The Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III launched in 2019 at a time when compact cameras were losing steam to smartphones. But then, five years after it launched, something unusual happened: influencers discovered what the camera’s one-inch sensor and zoom lens could do. And suddenly, the aging G7 X Mark III was a viral sensation.
But because the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III’s viral fame came as point-and-shoots were declining, the camera’s fame came at a cost – literally. With the unexpected surge in popularity, the G7 X Mark III quickly went out of stock. Used prices shot up, and third-party sellers started charging far more than the camera’s $879 / £859 / AU$1,349 list price.
Canon hasn’t been sitting on the trend, either – the camera maker has already increased compact camera production several times. Last August, Canon officially said that the G7 X Mark III was among the models that had increased production and the company resumed orders for the popular camera in Japan.
But one year later, the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III is still so popular that it’s hard to find in stock – at least, at list price. In the US, even used models of the G7 X Mark III are selling for more than $1,500 at reputable used camera stores like KEH, MBP and Adorama.
The PowerShot’s popularity isn’t unwarranted. The camera uses a 20.1MP, 1-inch sensor that’s larger than that of the average point-and-shoot camera.
But while compact cameras with larger sensors aren’t hard to find, the G7 X Mark III also packs a 24-240mm equivalent zoom lens. That longer lens is more flattering for portraits, helping to drive the camera’s viral popularity among influencers and content creators.
But creators also rave about its built-in flash, which is far more powerful than that of a smartphone's. Where a phone uses LED lights, the G7 X Mark III uses a Xenon flash – which is more powerful and helps deliver that more retro direct flash look.
As compacts have resurged in trends, camera makers have been scrambling to add new options – and there are now far more to choose from than when the G7 X Mark III first went viral in 2024. Yet the camera still has a unique blend of sensor, lens and flash.
The new Panasonic Lumix L10 has a larger Micro Four Thirds sensor and a 24-75mm equivalent zoom, but there’s no flash.
The longtime favorite Sony RX100 VII – released the same year as the G7 X Mark III – has a longer lens and still has a flash, but the aperture isn’t as bright, and the list price is far higher (though about equal to what used G7 X Mark III’s are selling for).
Canon’s own PowerShot V1 has a similar sensor, but uses a wider lens with a shorter 16-50mm focal range for photos. Because the V1 is meant more for vlogging, the camera doesn’t have a built-in flash (though there’s a Multi-Function Shoe that supports some Canon flashes and standard flashes with a hot shoe adapter).
This year marks the PowerShot series’ 30th anniversary – and the milestone is coming at a time when compacts have made a comeback, despite the capabilities of camera phones.
Canon has increased compact camera production multiple times since the G7 X Mark III went viral and said that production will increase again in the second half of 2026. The question that remains is this: when will the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III be readily available at list price?
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