Awesome picture quality, manual controls can be a bit complicated for beginners, but that's why it has "Auto" mode :-)

Compact

Complicated

Please

The Canon PowerShot G5 X II is a solid, likable compact camera that has a lot to offer for enthusiast photographers searching for a carry-everywhere solution. It's lacking in autofocus and video chops, but this is somewhat mitigated by the excellent handling and controls, snappy performance and pleasing image quality. If you're in the market for a compact zoom camera, the G5 X II isn't the best possible option for every use case, but it is absolutely worth your consideration.

Enthusiast photographers looking for a pocketable option without compromising on handling, as well as travel, street and some landscape photographers looking for a compact but capable stills camera.;

Photographers that need the best autofocus for action or family photography, as well as video shooters who may want a stronger feature set and better video quality.;

A reinvention of the series, with its eyes firmly set on the prize: take-on the Sony RX100. In many respects the Canon succeeds, with a robust feature set and decent image quality in this newly designed form. However, its fairly simplistic autofocus system isn't the best going.

Far smaller build than original model; Pop-up viewfinder rivals Sony RX100 series; Decent lens focal and aperture range; Adds 4K video shooting capabilities; Impressive image quality from new 1-inch sensor

Larger scale than Sony RX100 competitor; Autofocus lacks the complexity of some rivals; Loses vari-angle LCD of previous model (it's tilt-angle instead; Rotational lens ring feels plasticky; Loses some detail at full zoom

"Good for a compact" might end up written on the G5 X Mark II's tombstone. To be sure, its still images are outstanding at a much wider range of ISOs than we'd expect, and it's impressive that it can shoot quality 4K video in such a compact body.

Convenient; take-anywhere build; Great image quality; Excellent EVF

Very expensive; Non-interchangeable lens

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a pocket camera that will make enthusiasts happy, with a solid zoom range, a 1-inch sensor, and an electronic viewfinder.

Larger image sensor than phones; 5x zoom lens; Excellent ergonomics; Built-in EVF and flash; Selfie LCD with touch support; In-lens ND filter; 4K video.

No mic input; Autofocus not as advanced as some competitors.

Sometimes you just gel with a camera and the Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is one of those cameras for me. I love it. It’s small enough to slip in a jacket pocket yet has a viewfinder built-in, an excellent control arrangement and a flip-up touchscreen.

The Canon PowerShot G5 X II manages to blend its capable core with some useful features, great handing, a fine build and a strong level of control. It's an enjoyable camera to use, but it can't be said to stand out against key competitors. Should its price fall, however, it will be far more appealing for the enthusiast looking to travel light.

Very good image quality overall; High-quality build and attention to detail; Good handling for such a small body; EVF is nice and clear;

Lens is soft at wider apertures; 4K videos good but not too competitive; Battery life could be better; Somewhat pricey next to rivals

It's a little pricey, but the G5X Mark II is one of the best compact cameras you can buy and a genuine step up from your smartphone camera. Its handling, electronic viewfinder, optical zoom, burst shooting and all-round image quality are impressive, even if it does lack the video-centric features of its G7X Mark III cousin. The lack of phase-detect autofocus does puts it behind the latest Sony RX100 models, and it's a shame there's no microphone input or fully articulating touchscreen. However, if you're looking for a mini version of your Canon DSLR or mirrorless camera to take out on day trips, then the G5X Mark II's versatility and image quality make it one of the best options around.

Good image quality throughout the zoom range; Genuinely pocketable; Useful pop-up EVF; Shoots uncropped 4K video;

No phase-detect autofocus; No microphone input; Lacks the G7X Mark III’s YouTube livestreaming;

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II ($899.99) follows the same idea as its predecessor, 2016's G5 X, but the execution is a bit better all around. It's a little more pocketable, thanks in part to its retractable EVF, it's more responsive, and it has a little bit more zoom power. It doesn't have quite as many of the bells and whistles as you get with Sony's most similar camera, the RX100 VA, but Canon does a better job with the fundamentals, enough to earn our Editors' Choice. Bright Aperture, Solid Zoom Canon went back to the drawing board with the G5 X Mark II. While the first version looked more like a sized-down mirrorless camera with a center-raised EVF and visible front control wheel, the Mark II has point-and-shoot DNA. It uses a candy bar form factor, and while its lens does just out a bit from the body, I find it to be very pocketable. It measures 2.4 by 4.4 by 1.8 inches (HWD) and weighs 12.0 ounces when loaded with a battery and a memory card. It's finished in basic bla...

The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is a pocket camera that will make enthusiasts happy, with a solid zoom range, a 1-inch sensor, and an electronic viewfinder.

Larger image sensor than phones; 5x zoom lens; Excellent ergonomics; Built-in EVF and flash; Selfie LCD with touch support; In-lens ND filter; 4K video

No mic input; Autofocus not as advanced as some competitors