Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II review – Focusing

The G7 X Mark II employs a similar 31-point, contrast-detect AF system to its predecessor, but the new processor is said to give it a marginal speed advantage, as well as better detection of low-contrast subjects and more effective subject tracking.

Overall focusing performance is strong. It’s a familiar case of it not quite being the fastest system around but not significantly behind to make any practical difference, and for static subjects in good light I have no complaints. What’s particularly noteworthy is that, thanks to a sprightly AF-assist light, the camera continues to focus briskly even when faced 
with very poorly lit scenes.

In continuous focus mode with the subject identified through the touchscreen, it can take a brief moment for the camera to actually acquire focus, but when it does it adheres to the subject impressively as it moves around the scene. At times, I found it even managed to maintain this when obstacles presented themselves between the camera and the subject. When the camera is programmed to continue focusing during burst shooting, however, you have to trust it somewhat as it provides no indication of where it’s focusing once you fire the first frame, although analysing images afterwards shows it’s very capable of maintaining accurate focus.

One small issue is that there doesn’t appear to be any way to instruct the camera only to release the shutter once focus has been confirmed. I found the camera would occasionally end up taking the shot even if focus has not been acquired, particularly when using the touchscreen for simultaneous focus and exposure (such as on the macro setting when you don’t realise you’ve breached the minimum focusing distance).