Cannot see the focal distance in Canon PowerShot G5X mark ii

[pocus]

I am quite happy shooting with this compact camera G5X m2, however in PSAM and in manual focus modes it only shows distance to the object, but not focal distance. The lens is 8.8-44mm (24-120mm equiv.) F1.8-2.8. When moving the zoom lever the camera shows 5/10/15/20 cm to infinity. The camera only shows the focal distance (24,35,50,120mm) in Auto and SCN modes.
Questions: What can I understand from these numbers in centimetres when deciding depth of field and hyperfocal distance. How can I use this reading when taking pictures of nature, people and other objects? What does "infinity" mean here?

 

[Box Brownie]

Hi and welcome to TP

I have just had a look at my even smaller sensor S120 as that has a similar GUI

Firstly, I have never use "Auto" of SCN modes so cannot comment (my battery went flat before I could see what the S120 displayed?) the " 5/10/15/20 cm to infinity " with the first digit(s) changing due to zoom setting are AFAIK illustrating the minimum focusing distance to ∞

Now, do bear in mind that with the smaller sensor cameras the DoF at all Focal Lengths & subject distances will be 'huge' compared to a dSLR and even and MFT body.

If you use this https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/dof-calculator.htm DoF calculator with FL of 100mm and aperture at f4 for example the DoF is measured in metres and the Hyperfocal point in 100's of metres (depending on camera to subject distance).

IMO and as for what the numbers can tell you in regard to DoF and Hyperfocal distance..................with DoF not worth being too concerned over because it will never be thin/narrow enough to influence as equally so when it comes to Hyperfocal Distance (just remember to focus on a subject far enough away......such as that tree approx.300M away).

I can only suggest you use the online DoF calculator to work out some guiding numbers based on the FL, aperture & subject distance(s).

HTH perhaps

 

[pocus]

Thank you, Box Brownie for your quick reply and for the link to the dof-calculator. I understand I'll never know the focal distance in PSAM modes (strangely, I can see it in Auto and SCN modes), but it doesn't really matter. Cambridgeincolour.com says I have to experiment and develop a visual feel. The DoF there also calculates that for a subject at 4m and at f/1.8 the DoF is infinite, but at 44mm (the maximum for this lens) the DoF is only 0.35 m (i.e. 35 cm). I recorded the step-wise focal distances at Auto in order to correspond them to the step-wise increase of the zoom lever. Unsuccessful, alas! In Auto I have the following numbers (in mm): 24, 28, 35, 50, 85, 100, 120. In Aperture priority with the zoom I got 5, 5, 5, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 10, 15, 15, 15, 20, 20, 20, 20, 20, all in cm to infinity. I manual mode I have all values between 5cm through 5 m to infinity. (This approach reminds me of old film cameras, where I had to calculate the distance to the subject and set this number on the camera lens and I didn't care about focal length.)
I guess this solution is to experiment and get the feel...