The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is an interesting camera to revisit in 2026.
Released in 2019, it sits in a category that has become surprisingly relevant again: small, premium compact cameras. While smartphones have become much better at computational photography, there is still something appealing about carrying a dedicated camera with a real zoom lens, physical controls and a viewfinder.
The G5 X Mark II was designed to do exactly that.
It combines a 20.1MP 1-inch stacked CMOS sensor with a bright 24–120mm equivalent f/1.8–2.8 lens, a pop-up electronic viewfinder, a tilting touchscreen and 4K video. At around 340g, it is small enough to carry every day without feeling like you are compromising on photographic controls.
But the camera is no longer new.
Its autofocus system, battery life and video features have all been surpassed by newer cameras. So the real question isn't whether the G5 X Mark II was good when it launched.
It's whether it still makes sense today.
Canon G5 X Mark II Key Specifications
| Feature | Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II |
|---|---|
| Sensor | 20.1MP 1-inch stacked CMOS |
| Lens | 24–120mm equivalent |
| Maximum aperture | f/1.8–2.8 |
| Optical zoom | 5x |
| Viewfinder | Pop-up electronic viewfinder |
| Screen | 3-inch tilting touchscreen |
| Video | 4K |
| RAW | Yes |
| Stabilization | Optical + digital |
| Weight | Approx. 340g |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi + Bluetooth |
| Battery rating | Approx. 230 shots using LCD |
On paper, the G5 X Mark II still looks remarkably capable for a compact camera.
The lens is arguably its biggest selling point. A 24–120mm equivalent range gives you noticeably more reach than many premium compact cameras while maintaining a relatively bright f/1.8–2.8 maximum aperture.
The stacked 1-inch sensor also helps the camera deliver fast readout and responsive performance, while the pop-up EVF gives photographers an alternative to composing entirely from the rear screen.
The 24–120mm Lens Is the Real Star
If you are buying a compact camera, the lens matters just as much as the sensor.
The G5 X Mark II uses a 24–120mm equivalent zoom, which is an extremely practical range for everyday photography.
At 24mm, you can comfortably photograph architecture, landscapes and groups of people. Around the middle of the zoom range, the camera works well for street photography and portraits. At 120mm, you have enough reach for tighter details and distant subjects.
The bright f/1.8–2.8 aperture is another advantage.
It lets more light reach the sensor at the wider focal lengths and can help create some background separation when shooting close to your subject.
However, there is a compromise.
The lens isn't perfect at every focal length and aperture. Independent testing found that the lens can look somewhat soft at wider focal lengths and wider apertures, with performance improving as you zoom in or stop the lens down.
That's not unusual for a compact zoom. The impressive part is that Canon managed to combine this focal range and aperture into such a small body.
Image Quality: Very Good for a Compact Camera
The G5 X Mark II uses a 1-inch 20.1MP sensor, which puts it above many basic compact cameras but below the larger APS-C and full-frame sensors used by interchangeable-lens cameras.
In good lighting, image quality is one of the camera's strongest characteristics.
RAW files provide useful editing flexibility, while JPEGs generally produce pleasing Canon colours straight out of the camera. DPReview found the RAW image quality to be very good for its class, although high-ISO noise reduction and JPEG detail processing were less impressive.
If you're specifically researching Canon G5 X Mark II image quality, the camera holds up well when shooting at lower ISO settings, while higher sensitivities reveal the limitations of the relatively small 1-inch sensor.
That distinction is important.
The G5 X Mark II isn't going to replace a full-frame camera for demanding low-light photography. But that's not really its purpose.
Its strength is getting good photographs from a camera that is small enough to carry everywhere.
Is the G5 X Mark II Good for Travel Photography?
This is probably where the camera makes the most sense.
A travel camera needs to balance image quality, lens flexibility and portability. The G5 X Mark II does all three reasonably well.
The 24–120mm range means you don't need to carry additional lenses. The 1-inch sensor gives you more control over the final image than many smartphone cameras, and the physical controls make exposure adjustments more deliberate.
The pop-up EVF is also useful when shooting outdoors.
Bright sunlight can make rear LCD screens difficult to see, while an EVF gives you a more traditional way to compose your photographs.
The downside is battery life. Canon rates the camera at around 230 shots when using the LCD, and fewer when relying on the EVF.
For a full day of travel photography, carrying a spare battery is sensible.
The Pop-Up Electronic Viewfinder Is a Big Advantage
One feature that separates the G5 X Mark II from many small point-and-shoot cameras is its electronic viewfinder.
It pops out from the top of the camera when needed, keeping the overall body compact when the EVF isn't in use.
For photographers who prefer composing through a viewfinder, this makes the camera feel considerably more like a traditional camera.
It is also useful when you're shooting in bright sunlight.
There is a trade-off, though. The mechanism needs to be manually extended and retracted, and its small size won't provide the same shooting experience as the larger EVF on a mirrorless camera.
Still, for a camera this small, having a usable EVF is a major benefit.
How Good Is the Autofocus?
This is one of the areas where the G5 X Mark II shows its age.
The autofocus is reasonably quick and accurate for static or predictable subjects. If you're photographing buildings, food, landscapes or people who aren't moving quickly, it generally does the job.
Continuous subject tracking is a different story.
DPReview found that the camera's autofocus and burst tracking capabilities could not match the strongest competitors, particularly when shooting moving subjects continuously.
That's important if you're considering the G5 X Mark II for sports, wildlife or fast-moving street photography.
For casual travel photography, however, this limitation is much less significant.
What About 4K Video?
Unlike the older Canon G5 X, the Mark II does support 4K video.
That's a meaningful upgrade and makes the camera considerably more versatile for people who want to shoot both photographs and video. Canon introduced 4K recording alongside the camera's newer stacked sensor and updated DIGIC 8 processor.
However, don't buy this camera primarily for video.
Modern cameras offer much stronger autofocus tracking, more advanced video tools and better options for creators.
DPReview specifically found the G5 X Mark II's video autofocus disappointing and noted the lack of features such as Log recording and zebra warnings.
For occasional travel clips, 4K footage and social media videos, it remains useful.
For serious video production, there are better choices.
Handling Is Better Than You Might Expect
One of the camera's less obvious strengths is ergonomics.
Despite its small size, Canon gave the G5 X Mark II a relatively substantial front grip and thumb rest. DPReview praised the handling and described the camera as particularly engaging to use compared with some competing premium compacts.
That's important because small cameras can easily become uncomfortable.
A camera that feels awkward in your hand is less likely to be used regularly.
The G5 X Mark II avoids that problem better than many ultra-compact cameras. Its physical dials and lens control ring also make it feel more like a proper photographic tool rather than simply a smartphone with a zoom lens.
Canon G5 X Mark II vs. a Smartphone
This is perhaps the most important comparison in 2026.
A modern flagship smartphone can produce excellent photographs with almost no effort. Computational HDR, night modes and multi-frame processing can make difficult scenes look surprisingly good.
So why carry a G5 X Mark II?
The answer is control.
You get a real 24–120mm optical zoom, RAW capture, physical exposure controls, a bright lens and an electronic viewfinder.
You also get a more deliberate shooting experience.
That doesn't automatically mean the G5 X Mark II produces better photographs in every situation. A modern phone can actually be more convenient for night photography and quick snapshots.
The Canon makes more sense for someone who wants photography to feel like photography rather than simply capturing an image on a phone.
Is the Canon G5 X Mark II Good for Beginners?
It can be, although it's not necessarily the cheapest way to learn photography.
The automatic modes make it approachable, but the camera also gives you enough manual control to learn aperture, shutter speed, ISO and exposure compensation.
That's a useful combination.
You can start with automatic shooting and gradually take more control as you become comfortable.
However, someone who knows they want to move into interchangeable-lens photography may be better served by an entry-level mirrorless camera. A mirrorless system gives you room to experiment with different lenses and develop a more flexible kit.
The G5 X Mark II is better suited to someone who values compactness first.
How Does It Compare With Other Compact Cameras?
The G5 X Mark II sits in an interesting position among premium compact cameras.
The Sony RX100 series offers strong autofocus and sophisticated features, but its controls can feel cramped. The Canon's grip and physical controls are arguably more comfortable for photographers who want a traditional shooting experience.
Canon's own G7 X Mark III is another obvious alternative. It has a similar compact design but places more emphasis on video and content creation, while the G5 X Mark II differentiates itself with the built-in EVF.
The choice therefore depends heavily on what you shoot.
If photography is the priority and you want a viewfinder, the G5 X Mark II makes a lot of sense.
If video and creator features matter more, another compact camera may be a better fit.
And if you're simply looking for a small, fun camera rather than specifically a digital premium compact, it's worth remembering that the renewed interest in simple cameras also includes film models. If you're interested in the nostalgic side of compact photography, best point and shoot film cameras are an entirely different route, with a slower shooting process and a very different look.
Is the Canon G5 X Mark II Still Worth Buying in 2026?
This is where things get complicated.
The G5 X Mark II is still a capable camera, but its age means you should not buy it simply because it has a good reputation.
The most important factor is price.
If you find a well-maintained G5 X Mark II at a sensible used price and your priorities are portability, still photography, optical zoom and a built-in EVF, it can still be an excellent everyday camera.
If the price is close to a newer camera with better autofocus, battery life and video features, the equation changes.
The G5 X Mark II's biggest strengths are not its newest technology.
They're the combination of:
small body + bright lens + useful zoom + 1-inch sensor + EVF + physical controls.
That combination remains genuinely useful.
For a closer look at the camera's overall performance, the Canon G5 X Mark II review from TechRadar also covers its image quality, lens performance and 4K video capabilities.
Final Verdict
The Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II is an unusual camera to recommend in 2026.
It isn't new. It doesn't have the most sophisticated autofocus system, and its video capabilities have been surpassed.
Yet the basic formula still works.
A 20.1MP 1-inch sensor, a bright 24–120mm equivalent lens, optical stabilization, a pop-up EVF and a genuinely compact body make the G5 X Mark II a highly practical camera for travel and everyday photography. DPReview's original review similarly highlighted its strong image quality, flexible lens, responsive performance and enjoyable handling, while noting its weaker autofocus and video capabilities.
So, is it still worth buying?
Yes, if you find one at the right price and your priority is still photography.
It's especially compelling for someone who wants a dedicated camera without the weight and complexity of an interchangeable-lens system.
But don't buy it expecting 2026-level autofocus or video performance.
The G5 X Mark II is best understood for what it actually is: a compact enthusiast camera that gets the important things right—portability, lens flexibility, controls and image quality—without trying to compete with today's newest cameras on every specification.
And sometimes, that's exactly what makes a camera worth carrying.
