Canon G7X Mark II Review: Worth It in 2026

The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II appears in more YouTube thumbnails than most cameras released last year, thanks to its 2016 launch and a celebrity endorsement that made it a cultural footnote. But does its €1,050 price tag in Ireland make sense against modern smartphones with computational photography?

Current lowest price (Ireland): €1,050 · Sensor size: 1-inch (13.2 x 8.8 mm) · Megapixels: 20.1 MP · Optical zoom: 4.2x (24-100mm f/1.8-2.8) · Video resolution: Full HD 1080p up to 60 fps · Release year: 2016

Six key specs, one clear pattern: the G7 X Mark II packs enthusiast-grade hardware into a pocketable body that modern phones still can’t fully replicate.

Why is the Canon G7X Mark II so expensive?

At €1,050 new from Irish retailers like Argos and Camera.ie, the G7 X Mark II costs more today than many 2024 mirrorless cameras. The sticker shock is real, but the components inside justify part of that price.

What makes the G7X Mark II cost more than other compact cameras?

• 1-inch sensor: The 20.1-megapixel CMOS sensor is far larger than the tiny chips in typical point-and-shoots (Canon Ireland).
• Bright lens: The 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 lens lets in more light than almost any compact zoom (Canon Ireland).
• DIGIC 7 processor: Enables faster AF and better noise handling (TechRadar).
• Build and controls: Tilting touchscreen, dual control rings, magnesium-alloy body (DPReview).

Is the price justified by the features?

Compared to the Sony ZV-1 (now discontinued by many retailers) or the Panasonic LX15, the Canon holds its value partly due to demand from content creators. The Kennedys listing at €1,049.99 matches the Klarna lowest price of €1,050 from Foto Video Sordi. But for the same money, you could buy a Canon EOS R50 with a kit lens — or a high-end phone. The trade-off is physical reach: no phone can deliver that optical zoom plus large-sensor low-light performance in one unit.

The implication: if you need that lens-and-sensor combo in a jacket pocket, there’s no cheaper alternative that’s still in production.

Is the Canon G7X Mark II worth it in 2026?

Pros and cons of the G7X Mark II

Who should buy the G7X Mark II in 2026?

Content creators who shoot static vlogs or planned setups and want that “film-like” background blur without swapping lenses will still appreciate this camera. Casual photographers comparing it to a Google Pixel 9 Pro or iPhone 16 Pro Max may find the phone more versatile. The camera’s strongest case is for anyone who needs optical zoom above 3x in good light — a phone’s digital zoom just can’t match the 4.2x reach here (DPReview). For a comparison of another high-value product, see our ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED review.

The pattern: the G7 X Mark II remains a specialist tool, not a general-purpose upgrade.

Is the Canon G7X Mark II discontinued?

Can you still buy the G7X Mark II new?

As of 2026, Canon has not officially discontinued the G7 X Mark II. The product page on Canon.ie still lists it. Irish retailers Argos and Camera.ie both show stock. However, the Mark III’s 4K and mic input have eroded demand, so new units may be limited batches.

Where to find the G7X Mark II in Ireland

• New: Argos (€1,049.99), Camera.ie (€1,049), Kennedys (€1,049.99), Klarna partner Foto Video Sordi (€1,050)
• Second-hand/refurbished: CeX Ireland (around €750-850 depending on condition) (CeX Ireland)
• Marketplace caution: Prices on DoneDeal and Adverts.ie vary widely; verify seller ratings

The pattern: new stock exists but at near-RRP; second-hand offers the best value for budget-conscious buyers.

If you’re considering other big purchases, our BYD Atto 3 interior review covers another popular item.

Is the Canon G7X Mark II or Mark III better?

Key differences between G7X Mark II and Mark III

Which model is best for vlogging?

For audio-focused creators, the Mark III’s 3.5mm mic jack is a game-changer. But if you don’t need external audio or 4K, the Mark II’s €150 saving and largely identical still-image quality make it the smarter buy. Amateur Photographer noted that the Mark II’s burst performance for RAW was also improved over the original G7 X — so it’s no slouch even today.

The catch: the Mark II’s lower price may be enough for those who don’t need 4K or external audio.

Is the Canon G7X Mark II better than the iPhone?

Low-light performance comparison

The 1-inch sensor in the Canon captures significantly more light than any smartphone’s 1/1.3-inch or smaller sensor. Consumer Reports rated its low-light results “very good without flash.” Modern iPhones use computational stacking to compensate, but at the cost of occasional ghosting and HDR halos. The Canon gives a cleaner, more natural file straight out of camera.

Zoom capabilities

No phone offers a true 4.2x optical zoom lens. The iPhone 16 Pro’s telephoto reaches 5x optical but starts at a shorter wide end. The Canon’s 24-100mm range covers true wide-angle to modest telephoto, and because it’s optical at every focal length, you don’t lose detail when zooming. DPReview highlights the lens’s consistency across the range.

Video quality comparison

The Canon tops out at 1080p 60fps; iPhones shoot 4K 60fps with Dolby Vision. For social media, 1080p is still standard, but the lack of 4K hurts if you intend to crop or reframe in post. However, the Canon’s larger sensor yields shallower depth of field — that “cinematic” blur — without a separate portrait mode. Cameralabs called it “a highly attractive compact for enthusiasts,” which sums up the trade-off against a phone’s computational convenience.

The catch: if you want buttery background separation in video, the Canon wins. If you want 4K, HDR, and seamless editing, the iPhone wins.

Timeline

• 2016: Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II released (DPReview).
• 2019: Mark III launched with 4K and mic input (TechRadar).
• 2020–2024: G7X Mark II becomes a favourite among YouTubers, partly boosted by Kendall Jenner’s use (Amateur Photographer).
• 2026: Still widely available in Irish stores; price remains high due to persistent demand (Argos Ireland).

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

• Canon G7X Mark II is still in production as of 2026 (Argos Ireland).
• It has a 1-inch 20.1 MP sensor (Canon Ireland).
• It records Full HD video at 60fps (Consumer Reports).

What’s unclear

• Exact production end date is not officially announced by Canon.
• Future price trends are uncertain as smartphone cameras continue improving.
• Kendall Jenner’s use of the G7X Mark II is widely reported but not officially confirmed by Canon.

Expert voices

“The G7 X Mark II is a pocket-sized camera with DSLR-like image quality.”

Canon Ireland (official product page)

“The camera produced excellent photo quality and very good low-light results without flash.”

Consumer Reports (test results)

“The focusing performance is strong and the touchscreen operation is responsive.”

Amateur Photographer (review)

“The G7 X Mark II fixed key functional flaws of the original G7 X while remaining a highly attractive compact for enthusiasts.”

Cameralabs (review)

Summary

The Canon G7 X Mark II isn’t a smartphone killer — it’s a specialist’s tool that offers something phones still can’t: a true optical zoom with a large sensor in a pocketable body. For the Irish vlogger who prioritises background blur and manual control, it remains a worthy buy in 2026 despite its age. For the everyday snapshot taker, the price premium is too steep. The consequence is clear: either embrace the compromise and buy one, or accept that the phone in your pocket already does most of what you need, if not all.

Frequently asked questions