Texture, Touch and Tension
When a camera is held in the hand, one becomes aware of a moderate tension that naturally arises when one shoots a photo. In developing the PowerShot G1 X, the design team sought to incorporate a sense of tension that is transmitted the moment the camera is grasped as well as the feeling of strength and firmness that are common to all excellent professional tools.
For this reason, a metallic texture was adopted. To emphasize this uniquely hard texture and transmit a metallic sensation to the fingertips, a magnesium aluminum alloy was adopted for both the front and rear of the body.
The metal parts used in the rear cover were the subject of special focus, as the camera features a Vari-angle LCD. The result is a back with an unconventionally simple and solid design.
Although the aluminum magnesium alloy is expensive and time-consuming to process, it imparts a feeling of luxury. Moreover, it provides a satisfying sense of completion as a "pro tool" in all aspects of its touch and texture.
The Pinnacle of the PowerShot Series
A major difference between the PowerShot G Series and digital SLR cameras is their size. The compact body of the PowerShot G Series is necessary to ensure that the camera's high quality is accessible even for casual everyday shooting. The size of the camera does not change even when the sensor size is increased for higher image quality.
Throughout the entire development process of the PowerShot G1 X, the design team focused on creating the impression of a compact, streamlined body while minimizing any increase in the size of the body.
For example, consider the shape of the top cover. Simply narrowing the area around this cover with an inclined plane has given the entire camera a simple and tight appearance. In addition, the design — right down to the minor details — was comprehensively reevaluated, including the positions and angles of the varying levels at the center of the top cover, the location of the accessory shoe, and even the shape of the viewfinder eyepiece. This level of commitment raised the degree of refinement to that of a professional instrument.
