Is the Canon G7 X Mark III Making Film Cameras Obsolete (Again)?

There has been a lot of hype around the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III. With phone cameras getting better than ever, it’s a fair question to ask who would even want a pocket-sized camera that takes up extra space. The answer, it seems, is a lot of people. The G7 X Mark III has become one of the hottest compact cameras again, and its popularity doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

One of the most common questions I’ve been getting over the past few months has been about the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III and similar cameras. A lot of influencers seem to be using this camera now, and that alone serves as proof of something very important: aesthetics always come back. For a long time, it felt like early digital cameras were just a stepping stone toward today’s ultra-clean, lifelike image quality. But that assumption was wrong. The early digital look, much like the VHS aesthetic before it, is having a serious comeback. Remember how popular film photography became around 2016? It feels like 2026 is shaping up to be the year of digital compacts.

The Digital Look Is In, Film Is Out

I own a compact digital camera from 2006, and in my humble opinion, it still takes some of the best party pictures imaginable. There’s something about early digital images that people genuinely miss. Perfect pictures just aren’t that interesting anymore. AI already does an excellent job of replicating flawless images, and people are clearly tired of visuals that feel overly polished. More and more people want something real and unedited, and that’s exactly where a camera like the G7 X Mark III comes in.

Technically, you could achieve a similar look with almost any point-and-shoot camera, but I’d be lying if I said older digital cameras offer the same flexibility. My own compact is only really usable in very specific conditions: black and white, flash enabled, and mostly in darker environments. That’s simply a limitation of older sensor technology. With a modern compact, you can still lean into that early digital aesthetic while having the freedom to shoot in a much wider range of situations. If you take a modern camera and apply the early digital approach to it, you’re suddenly far less restricted. Truth be told, I’ve been looking at the Canon G7 X Mark III for a few months now, and it might actually be my next camera purchase.

A Modern Camera With a Classic Look

The Canon G7 X Mark III is a tiny camera, weighing just 304 g and being no larger than a smartphone. It excels at being a portable powerhouse that you can genuinely take anywhere. As a medium format shooter, I know how heavy and exhausting cameras can get. The small size of the G7 X Mark III makes it easy to bring along on trips, explore a city, document travels, or even vlog without thinking twice.

Key specs at a glance:

• Weight: 304 g

• Sensor: 1-inch

• Lens: full frame equivalent range of 24–100mm (covers wide angle through short telephoto)

• Video: 4K at 30p; 1080p up to 120p for slow motion

When it comes to video, the G7 X Mark III is surprisingly capable for its size. The tilting touchscreen and vertical shooting mode are clearly designed with modern platforms like Instagram and TikTok in mind. On top of that, the camera supports direct YouTube live streaming, which makes it feel like a true one-stop solution for content creators of all levels. There’s also a microphone input on the side, allowing you to plug in an external mic and significantly improve audio quality. Combined with an easy-to-understand interface, the G7 X Mark III really does feel like a pocket-sized Swiss Army knife camera, although not without a few tradeoffs.

What Are the Downsides?

Those tradeoffs are worth mentioning:

• Autofocus: perfectly usable, but not ideal for fast action or very complex scenes. If you’re used to modern mirrorless cameras, it will feel slower and occasionally laggy.

• Overheating: long 4K recordings can trigger heat warnings, which is why switching to 1080p is often the safer option if you want uninterrupted recording.

• No viewfinder: a personal pet peeve of mine, as I already spend too much time looking at screens. After a while, my eyes get tired and irritated, and I find myself needing breaks.

Not for Everyone, Almost

So who is this camera really for? I’ve described it as a Swiss Army knife that fits in your pocket, but more specifically, it’s for people who are tired of the overly perfect smartphone look. A compact camera like the G7 X Mark III delivers images that feel more spontaneous and human, which is something a lot of people resonate with right now. It may not be the latest or greatest in terms of autofocus or video performance, but it’s worth taking a step back and remembering that great images have never been about specs alone. For most users, the autofocus and 4K limitations won’t be dealbreakers.

Alternatives and Where To Buy

If the G7 X Mark III isn’t quite right for you, there are some solid alternatives worth looking at. The Canon PowerShot V1 is its direct successor and offers greatly improved video capabilities and autofocus, though it comes in a slightly larger body. The Sony ZV-1 is a strong option if video features matter more than anything else, with built-in ND filters and much better autofocus, albeit with reduced pocketability. The Panasonic Lumix LX100 II is another interesting choice for those who want more classic handling and a larger sensor, but it comes with a shorter zoom range and a heavier build.

As for where to buy one, MPB remains an easy recommendation. I’ve both bought from and sold to MPB, and the process has always been simple and reliable. With just a few clicks, you can sell your old camera, put that money toward something new, and have it on its way without the usual hassle.

The Canon G7 X Mark III isn’t about technical perfection. It’s about rediscovering a way of shooting that feels fun, immediate, and real. In a world dominated by polished smartphone images and AI-generated visuals, that alone makes it worth the hype.