built-in Wi-Fi and NFC.

There’s so much more to this camera than I have put in this blog post.  I could go on and on.  But…this is where I’ll stop for now.  So…that’s my review of my new favorite little “purse/pocket camera”!  The Canon G7X Mark II!  It is all I had hoped it would be an more.

If what you want is a small (but powerful) little point and shoot to keep in your pocket or purse for those times when you don’t want to lug around your DSLR, then this is what you need.  Oh…and if you are into video (I don’t do many of those), it has that too!  Most of the videos on my YouTube Channel were taken with this camera.  You can check them out if you want to!

What is your favorite little pocket/purse camera.  What camera do you take with you everywhere just in case a great photo opportunity comes about?  I’d love to hear about your favorite.

If you don’t have a favorite yet, I’m pretty sure you need a Canon G7X Mark II!  Get out and take some pictures, and let me know what pocketable point and shoot camera you end up with.  Until next time…

Since writing this article, Canon has a newer, updated version of the G7X – they now offer the G7X Mark III. I have not shot with this camera, but if it’s as good as (but probably better than) my G7X Mark II, then I would definitely try to save up for the latest version! Click below for more details…