Canon G1 X Mark II versus Canon G7 X Mark II

The Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II and the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II are two digital cameras that were revealed to the public, respectively, in February 2014 and February 2016. Both the G1X Mark II and the G7X Mark II are fixed lens compact cameras that are based on an 1.5-inch (G1X Mark II) and an one-inch (G7X Mark II) sensor. The G1X Mark II has a resolution of 13 megapixel, whereas the G7X Mark II provides 20 MP. Read on to find out how these two cameras compare with respect to their size, their sensors, their features, and their reception by expert reviewers.

Body comparison: Canon G1 X Mark II vs Canon G7 X Mark II

The physical size and weight of the Canon G1 X Mark II and the Canon G7 X Mark II are illustrated in the side-by-side display below. Three successive views from the front, the top, and the rear are shown. All size dimensions are rounded to the nearest millimeter. You can also toggle the display to switch to a percentage comparison if you prefer that the measures are being expressed in relative terms (in this case, the camera on the left – the G1X Mark II – represents the basis or 100 percent across all the size and weight measures).

If the front view area (width x height) of the cameras is taken as an aggregate measure of their size, the Canon G7 X Mark II is notably smaller (25 percent) than the Canon G1 X Mark II. Moreover, the G7X Mark II is substantially lighter (42 percent) than the G1X Mark II. In this context, it is worth noting that neither the G1X Mark II nor the G7X Mark II are weather-sealed.

Concerning battery life, the G1X Mark II gets 240 shots out of its NB-12L battery, while the G7X Mark II can take 265 images on a single charge of its NB-13L power pack.

The table below summarizes the key physical specs of the two cameras alongside a broader set of comparators. If you want to switch the focus of the display and review another camera pair, just select a new right or left comparator from among the camera models in the table. Alternatively, you can also move across to the CAM-parator tool and choose from the broad selection of possible camera comparisons there.

Camera Body Specifications

	Camera Model	Camera Width	Camera Height	Camera Depth	Camera Weight	Battery Life (CIPA)	Weather Sealing (yes/no)	Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon G1 X Mark II»	4.6 in	2.9 in	2.6 in	19.5 oz	240	n	Feb 2014	799			Canon G1 X Mark II
	Canon G7 X Mark II«	4.2 in	2.4 in	1.7 in	11.3 oz	265	n	Feb 2016	699			Canon G7 X Mark II
	Canon SX730« »	4.3 in	2.5 in	1.6 in	10.6 oz	250	n	Apr 2017	399			Canon SX730
	Canon M100« »	4.3 in	2.6 in	1.4 in	10.7 oz	295	n	Aug 2017	499			Canon M100
	Canon M6« »	4.4 in	2.7 in	1.8 in	13.8 oz	295	n	Feb 2017	779			Canon M6
	Canon M3« »	4.4 in	2.7 in	1.7 in	12.9 oz	250	n	Feb 2015	679	-		Canon M3
	Canon XC10« »	4.9 in	4.0 in	4.8 in	36.7 oz	..	n	Apr 2015	2,499	-		Canon XC10
	Canon T6s« »	5.2 in	4.0 in	3.1 in	19.9 oz	440	n	Feb 2015	849	-		Canon T6s
	Canon G5 X« »	4.4 in	3.0 in	1.7 in	12.5 oz	210	n	Oct 2015	799			Canon G5 X
	Canon SX60« »	5.0 in	3.7 in	4.5 in	22.9 oz	340	n	Sep 2014	549			Canon SX60
	Canon G7 X« »	4.1 in	2.4 in	1.6 in	10.7 oz	210	n	Sep 2014	699	-		Canon G7 X
	Canon G16« »	4.3 in	3.0 in	1.6 in	12.6 oz	360	n	Aug 2013	549			Canon G16
	Canon G1 X« »	4.6 in	3.2 in	2.6 in	18.8 oz	250	n	Jan 2012	799	-		Canon G1 X
	Canon T1i« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.3 oz	400	n	Mar 2009	799	-		Canon T1i
	Canon XSi« »	5.1 in	3.9 in	2.4 in	18.5 oz	500	n	Jan 2008	799	-		Canon XSi
	Panasonic LX100« »	4.5 in	2.6 in	2.2 in	13.9 oz	300	n	Sep 2014	899			Panasonic LX100
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The price is, of course, an important factor in any camera decision. The listed launch prices provide an indication of the market segment that the manufacturer of the cameras have been targeting. The G7X Mark II was launched at a somewhat lower price (by 13 percent) than the G1X Mark II, which makes it more attractive for photographers on a tight budget. Usually, retail prices stay at first close to the launch price, but after several months, discounts become available. Later in the product cycle and, in particular, when the replacement model is about to appear, further discounting and stock clearance sales often push the camera price considerably down. Then, after the new model is out, very good deals can frequently be found on the pre-owned market.

Sensor comparison: Canon G1 X Mark II vs Canon G7 X Mark II

The size of the sensor inside a digital camera is one of the key determinants of image quality. A large sensor will generally have larger individual pixels that offer better low-light sensitivity, provide wider dynamic range, and have richer color depth than smaller pixels in a sensor of the same technological generation. Furthermore, a large sensor camera will give the photographer more possibilities to use shallow depth-of-field in order to isolate a subject from the background. On the downside, larger sensors tend to be associated with larger, more expensive camera bodies and lenses.

Of the two cameras under consideration, the Canon G1 X Mark II features an 1.5-inch sensor and the Canon G7 X Mark II an one-inch sensor. The sensor area in the G7X Mark II is 56 percent smaller. As a result of these sensor size differences, the cameras have a format factor of, respectively, 1.85 and 2.7. The sensor in the G1X Mark II has a native 4:3 aspect ratio, while the one in the G7X Mark II offers a 3:2 aspect.

Despite having a smaller sensor, the G7X Mark II offers a higher resolution of 20 megapixel, compared with 13 MP of the G1X Mark II. This megapixel advantage comes at the cost of a higher pixel density and a smaller size of the individual pixel (with a pixel pitch of 2.41μm versus 4.49μm for the G1X Mark II). However, it should be noted that the G7X Mark II is much more recent (by 2 years) than the G1X Mark II, and its sensor will have benefitted from technological advances during this time that make it possible to gather light more efficiently.

Since 2007, DXO Mark has published sensor performance measurements that have been derived using a consistent methodology. This service is based on lab testing and assigns an overall score to each camera sensor, as well as ratings for dynamic range ("DXO Landscape"), color depth ("DXO Portrait"), and low-light sensitivity ("DXO Sports"). The table below summarizes the physical sensor characteristics and sensor quality findings and compares them across a set of similar cameras.

Many modern cameras are not only capable of taking still images, but can also record movies. Both cameras under consideration are equipped with sensors that have a sufficiently high read-out speed for moving images, but the G7X Mark II provides a faster frame rate than the G1X Mark II. It can shoot movie footage at 1080/60p, while the G1X Mark II is limited to 1080/30p.

Feature comparison: Canon G1 X Mark II vs Canon G7 X Mark II

Apart from body and sensor, cameras can and do differ across a variety of features. The G1X Mark II and the G7X Mark II are similar in the sense that neither of the two has a viewfinder. The images are, thus, framed using live view on the rear LCD. The adjacent table lists some of the other core features of the Canon G1 X Mark II and Canon G7 X Mark II along with similar information for a selection of comparators. If needed, the dpreview camera hub, for example, contains further detail on the cameras' specs.

Both the G1X Mark II and the G7X Mark II have zoom lenses build in. The G1X Mark II has a 24-120mm f/2.0-3.9 optic and the G7X Mark II offers a 24-100mm f/1.8-2.8 (focal lengths in full frame equivalent terms). Hence, the G1X Mark II and G7X Mark II provide the same view at the wide-angle end, but the G7X Mark II has less tele-photo reach at the long end. The G7X Mark II offers the faster maximum aperture.

Both the G1X Mark II and the G7X Mark II are current models that good online retailers will have in stock. You can check the latest prices, for example, at amazon. The G1X Mark II replaced the earlier Canon G1 X, while the G7X Mark II followed on from the Canon G7 X.

Review summary: Canon G1 X Mark II vs Canon G7 X Mark II

So how do things add up? Is there a clear favorite between the Canon G1 X Mark II and the Canon G7 X Mark II? A synthesis of the relative strong points of each of the models is listed below.

Arguments in favor of the Canon PowerShot G1 X Mark II:

• Better low-light imaging: Features bigger pixels on a larger sensor for better high-ISO images.
• Faster shutter: Has higher mechanical shutter speed (4000/sec vs 2000/sec) to freeze action.
• More tele-reach: Has a longer tele-lens for perspective compression and subject magnification.
• More heavily discounted: Has been available for much longer (launched in February 2014).

Advantages of the Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark II:

• More detail: Has more megapixels (20 vs 13MP), which boosts linear resolution by 26%.
• Better video: Provides higher movie framerates (1080/60p versus 1080/30p).
• Faster burst: Shoots at higher frequency (8 vs 5.2 flaps/sec) to capture the decisive moment.
• Better light gathering: Has a lens with a wider maximum aperture (f/1.8 vs f/2.0).
• More compact: Is smaller (106x61mm vs 116x74mm) and will fit more readily into a bag.
• Less heavy: Has a lower weight (by 234g or 42 percent) and is thus easier to take along.
• Longer lasting: Gets more shots (265 versus 240) out of a single battery charge.
• More affordable: Was released into a lower priced segment (13 percent cheaper at launch).
• More modern: Reflects 2 years of technical progress since the G1X Mark II launch.

If the count of individual advantages (bullet points above) is taken as a guide, the G7X Mark II is the clear winner of the contest (9 : 4 points). However, the pertinence of the various camera strengths will differ across photographers, so that you might want to weigh individual camera traits according to their importance for your own imaging needs before making a camera decision.

In any case, while the comparison of technical specifications can provide a useful overview of the capabilities of different cameras, it remains incomplete and does no justice, for example, to the way the G1X Mark II or the G7X Mark II handle or perform in practice. User reviews that are available, for instance, at amazon can sometimes shed light on these issues, but such feedback is all too often partial, inconsistent, and inaccurate. This is why hands-on reviews by experts are important. The following table reports the overall rankings of the cameras as published by some of the major camera review sites (cameralabs, dpreview, ephotozine, imaging-resource, photographyblog). The detailed reviews can be accessed by clicking on the site logo in the table header.

Review Scores

	Camera Model						Camera Launch (announced)	Launch Price (USD)	Street Price (USD)	Used Price (USD)	Camera Model
	Canon G1 X Mark II»	Rec	77/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2014	799			Canon G1 X Mark II
	Canon G7 X Mark II«	HiRec	81/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Feb 2016	699			Canon G7 X Mark II
	Canon SX730« »	Rec	-	4/5	-	4/5	Apr 2017	399			Canon SX730
	Canon M100« »	Rec	-	4/5	-	3.5/5	Aug 2017	499			Canon M100
	Canon M6« »	-	80/100	4/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2017	779			Canon M6
	Canon M3« »	rev	75/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4/5	Feb 2015	679	-		Canon M3
	Canon XC10« »	-	80/100	-	-	-	Apr 2015	2,499	-		Canon XC10
	Canon T6s« »	Rec	77/100	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Feb 2015	849	-		Canon T6s
	Canon G5 X« »	HiRec	78/100	4.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	Oct 2015	799			Canon G5 X
	Canon SX60« »	HiRec	75/100	4/5	-	4.5/5	Sep 2014	549			Canon SX60
	Canon G7 X« »	HiRec	77/100	4.5/5	3.5/5	4.5/5	Sep 2014	699	-		Canon G7 X
	Canon G16« »	Rec	-	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	Aug 2013	549			Canon G16
	Canon G1 X« »	Rec	76/100	4/5	4/5	4.5/5	Jan 2012	799	-		Canon G1 X
	Canon T1i« »	HiRec	74/100	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	Mar 2009	799	-		Canon T1i
	Canon XSi« »	HiRec	HiRec	4/5	5/5	4.5/5	Jan 2008	799	-		Canon XSi
	Panasonic LX100« »	HiRec	85/100	5/5	4/5	5/5	Sep 2014	899			Panasonic LX100

The above review scores should be interpreted with care, though. The ratings are only valid when refering to cameras in the same category and of the same age. A score, therefore, has to be seen in close connection to the price and market introduction time of the camera, and comparisons of ratings among very different cameras or across long time periods have little meaning. Also, kindly note that some of the listed sites have over time developped their review approaches and their reporting style.

Other camera comparisons

Did this review help to inform your camera decision process? If you would like to see a different side-by-side camera review, just use the search menu below. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored. If the camera you are interested in is not available, please send me an email, and I will try to update the database with the necessary infos.

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