The image quality from the camera is phenomenal for a camera of this size - the images are very close in quality to the ones I take with my 7D - which cost SUBSTANTIALLY more money. It has very good high-ISO performance, again, rivaling the 7D. Very intuitive controls and menu options too - if you've used a Canon, you'll find this easy to use. I love the EV +/- knob on the top, very easy to access and control without even looking for it. Also, the ISO control is very easy to get to as well (right on the back). The camera has a great feel to it - very solid and well-built feeling... the rubberized grip is very nice too. I'm REALLY impressed with the flash sync speed when using a wireless trigger.. I used a Yongnuo RF602 and a Lumopro LP160 flash and was able to achieve sync up to 1/800 shutter speed.. that is IMPRESSIVE. The swivel screen on the back is crystal clear and easy to see even in bright sunlight. Video quality is good (not quite as good as my 7D with a $1600 lens and image stabilization.. but I wouldn't expect it to be).. it is better than most and not quite as good as some other cameras.

There are a few weaknesses that may impact your decision to buy it (or they may not)... one, the optical viewfinder is very unfortunate. It's a cheap looking and feeling viewfinder that crops about 30% off of your actual viewing area that would make it into an image. You're better off using the LCD. .. the focusing of the camera is NOT as fast as we would hope in an $800 camera of this level... it will not be good for someone looking to capture sporting events, kids or pets.. it IS great for travel (shooting buildings, scenery, portraits, etc). The battery life is so-so... but batteries are cheap on Amazon - so stock up and you'll be fine. It doesn't have a jack for an external microphone - this is a bummer because I have a decent Sennheiser mic that I use on my 7D for video recording.. the internal mic on the camera is ok, but it's what you'd expect from an internal mic. ... it's just "okay". The lens is causing some frustration with some people who wish it went to f/2.0 ... well, it goes to f/2.8 .. only at the wide end... you start zooming and the aperture gets smaller... and finally, the macro performance of the camera is really sad. There will undoubtedly be aftermarket add-on filters and lenses to increase it's macro performance, but in an $800 camera - I would expect it to be built into the camera.

Overall, I'm VERY happy with the G1X.. the IQ was the main reason I bought it... I wanted something I could take when I didn't want to carry my 7D and big lenses...something I could stick in my jacket pocket and not be weighed down. Something that would shoot in RAW and give me great results... something I could stick a wireless flash trigger on if I wanted to play with off-camera flash. The G1X fits the bill for me in those areas. It is NOT a cheap camera.. but it is a quality camera. You can see some of my sample photos from the camera on my Flickr page here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cal_gecko/sets/72157629421576394/

Also, here's a video compilation I put together from the racetrack this weekend, all video done on the G1X:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0_0c75JZoc&feature=g-upl&context=G2c61132AUAAAAAAAAAA

I bought the camera from http://mikecrivellos.com/ .. they got this camera... ONE camera before most other companies did... and I called them the day they got it, and they shipped it to me promptly... great service... I would definitely recommend them!

This camera is not for everyone.. if you're looking for something with fast focusing and a super-long zoom.. this isn't it. If you're looking for a great travel camera with nice wide view on the short end, with moderate zoom and great IQ... you should consider it.

Similar Products Used:

Panasonic Lumix FZ150 (I sold it 3 weeks after buying it because the IQ was so poor), Canon 7D (my workhorse camera)