Canon’s PowerShot cameras have had a great run over the year. The company has launched hundreds of compact point-and-shoot cameras, many of which still hold value today. For instance, the IXUS series is popular for its stylish colors and sleek models, while the V series was recently launched for hybrid needs. But, despite various options, this camera lineup has had the most success, and it seems to be knocking it out of the park all over again: the G7X.
The G7X series was originally launched in 2014, and it was designed for people who do not want to spend time on technical nitty-gritty. However, with mirrorless cameras becoming more popular, Canon stopped producing the G7X Mk III, which was launched in 2019. In recent weeks, the company changed its decision, resuming production due to the high demand for point-and-shoots in the market.
Of the various Canon devices, the G7X series seems to be having a popular comeback, with the camera now being sold at a 27% higher price than the original. Per a post on r/cameras on Reddit, a photographer spoke about how the G7X Mk II was priced at $730 in 2017 in retail, but the same camera now costs about $2,000.
The G7X and G7X Mk II were originally priced at $699, but after taxes, the devices became slightly more expensive. However, in more recent years, these cameras have seen a high demand, which has further increased their prices. For instance, on eBay, the G7X Mk II is priced on average between $1,100, $1,200, which sees a 50% to 60% increase in the prices. One of the reasons is that many influencers are now going after the camera, which is further driving up the amount. While this is not new—Fujifilm X100VI has seen a threefold increase—it certainly showcases how a camera that’s slightly above average is getting so much attention.
We tested the G7X when it was launched, but we gave it three stars because there were a few hits and more misses. As we said in our review, “The Canon G7x is a really nice camera for the person who just wants to shoot and not worry about any of the exposure settings. Indeed, we’d recommend it for many amateurs. But for anyone else above that, we think that this camera is lacking a lot of what the G series usually delivers to consumers–and much of it comes in the ergonomic controls.”
Perhaps these point-and-shoots are purely coming back for anyone who does not want to use a phone and does not see a mirrorless camera that meets their needs. However, there are other options in this range that may be a better fit, but TikTok trends and influencers are getting the best of young photographers. The latter is not driven by tech or getting more from RAW files, but rather into the trendiest device that offers nostalgic images. By that token, one can purchase DSLRs, since they have different sensors, but again, they are larger and more challenging to carry.
Canon is certainly cashing in on this success, just like Fujifilm. But how far will this goes remains to be seen.
