Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II Battery Kit Black

This is my first digital camera by Canon, although I have used a Canon SLR in the past. I am therefore reviewing as a new user, without any prior knowledge or expertise with this particular model and have to say that it is mostly intuitive to use (with a couple of early hiccups) and a joy to handle.First up, it comes complete with two batteries, so you have lots of capacity to take shots and movies from the off. You will still need to buy an SD card as, in common with the majority of cameras, if not all, one is not included in the box – so get one if you are gifting this so that the recipient can start to take shots immediately.Joy of joys, a separate battery charger is included in this package, so you do not have to rely on in-camera charging. The charger has a 3-pin UK plug, albeit with a short lead (I can live with that) and you can charge one battery at a time. Battery and SD card both slot into a covered recess in the base of the camera and you are then ready to go.Set up is the normal setting of location, date and time; intuitive and straightforward, albeit this is one of the few things covered in the very small manual should you need guidance. A wrist strap is included and can be attached to either the left or right side; the presence of two clips means you can also attach a longer strap to carry around your neck if you wish (one isn’t supplied and, for me, the wrist strap suits the camera size).There is a pop-up viewfinder with dioptre to adjust for eyesight and also a small, built-in flash. Both features pop up into action at the press of a button, although the viewfinder doesn’t work until you pull the eyepiece into position. Helpfully, if you try to take an image that would benefit from use of the flash, a message pops up on the screen to prompt activation (it doesn’t automatically spring into action, so you can still take your picture without the flash if it is an atmospheric shot), but it is a useful feature, particularly for a new photographer that may lack experience.Images have been very good, even for a new-to-camera user. The touch-screen helps for choosing a subject and you can also use it to activate the shutter, which is helpful when your subject is on the move as it avoids the need to go to the viewfinder and thus have the potential to miss the shot. I am impressed by the autofocus capabilities, particularly with a moving subject (it is easy with one that sits still) for both stills and movies and both bear up well to close scrutiny on a screen when editing.This is a camera that you can pop into a pocket so you will always have the ability to capture a sunset, an Eagle flying overhead or herds of Wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plain – in sharp focus even when the unexpected happens thanks to the AF capabilities of this little camera. It will suit a novice user (‘auto’ produces good results), but there are loads of settings that will also keep the more seasoned photographer happy, particularly when you consider this is a pocket-sized recorder of moments.

The Canon GX5 MkII arrived safely packaged in a secure box. I did download the manual and watched some of the you tube instructions videos from Canon before receiving the camera. I unpacked the camera and put secured the wrist strap the camera and charged the batteries with the battery cradle that you plug into the mains. Full charge take a few hours. I do note that on a full charge and saving files in the highest density setting will easily give you 200+ hundred photos or thereabouts from one charged battery. A full read of the instructions booklet and first time set-up will pay dividends. The compact camera is medium heavy in weight and is quite tangible in the hand and will fit into a pocket easily enough.The screen can be tilted or flipped all the way over to take selfies as appropriate. The dials are nicely laid out and familiarity with the buttons and the option to use the touch screen offer to make the camera easy to use. Its intuitively a nice easy camera to use and will not present difficulties to those wanting a good compact camera that is straight-forward and very good at what it does. Once you become more familiar with the camera there are various tricks and tweaks that can be enabled to take some very good photos. I will be trying the panoramic view when I find the appropriate view.In practise the camera is easy and straight-forward to use in the auto setting and start up is fast and with an appropriate storage memory card this will allow you to take photos in quick session if required. There is the option to quickly set-up and get some very nice portrait shots, I will be getting some practise in for next year when our next grand-child arrives.I thought the zoom was good, which us a combination of mechanical and digital electronic zoom if you need that bit extra zoom capability. This functions nicely, some practise in using zoom soon enables for some very good photos to be taken. I found the pop up viewfinder lens is useful on occasions. And the screen on the camera both to be highly responsive and accurate in the photos that one might take.You can take pictures by pressing the button on the camera of holding your finger on the touch screen to take photos. By touching part of the screen this will allow auto focus to pin-point area of interest.On the day of receiving this camera i took the photo of a parrot in a cage and a picture of a water type fountain. I am very impressed with the nice quality of the images.There is a lot of functionality that this camera offers and will provide lots of options to take really good photos longer term, it is highly versatile and you can personalise photos as required. It is definitely a photo orientated camera and if this is what you are seeking this is definitely worth consideration. I think the compact camera is really very good quality, very good at what it does and offers and will be a treat to anyone that users this very nice high quality camera.